Give Your Child Confidence and Safety in the Water. Start With a Free Trial Swim Lesson.
Emler’s structured swim program helps children build water safety skills step by step, guided by experienced instructors from infancy through age 6+.
- 4 kids per instructor. More attention, faster progress
- 11 structured levels with a clear path to independence
- Free trial lesson. No commitment required
Start With a Free Trial Swim Lesson – No Commitment.
Answer a few quick questions to determine your child’s recommended level, plus the best next step to get started.
Takes 60 seconds. You’ll get your child’s recommended level and a clear next step.
Your information is safe with us. No spam.
Years Teaching Children to Swim Safely
Structured Levels, Infant to Independent
Student-to-Instructor Ratio. More Eyes on Your Child
Lessons Taught Across All Locations
Every Parent Worries About Water Safety. You're Not Just Looking for Swim Lessons.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1–4, and formal swim lessons can reduce that risk by up to 88%. This isn’t just about swim lessons. It’s about finding a place you trust, where your child is taught with structure, consistency, intention and love.
For over 50 years, Emler has helped children learn to swim through a structured, milestone-based approach. Our SwimSure™ curriculum, experienced instructors, and small class sizes are designed to build water safety skills step by step, so progress is clear and consistent.
A Clear Path: From First Splash to Swimming Independently
Every child starts at the level that’s right for them and progresses through our SwimSure™ curriculum, built around clear, measurable milestones. You’ll always know what your child is working on and what comes next.
Bathtime Babies + Toddler (Levels 1A–2)
Independent movement, kicking, and beginning arm coordination.
Preschool (Levels 3–5)
Floating, going underwater, and learning to turn and reach the wall independently.
Kids (Levels 6–9)
Independent movement, kicking, and beginning arm coordination.
Advanced (Levels 10–11 + Swim Team Prep)
Floating, going underwater, and learning to turn and reach the wall independently.
and skill to ensure each swimmer is in the right class.
More Attention Per Child
With just 4 children per instructor, your child gets the individual coaching they need to actually progress, not just show up and splash around.
Flexible Pricing,
Real Value
Sibling discounts, multi-class savings, and 12 free makeup lessons per year all included. Flexible monthly billing with no long-term commitment required.
Heated Pools,
Year-Round
All Emler pools are heated to 90°F, warm enough that your child stays comfortable, focused, and happy to keep coming back every week.
Life Happens.
We Work With You
Flexible scheduling, 12 free makeup lessons per year, and sibling discounts built in. Keeping your child in the water shouldn't be a scheduling puzzle.
More Attention
Per Child
Per Child
With just 4 children per instructor, your child gets the individual coaching they need to actually progress, not just show up and splash around.
Flexible Pricing,
Real Value
Real Value
Sibling discounts, multi-class savings, and 12 free makeup lessons per year all included. Flexible monthly billing with no long-term commitment required.
Heated Pools,
Year-Round
Year-Round
All Emler pools are heated to 90°F, warm enough that your child stays comfortable, focused, and happy to keep coming back every week.
Life Happens.
We Work With You
We Work With You
Flexible scheduling, 12 free makeup lessons per year, and sibling discounts built in. Keeping your child in the water shouldn’t be a scheduling puzzle.
What Emler Parents Are Saying
You're Trusting Us With Your Child. Here's How We Earn That.
Every Emler instructor is trained in the SwimSure™ curriculum and certified before they step into the water with your child. We hold them to a standard, and we stand behind it.
What if my child and their instructor aren't a good fit?
Just ask. Our team will reassign your child to a different instructor. No questions asked.
How do I know my child is actually safe in the pool?
Small class sizes (4 kids per instructor) mean there are always enough eyes on your child. Heated pools at 90°F year-round. No cold shock, no chaos.
Are Emler classes better than a private instructor?
Private instructors teach skills. Emler's 11-level system teaches instincts, the kind your child carries for life, not just techniques they learn and forget.
Try It Before You Commit. One Full Lesson, On Us.
See the class, meet the instructor, watch your child in the water before you spend a dollar. If it’s not the right fit, you owe us nothing.
Trusted by Families for 50 Years. Backed by Results You Can Measure.
From Jan Emler’s single backyard pool to a nationwide network of 35+ schools, the mission has never changed: make every child feel safe, confident, and loved in the water.
Lessons Taught Since 1975
Five-Star Parent Reviews
Structured Levels Taught by Certified Instructors
Locations Nationwide
What makes Emler different?
Every child learns Jump-Turn-Swim and Roll-to-Backfloat — two survival techniques taught consistently across all 11 levels. These aren’t optional extras. They’re built into every class from day one.
Instructors complete 30+ hours of training covering child development, safety protocols, and real in-water scenarios before they ever teach a class. Continued coaching keeps standards consistent across every location.
We don’t rely on floaties or puddle jumpers. SwimSure™ teaches true independence and water confidence from the very first lesson — real skills that last, not temporary props.
Olympic medalist Amanda Beard trusts our schools. Every class also begins with a safety promise — a simple routine that builds water awareness and personal responsibility in a way kids understand.
Ready to Find the Right Swim Class for Your Child?
Free trial lesson included. No commitment required. Fill out the form and our admissions team will reach out with your child’s class recommendation.
- 50+ years of proven swim education
- 11 structured levels. Clear path forward
- 4 kids per instructor. More attention
- Free trial lesson. Zero risk
- Flexible scheduling + makeup lessons
- Certified, trained instructors
Answer a few quick questions to determine your child’s recommended level, plus the best next step to get started.
Takes 60 seconds. You’ll get your child’s recommended level and a clear next step.
Your information is safe with us. No spam.
- 50+ years of proven swim education
- 11 structured levels. Clear path forward
- 4 kids per instructor. More attention
- Free trial lesson. Zero risk
- Flexible scheduling + makeup lessons
- Certified, trained instructors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is your curriculum better?
Our curriculum is built on SwimSure™, the gold standard in learn-to-swim education. With over 100 million lessons taught, 400 years of combined teaching expertise, and over 15,000 five-star parent reviews, families can feel confident in our proven, step-by-step approach. Each level builds confidence and essential skills through goal-driven progressions, while managers and instructors closely monitor every swimmer’s milestones.
What is a Team Manager?
Team Managers oversee lessons, answer questions, and track progress. They help ensure consistent instruction and support communication with parents, so you always have someone to talk to about your child’s development.
How warm is your pool?
Pools are kept between 88 and 92°F year-round, the ideal temperature for comfort and learning. Warm water helps children relax, focus, and enjoy their lessons without the distraction of being cold.
What makes your school unique?
Proven curriculum, warm water year-round, small class sizes, advanced safety systems, and highly trained, friendly staff. Emler has been teaching children to swim safely since 1975, with the same mission Jan Emler started with in a single backyard pool.
How long have you been in business?
Some of our schools have served families for decades, while others opened more recently. Each location has deep local roots and experienced staff, and all operate under the same SwimSure™ curriculum and standards.
What are the benefits of swimming year-round?
Year-round lessons prevent skill regression, build lasting confidence, and ensure children stay water-safe at all times, not just in summer. Children who swim consistently progress through levels faster and retain their skills for life.
Free trial lesson · No commitment
