Free Swim Lesson Available at 5 Rec Centers
School is out, and swimming is in at City of San Diego recreation centers this summer! The City is launching its popular Portable Pool program at select recreation centers to help children stay cool and teach important water safety skills.
The City’s Portable Pool program will officially open at City Heights Recreation Center beginning Monday, June 17. While pools are installed, the City will provide free, week-long water safety skills classes to children between the ages of three and 15. Classes can accommodate as many as 100 children per week, with six to 10 children in each class.
The Portable Pool program was created in 1968 and has provided swimming and water safety opportunities to thousands of children who do not live in close proximity to the 13 municipal pools located throughout the city.
“Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children ages one to 14 and is the leading cause of accidental injury death for children ages one to four years old,” said Nicole McNeil, Supervising Recreation Specialist for the City’s Aquatics Program. “The City is offering these important free classes to help young children learn basic swimming skills to keep them safe around pools and prevent unnecessary drowning tragedies.”
An additional portable pool will be installed at the Robert Egger Sr./South Bay Recreation Center beginning Monday, July 1. The portable pools will remain for three weeks before being moved to other facilities including Paradise Hills, Linda Vista and Ocean Beach recreation centers. Kids can also take advantage of a 30-minute playtime swim session at select locations, on weekdays, at no charge.
To enroll, parents must fill out an ActiveNet submittal form and return it to the desired recreation center where the portable pool is installed. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, including scheduling and recreation center contact information, please refer to the Portable Pools flyer or visit www.sandiego.gov/pools.
