Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura today announced the opening of registration for free summer Learn to Swim classes at 18 outdoor pools across New York City, eight more locations than last year's total of 10. These classes will offer slots for more than 16,000 participants this summer.
NYC Parks' free swim instruction teaches approximately 19,000 young people ages 18 months to 17 years old how to swim each year, saving families hundreds of dollars in lesson costs while building lifelong water safety skills. Last summer, nearly 6,000 children and parents with tots participated in classes at outdoor pools.
This year's summer session will run from July 6 until August 28. Learn to Swim classes are also offered during the fall, winter and spring. All NYC Parks outdoor pools will open for the season on June 27.
"New York City is a beach town, with 14 miles of beaches and dozens of public pools for New Yorkers who want to cool off on a hot summer day," said Mayor Mamdani. "Every child deserves to enjoy the water safely. That's why we're expanding free swim lessons across the five boroughs - giving more young New Yorkers access to an essential life skill, saving families money and making sure every child feels confident in the water."
"Water safety is fundamental, and every child in New York City should have access to life-saving swimming instruction. This summer, we're proud to expand the number of sites offering our free Learn to Swim classes - the most locations we've had since 2019," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "This will ensure that more New Yorkers can learn critical life skills right in their own communities and experience a safe and fun summer in the water."
This summer, Learn to Swim classes will be offered at Kosciusko Pool, McCarren Pool, Sunset Pool, Bushwick Pool and Betsy Head Pool in Brooklyn; Van Cortlandt Pool, Crotona Pool and Claremont Pool in the Bronx; Asser Levy Pool, Gottesman Pool, Hamilton Fish Pool, Jackie Robinson Pool and John Jay Pool in Manhattan; Astoria Pool, Fisher Pool and Liberty Pool in Queens; and Faber Pool and Lyons Pool on Staten Island.
New Yorkers can register for summer classes here .
Registration is conducted through a free, secure online lottery system. Applicants who are not selected will be placed on a waiting list. Participants should keep the following in mind:
- Choose only one class. Register for only one class per person. Multiple registrations will not increase your chances of selection.
