Most of my summer childhood memories involve swimming. Whether I was at the lake, the YMCA pool, or summer camp, I loved swimming and eventually became a lifeguard. The summer camp I went to required that every camper take swim lessons each summer. Looking back, I am grateful for the skills I learned that kept me safe and allowed me to have fun.
Unfortunately, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 years old. In addition to closely supervising young swimmers and following pool safety guidelines, swim lessons are one way to help prevent this tragedy. Whether your child is new to swim lessons this year, wants to improve their stroke, or wants to compete, there are many locations in for great swim lessons in the Birmingham area, as well as several places with swim teams. As an adult, if you don’t feel comfortable with your swimming skills, most swim programs offer lessons to adults, too. What a great way to show your child how important and fun it is to swim safely!
Swim Lessons
Alabama Swim School
Alabama Swim School offers private and group lessons for ages 12 months and older.
Location: 2244 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL 35124
Aquatots
Aquatots offers year round classes for ages 4 months and older in a heated pool. Their student to teacher ratio is 4:1. They also have a swim program for children with special needs and abilities.
Location: 1694 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35216
City of Birmingham Pools
City of Birmingham Pools offers swim lessons for $5 per two week session. Check their website closer to the summer for more details and for location openings.
Country Clubs
There are several local country clubs that offer swim lessons. For most country clubs, you need to be a member to participate in their swim lessons.
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School offers year round classes for ages 4 months and older in a heated pool. Their student to teacher ratio is 4:1.
Location: 5549 Grove Boulevard, Hoover, AL 35226
Instaswim
Instaswim offers swim lessons for 6 months and older. A private swim instructor will come to your home pool or community pool to give lessons.
Location: Your home pool or community pool
The Lakeshore Foundation
The Lakeshore Foundation offers year round swim classes for ages 6 months- 18 years old in a heated pool. Participants must be a Lakeshore Foundation member.
Location: 4000 Ridgeway Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209
Levite Jewish Community Center
The Levite Jewish Community Center (LJCC) offers private, buddy, and group lessons for 2 years and older. LJCC members receive a discount on the cost of lessons.
Location: 3960 Montclair Road, Birmingham, AL 35213
Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness offers group and private lessons for 3 months to 13 years old.
Location: 3051 Healthy Way, Vestavia, AL 35243
Swim Like Fish
Swim Like Fish offers group and private swim lessons to ages 6 months and older.
Location: 924 South Forrest Drive, Homewood, AL 35209
UAB Campus Rec Center
UAB Campus Rec Center offers private and semi-private 30 minute lessons in packages of 4 or 8. Their lessons are for ages 6 months and older. UAB Campus Rec members receive a discount.
YMCA
The YMCA has several locations and offers group and private lessons for ages 6 months and older. Members receive half of the cost of lessons.
Locations: Alabaster, Greystone, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Shades Valley, Trussville, Pelham
There are also many local swim teachers that offer group or private swim lessons.
Swim Teams
Swimming with a team is a great next step for children who enjoy swimming and have a good grasp on fundamentals of swimming. Swim team is perfect for kids who want to compete in races, master more difficult strokes, or just spend extra time at the pool with friends over the summer.
The Jefferson Shelby County Swim Council
(JSCS) consists of 17 member teams and over 2,200 swimmers throughout the Jefferson and Shelby County areas. JSCS holds swim meets throughout the summer. You can be part of JSCS by joining one of the following teams:
- Alabama Swim School
- Country Club of Birmingham
- Brook Highland Racquet Club
- Birmingham Swim Team
- Greystone Golf and Country Club
- Hoover Country Club
- Homewood Parks and Recreation
- Inverness Country Club
- Levite Jewish Community Center
- Mountain Brook Country Club
- Pine Tree Country Club
- Riverchase Country Club
- Swim Birmingham YMCA– Greystone, Hoover, Pelham, Shades Valley, and Trussville locations. (Swim Birmingham YMCA also offers year round swim team at Greystone, Hoover, Shades Valley, and Trussville.)
- Shades Cliff Swim Team
- Streamline and Stroke
- Vestavia Country Club
- Vestavia Swim Association
