Anne L. Francis

Great Parent-Child Swim Classes

Looking for some water fun? Try one of the parent-child classes at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. The JCC's Aquatics Center offers both private and group classes for adults and children (6 months and up).

We've taken Baby Belugas and Beluga Buddies. These 30-minute classes meet once a week for several weeks and take place in the Center's warm water teaching pool. For both classes, our teacher was an outstanding swimmer and really understood how to teach, engage, and entertain kids.

Baby Belugas, a class for newbies (6 months - 2 years), introduces your child to the water and helps him feel comfortable in it. Floating toys (to throw and retrieve) and songs such as "Hokey Pokey" and "This is the Way We Wash Our..." (ears, face, hands, etc.) are used to get you and your kids moving, and to get little faces and ears wet (a big deal for some kids, like mine).

In Beluga Buddies (2 - 4 years), kids learn basic arm and leg motions (dog paddle, kicking), how to climb safely in and out of the pool, and practice listening and responding correctly to safety directions from both the parent and teacher. As in Baby Belugas, floating toys and songs are used to practice water skills.

Parent-child swim classes tend to fill up quickly at the JCC, so register as soon as you can. If classes are full, there's a waiting list. Class prices vary depending on how many weeks the class runs, and your membership status. For more info, consult the JCC Aquatic Center's current pricing legend (.pdf file).

Class-related amenities: Towels are provided in the pool area and locker rooms. The three main locker rooms (men, women, and family) have showers, changing areas, and lockers -- all clean, fully-stocked, and very well-maintained. Parking is available on the premises, in the JCC garage. Post-class snacks can be found at the front desk (water, sports drinks, energy bars) or lobby snack bar (fruit, salads, sandwiches, etc.).

Bottom line: well-designed classes, great teachers, warm and clean pool, convenient parking, lockers and snacks -- dive in and enjoy!

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
3200 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-292-1240
http://jccsf.org/content_main.aspx?catid=16

Stars: 5 out of 5