A Chance to Test the Waters : Red Cross and private pools are offering kids and adults swim lessons this summer.

While there may be nothing more refreshing than diving into a cool pool on a hot summer day, for those who can’t swim, there may be nothing more dangerous, especially if they’re children.

Drowning remains a leading cause of death for infants and young children in Orange County, according to Children’s Hospital of Orange County records; since 1990, the hospital has recorded 80 cases of drowning among children younger than 5.

That’s why, in the following months, the Orange County Red Cross is sponsoring swimming classes at pools throughout the county. The teachers are local volunteers who take 44 hours of training to become Red Cross certified swimming instructors.

“Children love water,” says Rebecca Long, a spokesperson for the Orange County Red Cross, “and as long as adults have a good attitude about it, and they really encourage them, children are apt to do just about anything.”

Long said the Red Cross swimming lessons are for all ages--from as young as 6 months to teens and adults.

Swimmers who want to begin learning or improving their swimming technique can take one of the Red Cross program’s seven levels of instruction: water exploration, primary skills, stroke readiness, stroke development, stroke refinement, skill proficiency or advanced skills.

The Red Cross also offers a special Infant Preschool Aquatic Program (IPAP) for toddlers, preschoolers and younger children.

Of course, swimming lessons alone don’t keep children safe. The Children’s Hospital recommends that youngsters--even those who are excellent swimmers--be constantly supervised while in or near the water.

And learning to swim isn’t just about water safety; there are athletic benefits, said Jamie Nellesen, health and safety specialist for the O.C. Red Cross. Those who learn to swim as toddlers can continue swimming when they are seniors.

“It’s probably one of the best physical activities you can do without hurting yourself,” Nellesen said. “It has the least risk of injury of any sport. You burn the most calories; there is no jarring movement on any of your bones or your joints.”

This year, swimming lessons begin the last two weeks of June, with registration open now for a number of locations. For those who want to hone their skills outside of class, many local pools also offer public swimming hours.

Here’s a list of places you can find Red Cross-approved swimming classes to help you and yours have a safe summer.

Anaheim

* Pearson Park (400 N. Harbor Blvd.); Canyon High School (220 S. Imperial Highway, Anaheim); Loara High School (1765 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim); (714) 765-5130. Mon.-Fri. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-7, tiny tots (ages 3-6), teen and adult. $33-$38 for two-week session. Public swimming at Pearson Park only, Mon.-Fri., 3-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-3 p.m.

* Salvation Army Anaheim Red Shield (1515 W. North St.; [714] 491-1450). Mon.-Thur. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-7, water babies (6-18 months), tiny tots (19-36 months), adult. $32 for two-week session. Public swimming Mon., Wed., Thur. and Fri., 2-5 p.m.; Tue., 3-5 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Costa Mesa

* Costa Mesa High School (2650 Fairview Road; [949] 645-2797). City-sponsored lessons June 21-Aug. 27. Ages 6 months to 12 years; levels 1-5; half-hour sessions offered Mon.-Fri. $30 for a two-week session. Free public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1-2:45 p.m. and Sat., noon-2:45 p.m.

* Costa Mesa Community Center (19th and Anaheim streets; [949] 645-2797). City-sponsored lessons June 21-Aug. 27. Ages 6 months-12 years; levels 1-5; Daily half-hour sessions offered Mon.-Fri. $30 for a two-week session. Free public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1-2:45 p.m. and Sat., noon-2:45 p.m.

* Halecrest Park (3107 Kileybrook Lane; [714] 557-7234). Private club offers public, group swimming lessons June 21-Aug. 12. Ages 4 to adult; levels 1-7. Daily 30-minute sessions Mon.-Thur. $55 for two-week session. No public swimming.

Cypress

* Cypress College Pool, (9200 Valley View St.; [714] 484-7448). June 21-July 30: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri.; Aug. 2-6: one-week session Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-4 years); levels 1-7; diving. $34. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:45-4:15 p.m. $2.

Fountain Valley

* Los Amigos High School (16566 Newhope St.; [714] 593-4446). Mon.-Fri. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-7. $25 for two-week session. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 12:15-1:15 p.m.

* Green Valley South Pool, (10739 Los Jardines West; [714] 962-8205). June 7-Aug. 13: one-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Levels 1-7. $22-$29. No public swimming.

* Los Caballeros Sports Village, (17272 Newhope St.; [714] 546-8560, ext. 211.) Swimming lessons Mon.-Friday. Sessions start June 14 and continue through September. Lessons are for all ages from 6 months. Cost to members: eight classes for $64, 10 classes for $80; nonmembers: eight lessons for $88, 10 lessons for $110; call for information on private lessons. No public swimming.

Garden Grove

* Garden Grove High School Pool, (11271 Stanford Ave.; [714] 530-8146). June 28-Aug. 20: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-7. $30. Public swimming: Mon.-Fri., 2:30-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends. $1, children; $1.25, adults.

* Bolsa Grande High School Pool, (9401 Westminster Ave.). June 28-Aug. 20: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-7. $30. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 2:30-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends. $1, children; $1.25, adults.

* Woodbury Pool, (13800 Rosita; [714] 741-5980). June 28-Aug. 20: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-3. $30. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30-4:30 p.m. $1, children; $1.25, adults.

* Gary Hall Pool, (12001 St. Mark St.; [714] 895-8689). June 28-Aug. 20: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-3. $30. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Tue. and Thur. 7:15-8:45 p.m.; Sat., 11:30-1:30 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30-4:30 p.m. $1, children; $1.25, adults.

* Magnolia Pool, (11402 Magnolia St.; [714] 741-5416). June 28-Aug. 20: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-3. $30. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2:30-4:30 p.m. $1, children; $1.25, adults.

Huntington Beach

* Huntington Beach City Pool, (16th and Palm streets; [714] 960-8884). June 21-Aug. 27: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); preschool; levels 1-7; water polo; diving; adult swimming; also, semiprivate lessons. $28-$53. Public swimming Mon. and Wed., 6:30-8:30 p.m. $1.

* Marina High School Pool, (Springdale and Edinger streets; [714] 895-9215). June 21-Aug. 27: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); preschool; levels 1-7; water polo; adult swimming; also, semi-private lessons. $28-$53. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1:15-3 p.m.; Sat., 1-4 p.m. $1.

* Edison High School Pool, (Magnolia and Hamilton streets; [714] 962-9144). June 21-Aug. 27: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); preschool; levels 1-7; water polo; diving; adult swimming; also, semiprivate lessons. $28-$53. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1:15-3 p.m.; Sat. 1-4 p.m. $1.

* Golden West College Pool, (15744 Goldenwest St.; [714] 895-8228). June 21-Aug. 13: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); preschool, levels 1-6. $33. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1-2:20 p.m. $1.25; Sat., 1-3 p.m. $1.75.

* Silver Gan Israel Day Camp, (14401 Willow Lane; [714] 535-4769.) June 28-Aug. 12 and Aug. 16-27. Lessons offered Mon.-Fri. Nine half-hour lessons; private $225; semi-private: $135. No public swimming.

Irvine

* Heritage Park Aquatic Center (4601 Walnut Ave.; [949] 559-0472). The city-sponsored lessons continue through Sept. 5; Ages 6 months to adult; levels 1-7, including Mommy & Me (ages 3 years to 6), and Waterbabies (6 to 36 months). Daily 25-minute sessions Mon.-Fri., also Saturdays from July 10-Aug. 7. $36 for a two-week session. Adult lap swimming Mon.-Fri., and Sat.-Sun., $2. Public swimming Sat.-Sun., 1-4 p.m. beginning June 26. Mon.-Fri., 1-3 p.m. beginning June 28. $1-$1.50.

* Woodbridge Village Assn. (sign up at the headquarters at 9 Creek Road; [949] 786-1800). Woodbridge residents, ages 2 1/2 and older, can take group swimming lessons at the community’s nine swimming pools. Levels 1-7. 25-minute classes Mon.-Fri. Mommy & Me program also available. Adult lessons, Mon-Fri. $40 for a two-week session. No public swimming.

Laguna Beach

* Laguna Beach Community Pool, (625 Park Ave.; [949]-497-0716, Ext. 6.) June 28-Sept. 3. Mon.-Fri., levels 1-4. Five two-week sessions, $40 per session. Semiprivate lessons $60 per person for six half-hour lessons. Private lessons $120 per person for six half-hour lessons. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $2. Public swimming changes June 28.

Laguna Hills

* Laguna Hills High School, 25401 Paseo de Valencia; [949] 770-5447. Summer session June 28-Aug. 20, Mon.-Fri., two-week session made up of half-hour classes. $40 for basic lessons; $100 per week for private lessons. No public swimming.

Laguna Niguel

* Crown Valley Pool, (29751 Crown Valley Parkway; [949] 425-5100.) June 23-Aug. 20; Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Levels 1-7. Semiprivate lessons taught in two-week sessions: June 28-Aug. 20, Mon., Wed. and Fri. Cost: residents $50; nonresidents $60. Private lessons, June 29-Aug. 19, residents $50; nonresidents $60. Public swimming begins June 28: Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-5 p.m. Adults $2, youths 2-13 and seniors $1.50.

La Habra

* La Habra High School (801 W. Highlander Ave.; [562] 905-9708). Mon.-Fri. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-7. $30 for two-week session. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 12:15-2:50 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m.

Lake Forest

* El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest; [949] 586-6333. Summer session June 28-Aug. 20, Mon.-Fri., two-week session made up of 30-minute classes, $40 for basic lessons; $100 week for private lessons. No public swimming.

Los Alamitos

* Los Alamitos High School Pool, (Cerritos Ave. and Los Alamitos Blvd.; [562] 431-9819). June 21-Aug. 13: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (9 months-3 years); preschool; level 1-7; synchronized swimming; therapeutic swimming; adult swimming; lifeguard program; competitive swimming. $33 for first child, $28 for second, $23 for third. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1:30-3 p.m.; Sat., 12-3 p.m. $1.50, children 17 and younger; $2, adults.

Mission Viejo

* Lake Mission Viejo (on the main beach off Olympiad Road; [909] 672-0605). Small group lessons for members of Mission Viejo recreation district June 28 through Aug. 27. Ages 11 months to 13 years; levels 1-7, including IPAP for ages 11 months to 3 years. Daily half-hour sessions Mon.-Fri. $45 plus an $8 administrative fee for a two-week session. Private lessons available for all ages, $25 per hour. Junior Lifeguard and Sun Fish programs also available. No public swimming.

* Saddleback Valley Unified School District Recreation Department, 23602 Via Fabricante; (949) 460-2709. Summer session June 28-Aug. 20, Mon.-Fri., two-week session of half-hour classes, $40 for basic lessons; $100 per week for private lessons. No public swimming. Classes offered at the following locations:

* Sierra Community Recreation Center, 25909 Pala, Suite 200, (949) 470-3061.

* Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive; (949) 837-7722.

Trabuco Hills High School, 27501 Cordova Road; (949) 768-1934.

Newport Beach

* Marian Bergeson Aquatics Center, (Corona del Mar High School, 2102 Eastbluff Drive; [949] 644-3151). June 21-Aug. 13: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-5; also private lessons. $30 group lessons, $50-$60, individual. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 2-4 p.m. $1.

* Newport Harbor High School Pool, (600 Irvine Blvd.; [949] 644-3151). June 21-Aug. 27: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (6 months-3 years); levels 1-5; diving; guard start (for kids 11 to 14, Junior Lifeguard-type program); also, private lessons. $30 group lessons, $50-$60, private lessons. Public swimming Mon.-Sat., 1-3 p.m. $1.

Orange

* Primanti Montessori School (50003 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, [714] 997-1200). Small group lessons (five students) June 21-Aug. 27. Ages 2 1/2 to 11; levels 1-5; Daily 40-minute classes Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $37.50 for a one-week session. Private lessons daily. $20 for half-hour class. No public swimming.

* Hart Park Pool (701 S. Glassell St.; [714] 744-7267). City-sponsored group and private lessons June 21-Aug. 20 for ages 3 and older. Weekday morning and evening sessions; levels 1-7. $25 for two-week block of 10 half-hour lessons. $10 per hour for private, half-hour lessons (all ages). Public swimming daily, 1-2:15 p.m., 2:30-3:45 p.m. and 4-5:15 p.m. Also Mon. and Wed. evenings from 7-8:15. $1-$1.50. 50 cents on Wednesdays. Birthday party rentals available weekends, $55-$65 per hour.

* El Modena High School pool (3920 Spring St.; [714] 744-7267). City-sponsored group and private lessons weekdays, June 21-Aug. 20, for ages 3 and older. Levels 1-7. $25 for two-week block of 10 half-hour lessons. $10 per hour for private, half-hour lessons (all ages). Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1-2:15 p.m. $1-$1.50. 50 cents on Wednesdays. Birthday party rentals available weekends, $55-$65 per hour.

Placentia

* Valencia High School (500 N. Bradford Ave.); El Dorado High School (1651 N. Valencia Ave.); (714) 993-8232. Mon.-Fri. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-5, additional preschool level. $21 for three-week session, $36 for two-week session. Public swimming at Valencia High, Mon.-Fri., 1-2:45 p.m., and at El Dorado High, Mon.-Sat., 1-2:45 p.m.

San Clemente

* Ole Hansen Beach Club, 105 West Avenida Pico; [949] 361-8207. June 28-Aug. 19. Mon.-Thur. Nine skill levels. $30-$45 for eight half-hour lessons. Public swimming Sat.-Sun., 1-3 p.m. Starting June 28, Mon.-Thurs., Sat.-Sun., 1-3 p.m.; Fri., 1-5 p.m. $2.

Santa Ana

* City of Santa Ana Aquatics (see locations below, [714] 571-4256). Group swimming lessons for ages 8 months and up. Levels 1-7. Includes Parent & Me (8 months and older). Daily 40-minute lessons offered mornings and evenings, Mon.-Fri., June 29-Aug. 20 at El Salvador, Jerome, Memorial and Salgado pools. Memorial Pool offers lessons through -Sept. 3. $20-$25 for eight lessons. Other programs include swim team for ages 5-17. $30 per month; Junior Lifeguard for ages 11 and older. $45; water polo for ages 8-17. $20 per month; adult aqua aerobics. $20 per month; and Senior Aqua Fitness. $1 for each 90-minute session. Water Olympics for swim team and polo team participants Aug. 15.

* El Salvador Pool (1825 W. Civic Center Drive; [714] 647-6598). Public swimming Wed.-Sat., 1-2:30 and 3-4:30 p.m. $1.

* Jerome Pool (726 S. Flower St.; [714] 647-2559). Public swimming Tue., Thur., Sat. and Sun., 1-2:30 and 3-4:30 p.m. $1.

* Memorial Pool (2102 S. Flower St.; [714] 647-4243). Public swimming Tue.-Sun., 1-2:30 and 3-4:30 p.m. $1. Night swimming Tue.-Fri. 7:45-8:45 p.m. $1.

* Salgado Pool (706 N. Newhope St.; [714] 571-4269). Public swimming Wed., Fri., Sat. and Sun. 1-2:30 and 3-4:30 p.m. $1.

* Santa Anita Pool (300 S. Figueroa St.; [714] 647-6553). Public swimming Wed., Thur. and Fri. 1-3 p.m. $1.

Westminster

* Childrens World Pre-School (10382 Bolsa Ave.; [714] 531-4555). Mon.-Fri. IPAP, Red Cross program levels 1-7. $40 for two-week session. No public swimming.

* Westminster High School Pool, (14325 Goldenwest St.; [714] 895-2860). June 21-Aug. 13: two-week sessions Mon.-Fri. Parent & Me (18 months to 3 years); levels 1-6; junior lifeguard program. $30. Public swimming Mon.-Fri., 1:30-2:55 p.m. $1.

List of swimming classes compiled by Jenny Anglin, Jose Paul Corona, Michael Miller and Ken Williams.