IN THE SWIM : Summer Splash : Children comfortable with the basics in the water may be ready for different strokes.

Have you noticed a certain Esther Williams twinkle in your 3-year-old’s eyes? Has she attempted the backstroke during bath time, or a synchronized swimming performance with her rubber squeeze toys.

Perhaps it’s time you enrolled her in swimming lessons.

Swim schools flourish in Ventura County where miles of coastline and acres of swimming pools provide the perfect antidote to summer heat.

“Start children in swim lessons only when you feel they’re ready,” advised Dale Carnathan, director of health services for the Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Forcing a child to swim who is not comfortable will only lead to fear and a phobia about water.”

Carnathan also recommends that parents search for schools that stress safety. “Children must be taught how to survive in the water,” he said. “Most drownings occur when the victim had no intention of getting wet. It doesn’t matter how pretty your strokes are, if you panic when you hit the water, you’ll be in trouble.”

Learning how to float and tread water are essential for beginning swimmers and “water recovery strokes,” such as the breast and sidestroke are good for surviving prolonged periods in the water.

“Strokes that don’t require the arms to be lifted out of the water are important because they’re less tiring,” Carnathan said. After the basics, many children benefit from advanced strokes that provide increased flexibility, recreation and exercise.

Swim schools are not required to hire certified instructors, but Carnathan recommends choosing those with Red Cross-certified instructors on board. Most schools offer group lessons, with four to eight children in each class.

Following is a list of area swim schools. Parents who are shopping for the right school may observe lessons at all locations.

Ventura College instructs children aged 3 years and older in a series of two-week classes that begin July 16, July 30 and Aug. 13. The half-hour group lessons--Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.--cost $30 for 10 sessions.

Springboard diving and junior lifesaving also are taught during the two-week sessions for the same cost. Half-hour semiprivate lessons cost $30 per child for five lessons. Ten instructors, all Red Cross and CPR-certified, are trained to teach disabled children in a heated, outdoor Olympic-size pool.

Adults may register for lessons offered year-round at the college for $7.50 for 18 weeks of instruction. Phone 642-3211. For children, contact: 4667 Telegraph Road, 93003. 654-6348.

Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District offers classes for children and adults at two outdoor, heated pools in the Valley. Two-week sessions, consisting of one-half hour group classes held Monday through Friday mornings, cost $21. Evening sessions, held Monday through Thursdays, cost $17. Two week private sessions, held Monday through Friday mornings, cost $46. All levels of skill are taught by twenty instructors, all Red Cross and CPR certified. Newbury High School pool: 499-9243. Thousand Oaks High School Pool: 495-9051.

Rancho and Simi Recreation and Park District holds classes for children and adults at four, heated pools. Two-week sessions are held Monday through Friday mornings and evenings. The series of half-hour group classes costs $30. Private instruction costs $90 for eight one-half hour classes and sessions for disabled people are available by appointment. Some of the forty instructors are Red Cross certified and all are CPR certified. 584-4436.

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District uses the “Swim America” approach to teach children and adults. The program, designed by the American Swimming Coaches Assn., guides students through a series of 10 levels that challenge a swimmer’s ability. The program “provides students with a clear test of his or her own ability,” according to the Swim America literature. “The motivation comes from the student who can achieve at his or her own rate.”

Half-hour group lessons are offered Mondays through Fridays during two-week sessions for children of all ages. Adult evening classes are held twice each week for two weeks, and one-hour Saturday lessons are held for five weeks. Morning and late-afternoon hours are available for children’s classes. The sessions, which all cost $20, begin every two weeks until Aug. 31. Ten instructors are trained in advanced lifesaving techniques and CPR. All lessons are held at the Pleasant Valley Indoor Pool, 1030 Temple Ave., Camarillo, 93010. 482-1996.

The Ventura Family YMCA instructs children, 3 years and older, in two indoor pools, one heated to 90 degrees and used as a therapy pool. All 20 instructors are Red Cross and CPR-certified.

For children 3 to 5 years, a series of four group classes teach the basics--from water orientation to rhythmic breathing. Older children also start with water orientation, but graduate to more advanced strokes.

These year-round, 25-minute lessons are offered two, three or five days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices range from $18 to $45, with YMCA members eligible for lower rates. Sessions begin July 14 and 30.

One-hour prep classes for YMCA’s swim team is offered twice each week for three weeks at a cost of $25 for members and $40 for non-members. Private, half-hour lessons for children and adults cost $21 for members and $42 for non-members for three sessions.

A “Twinges in the Hinges” class for arthritic seniors is held in the therapy pool at a cost of $20. The year-round classes are held Mondays through Fridays for six weeks from 10:15 to 11 a.m. 3760 Telegraph Road, 93003. 642-2131.

The Ojai Valley Racquet Club uses two heated outdoor pools and five instructors, some of them Red Cross and CPR-certified, to teach lessons for children aged 2 years and up.

A Tiny Tots class instructs children 2 to 4 years old in the basics of water orientation. Beginners, 4 to 6 years, learn how to float and dog paddle. Intermediates, 6 years and older, develop the backstroke, freestyle and breast stroke. Sessions for the group lessons begin July 16, 30 and Aug. 13.

A pre-swim team class teaches timed relays, flip turns, lifesaving skills and endurance. Diving lessons are also held for children 7 years and older. Each of the two-week, 45-minute summer classes are held Monday through Friday mornings and cost $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Private, half-hour lessons for children or adults cost $12 for members and $14 for non-members. A junior swim team for children 6 to 12 years and a masters swim team for adults also is offered. 4009 Fox St., 93023. 646-7213.

Pierpoint Racquet Club features an indoor pool and adjacent Jacuzzi for children 3 to 12 years. Beginning, intermediate and advanced half-hour group classes are offered Friday, Saturday and Monday mornings at 8:30, 9 and 9:30. The two week course, held through mid-August, consists of three lessons per week and costs $30 for members and $36 for non-members.

Private half-hour lessons meet year-round and cost $12 for members and $14 for non-members. Semi-private lessons cost $16 for members and $18 for non-members. The club’s five instructors are all Red Cross and CPR-certified.

“We really believe in safety and fun,” said director Nancy Garrett. “For beginners, we use toys that float to help them get a feeling of security in the water.” 500 Sanjon Road, Ventura, 93001. 648-5161.

The Ventura City Recreation Division teaches three beginners’ classes for children 3 to 5 years. Fifteen instructors, all Red Cross and CPR-certified, teach the basics of water orientation, kicking and various strokes. Advanced beginner classes help hone the elementary backstroke and assist in increasing endurance. Intermediate classes, which perfect strokes, also are offered for adults.

The two week, 40-minute group lessons, offered Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., cost $30. Sessions begin July 16, 30 and Aug. 13. Private 30-minute sessions cost $10.

“We use a lot of positive reinforcement,” said aquatic manager Mari Alsip. “It’s important that the kids enjoy the water, no matter what swim stroke they’re working on.”

The lessons are held at Buena High School’s heated outdoor pool. 5670 Telegraph Road, 93003. 642-1365.

The Santa Paula Recreation Department offers a series of seven classes ranging from beginner to advanced during several two-week sessions. The half-hour lessons are offered Mondays through Fridays and cost $32. Four Red Cross and CPR-certified instructors teach from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Private half-hour lessons cost $10. Sessions begin July 16 and 30.

Classes are held at Santa Paula High School, 404 N. 6th St., 91306. 933-4226.