Swim Lessons and Programs
A schedule of many popular swim lessons and activities is currently available. See FAQs below for more information on swim lessons.
Juniper Facility Hours:
Mon - Thu: 5:30 am - 9:00 pm
Fri: 5:30 am - 7:30 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Larkspur hours:
Mon - Fri: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Swim Lessons & Programs
Descriptions for swim lessons are below.
- Check current swim classes & programs and register for all swim lessons and programs
Parent-Tot Program | Ages 6 - 36 Months
Parent-Tot Lessons: (6 – 36 months)
Developmentally appropriate class provides a safe, encouraging and fun introduction to the wonderful world of water. Parents work directly with their child under instructor’s guidance.
- All Parent-Tot programs must have a parent/caregiver in the water with the swimmer.
Questions? for more information, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
Preschool Program | Ages 3 – 5
Progressive journey program for the preschoolers develops swimming skills in a creative environment with your child’s comfort, confidence and enjoyment at heart.
Journey 1: Water adjustment, underwater exploration, floating on front by myself for 3-5 seconds, flutter kicking on tummy and back. Pre-requisite: ability to participate in a class environment.
Journey 2: Front and back floats 5 seconds, front and back glides for 5 seconds and front and back kicks for 5 seconds. Pre-requisite: float on front with face in the water for 3-5 seconds by myself.
Journey 3: Front streamline kick for 10 seconds, roll over from front to back, kick on back hands by side for 10 seconds. Pre-requisite: Front and back floats 5 seconds , front and back glides for 5 seconds and front and back kicks for 5 seconds.
Journey 4: Arrow kick on front with straight legs for 20 feet, crawl stroke for 20 feet and kick on back with hands by side for 20 feet. Pre-requisite: Arrow kick on front for 10 seconds, back kick hands by side for 10 seconds and student comfortable swimming all skills in the big pool.
Journey 5: Front crawl with side breathing for 20 feet, back crawl stroke for 20 feet. Pre-requisite: front crawl for 20 feet, kick on back for 20 feet.
Questions? for more information, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
Youth Program | Ages 6+
This leveled program designed for school-age children will be fun and challenging. Highly structured classes will help increase confidence and develop new swimming skills.
Level 1: Water adjustment, front and back floats for 5 seconds, front and back glides for 5 seconds, arrow kick for 5 seconds and back kick for 5 seconds. Pre-requisite: 6 years and older. Child must be comfortable in water depth for 3.5 feet.
Level 2: Streamline kicking on front for 10 seconds, kick on back hands by side for 10 seconds, front crawl stroke for 10 seconds. Pre-requisite: front and back floats for 5 seconds, front and back glides for 5 seconds, arrow kick for 5 seconds and back kick for 5 seconds.
Level 3: Arrow kick on front for 45 feet, crawl stroke with side breathing for 45 feet, back stroke for 45 feet. Pre-requisite: Streamline kicking on front for 10 seconds, kick on back hands by side for 10 seconds, front crawl stroke for 10 seconds.
Level 4: Crawl stroke with rhythmic side breathing, back crawl stroke for 25 meters with increased emphasis on proper technique. Elementary backstroke introduced. Pre-requisite: Comfortably swim crawl stroke with side breathing and back stroke 45 feet.
Level 5: Front crawl stroke with side breathing for 50 meters, back crawl stroke for 50 meters, breast stroke for 25 meters. Pre-requisite: front streamline kick for 25 meters, crawl stroke with side breathing for 25 meters, back crawl stroke for 25 meters, elementary back stroke for 25 meters.
Level 6: Front crawl stroke with alternate breathing for 75 meters, back stroke for 75 meters, breast stroke for 50 meters and butterfly for 25 meters.Pre-requisite: Front crawl stroke with side breathing for 50 meters, back crawl stroke for 50 meters, breast stroke for 25 meters.
Questions? for more information, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
Novice Swim Team | Ages 8 - 15
Check current swim classes & programs for Novice Swim Team.
Have your kids graduated from Level 3 or higher and are looking for something new? Check out the Youth Novice Swim Team.
An introduction to competitive swimming with training designed to challenge and refine swimming skills. Participants must be able to swim 25 meters front crawl stroke with side breathing and 25 meters backstroke with level body position. We’ll teach the rest. Groups are divided by age and ability levels.
Youth Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons: 6+ months & up
Sorry, private and semi-private lessons are not available at this time as we focus staffing and operations on group lessons.
Adult Program | Ages 16 & up
Level 1 Adult Swim Instruction: This class is designed for the adult swimmer with little to no experience in the water. We will help you conquer your fear of swimming by introducing basic swim skills and water safety. Majority of class is in shallow water.
Level 2 Adult Swim Instruction: Learn basic front crawl and back strokes in a comfortable environment designed for new swimmers. Appropriate for adults unable to swim 15 meters.
Level 3 Adult Swim Instruction: Class works on building confidence, stroke technique, and achieving the ability to swim full laps. Focus is on fitness through skill training, short distance repeats and individualized to meet your goals. Appropriate for adults who can swim 15-meters but not much more.
Questions? for more information, contact:
Use this contact form to send an
Not sure where to start? Take the guesswork out and contact our Aquatics Staff at:
Use this contact form to send an
Bend Park & Recreation District offers a progressive skills-based program to help children succeed in becoming a better swimmer. Whether your child is just starting out to learn to swim or on their way to being a lifelong swimmer, we have a program for them.
Our swim lessons are age appropriate, skill appropriate, safe, small, professional and FUN!
Program Benefits:
- Learn and improve swimming skills.
- Develop trust and confidence in others.
- Learn to be safe in and around the water.
- Improve social skills and opportunities.
- Enhance self-esteem through positive encouragement and personal success.
- Develop positive life long recreational opportunities.
- Have fun!
All registration is available online at BPRD registration website.
When does registration begin?
Registration is ongoing after opening for a season. You can see upcoming classes and ongoing classes on the registration site. You can register online or in person.
You can see seasonal opening dates and instructions of how to register on the How to Register page.
Need help? Customer service staff are available by phone at (541) 389-7665 during all operating hours to assist you with the registration system or to answer questions. If you can only pay with cash, please speak to customer service staff via phone for assistance.
If I’m unable to register online how can I get help?
Customer service staff are available by phone at (541) 389-7665 during all operating hours to assist you with the reservation system or answering questions. If you can only pay with cash, please speak to customer service staff via phone for assistance.
Where do I enter for swim lessons?
Enter through the north lobby at Juniper and the main lobby at Larkspur, off of the 15th Street entrance. Check in with customer service and proceed to the pool deck to meet your class. There are signs on the deck that have the level of swim lesson at a meeting spot where you will meet each time.
How do I know where my class is?
There are signs placed on the deck that have the level of swim lesson at their meeting spot. This is where you will meet each day.
I don’t know what level I am signed up for?
Our deck coordinator has the information and can help you find the appropriate class.
I am on a waitlist what should I do?
If there is room for additional swimmers, we will call the waitlist participants in the order received.
I don’t remember what facility my lesson is at?
When you registered, you should have received an e-mail receipt with your class location listed with the activity. You can also look up your registration information on the registration site, https://register.bendparksandrec.org.
Once logged in, select “my account” in the top menu and select “Household Calendar” under “Reports”. Select one or all fields in the “Select Output” field and the applicable months in the “Select Months” field. Then, select “Yes” in the “Print Location/Extra Information Line:” field. You will then receive a report in your household’s e-mail account.
Still need assisstance?
Use this contact form to send an
What do I do if I signed my child up for the wrong level?
Contact customer service and ask about updating the customer question on your swim lesson registration.
I have multiple children and would like to have them in lessons at the same time.
Most of our lessons have the opportunity to occur at the same time. If you weren’t able to sign up for the same time due to the class being full, we encourage you to place your child on the waitlist for the time you like and sign up for the class closest to that time. If the class has an opening, you will have the opportunity to transfer.
My child is signed up for a level that they already passed.
Contact customer service and ask about updating the customer question on your swim lesson registration.
What is the cancellation/refunds policy?
If you do not plan to have your child attend swim lessons, please contact us immediately to cancel as we have other families on waiting lists. We are not able to accommodate makeup lessons.
Program registrations: As of April 5, 2022, you may cancel a program at any time and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to make space available for others. Credits and refunds will be granted as follows:
• Within 48 hours of registering: 100% of program fee
• 15 days or more before program start date: 90% of program fee
• 7-14 days before program start date: 75% of program fee
• 6 days or less before program start: No credit or refund. It is extremely difficult to fill cancelled spaces with short notice.
• After program start date/time: No credits, refunds or prorating of fees will be given for missed portions or early withdrawals.
Fees are not refunded/prorated for missed days unless due to health reasons.
I am unable to attend a lesson due to illness or other commitments, do you offer a make up lesson?
Due to our goal of maintaining consistency in swim lessons with instructors and class size, we are unable to offer make up lessons for missed classes.
Do you offer private lessons?
As a recreation facility committed to serving the whole community, group swim lessons remain our priority. We are unable to offer private or semi-private lessons.
Larkspur Community Center
Indoor Lifestyle Pool and Current Channel
The 4,000-square-foot pool features a 135,000-gallon recreation and leisure pool and hot tub. The high-quality Myrtha-brand pool has a soft-touch floor that’s great for water walking and shallow water exercise. The pool’s depth ranges from two-foot-six-inch to six-foot-three-inch to support both shallow and deep-water activities.
The pool also has a current channel with a hydro feature in its center, providing resistance for working out and a playful attraction for recreating. The current is a popular amenity for both young and older swimmers alike. A platform lift, pool lift and multiple stairs ensure easy water entry and exit.
Juniper Swim and Fitness Center
Indoor 25-meter Pool
Perfect for swim lessons, water exercise, therapy and recreation swimming. Features comfortable 84-degree water, 4′- 12′ water depth, water basketball hoops and two one-meter diving boards.
Indoor Children’s Pool
The Indoor Children’s pool is 90 degrees the pool depth is 2’6″ – 3′ with small slide and splash features.
Outdoor Activity Pool
The outdoor activity pool offers warm 85-degree water with slides, tumble buckets and a splash pad the pool depth is 0″ – 3’6″.
Indoor/Outdoor 50-meter Pool
With 80-degree water temperature and a removable roof system, this pool is ideal for year-round training. Moveable bulkhead allows the pool to be divided into to 25-meter pools. Note: The roof panels will remain in place for summer 2024 while the gable end panels and all side openings will be removed.
Free Swim Lesson Assessment: Take the guesswork out with a free swim assessment to ensure your child is in the right class. Assessments are available at both Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and Larkspur Community Center. You can find the days and times available in the Youth Swimming section of the current season's Playlist on the Playlist webpage.
To arrange an appointment to work with your schedule, click here to email Shannon Gilman, Aquatics Supervisor.