About
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools offers swim classes and swimming lessons, including specialty classes in aquatic fitness and competition preparation. The program uses a child development-centered curriculum with an in-depth curriculum and ribbon level system, and follows the AQUATIC CLASSROOM® program with a developmental aquatic approach that emphasizes a balance between love and discipline. Swimming lessons are available for people aged 2 months or older, and the program offers free swim lessons for babies 2–5 months.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Sunday during daytime and evening hours
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has been providing award-winning swimming lessons in the Bay Area since 1979. The program’s stated philosophy is “Teaching life skills through swimming in our AQUATIC CLASSROOM®.” Its motto is “Pace, Pattern, Compassion, and Fun!” The expert staff includes highly trained teachers who are trained to read body language and open up the line of communication with their students. The leadership team at the Redwood City site includes Brian Pirazzi, Site Director, and Lizzy Platero, Assistant Site Director, and La Petite Baleen was co-founded by John Kolbisen and Irene Madrid, who wrote Wiggle-butts & Up-faces, published in 1989. La Petite Baleen Swim Schools operates four San Francisco Bay Area swim schools and encourages exploration of local attractions in Redwood City, CA, including Filoli, Pulgas Water Temple, the San Mateo County History Museum, and Segway Polo.
Parent testimonials describe patient and kind instruction, clean and welcoming facilities, and caring, interactive instruction that supported water safety awareness and family bonding for a child who began swimming at 2 months old. Other parents note the foundational skills their children built and mention that they will miss the instruction and community at La Petite Baleen Swim Schools.
Last updated March 20, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options Monday–Sunday during daytime and evening hours
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has been providing award-winning swimming lessons in the Bay Area since 1979. The program’s stated philosophy is “Teaching life skills through swimming in our AQUATIC CLASSROOM®.” Its motto is “Pace, Pattern, Compassion, and Fun!” The expert staff includes highly trained teachers who are trained to read body language and open up the line of communication with their students. The leadership team at the Redwood City site includes Brian Pirazzi, Site Director, and Lizzy Platero, Assistant Site Director, and La Petite Baleen was co-founded by John Kolbisen and Irene Madrid, who wrote Wiggle-butts & Up-faces, published in 1989. La Petite Baleen Swim Schools operates four San Francisco Bay Area swim schools and encourages exploration of local attractions in Redwood City, CA, including Filoli, Pulgas Water Temple, the San Mateo County History Museum, and Segway Polo.
Parent testimonials describe patient and kind instruction, clean and welcoming facilities, and caring, interactive instruction that supported water safety awareness and family bonding for a child who began swimming at 2 months old. Other parents note the foundational skills their children built and mention that they will miss the instruction and community at La Petite Baleen Swim Schools.
Last updated March 20, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.