Swim lessons are crucial for any child, at any age. Not only do swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning and improve water safety skills, but swimming is also a fun way to stay active and encourage healthy living from an early age. Swim lessons can create a love and respect for water while building confidence that will stay with them the rest of their lives.
Los Alamos County has a contract instructor to offer Scuba Instruction, Tortuga Diving. Registration is available through Tortuga's website as classes become available.
Los Alamos County has one contract instructor who offers Swim Lessons. The lessons will be open to people of all genders, ages, abilities, and levels, and registration will be available through WebTrac as classes become available.
The Aquatic Center asks that Patrons confirm that they still have access to their accounts before registration opens. Walk-in registrations will not be accepted. Swim lesson costs do not include admission into the pool, for free play before or after the lessons.
Swim Lesson Contract Instructors are:
- 505 Swimming
Volunteer FREE Adult Swim lessons
Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Register Online
505 Swimming LLC was created in 2022 in Santa Fe with a mission of increasing the availability of life-saving swim instruction in our community. Their team is composed of instructors who have a passion and demonstrated talent for working with children and are certified as swim instructors through either the Red Cross or Swim Lessons University, in addition to being certified in CPR or lifeguarding through the Red Cross.
They are passionate about creating an awareness of the importance of water safety and teaching children in northern New Mexico how to swim. Their learn-to-swim curriculum is based on that of the Red Cross, with levels ranging from group parent-tot lessons to private intermediate/stroke development lessons.
505 Swimming curriculum and lesson offerings for 2025:
Parent & Tot Group Lessons:
This lesson is designed for one parent and one child, between the ages of 1 year old 2 years old. 11m old, to be in the water together. Lessons are 30 minutes in a group setting of no more than 5 registrants.
Lessons are offered on (subject to change):Register Online
Cost is $17/lesson and 1 on 1 Private lessons $35/lesson. Lessons are taught by 505 Swim Instructors.
Level 1 Group Lessons:
This lesson is designed for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years old, with little to no skills or experience in the water alone. Parents will not be allowed in the water, but are welcome to watch. Lessons are 30 minutes in a group setting of no more than 5 registrants.
Lessons are offered on (subject to change): Register Online
Lessons are taught by 505 Swim Instructors.
Level 2 Group Lessons:
This lesson is designed for children 3 years old and above, who are comfortable in the water but still need help with basic skills like kicking, swimming, and floating independently. Parents will not be allowed in the water, but are welcome to watch. Lessons are 30 minutes in a group setting of no more than 5 registrants.
Lessons are offered on (subject to change): Register Online
Lessons are taught by 505 Swim Instructors.
Private one-on-one (1:1) Lessons:
These lessons are designed for all ages, with a minimum of 10 months, and for any skill level, including adults and intermediate swimmers. Parents will not be allowed in the water, but are welcome to watch. Lessons are 30 minutes in a one-on-one setting.
This is 505 Swimming's most popular option; their private lessons allow for the most individualized attention and instruction. They find that these lessons are best for the kids who struggle in group settings and those who are working on overcoming a deep fear of the water. Instruction in these lessons ranges from infant lessons to more advanced stroke-level instruction in our intermediate-level private lessons.
Swim lessons don't have to just be for kids, and 505 Swimming believes that it is never too late to learn how to swim or improve your swimming technique! Since 505 Swimming's adult lessons are taught to all ages and skill levels, their instructors create a lesson that caters to the student's skills and goals. Regardless of whether you're looking to learn the basics or want to improve your swimming strokes, these personalized lessons are perfect for you.
Lessons are offered on (subject to change): Register Online
Lessons are taught by 505 Swim Instructors.
Los Alamos County Recreation Division to provide Free Adult group swim mechanics lessons Bi-weekly. Adults need to be 20 years old and up and be able to swim 25 yards unassisted. Group is limited to 8 participants each offered date.
Register Online
Seahorse/Goldfish, Parent and Tot, and Stingray/ Dolphin swim lessons will be offered at varying times. Check the schedule for more details: Swim Lesson Schedule
2025 Walkup Swim Lessons Parent Handbook(PDF, 721KB)
Level 1 - Starfish (Parent & Tot)
Lessons are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
See the schedule for lesson openings and times
The class teaches parents safe water interactions with their child and emphasizes safety, water comfort, submersion, and motor skills. Swim Diapers are mandatory - if needed. The class is located in the Leisure Lagoon. Parents will be in the water with their child, suitable for Toddlers aged 6 months - 3 years.
Cost is $120 for 6 - 30-minute lessons. Lessons are taught by Los Alamos County Swim Instructors.
Level 2/3 - Seahorse/Goldfish combo course
Lessons are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
See the schedule for lesson openings and times
Little to no water experience is required. This class introduces children to water with fun water activities. Class emphasizes safety, floats, glides, rolls, submersion, motor skills, and entry & exit of the pool. The class is located in the Leisure Lagoon. Parents will not be in the water with their child, suitable for Children 3 years and up.
Cost is $120 for 6 30-minute lessons. Lessons are taught by Los Alamos County Swim Instructors.
Schedule Lessons: Level 4 - Stingray
Students are introduced to the main pool deep end to improve crawl stroke and fin on back, and learn kneeling dive entry. Elementary backstroke and freestyle are introduced. Emphasis on stroke improvement, underwater exploration (goggles strongly recommended), and treading water.
Lessons are offered on (subject to change):
Cost is $120 for 6 - 30min lessons. Lessons are taught by Los Alamos County Swim Instructors.
Level 4/5 - Stingray/Dolphin
Lessons are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
See the schedule for lesson openings and times
Students are comfortable with the main pool deep end and are introduced to standing dive and surface dives. Students will continue to learn to tread water for extended amounts of time, be exposed to continuous swim, freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke development, and learn to retrieve an object at 7 feet deep.
Level 5 - Shark
Students are comfortable with the main pool deep end and are introduced to block starts and flip turns (front & back). Students will continue to learn to tread water for extended amounts of time, be exposed to continuous swim, freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke development, and will learn stroke completion with backstroke and butterfly. Students will also learn safety rescues: Reaching assist, throwing assist, and deep water object retrieval.
Lessons: No classes are being offered at this time
Private Spotlight Lessons
Children and Adults - Private Swim Lessons
Participants receive individual attention in an enhanced learning environment. Two students of comparable skills can be scheduled for the same session. Reservations will be based on instructor availability around times suitable for programming needs to provide the best learning opportunities.
Fees: $90.00 per student
$130.00 for two students
For three 30-minute classes
Lessons: No classes are being offered at this time
Register Online
Tortuga Diver Training is a contract instructor for the Los Alamos County Recreation Division. The mission of Tortuga Diver Training is to provide the highest quality scuba instruction in the Northern New Mexico area. Whether students are interested in introductory, continuing education, or even professional-level training, Tortuga Diver Training can help these individuals achieve their personal scuba diving goals.
Additional information about class availability can be found here.