USMS Coach and ALTS Certification and Stroke Clinics

U.S. Masters Swimming is hosting a USMS ALTS instructor certification course on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in San Jose, CA.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 
Check-in: 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
Classroom instruction: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: 1:00 p.m.*
In-water pool instruction: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

*Lunch will be provided. Please note in the registration process if you have any dietary restrictions

Location for classroom and pool instruction:
Gunderson High School
622 Gaundabert Lane
San Jose, CA 95136

Parking: There is covered parking directly across from the swimming pool entrance. ADA parking spaces are available next to the football field, or in the main parking lot in front of the school. The pool deck is accessible from all parking areas via the sidewalk. The swimming pool is only accessible through the gated entrance. Do not go into the school building.

Instructor:
Wendy Neely is a lead USMS-certified Adult Learn to Swim instructor and USMS-certified level 3 coach. She has more than 20 years of coaching experience and is head coach of Blue Wave Aquatics in Federal Way, Wash. She is a 2010 recipient of the USMS Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award, which is awarded for grassroots coaching accomplishment. In 2013, Blue Wave Aquatics was honored as Local Club of the Year, and also received a Swimming Saves Lives Foundation grant to provide swim lessons for adults.

ALTS Prerequisites:
You must be a current USMS member to participate in the course and receive USMS ALTS Instructor certification. You must be able to perform the following five water-competency skills:

• Step or jump into deep water and return to the surface
• Float or tread water for one minute
• Turn around in a full circle and find an exit
• Swim 25 yards to the exit
• Exit from the water

Certification Process:
Upon successful completion of the classroom coursework and the in-water instruction, including all successfully completed tests, each person will be awarded USMS ALTS Certified Instructor certification.

Fees:
$250 per instructor registration. Your ALTS Certified Instructor designation is active until the end of the calendar year in which it is achieved, and can be renewed by paying a $30 annual fee when updating your USMS membership each year. USMS provides references and support for active member instructors only.

Scholarships:
Please contact your club or LMSC for scholarship assistance. Members in the Pacific LMSC should contact Christina Kossa (ALTS Chair, [email protected])

Maximum:
Maximum attendance is 30.

Who should attend?
Anyone who teaches, or wants to teach, adult swim lessons both publicly and privately. Anyone interested in supporting their community by helping to teach adults to swim.

Online Registration:
Online registration only. Registration closes at midnight Pacific time on Friday, May 8, 2026 or when the course enrollment reaches 30.

Online Registration is Paid by Credit Card:
Your online registration for this course will be paid by credit card and processed by Club Assistant. Please look for "US Masters Swimming" on your credit card statement.

Lodging:
If you are interested in securing a hotel reservation for this event please contact a hotel directly. There are several hotels at or near the San Jose Mineta International Airport, which is 15-20 minutes from the pool. 

Questions:
Contact Bill Brenner [email protected]