About the Program
BCNY offers high-quality swimming lessons, aquatic sports, lifeguard training and activities at Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens and Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem. Participation is free of charge, giving access to skills that are fun to learn and last a lifetime.
Activities include:
- Project Lifeguard
- Learn to Swim Lessons
- 2024 USA Swimming Foundation Youth Learn-to-Swim Grant Recipient
- Swim Team
- Practice Squad
- Hydro Training
- Open Swim
- Swim Team
- Swim Team Practice Squad
- American Red Cross Junior Lifeguard
- American Red Cross Learn-To-Sim
- NEW Scuba Diving Program (Abbe Clubhouse)
- Watch members share their swim journeys with education reporter, Jillian Jorgensen on NY1.
Aquatics in Harlem, Gerry Clubhouse
After five years and a major renovation, the Gerry Clubhouse pool in East Harlem is now open. This is a significant milestone for BCNY and we are committed to providing vital aquatic access to members and the wider community.
The reopening of the Gerry pool means we can offer an additional 1,000 BCNY members and community residents in Harlem and the Bronx access to swimming at no charge. At BCNY, we believe that learning to swim is a critical skill that saves lives and opens doors to countless experiences and opportunities.
Our unique aquatics program goes beyond just teaching basic swimming. Our dedicated aquatics teams offer lessons to swimmers of all levels.
Learn more about Gerry Clubhouse aquatic programs here. If you have questions, please contact us.
BCNY 150th Anniversary and Reopening of the Gerry Clubhouse Swimming Pool
PROJECT LIFEGUARD
For over a decade, Project Lifeguard participants (all genders, ages 15-21) earn a stipend and obtain their Red Cross Deep Water Lifeguard Certification. They learn rescue skills, first aid, and CPR. After successfully completing the program, members receive lifeguard job placement support at pools across the city and beyond. To date we’ve certified over 1,000 lifeguards.
Pools where BCNY trained and certified lifeguards have been placed include:
- YMCAs across New York City and Greater New York
- New York Sports Club
- Equinox Fitness
- Harriman State Park
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- LIV Amenities
- BCNY Pools
- City Beaches and Public Pools (after obtaining NYC lifeguard certification with support from BCNY swim coaches)
Scuba Diving
Abbe Clubhouse has partnered with YDIVE and now offers Scuba Diving to members of all ages. YDIVE helps youth develop imagination, vision, and empowerment through learning the basics of scuba diving and striving to expand their awareness of the world.
- STEP 1: Members first participate in learning sessions that teach them all about the equipment, safety skills, and techniques required to scuba dive.
- STEP 2: Now, members are ready to jump in the pool and practice. Certified scuba instructors get in the water with members, guiding them through instructions on how to breathe underwater in a controlled environment.
- STEP 3: Once members are ready, they can graduate to open water diving. At the end of the program cycle, members have the opportunity to travel to Virginia and acquire their open water certification.
Scuba Diving is for members at a level 4 swimming or higher and 15 and older.
To learn more about Scuba Diving at Abbe Clubhouse, contact Clubhouse Director Orlando Nazario at orlando.nazario@bcny.org.
