Learn to Swim Classes
Learn to Swim Classes for ages 6 months – 99 years of age are available in FCPA RECenters, serving all levels of swimming ability.
For our Learn to Swim classes, use our online selection guidelines to determine the proper class level and current class availability.
The swim program is divided both by age group and skill level, as follows:
Classes for Babies and Preschoolers
- Baby & Me Swim (6 mos-18 mos)
- Toddler & Me Swim (19 Mos-2 Yrs 11 Mos)
- Preschooler & Me Swim (3-5 yrs)
- Pee Wee Paddlers (3-6 yrs)
You are encouraged to repeat water skills in the bathtub at home. A key component of the program is the focus on having fun. Your instructor helps the class create an environment that is stimulating, creative, playful and safe. This will be accomplished by the development of a warm and trusting relationship between parents, children and the instructor.
For our Learn to Swim classes, use our online selection guidelines to determine the proper class level and current class availability.
Make swimming lessons and swimming with the family a positive experience. You as a parent can help prepare your child to learn to swim by:
- Taking them to the pool often.
- Playing with them in the water.
- Reacting favorably if they go under the water accidentally (don’t fuss over him swallowing the water.)
- Getting them used to water (i.e. putting water on the face).
- Encouraging them to blow bubbles and hide their face in the bathtub and to lie on their back and let the water touch their ears.
This program is not designed to teach children to become proficient swimmers or even to survive in the water on their own. It will however, provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to orient your child to the water and to safely supervise water activities.
Rules
- Babies should wear only tight plastic or rubber pants with snug fitting legs covered by a tight nylon bathing suit. NOTE: Diapers will weigh your child down and are not effective at containing waste. The Fairfax County Health Department has also made it a policy that diapers are not to be worn in the pool.
- For your convenience, changing tables are provided in the locker rooms. Babies should not be changed on the benches. Deposit used diapers in the swing-top waste containers placed in the locker room.
- Babies should not be taken into the sauna. Instead, you can provide another experience in the water and hold your baby under a warm shower. Never leave your baby unattended.
- You are responsible for obtaining any information from the brochure, the park or from instructors regarding holidays, vacations, class cancellations or postponements. Please refer to the snow cancellation flyer for information about weather related cancellations.
- Additionally, for closing and cancellation information in weather emergencies, call 703-324-8661.
Learn-to-Swim Classes, Ages 6 – 12 years
No matter what age your child is, there are swim skills to be learned and enjoyed. FCPA aquatic instructors strive to offer students learning experiences that are both fun and effective.
For our Learn to Swim classes, use our online selection guidelines to determine the proper class level and current class availability.
Help Your Child Succeed at Swim Lessons
- Sign your child up for the appropriate class based on age and skill level. You will find guidelines to assist you in determining the correct class both online and in the Parktakes magazine.
- Attend all classes and arrive on time.
- Review the skills being taught at each level. You can monitor your child’s progress. The class will be taught to the skill level of the group.
- If you have concerns about your child’s progress, talk to your child’s instructor or the aquatic supervisor at your site. Instructors have only a few minutes between classes so please do not be offended if your child’s instructor can’t spend more time with you. Arrangements can be made for you to interact but please be patient.
- It is important to realize that all people learn differently (especially since they must learn in a foreign environment, in this case the water.) If your child is not at the same place as the other students, be patient and applaud every accomplishment. Your child will learn. It is essential that he/she have a fun experience in class.
- Repeating the same level is perfectly acceptable. Some classes must be taken more than once by students because there are so many skills to accomplish.
- Visit the pool between classes. Children need time to become comfortable in the water and to practice the skills being taught. There are no classes or rentals on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, this time is designated as “Family Time”, which gives you an opportunity to come in and enjoy the water! Check the RECenter’s pool calendar for special events and pool toy availability.
- Here are some fun at home activities for various age group. Make sure children are always supervised in and around the water.
Learn-to-Swim Classes for Teens and Adults
No matter what your age, there are swim skills to learn and enjoy. Swimming is a wonderful fitness activity, enhancing cardiovascular fitness while increasing muscle strength and endurance. People tend to learn best in an environment that is positive and fun. FCPA aquatic instructors strive to offer students learning experiences that are both pleasurable and effective.
For our Learn to Swim classes, use our online selection guidelines to determine the proper class level and current class availability.
Small Group Swim Lessons
Fewer students (3- 6 per class) means more practice and individualized attention!
- Available for Parent & Me, Pee Wee Paddler plus Children, Teen & Adult programs.
- Same curriculum as standard group lessons.
- Participants can alternate between small and traditional group lessons.
Choose from:
- Private (1-person) and semi-private (2-person) lessons for children age 3 and older, teens and adults.
- Small group (3-6 students) and standard group (6-10 students) programs.
- Customize! Create your own group of three or more people of similar ability
Lap Swimming – Ages 13 to Adult - Classes for different ability levels, for people interested in:
- Swimming laps for fitness
- Improving endurance and distance
- Competitive swimming
- Improving strokes
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG SWIMMERS
- 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.
- 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.
Advanced Swimming - Competitive Swimming and Diving
Park Authority programs are great for learning to swim and for beginning a competitive swim or dive program.
If you or your child shows a strong interest in swimming and is swimming extremely well, for the next level you may want to consider talking to a United States sanctioned team about a program for your child or a Master’s program for yourself.
Below are some guidelines to help you find the right level program:
- Competitive Swimming
- Stroke Mechanics I: Students will learn freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, starts, and relays for competitive swimming.
- Stroke Mechanics II: Students will refine freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, relays and starts. In addition, they'll be introduced to the butterfly and turns.
- Stroke Mechanics III: For experienced competitors who can swim at least 100 yds. continuously. Class refines freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, starts, and turns, and introduces interval training.
- Stroke Mechanics IV: For experienced competitors seeking a high intensity interval workout. Participants must be able to swim at least 100 yds. continuously. Class refines freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, starts, turns, and finishes.
- Advanced Lap Swim: This class focuses on increasing your physical endurance and swim distance. Workouts will be designed to meet the current abilities of the class and to improve overall physical fitness through lap swimming.
- Diving Programs – Classes are a way for a person to learn diving and to take the skill to a higher level. For competitive purposes, you may want to talk to a United States sanctioned dive team.
Water’s natural resistance adds an extra “oomph” to aquatic exercise, helping to build muscle and burn calories, but without putting strain on joints.
Aqua fitness is safe for everyone, whether you are a senior suffering from advanced arthritis or a dedicated tri-athlete using water for cross-training purposes.
Customers have three different options for participating in aqua exercise classes.
Drop-In (or pay as you go)
- Best for the customer with a busy schedule or who wishes to try a new program.
- Daily drop-in rate to attend aquatic exercise classes, space permitting.
Aqua Exercise Flex Pass
- Allows entry into any Park Authority water exercise class, space permitting.
- Valid for four months from date of purchase, Aqua Exercise Flex Passes are sold at all RECenters and online at fairfaxcounty.gov/ parks/passesonline.htm in increments of 10, 20 or 30 visits.
- Pricing based on the per-class fee for coded classes. Senior pass rates are available. Early registration discounts and scholarships are not available for the Aqua Exercise Flex Pass.
Register for coded class in Parktakes
- Registration guarantees a space in the class.
- Registration entitles you to attend only the class for which you registered. Missed classes cannot be made up.
Good enough to guard? Ready to teach?
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Training prepares you to lifeguard at a community pool. For ages 15- Adult.
- WSI (Water Safety Instructor) – Learn how to teach the American Red Cross water Safety programs
Looking to join the Park Authority award-winning team of lifeguards?
- No prior training or experience required
- Training provided after employment offer
- Positions available at 9 RECenters and the Water Mine
- Competitive pay
Apply online:
RECenter Lifeguard:Water Mine Lifeguard
New Visitor Information
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GOLD RUSH DISCOUNT
Single $89
Family of two $156
Each additional person $52
Two year olds and younger FREE
With the purchase of a Gold Rush FAMILY season pass, receive four (4) free guest passes
Why buy a season pass?
- Save more than 60% on daily admission prices (based on 1x per week visit). The more you visit, the more you save.
- Experience quicker entry.
- Enjoy unlimited rides on the carousel and tourboat.
- Purchase guest passes for daily admission at a discounted rate.
Season Pass Sale
Water Mine Season Pass
Good for admission to the Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole at Lake Fairfax Park. Pass covers the entire operating season (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
Blossom Rock FUNbrella
