Swim Center

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Swim Center open with NO Reservations!

  • Beginning Sunday July 18, 2021, the Swim Center re-opens with no reservations, pricing based on the 2021/2022 Master Fee Schedule, and no reduced capacity limits.
  • Programs include Masters, Water Aerobics, Fitness Swim, Family Swim and Splash Park. Please see each page for information on times, pricing, and capacities.
  • Check-in will be at the Main Entrance, not the middle gate.
  • The Swim Center will not require face coverings to be worn, however we HIGHLY encourage unvaccinated individuals to continue wear their face coverings and become vaccinated.
  • There will no longer be Health Screenings in order to swim, all swimmers are required to self-check prior to arriving at the Swim Center. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the last 24 hours, a cough or shortness of breath in the last 24 hours, and/or been in contact with anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 2 weeks) you must stay home.
  • Locker Rooms Locker rooms will be available for full use. Face masks are required in the locker rooms for everyone who is unvaccinated including all children ages 2-11 years old. If you enter the locker rooms (or any City buildings) without a mask, you are self-attesting that you are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms of COVID-19 per California Department of Public Health guidelines.

*The Recreation Office is open:
Mon-Thu 9am-12pm by appointment only
Mon-Thu 1pm-4pm open
The fastest way to receive assistance is by emailing: recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us 

  1. Swim Lessons
  2. Fitness Swim
  3. Masters Swim Team
  4. Gators Swim Team
  5. Family Swim
  6. Water Aerobics
  7. Splash Park

Swim lessons (Click for more information)

For ages 6 months and older, learn-to-swim in a safe and fun environment! Our instructors are trained to teach lessons to achieve the best learning experience. 

Group lessons are back, along with Private Lessons for Youth and Adults. Semi-Privates available for members of the same household with similar swimming ability.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE!

Dates and Times

Fall Lessons:

Sessions run Mondays and Wednesdays (5 or 6 classes for 3 weeks), Tuesdays and Thursdays (5 or 6 classes for 3 weeks), or Saturdays (2 or 3 classes for 3 weeks)

Session 1: Mon/Wed 8/16-9/1, Tue/Thu 8/17-9/2, Sat 8/21-9/4
Session 2: Mon/Wed 9/8-9/22*, Tue/Thu 9/7-9/23, Sat 9/11-9/25
*no class 9/6
Session 3: Mon/Wed 9/27-10/13, Tue/Thu 9/28-10/14, Sat 810/23-11/6
Session 4: Mon/Wed 10/8-11/3, Tue/Thu 10/19-11/4, Sat 10/23-11/6
Session 5*: Mon/Wed 11/8-11/24, Tue/Thu 11/9-11/23**, Sat 11/13-11/20***
*All classes take place in Lap Pool **no class 11/25 ***no class 11/27
Session 6*: Mon/Wed 11/29-12/15, Tue/Thu 11/30-12/16, Sat 12/4-12/18
*All classes take place in Lap Pool

Please visit www.el-cerrito.org/swimlessons for Swim Lesson times.

registration

Resident Registration Wednesday August 4th at 9am
Non-Resident Registration Thursday August 5th at 9am

REGISTER ONLINE HERE!

Fees

Mon/Wed & Tue/Thu Lessons (6 lessons):
$81 Res, $99 Non-Res Group Lessons
$205 Res, $253 Non-Res Private
$348 Res, $432 Non-Res Semi-Private*

Mon/Wed & Tue/Thu Lessons (5 lessons):
$67 Res, $82 Non-Res Group Lessons
$170 Res, $210 Non-Res Private
$289 Res, $359 Non-Res Semi-Private*

Saturday Lessons (3 lessons):
$40 Res, $49 Non-Res Group Lessons
$103 Res, $127 Non-Res Private
$174 Res, $216 Non-Res Semi-Private*

Saturday Lessons (2 lessons):
$27 Res, $33 Non-Res Group Lessons
$68 Res, $84 Non-Res Private
$115 Res, $143 Non-Res Semi-Private*

*FOR SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS: Please enroll first swimmer in private lessons.  Then, email recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us with the date, time, age and name of the second child attending the semi-private lesson.  For semi-private lessons, both swimmers MUST be an equivalent swim level.


Please note:

High-Use Facility: This is a high-use facility with multiple programs happening at a time. During your reservation or program time, other programs may be occurring that have loud music or amplified sound and take up portions of the pool.

Verification of Residency: Proof of household address may be requested at any time to verify residency. This may be in the form of a utility bill or rental lease.

Swim Lesson Cancellation Policy: Make-up classes are not available. Requested refunds or transfers will be approved only if initiated no later than 10 business days prior to the first day of class. All refunds/transfers will be charged a processing fee of $21 per class. Refunds will not be granted after the first class meeting except in the case of medical emergency and must be submitted within 48 hours. Cancellations, transfers, and schedule changes will not be granted for non-attendance. Refund requests must be made by email to: recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us. We reserve the right to cancel any sessions due to low enrollment.

The Swim Center is CLOSED on City Holidays:
Monday September 6, 2021
Thursday November 25, 2021
Friday November 26, 2021

POOL FAQ - (CLICK FOR MORE INFO)

Currently, the Swim Center is NOT able to offer the following programs: Lifeguard Training, Parties at the Pool, or Pool Rentals.

Any changes that are made, including any updates to times or health orders, will be updated on this website.

Emery G. Weed III Lap Pool

On August 18, 2015, in response to an application from El Cerrito Residents and Swim Center Patrons, the El Cerrito City Council voted to rename the Competition Pool the Emery G. Weed III Lap Pool.

Emery Weed was a much loved swim instructor, lifeguard, swim coach, and mentor to thousands of people during his 25 year tenure at the El Cerrito Swim Center. His life, passions, spirit, and philosophy of "Good Health, Love, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity" enriched the lives of so many in El Cerrito and beyond. "Keep coming back, it works!" is the advice Emery gave for a healthy life upon his retirement in 2013. The renaming of the El Cerrito Swim Center’s Competition Pool in Emery’s honor will help ensure that his legacy lives on for years to come and will continue to inspire future generations 

Emery G. Weed III — 1941–2014

Lifeguard Emery G Weed III