Learn to Swim Classes for All Ages

Learn to Swim Classes for ages 6 months – 99 years of age are available in FCPA recenters, serving all levels of swimming ability. FCPA instructors are certified by the American Red Cross as Water Safety Instructors, a program that involves over thirty hours of instruction.

Purpose of the Learn to Swim & Age Group classes:

• Promote water safety, knowledge and practices
• Aquatic adjustment and swimming readiness skills
• Fun and enjoyment in the water
• Participant socialization
• Develop swimming skills and endurance
• Allow opportunities for children to progress into more challenging classes and receive American Red Cross certification (Learn to Swim Level I-VII class only)

The swim program is divided both by age group and skill level, as follows:

• Learn-to-Swim Classes for Babies and Preschoolers, Ages 6 months to 6 years
• Learn-to-Swim Classes for Ages 6 – 12 years
• Learn-to-Swim Classes for Teens and Adults
• Stroke Mechanics Training for Ages 6 – 18 years, geared toward the person who can swim and with an interest in competitive swimming
• Lap, Stroke and Swim Improvement for ages 13 to adult, for people interested in swimming laps for fitness, for participating in competitive swim or for simply improving one’s strokes
• Lap Swim for Parent and Child, Ages 7 – Adult for families looking to spend quality time together while working on swim skills and fitness.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Parents, please remember you are requested to bring your children to and from class on time. Stay with your child until the instructor picks them up; and be ready to pick them up from the instructor promptly at the end of class.
• You are responsible for obtaining any information from the Parktakes magazine, the RECenter, or from instructors regarding holidays, vacations, class cancellations, or postponements, etc. Such information is given out at the beginning or end of class. Refer to the snow cancellation policy flyer for information about weather related cancellations. Please contact the instructor or the Aquatics Supervisor at the RECenter if you have questions. Additionally, for closing and cancellation information in weather emergencies, call 703-324-8661.
• It is suggested that you put your child’s name on his/her towel.
• Please have your child use the bathroom before each class. If a child needs to use the bathroom while the class is in progress, the instructor will signal the parent to come and get the child. Children will not be allowed to go into the locker room by themselves.
• NOTE: Swim instructors cannot leave a class unattended to take children to the bathroom.
• In order for the Park Authority to provide the most effective instruction, parents are asked to observe classes from the designated observation areas of the RECenter. If a parent feels strongly about remaining on the pool deck during classes, they may do so in the designated areas. Should a parents’ presence on the pool deck create a distraction to the class, the Park Authority reserves the right to request that the parent relocate, in the best interests of the class. NOTE: Street shoes are NOT permitted on the pool deck.
• Parents are asked to remain in the RECenter throughout the entire lesson in case of an emergency (or if their child needs to use the restroom during class).
• On the last day of class, parents may observe the class from the deck.
• Swimmies are used during the Pee Wee Paddler classes any time students are in water deeper than shoulder depth. Since there is no beach area at Audrey Moore RECenter and Lee District RECenter, swimmies are issued to all Pee Wee I students. Under the watchful eye of the instructor, swimmies are used much like training wheels on a bike, to help the child learn skills, develop self confidence and have fun. As the children progress they will use the swimmies less frequently during class. Parents, please have the children wear their swimmies to each class. Precious time will be wasted if children have to put them on at the start of class. Place the children’s names on their swimmies, as they are the child’s to keep.
• When your child is ready (old enough) to move to the Learn-to-Swim Classes for 6 to 12 year olds they should be placed in the level which best meets their skills.
• The completion or participation certificates are handed out the last day of class. In addition, a copy of a blank course progression certificate listing the course skills is available for you at any time, to view one please go to the listing of skills taught on the aquatics web site.
• Keep all Red Cross certificates for an accurate record of your child’s progress.
• If several months lapse between enrolling your child in classes, it may be necessary to place the child in a class that they previously passed due to their skill level at the time of enrollment. Without practice, skill level may digress.