Frequently Asked Questions


What are the age requirements for swim lessons?
Parent/Infant Level age requirement's are 6 months to 3 years.
Preschool Levels age requirement's are 3 years to 5 years.
School Age Levels age requirement's are 6 years to 13 years.
Adult age requirements are anyone over the age of 14.

How do I know what level to sign up for?
Levels are first separated by age, then further divided by level ability.  If your child does not know how to swim or is a fearful beginner they will be in level I.  If you still do not know what level to register your swimmer for after looking over our Course Description & Entry Level Requirement page, please call us and we would be happy to help place your swimmer in the appropriate level.  For complete level descriptions please see the Entry Level Requirements page.

What are the requirements for Rose Buds?
 The age requirements is 5 to 12 years.  Swimming ability is 25 yards freestyle or backstroke without stopping.  breaststroke and butterfly experience is suggested.  Tryouts are required before enrolling in Rose Buds.  For more information please contact James Gallagher: jgallagher@rosebowlaquatics.org.

Should we register for group lessons or private lessons?
Private lessons are aimed for those swimmer's who learn better in a one-on-one setting.  Group lessons are recommended before private lessons given that the majority of children learn better in a group setting.

How do I register for group swim lessons?
Registrations can be done over the phone or in person at the RBAC.  We will not accept registrations via fax, email or internet.  If  you would like to register over the phone please call us at (626) 564-0330 ext. 405 or 408. If you would like to register over the phone payment must be made with a Visa or Master Card. If you would like to pay with cash or check you will need to register in person at the center.  Please make checks available to RBAC.  A payment must be made at the time of all registrations.

Are there registration fees or membership fees?
There are no registration fees.  Only the cost of the swim lessons.  There are no membership fees and you do not need to be a member to enroll in swim lessons.

How much do Swim Lessons cost?
Our sessions offer lessons 2 day a week on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday. We also offer lessons 1 day a week on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. During the summer our two week sessions offer lessons everyday Monday through Friday for two weeks.  The cost of swim lessons vary on how many weeks are in the session and scheduled holidays or RBAC closures there are for that session. For current prices for the current session please see the Swim Times schedule.

Are discounts offered for siblings or twins?
At this time there are no discounts offered for siblings or twins.

What is Pre-Registration and how do I qualify for it?
Pre-Registration occurs 3 days prior to regular Registration date, usually on Wednesdays.  It is for those swimmers who are currently enrolled in the current session.  We will not take pre-registrations for those who are not enrolled in the current session. 

At what age should my child start taking lessons?
We begin lessons at 6 months.  The earlier a child is introduced to the water, the more comfortable they will be in the water in the future.  The earlier a child can be water safe, the safer they will be.  Babies really can learn to swim!

How long will it take for my child to be water safe?
All swimmers learn at a different pace.  The more consistent the lessons are the faster they will learn.  It is strongly suggested that children still be encouraged to swim, even if they are hesitant.  However, a swimmer will not learn to swim unless they are mentally prepared and want to learn.  Positive encouragement from the parents is key in progressing a child to learn to swim.

How many times a week should my child swim?
Swimmers should swim around 2 or more times per week.  The more often the child swim's the faster they will learn to swim.  If your swimmer is taking lessons more than 2 time a week, be sure to keep an eye on them to make sure they are not getting burnt out from swimming too often.

Should we take a break or swim year round?
It is best to swim year round.  If they continue year round they will be able to build on what they have learned in previous lessons.  If they take a break, they will most likely regress back down a level.

What should I do for the first day of lessons?
The first day of class you should arrive 10 minutes early. A Waiver of Liability must be signed BEFORE the swimmer(s) enter the water. As you enter the pool deck the lessons will be held in the Olympic sized pool on the left in the shallow end. There will be level signs placed around the pool as to direct you to the appropriate level for your swimmers.  Please wait for ALL levels to be announced the first day of the session before placing swimmers in the water. Attendance will be taken daily.  Please wait for instructors before leaving swimmers unattended in the water.

Do parents stay during the lessons?
Yes.  Parents must remain on the pool deck or in the center during their swimmers entire swim lesson.  Please do not drop your swimmers off in the front of the center.

Where do parents observe swim lessons?
For safety purposes we need to have all parents sitting in the bleachers or covered area. Please do not sit in front of the lifeguard tower or on the pool deck area around the stairs. The deck area needs to be completely cleared of any obstacles at all times. In case of an emergency the lifeguards need to be able to move freely about the pool deck.

What is the Swim Lesson Cancellation policy?
In the event the swimmer is no not able to finish the session, once the lesson department is notified the remaining days of the session will be credited toward their RBAC account.  If there is a doctors note with dates the swimmer must be out of the water, then a RBAC credit will be issued toward the swimmers RBAC account. 

Do you offer credits or refunds?
Credits are offered if the swimmer cannot finish out the session, or if there is a doctors note.  The doctors note must be on letterhead with the swimmers name and dates they cannot be in the water.  There is a credit only no refund policy.

Do you offer make-up lessons?
Generally, no.  However, we strive to accommodate as many swimmer's as possible.  Make-up lessons are offered as lesson availability allows. 

How many students are allowed in a class?
Parent/Infant classes ratio is 10 swimmers to 1 instructor the classes max out at 30 swimmers with 3 instructors.
Preschool level classes ratio is 5 swimmers to 1 instructor.
School Age Level classes ratio is 6 swimmers to 1 instructor.
Adult levels ratio is 10 swimmers to 1 instructor.

What do we need to bring to Swim Lessons?
Swim suit
Towels
Goggles (highly recommended)
Sunscreen apply 30 min BEFORE entering the water
Please have long hair tied back out of the swimmers face
For Parent/ Infant classes the child MUST have on an approved swim diaper (i.e. Little swimmers).

*If your child is in a Parent/ Infant class they MUST wear an approved swim diaper.  If there is a contamination the whole pool must be shut down and all programs cancelled.
What kind of training do your swim teachers have?
All instructors go through extensive RBAC training and monthly in-service trainings.

Can we request the instructor?
Yes you may, but it is not guaranteed.  We do strive to schedule the requested instructors first.  Please place your request at the time of registration. 

What happens if it rains or if there is lightning?
The Director of Swim Lessons will make the official call when canceling lessons due to weather circumstances. We do not cancel lessons if it is raining. We only cancel lessons if there is lightning. We must keep the pool deck closed for 30 minutes following each lightning strike witnessed by a staff member. This is for the safety of all patrons.

What if there is a contamination?
In the event of a contamination and/ or we must close the pool we will issue a credit for each swimmer registered at the time(s) of the closure. That credit will be applied to the swimmers RBAC account and can be used toward future RBAC swim lesson registrations.  In an effort to limit contaminations, we ask the parents to please have  your children use the restroom BEFORE entering the pool.  We apologize in advance for this inconvenience but it is for the health and safety of all patrons using the pool.

*If your child is in the Parent/Infant class they MUST wear an approved swim diaper.  If there is a contamination the whole pool must be shut down and all programs cancelled.

If you have any more questions that were not answered here please call
the Swim Lessons Department @ (626) 564-0330 ext. 405/ 408/ 423