Swim Prep
Whether you’re looking for a career or summer job in lifeguarding or water safety instruction, our free Swim Prep Program can help you get there.
Who Should Apply
Through this program, intermediate and advanced-level swimmers receive free personalized training to improve their speed, endurance, and stroke technique. You can develop the skills and confidence you’ll need to pass the lifeguard qualifying exam and/or water safety instructor entrance requirements.
You can register for as few or as many sessions as needed to reach your personal goal!
Program Details
The Swim Prep Program provides participants with advanced instruction and one-on-one coaching on different strokes. Instructors will assess the following strokes and offer tips for improvement:
- Front Crawl
- Back Crawl
- Breaststroke
- Elementary Backstroke
- Sidestroke
- Butterfly
Instructors will also test your ability to pass lifeguard-specific requirements:
- 50-yard time trial
- 440-yard time trial
- Treading 2 minutes
Schedule
Training takes place every Saturday and Tuesday between October 15, 2024 and March 29, 2025. Sessions last between 1 and 1 ½ hours. Water Safety Instructor workouts continue through June 7. Swimmers must be 16 years or older and are required to take a water competency test to show swim skills at the intermediate level.
How to Register
Recreation center membership is not required, but individuals must sign up in advance to attend a session. Please check session information below to register.
Swim Prep Events
Monday, July 14, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, July 21, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, July 28, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, August 4, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, August 11, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, August 18, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Monday, August 25, 2025
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Chelsea Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
at Indoor Pool (in Chelsea Recreation Center), Manhattan 

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Al Smith Summer Camp Swim Time
Free! Recreation Center Membership required
Kids