Learn To Swim

Learn To Swim

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park has offered free swim lessons to the St. John community for more than a decade! Our Learn to Swim program is designed after the American Red Cross Water Safety Course and includes beginner to advance instruction levels for all ages.  Friends sponsors the training and employment of instructors and life guards.

Join us every first and third Saturday morning at Cinnamon Bay Beach! Learn how to swim, how to tread water, or refine your technique!  Sessions start Saturday, January 21! 

  • Ages 4+ are welcome!  Adults and kids!
  • First and third Saturdays from 9:30AM to 11:30AM.
  • Classes take place on Cinnamon Bay beach to the left of the ruin.  Free transportation is available from/to Cruz Bay.  Morning departure from Cruz Bay is 9:00AM.

Everyone who attends at least four lessons will receive personal swim gear and a rash guard. 

All participants must sign a waiver or have their parents or guardians sign a waiver.  Thank you!

Erin Hollander

Erin Hollander

Learn To Swim Coordinator ehollander@friendsvinp.org

Erin hails from Northern California where she grew up swimming, playing water polo, hiking, scuba diving, and snorkeling.  Her passion for the ocean lead her to St. Thomas for the Marine Masters program at UVI. She has been teaching and coaching swimming and water polo since 2009 and is the co-ordinator and lead instructor for the Learn To Swim program.

Learn To Swim

Instructor Training

Saturday, January 14

Become a Learn To Swim instructor!  Sign up for a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) class.  The course requires completion of an online portion before the in person training so sign up today.  Anyone 15 and over can become an instructor.  Friends covers the cost of the course ($350) and everyone attending must sign a letter of intent to teach Learn To Swim one Saturday a month.  The pay rate for swim instructors is $20/hr. Contact the Learn To Swim Coordinator Erin Hollander to sign up -- ehollander@friendsvinp.org 

Learn To Swim

Life Guards Needed

This is a part time job opportunity in the Friends Learn To Swim program on Saturdays.  $24/hour. This position includes paid training and certification. Please contact Erin Hollander at ehollander@friendsvinp.org

Learn To Swim

Swim Instructors Needed

This is a part time job opportunity in the Friends Learn To Swim program on Saturdays. $20/hour. This position includes paid training and certification. Please contact Erin Hollander at ehollander@friendsvinp.org