If you are unsure of what level to sign your child up for or they may be in between levels, always choose the lower level. Your child’s ability will be assessed on the first day of each session to make sure everyone is in the correct class. If your child needs to be moved, it is easier to move them up a level than to move them down.

For questions regarding level placement and swimmers abilities in different levels, please ask a manager on deck.  

For those who would like to confirm the placement of their child in swim lessons, the ElitSwim staff will be assessing participant's abilities to ensure they are registered for the correct class.  Please register for the date and time you wish to attend this free activity.

Spring Swim Lesson Assessment Day Registration will be available March 1 for San Ramon residents and March 8 for non residents.  

5/8, 5/22                                              830am – 900am
6/5, 6/19    830am - 900am
7/3, 7/17, 7/31    830am - 900am

Dougherty Valley Aquatic Center             
6/12, 6/26    830am - 900am 
7/10    830am - 900am 

ElitSwim is the next generation of swim lessons. Using a combination of European technique and style in tandem with American swim lessons will build a strong foundation for your child’s ultimate performance.

ElitSwim uses a team atmosphere to create a positive learning environment. They have taken the nurturing, small group characteristics of a swim school and placed it under the knowledge and guidance of one of the top swim coaches in the nation, Paschalis Ntatsos.  This program is the next step in developing the physical and mental abilities of our swim lesson participants. 

ElitSwim is dedicated to providing every participant the opportunity and encouragement necessary to develop to the best of their ability.

Paschalis Ntatsos is an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 5 International Senior Coach and he also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education & Sports Science (BSS).  One of his unique strengths is that he has combined his extensive international swimming career and training by top European coaches, together with his head coaching experiences across all age groups, including elite international level swimmers. As a result, he better understands the individual needs of his swimmers to maximize their potential. This experience and knowledge is passed on to all of his ElitSwim instructors.

7 days Before the Swim Lesson Session Begins or the Registration Deadline:

1. You may withdraw from a swim lesson session and have a credit placed on your account without incurring the processing fee.
2. Full refunds (less processing fee) will be issued for requests received 7 days prior to the start of a swim lesson session.  Refunds will be returned in the form of the original payment.

Within 7 days:

1. Credit will be given if the program meets the minimum attendance requirements.
2. Refunds (less processing fee) will only be given if a substitution is made for your spot.

3 days prior to a swim lesson session and after the first day of the swim lesson session:

1. All refund / credit / transfers received within 3 days prior to the start of a swim lesson session are not guaranteed.
2. Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance requirements will not be granted.
3. Failure to attend a swim lesson (no shows) will not be granted.
4. Refunds / credits / transfers will not be issued for requests received after the scheduled swim lesson session has started.

To request a withdrawal, refund, transfer please submit the Parks and Community Services refund, transfer, credit form.  Click here to access and submit the form.  

Your child should arrive to their swim lesson with a towel, goggles, cap or hair tie, dressed in their swimsuit, and ready to swim. Masks should be worn while on the pool deck, but not in the water.  Shower facilities and changing rooms are currently closed in accordance with Contra Costa County COVID-19 restrictions. Restrooms are open.  

We also have ElitSwim caps for sale on deck that you may purchase on the day of your lesson.

Children under three (and older if not fully potty-trained) must wear a swim diaper or a plastic-lined swimsuit/diaper. Swim diapers can be purchased at most supermarkets, drug stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

On the day of your class, please check in at the swim lesson table for ElitSwim on the pool deck.

• At the San Ramon Olympic Pool, the check in table will be located near the Lap Pool.

• Parent Area 1 is a reserved watching area for spectators of Pre-ELIT, ELIT 1, ELIT 2, Parent Tot, Adult, and Private Lessons.  Participants for these classes will enter and exit at the stairwell. 
• Parent Area 2 is a reserved watching area for spectators of ELIT 101, ELIT 102, and ELIT 3. Participants will enter in the shallow end and exit in the deep end of the lap pool.  
• Spectators should be kept to a minimum. 
• No chairs will be available, please bring your own chair. 
• Please keep a distance of 6 feet between other spectators. 
• Face coverings must be worn at all times  by all spectators. 

There is no definite time in which your child can start progressing. It will depend on the child’s acceptance of new learning situations, natural learning abilities, desire, attitude and confidence. Learning is a gradual and ongoing process. Some children take to the water right away and pick things up very quickly. Others are hesitant, but with patience will learn the same skills in a slightly longer period of time.

The most important thing to remember is to never compare your child’s progress to another child. All children are different and we need to let them learn at their own comfort level. It also depends on what you are looking to get out of the lessons. If you want your child to learn competitive swim techniques, that will take longer than if you want your child to learn basic swimming or water safety skills. On average, our typical student is with us for anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks of lessons in each level.

 What we recommend!

Water is a very challenging environment and if you want your child to improve in a short period of time then we definitely recommend a minimum of two lessons per week and for multiple weeks. This will give your child the frequency to start feeling more comfortable in the water, remember instructions from their previous lesson and allowed to make changes in their balance in the water and in their strokes in general.

Every child is different and progresses at his or her own rate. Most children remain in the same level for several sessions before graduating to the next level--especially beginners. Our lessons are short and students are not expected to become experts after one lesson. We ask parents to be patient and to give their children the time needed to build their confidence, coordination, and comfort in the water. It may take longer than you initially anticipate.

The term "water safe" can be misleading and shouldn't be equated with your child's acquisition of certain swimming skills (e.g. learning to float, being able to swim 5 yards unassisted, etc.). Only you can know when you feel comfortable letting your child out of your reach, sight, etc. when in the water. Our program seeks to develop your child as a well-rounded swimmer as well as to have an understanding of general water safety and an awareness of their individual limitations so they can make good choices and remain as safe as possible in or around water. We ask parents to remember that swimming is a life skill, not a pastime, and to allow the necessary time for your child to become a proficient swimmer.

Both types of lessons have their benefits for different types of children. Private lessons often yield faster results due to the undivided attention your child will receive from the instructor. However, many children benefit from the inherent "peer pressure" of a group setting. A shy or tentative child might be more inclined to try a skill after seeing another student in the class try it and receive positive feedback from the instructor.

If your child has special needs and/or will need a great deal of attention, private class may be better for their progress.

If your child struggles to keep up with a regularly scheduled class, a series of private lessons to help them progress might be a option you should consider.  

Progress can be contagious. If you are truly undecided, we recommend trying a session of Group Lessons and a session of Private Lessons and seeing which one works best for your child.

At each swim lesson level, there is generally a range of ages represented by the students. Your child may be beyond the general age range of group lessons. This is where private lessons are an excellent alternative. With one-on-one attention, your child can not only get age-specific attention, they have the opportunity to learn at a faster pace.

If you are unsure of what level to register for, always choose the lower level. We assess the students' ability to make sure everyone is in the correct class. If your child needs to be moved, it is easier for us to move them up a level.  If you prefer, after registering for the lower level, please attend a Swim Lesson Assessment Day.  You can find specific dates and times listed above or in the activity guide.  

Our teachers are trained to work with even the most fearful or nervous swimmers. Reassure your child and then let the instructor build your child's confidence. Common fears in young children are separation anxiety and for older children fear of the water. These fears will diminish with time and with positive encouragement from you and the instructor.  

We recommend that you do not pull your child out of the pool during a lesson or stop lessons altogether. This can be detrimental, because it allows the fear to be reinforced without giving the instructor the opportunity to alleviate the student's fears. If your child has had a previous traumatic experience with the water we suggest starting with private lessons offered by ElitSwim or if a group environment is preferred the Splash & Play Water Discovery class is offered by the City aquatics staff.  

Your child’s safety is our top priority. Please be patient and allow the instructors and staff to do what they do best – teaching every child to learn and love to swim!

If the child is constantly asking for their parent throughout the lesson, the teacher is probably competing for your child's attention.  In this case it is best to have the parent “out of sight and out of mind” until the child begins to bond and trust the teacher. We want parents to watch the entire lesson but prefer that they stay out of sight.

Your child’s progress and safety comes first, but your presence can be a distraction for the teacher as well. For this purpose, we prefer you stand either across the pool from where the teacher is instructing the swimmers or simply out of view.

Sometimes children feel more secure with a parent present, however if your child is hesitant to enter the water they may need very specific one on one instructions from the teacher. It is ideal for the benefit of the student to experience as few distractions as possible during the lesson.  

Please work with the teacher and consider their instructions. You may need to stay close or give additional space during the lesson to provide an optimal learning environment.  

Pictures and videos should be taken on a very limited basis and include only your child and should not distract the class or instructor. Please respect the privacy of all other participants in our programs.

Yes, you definitely can as long as you don't distract the teacher or the swimmer. If you prefer,  a private lesson can be arranged for you to video or take pictures of your child in the pool. 

No make-up lessons or credits are given for missed classes.  If a class or session is cancelled by ElitSwim, a credit or refund will be issued to your account. To reschedule or request a credit/refund in advance, please follow these guidelines:

7 days Before the Swim Lesson Session Begins or the Registration Deadline:

1. You may withdraw from a swim lesson session and have a credit placed on your account without incurring the processing fee.
2. Full refunds (less processing fee) will be issued for requests received 7 days prior to the start of a swim lesson session.  Refunds will be returned in the form of the original payment.

Within 7 days:

1. Credit will be given if the program meets the minimum attendance requirements.
2. Refunds (less processing fee) will only be given if a substitution is made for your spot.

3 days prior to a swim lesson session and after the swim lesson session has started:

1. All refund / credit / transfers received within 3 days prior to the start of a swim lesson session are not guaranteed.
2. Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance requirements will not be granted.
3. Failure to attend a swim lesson (no shows) will not be granted.
4. Refunds / credits / transfers will not be issued for requests received after the scheduled swim lesson.

To request a withdrawal, refund, transfer please submit the Parks and Community Services refund, transfer, credit form.  Click here to access and submit the form.  

• Please don’t swim when you have diarrhea.  You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.  Persons having current active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days should not enter the pool water.  
• Please don’t swallow the pool water.  Avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Please practice good hygiene.  Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.  Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Kids

Keep germs out of the pool:

• Please take your kids on regular bathroom breaks or check diapers often.  Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.
• Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.  Germs can spread in and around the pool.
• Please wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming.  Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool.

We suggest the ElitSwim year round program. You can find more information regarding the program and coaching staff at www.elitswim.com

For more information, please contact us at 973-3240 or speak directly to the ElitSwim staff on the pool deck.