On January 12, 2004, the City of El Cerrito opened its new Swim Center to the public. The swim center renovation was made possible by the citizens of El Cerrito and the passage of the Measure A parcel tax, passed in March 2000. The City of El Cerrito staff would like to extend a special "Thank You!" to all of its citizens, City Council members, and commissioners that made this beautiful addition to our city possible.

This new facility features both a 25 x 25 meter competition pool, with one and three meter diving boards, as well as a multi-use recreational pool, equipped with a mushroom play fountain and slide. This new state of the art, ADA accessible facility will host a wide variety of programming and fun.

A wide variety of times during the day are set aside for people 15+ to come in and work out on their own. Lane markers will be set out during these times designating the speeds of each lane. Please feel free to ask the advice of staff on lane speeds as well as questions on stroke technique. Kick boards, pull buoys and other workout equipment are available.

Combining cardio and the use of resistive equipment, both our Deep Water and Shallow Water classes offer strength training, conditioning, endurance and flexibility. Water Aerobics classes are designed to accommodate all fitness levels, and non-swimmers are welcome in the shallow water classes. A Great workout for all fitness levels!

This program is for children 6 months through 3 years of age, and helps children become comfortable in and around the water so that they are ready to learn to swim. Using songs and games children learn some basic aquatic skills.This program is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers or to survive in water unassisted. It is designed to give parents information and techniques to help orient their children to the water.

The children’s “Learn to Swim” program is for youth 4-14 years old. The El Cerrito Swim Center operates on a 6 level system based on the Red Cross Learn to Swim levels. We believe swimming to be a very important safety skill, and thus teach lessons with a structured progression. Please see brochures above for upcoming sessions.

Adult Beginning Swimming
Beginning Swimming is designed for adults with little or no experience in the water. Participants will learn water adjustment skills, floating on both the front and back, front crawl with side breathing, back crawl, and elementary backstroke. Participants will also become familiar with deep water and learn a variety of safety skills.

Adult Intermediate Swimming Intermediate Swimming is designed for adults who can swim at least 25 yards freestyle and 25 yards back crawl. Students work on endurance and further refining the skills and strokes learned in beginning swimming. The breast stroke, sidestroke, and butterfly will also be introduced. Diving and other deep water skills will be taught. <

Check out our Gators Site
The City of El Cerrito is home to the USS Gators Swim Team. Our Gators Swim Team is for youths ages 5 - 18 years old, and is for both new and experienced swimmers. Gators will focus on stroke technique, endurance, and speed.

The City of El Cerrito also welcomes back its Masters Swim Team. Masters swimming is for adults 19 years old and up who are interested in either competitive swimming or the endurance and technique needed to participate at a competitive level.