Swimming Lesson Registration Opens May 4

The City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department will open registration for swimming lessons on Monday, May 4, giving children and families a great opportunity to prepare for summer swim season while building lifelong water safety skills .

Over 300 scholarships are also available this year for children ages 6 months to 5 years.

Classes begin Monday, June 1, 2026. The cost is $28 for City of Yuma residents and $42 for non-residents. Lessons will be offered in four two-week sessions, with morning classes at Marcus Pool (545 W. 5th Street) and evening classes at Carver Pool (1250 W. 5th Street), providing added flexibility for families.

To register for swimming lessons, visit yumaaz.gov/parksandrec, call (928) 373-5200, or stop by the Parks and Recreation Department on the first floor of City Hall. Class space is limited.

Scholarships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for families throughout Yuma County. Scholarship requests must be made by contacting the Parks and Recreation Department directly or visiting in person, as they cannot be processed online.

Now in its third year, the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance (GYWSA) continues to expand access to swim lessons for infants and preschool-aged children while also providing free CPR and water safety training across Yuma County.

"Swim lessons are more than a summer activity-they're a life-saving skill," said A.J. Mosqueda, Parks and Recreation Manager. "Through GYWSA, we're helping families build confidence in the water while giving them the tools to keep their loved ones safe."

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for children ages 1 to 4. Swim lessons are one of the five layers of protection promoted by GYWSA, alongside supervision, barriers and alarms, life jackets, and emergency preparedness.

"Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages one to four, but early swim lessons can significantly reduce that risk and strengthen overall water safety skills and knowledge for families," said Ryan Butcher, Deputy Chief Health Officer for the Yuma County Public Health Services District. "That's why the Health District offers free scholarships - to help more children across the county gain these lifesaving skills."

Swim lesson scholarships throughout Yuma County are supported by the Yuma County Public Health Services District, the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation's Step Into Swim program, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely Grant Program.

Regional Swim Lesson & Scholarship Opportunities
Swim lesson registration for the communities of San Luis, Somerton, and Wellton will also open in May. Limited scholarships are available in each community, supported in part by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Pool Safely Grant. Residents are encouraged to contact their local Parks and Recreation office or visit their city or town website for more information.

To learn more about water safety or support swim lesson scholarships, visit yumaaz.gov/watersafety.