Swimming Lessons & Aquatics Programs

Swimming Lessons & Aquatics Programs includes swimming lessons, recreational swim, Competitive Swim, Junior Lifeguard Camp, Adult and Child Lessons, Tadpole Group Lessons, and group lessons for different skill levels. Activities in this program include classroom sessions, in-water trainings, on-deck drills, and hands-on learning in the areas of lifeguarding, as well as topics in Lifeguard Training, First Aid, CPR, and Water Safety Instruction that are covered but not certified. The City of Napa Parks and Recreation Services Department offers these aquatics programs throughout the summer, including swimming lessons, Junior Guard Camp, recreational swim, and Lifeguard Certification Training.

• Ages: 0–14 years old
• Schedule: Spring swimming lessons begin May 2026, with registration starting January 6, 2026; hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Adult and Child Lessons (6–36 months) allow a parent and child to spend time together in the water and teach parents basic skills to practice with their child while encouraging the child to become comfortable in the water. Adult and Child Lessons teach children early safety skills and prepare them for independent swimming lessons after age 3. Tadpole Group Lessons (age 3–5) are small group classes for beginning swimmers with no previous swimming experience necessary and are designed to teach water safety, comfort and confidence in the water, emergency breathing, gliding, and underwater bobs. Levels 1–2 Group Lessons (ages 6–8) are small group lessons for older beginners with no previous swimming experience necessary and are designed to teach water safety, comfort and confidence in the water, emergency breathing, gliding, and underwater bobs. Levels 3–4 Group Lessons (ages 9–13) are small group lessons for children with previous swimming experience who must be able to demonstrate an emergency breathing technique, and these levels are designed to introduce stroke work for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Junior Lifeguard Camp (ages 10–14) provides teens and preteens with classroom sessions, in-water trainings, on-deck drills, and hands-on learning in lifeguarding. Junior Guard Camp is designed to give students the tools necessary to be successful when they take their Lifeguard Training certification course at age 15 and focuses on responsibility, decision-making, and the ability to perform learned tasks. Junior Guard Camp topics to cover, but not certify, include Lifeguard Training, First Aid, CPR, and Water Safety Instruction, and each week of Junior Guard Camp has a theme with activities to mix up the fun.

Competitive Swim (ages 8–13) is an advanced swim class for swimmers who have successfully completed Level 4 or an equivalent skill level and are ready to focus on refining their technique and building endurance. Competitive Swim emphasizes stroke development and improving proficiency in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, using targeted drills and technique work to enhance stroke mechanics, improve body position, and develop better breathing patterns. Competitive Swim also incorporates endurance-building sets to help swimmers increase their aerobic capacity and stamina for longer distances.

Leadership for these programs includes Erin Lucero, Recreation Coordinator, and Kelly Bullock, Recreation Supervisor.

Last updated May 15, 2026.