Aquatics Center in Solana Beach
Thanks for choosing our pool!
We are truly grateful to you for choosing to swim with us! Our nonprofit pool is more than just a place to swim—it’s a vibrant part of the community where everyone is welcome. By participating in our swimming programs, you are not only investing in your health and fitness but also supporting a local space that gives back to the community. All skill levels are welcome, from first-timers to recreational or competitive swimmers!
We are recognized as a leader in drowning prevention and swim lesson instruction
by USA Swimming’s Make a Splash Foundation and San Diego Prevent Drowning Foundation
Our swim lessons prepare youth for our national recognized USA Swim Club and San Diego's most successful swim team–Rancho San Dieguito Swim Team (RSD)
Our Aquatic Center Features
Two regulation length 25 yard pools
Spacious locker rooms
Snack bar
Fitness center
Swim Lessons3-12 years Old
Great Swimmers Start Here
Jump into our Aquatic Center, where young swimmers build strength, confidence, and lifelong skills! Our youth swim programs focus on developing strong swimmers in a safe and supportive environment. Whether your child is just starting out or refining their strokes, our expert instructors guide them every step of the way.
With two 25-yard regulation pools and a variety of fun, structured activities, your child will not only improve their swimming skills but also gain confidence and resilience both in and out of the water. Dive in and grow with us!
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to foster a positive and enjoyable experience for children in the water. We employ a gradual, developmentally appropriate approach to instruction, ensuring that children have fun while building their skills.
Please note, this is not an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program. Our Staff is not trained to teach the ISR Curriculum.
Instruction is tailored to the class age and level of motor skill development, progressing at a steady pace. The goal of our program is that swimmers will learn essential water safety skills, proper technique, and the four competitive swim strokes. Acquisition of these skills will vary among students. Our program provides opportunities for children to develop water safety awareness, improve swimming skills, and acquire knowledge for potential future participation on swim teams.
The end goal of our program is to educate kids about water safety and encourage them to join our home swim team, the RSD Swim Team. Click here to learn more.
Lesson Descriptions
All swim lessons are held on Saturdays and Sundays
1:1 Private Lessons
Our private lessons offer personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored specifically to you and your child’s needs. Share your goals and any areas you’d like the instructor to focus on during the session. Information such as your child’s swimming background or experience with water sports is very helpful for the teacher.
If you’re unsure what your child needs to work on, feel free to discuss your goals with the instructor or contact us ahead of time for guidance!
Sand Crab
Perfect for new swimmers who enjoy being in the water but still need assistance. Students learn:
- Assisted floating, gliding, kicking, and front arm strokes
- Assisted back floating, kicking, and rolling over to breathe
We focus on practicing prone skills with the face in the water, front arm strokes, back floating, and rolling over to breathe.
Class progression: We start on the stairs and work toward the goal of swimming 5 yards with arm pulls, then rolling over unassisted to qualify for the Seahorse class. Students may need more than one session to master these skills.
Sea Horse
This is not a beginner class. Swimmers in this level will refine:
- Front arm pulls with coordinated breathing (rolling over to breathe while kicking)
- Back skills, including floating, gliding, kicking, and body balance
Swim goal: Swim 12.5 yards unassisted comfortably (half way across the pool)
Students may need more than one session to master these skills. The next progression is the Otter class. If a swimmer turns 6 and is not yet ready for Otter, they will be recommended for the Penguin class.
Penguin
Designed for comfortable beginner swimmers, this class focuses on building confidence in the water while introducing freestyle and backstroke fundamentals, including:
- Floating on front and back
- Gliding and kicking
- Arm pulls and rolling to breathe
Swim goal: Progress from a starting distance of 12.5 yards to 25 yards.
Note: This class is not a progression from Seahorse—it is the same skill level
Otter
Swimmers in this class can already safely swim 12.5 yards with rolling to breathe. Swimmers in this class will build on their skills by learning:
- Freestyle techniques, including side breathing, streamline position, and proper body balance
- Backstroke techniques, including back balance, kicking, and arm pulls
- Introduction to open turns and flip turns
Swim goal: Progress from 25 yards to 50 yards.
Students may need more than one session to master these skills.
Seal
This class builds on stroke techniques by improving freestyle and backstroke endurance and proficiency. Swimmers will be introduced to the butterfly stroke and breaststroke kick, as well as treading water using the eggbeater technique. Standing dives may also be introduced when competition pool space is available. Starting swim distances range from 25 to 50 yards, with a goal of reaching 75 to 100 yards.
Because of the focus on technique, students may spend multiple sessions in this class to fully develop their skills.
Shark
This class focuses on building endurance while refining freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly techniques. Swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke arm movements and timing, as well as treading water using the eggbeater kick and performing competitive dives. The starting swim distance is 50 yards, with a goal of reaching 100 yards by the end of the course.
*Please note: Enrollment in the Shark class does not guarantee placement on the swim team. Swim team registration is handled separately through the swim team department.
Swim Lesson Class Progression
Learn to swim at the Club!
Fall 2026 Registration
Classes Offered & Times
30 Minute Group Lessons
- Sand Crab (1:3): 11:35am-12:05pm & 1:55pm-2:25pm
- Seahorse (1:3): 11:35am-12:05pm & 1:55pm-2:25pm
- Penguin (1:3): 11:00am-11:30am & 1:20pm-1:50pm
- Otter (1:4): 11:00am-11:30am & 1:20pm-1:50pm
30 Minute Private Lessons: 11:00am, 11:35am, 1:20pm & 1:55pm
45 Minute Group Lessons
- Seal (1:4): 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
- Shark (1:5): 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
45 Minute Private Lessons: 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
Policies
No Make-Up Lessons
Make-up lessons are not available under any circumstances due to limited pool space. When appropriate, a refund or account credit may be issued at the discretion of management.
Missed Lessons Due to Illness or Injury
If a swimmer is unable to attend due to illness, injury, or another qualifying circumstance, an account credit may be issued for the missed lesson(s). Supporting documentation is required.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations 14 or More Days Before the Session:
Cancellations made at least 14 days prior to the start of a session are eligible for a full refund.
Cancellations Less Than 14 Days Before the Session:
Cancellations made less than 14 days before the start of a session are considered late cancellations and are not eligible for a refund. An account credit may be issued instead.
Weather
Waitlist
Signing up for waitlist will require cc info, but will not bill you. Before you are billed, we reach out to confirm first. We reach out no later than a week before the start. No confirmation email is generated for waitlist, please email us if you’d like a confirmation of what you’re waitlisted for.
For questions, contact Patty Mariscal, Aquatics Coordinator, at pmariscal@bgcgreatertogether.org or
Jade Foyston, Aquatics Coordinator Assistant, at jfoyston@bgcgreatertogether.org
Rancho San Dieguito (RSD) Swim Team
Ages 5 – 18 years
Our Rancho San Dieguito Swim team (RSD) is a USA Swimming-affiliated, age-group competitive, year-round program. RSD is a nationally recognized program that serves as a training ground for some of the country’s top swimmers.
Our Impact
For the past 15 years, RSD has had over 400 members and sustains a waitlist of over 100 swimmers.
RSD athletes have earned over $3,500,000 in college scholarships to over 50 different colleges and universities, making us one of the nation’s leading college swimming development programs.
RSD is a USA Swimming designated Silver Medal Club and ranked as a Top 100 team in the country out of 4,000 teams
RSD has been nationally recognized by USA Swimming as a Club Excellence program since 2012.
Rancho San Dieguito (RSD) Pre-Team
The RSD Pre-Team is designed to help swimmers prepare for the RSD Swim Team or continue developing their skills while waiting for an opening on the team. Swimmers will build endurance and refine their technique across all four competitive strokes.
In addition to developing swimming skills, participants will gain valuable experience with the expectations and routines of a competitive swim team. This includes learning proper swim practice routines, lane etiquette, and other skills necessary to succeed in a competitive team environment.
*The RSD Pre-Team is intended for swimmers who are preparing to try out for the RSD Swim Team or who are waiting for an available spot on the team.
Once a swimmer is offered a spot on the RSD Swim Team, they are required to transition from Pre-Team to RSD as soon as possible. Swimmers may not remain on Pre-Team after a team spot has been offered, regardless of scheduling conflicts or other commitments, including practice time conflicts or participation in other sports. This is to ensure we are admitting committed swimmers to our team.
If you are interested in joining, please contact us and we will send you a registration link once approved.
Patty Mariscal, Aquatics Coordinator, pmariscal@BGCGreaterTogether.org
Jade Foyston, Assistant Aquatics Coordinator, jfoyston@BGCGreaterTogether.org
Paul Mazzarelle, RSD Swim Team Manager, pmazzarelle@BGCGreaterTogether.org
Policies
Pre-Team Dates
- Sept. Session: 9/11, 9/12, 9/13, 9/18, 9/19, 9/20, 9/25, 9/26, 9/27 (9 classes; 3 weeks long)
- Oct. Session: 10/2, 10/3, 10/4, 10/9, 10/10, 10/11, 10/23, 10/24, 10/25 (9 classes; 3 weeks long)
- Nov. Session: 10/30, 10/31, 11/1, 11/13, 11/14, 11/15 (6 classes; 2 weeks)
Pre-Team Practice Times
- Friday: 3:20-4:30pm (70 mins = 10 mins dryland, 60 min swim)
- Saturday: 3:20-4:30pm (70 mins = 10 mins dryland, 60 min swim)
- Sunday: 3:20-4:30pm (70 mins = 10 mins dryland, 60 min swim)
Pricing
- 9 x 70min classes (4-week long session) = $279.00
- 6 x 70min classes (2-week long session) = $186.00
Active Military Discount: 10% off with Valid ID
What to Expect
Prerequisites to join RSD Pre-Team (Must be able to do all listed swims continuously without stopping for breaks):
- 100 yards of Freestyle with flip turns & side breathing
- 50 yards of Backstroke (no sinking hips)
- 25 yards of Breaststroke
- 25 yards of Butterfly
First-Day Assessment
On the first day of practice, swimmers will be assessed to ensure they are swimming at the expected level for the RSD Pre-Team program. If a swimmer does not meet the expected skill level, their parent/guardian will be notified via email following the first practice. The swimmer will be removed from the remainder of the session and a refund will be issued. Swim lessons will likely be recommended.
Practice Structure
The first 10–15 minutes of each practice will take place on land and will include stretching, warm-up exercises, and a brief discussion covering the focus and expectations for the practice. Swimmers will then transition to the pool for the scheduled swim workout.
Registration Information
- No make-ups, credits, or refunds will be provided for missed practices, regardless of the reason for the absence.
- Consistent attendance is an important part of preparing swimmers for the expectations and commitment required of the RSD Swim Team.
- When swimmers join the RSD Swim Team, families are responsible for the full monthly team fee regardless of the number of practices attended. Monthly fees are not prorated for missed practices.
- The Pre-Team program is designed to help swimmers and families understand and become accustomed to the commitment, consistency, and expectations of being part of the RSD Swim Team.
- To ensure your swimmer is adequately prepared and gets the most out of the program, we strongly encourage swimmers to attend every practice during the session.
If you are interested in joining, please contact us and we will send you a registration link once approved.
- Patty Mariscal, Aquatics Coordinator, pmariscal@BGCGreaterTogether.org
- Jade Foyston, Assistant Aquatics Coordinator, jfoyston@BGCGreaterTogether.org
- Paul Mazzarelle, RSD Swim Team Manager, pmazzarelle@BGCGreaterTogether.org
Required Equipment
Swimmers are expected to arrive at every practice with the following equipment:
- Swim goggles: Swim team-appropriate goggles that are properly adjusted and ready to wear. Recommended brand: Speedo.
- Water bottle: A stainless steel or plastic water bottle is required at every practice. Glass bottles are not permitted. Please label the bottle with the swimmer’s name.
- Fins: Swimmers need to purchase a proper fitting pair of swim fins.
- Swim cap: A properly fitting swim cap is required regardless of hair length. Caps should be solid-colored with no elaborate patterns or designs. All hair must be tucked securely inside the swim cap.
- Swimsuit:
- Girls: Solid-color, one-piece swimsuit
- Boys: Solid-color jammers or briefs
- Decorative or elaborate swimsuits are not permitted.
*Please ensure that all equipment is clearly labeled with the swimmer’s name to help prevent lost or misplaced items.
All equipment can be purchased through Swim West online or in store.
Classes Offered & Times
30 Minute Group Lessons
- Sand Crab (1:3): 11:35am-12:05pm & 1:55pm-2:25pm
- Seahorse (1:3): 11:35am-12:05pm & 1:55pm-2:25pm
- Penguin (1:3): 11:00am-11:30am & 1:20pm-1:50pm
- Otter (1:4): 11:00am-11:30am & 1:20pm-1:50pm
30 Minute Private Lessons: 11:00am, 11:35am, 1:20pm & 1:55pm
45 Minute Group Lessons
- Seal (1:4): 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
- Shark (1:5): 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
45 Minute Private Lessons: 12:10pm-12:55pm & 2:30pm-3:15pm
Blended Lifeguard Certification CoursesOnline & In-Person
Boys & Girls Club of Northwest San Diego Pardee Aquatic Center offers American Red Cross classes. The Blended Lifeguard Certification course provides entry-level participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.
Earn Your Certification
Students that successfully complete this course will obtain an American Red Cross Lifeguarding and First Aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Oxygen Administration Certificate.
You must schedule a prerequisite in-water skills evaluation as soon as possible before the online content is emailed to you. Email ARC instructor Kevin Sotelo at ksotelo@bgcGreaterTogether.org to schedule your in-water skills evaluation.
If you do not pass the prerequisite, you will not be able to enroll in the course and will receive a refund of your registration fee.
If you do pass the prerequisite, you will receive a lifeguard manual and pocket mask. Additionally, the link to access online content will be emailed to you at the end of the evaluation day.
Prerequisites
- Participants must meet the minimum age requirement of 15+ years
- Swim 300 yards continuously (freestyle and breaststroke)
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed. You will need to surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point with your hands holding onto the 10-pound object and keeping your face out of the water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Upcoming Courses
MUST ATTEND BOTH CLASSES, NO EXCEPTIONS
Cost: $350
Materials Provided With Course
- American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual
-
CPR Pocket Mask
- Attend the entire course
- Participate in all skill sessions/drills, activities, and scenarios
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills and scenarios
- Pass the final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%
Please contact Patty Mariscal pmariscal@bgcGreaterTogether.org if you have any questions.
Contact Info
Harper Clubhouse
533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive,
Solana Beach, CA 92075