We Help Bridgeport Families Find Affordable Swim Instruction

A pediatric healthcare provider you trust has recommended swim lessons for your child.If your child hasn't yet learned to swim, you are not alone. We estimate that 14,000-20,000 Bridgeport children lack the basic swimming skills to stay safe.Bridge to Swim is working to change that, starting more Bridgeport children on the path to swim confidence and the lifelong benefits it provides.Scroll down for a directory of local resources.

The Bridge to Swim directory is based on self-reported information from the listed providers. While Bridge to Swim has chosen only established, credible resources for our directory, the Bridge to Swim team is not responsible for the quality of individual programs and providers or the accuracy of information provided. Always reach out to confirm if a provider's offering is right for your child.

Swim Lesson Programs With Financial Assistance AvailableExplore established swim lesson programs in the Bridgeport area that offer reduced-cost instruction or financial assistance for eligible children.

Bridgeport YMCA
Lesson Location: Bridgeport
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-334-5551
The Bridgeport YMCA has financial assistance available for families who demonstrate need. When calling or emailing for information, ask for a member of the Aquatics department. Note that lessons at the Bridgeport YMCA run year-round, so reach out today to learn more.

_The Cardinal Shehan Center
Lesson Location: Bridgeport
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-336-4468
The Cardinal Shehan Center offers reduced cost swim lessons (and occasionally free) instruction as summer approaches. Classes fill quickly. Reach out to aquatics director Laura Gibbons to learn more.

_Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department
Lesson Location: Bridgeport
Phone: 203-576-8080
In the Fall, Bridgeport Parks and Recreation often offers a series of free swim lessons for Bridgeport residents. Annual registration begins in September, and classes fill quickly. In-person registration is required at the Department's offices in Trumbull. Check the Department's website or Facebook page starting in early September to find registration information and deadlines.

_Fairfield YMCA
Lesson Location: Downtown Fairfield
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-255-2834 x2318
The Fairfield YMCA has financial assistance available for families who demonstrate need, and you do not need to be a resident of Fairfield to explore lessons here. Amanda Goodwin is the director of the Aquatics department. Note that lessons at the Fairfield YMCA run year-round, so reach out today to learn more.

_Stratford YMCA
Lesson Location: Main Street, Stratford
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-375-5844
The Stratford YMCA has financial assistance available for families who demonstrate need, and you do not need to be a resident of Stratford to explore lessons here. Note that lessons at the Stratford YMCA run year-round, so reach out today to learn more.

Other Providers to ExploreThere are many resources in our area to find swim instruction that suits your family's unique situation. From lesson scholarships to lessons for children with special needs, these organizations welcome your outreach.

Hope Floats: Swim It Forward
Hope Floats is a non-profit organization awarding swim lessons scholarships to families who qualify under the USDA Income Eligibility guidelines. Hope Floats partners with several qualified swim instructors in our area.For more information and to apply for assistance, visit the website. Families seeking scholarships will need to provide a copy of their most recently filed Federal Tax Return with Social Security numbers removed.

_Swim Angelfish (Hosted by Wings Over Water)
Swim Angelfish is a program hosted by Wings Over Water featuring adaptive swim lessons for children with special needs.While Swim Angelfish does not directly provide financial assistance, they refer students to the following resources to explore scholarships for adaptive swim instruction:

FREE Water Safety Education Resources
Swim lessons dramatically reduce the risk of drowning, but do not eliminate it. These organizations teach parents simple but effective strategies to reduce your child's risk of accidental drowning.

The Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim mobile app makes learning about water safety fun for small children. Available for Apple, Android stores and Kindle, the iBook app features read-to-me audio and contains interactive animations, sound effects, a memory game, and a Water Safety Song sing-along.

__The American Red Cross Online Water Safety Course for Parents and Caregivers is a FREE, self-paced course for anyone who supervises children around the water -- parents, grandparents, or even babysitters. It builds awareness and gives practical strategies to prevent (or, if needed, respond to) water emergencies.

__Water Safety with Colin and Friends presents interactive content to help prevent accidental drownings. These fun, engaging games and activities (all online) were created by Colin's Hope, an organization founded by the parents of Colin Holst, who died in an accidental drowning in a lifeguarded pool. They honor Colin throught their work to send a simple and actionable message: drowning is preventable.https://drowningispreventable.org/

Adult Swim Lesson OpportunitiesIf you never learned to swim, you are not alone. In fact, we estimate there are 75,000 adults in Bridgeport who do not know how to swim.It is never too late to learn. These resources offer adult lessons to beginners with no prior experience, and offer a judgement-free experience to break the generational cycle of swim hesitancy.

RESOURCES COMING SOON

Bridge to Swim Water Safety Discounts
Whether just starting swim lessons, or enjoying the water after completing your Bridge to Swim referral, these retailers are celebrating you with special discounts on water fun and water safety products.

RESOURCES COMING SOON

Bridge to Swim would like to thank all swim instruction providers listed in our directory, our pediatric healthcare practitioners, and our community partners.For additional information about Bridge to Swim or questions about our pilot, please contact [email protected]