Teaching the
Conejo Valley
to swim safely
since 1986.
Meet the family that's been teaching greater LA to swim for four decades — a Hall-of-Fame legacy and a safety-first method, now led by Leslie Daland: the founder's daughter, a national-champion swimmer, and an owner who still teaches today.
Swimming isn't just what we do here — it's who we are.
Daland Swim School is a family-owned business, founded by Ingrid Daland, who — after 15 years of teaching and coaching in Westlake Village — opened our doors in 1986. Four decades later, we've taught over 100,000 students to swim.
A German and US champion swimmer, Ingrid was married to Peter Daland — a two-time Head USA Olympic swim coach and a 35-year veteran coach of the USC men's team who won 9 NCAA titles.
Their daughter Leslie — a National Champion and USC All-American — grew up on this pool deck and has owned and run Daland since 2006. She still teaches today, carrying her parents' safety-first method into its fourth decade.
Safe, happy, confident swimmers — by design
For four decades, every Daland lesson has followed the same proven, child-development-based method. Here's what that looks like in the water.
Safety first, always
Water safety is our #1 priority. Every level is built around the skills that save lives.
A clear progression
The Daland Progression meets every swimmer where they are and masters one milestone at a time.
Crystal-clear, warm water
Clean, bath-warm pools keep kids relaxed and confident — so they learn faster.
Small classes, real attention
3–4 swimmers per group — plus semi-private and private options — so every child is truly seen.
Taught by people who grew up here
Family-owned for four decades. Many instructors learned to swim in these pools and came back to teach.
Backed by a 100% guarantee
Not satisfied with a lesson? Tell us that day and your next one is on us.
A genuine swimming dynasty
Two generations of champions — and the same promise to every first-timer who steps to the wall.
Peter Daland
1921–2014
- Head Men's Coach at USC for 35 years — 9 NCAA titles
- The only coach to win all three major national team championships
- Head U.S. Olympic Coach — coached Mark Spitz to 7 gold medals in 1972
- International Swimming Hall of Fame
Ingrid Daland
1942–2017
- German National Team member
- Set a US Open record in the 100m breaststroke
- Founded Daland Swim School in Thousand Oaks (1986)
- US Swim School Association Hall of Fame
Leslie Daland
Ingrid & Peter's daughter
- US National Team · All-America swimmer at Westlake HS & USC
- National Champion, 1500m freestyle — #1 in the world in 1986
- 11 years as USC's Director of NCAA Rules Compliance
- Took over the school in 2006 — and still teaches today
Two generations. One mission.
From Peter's Olympic pool deck to Ingrid's first lessons in Thousand Oaks to their daughter Leslie teaching today — meet the family that has spent four decades teaching greater LA to swim, safely and for life.
The people who make it Daland.
Many of our instructors and coaches learned to swim in these very pools — then came back to teach the next generation. Meet the team that makes every lesson safe, patient, and full of heart.
The love of the water is meant to be handed down.
— Leslie Daland-James, owner since 2006, and still teaching
The family of schools
Same family. Same method. Same promise: a safe, happy, confident swimmer for life.
The Daland timeline
From 1986 to today — four decades of milestones.
Ingrid Daland founds Daland Swim School in Thousand Oaks.
Leslie Daland takes ownership and carries the family method forward.
Named Thousand Oaks Business of the Year by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Daland acquires Lucile Cowle Swim School in Burbank.
The Agoura pool at Lake Lindero goes year-round.
Three locations, one family — unified under the Daland name.
Many of our instructors learned to swim here themselves.
They came up through our lesson ladder, joined the swim team, trained as instructors, and came back to teach the next generation — the same safety-first method, passed hand to hand.
Grow with Daland →Moments & milestones
Held to the highest standards
American Red Cross
Nationally recognized lifeguard, CPR/AED, and water-safety certifications — the same standards we teach and hire by. Since 1881, the American Red Cross has set the national benchmark for aquatic safety and emergency response, and our instructors train and certify swimmers right here at Daland.
US Swim School Association
The national standard for swim-school safety, curriculum, and instruction.
SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia
World-renowned learn-to-swim methodology and instructor training.
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Aligning every lesson with the mission to prevent childhood drowning.
SCPPOA
Southern California Public Pool Operators Association standards.
Stop Drowning Now
Our founder, Leslie Daland, serves on the board of this water-safety education nonprofit.
International Swim Schools Association
Worldwide standards for learn-to-swim programs and instructor training.
A 40-year legacy
you can't manufacture
Families who learned to swim here in the '80s and '90s now bring their own kids to the same pools.
“Daland taught my children — and now they're teaching my grandchildren. There's nowhere else I'd trust.”
“I learned to swim in this pool in 1991. Watching my daughter take her first strokes here is something I'll never forget.”
“Safety-first, patient, and genuinely kind. My anxious little one became a calm, confident swimmer.”
Four decades, in photographs
