Swim Lessons
Don’t know where to start? Swim lessons may be just the right place. Our facilities offer instruction for all ages and swimming abilities, whether you’re a beginner learning the basic principles or a seasoned swimmer seeking to improve the strokes you know.
Not sure which swim level to sign up for? Swim Lesson Evaluations are available for one hour following the last lesson on Saturday and Sunday. If you need to arrange a lesson evaluation on a different day and time, please contact the swim lesson supervisor at your facility.
Ages: 6 months - 5 years
Waterbabies (6-18 months)
Basic water adjustment skills are taught. Infants/children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper and separate rubber/vinyl pants. An adult must accompany each student in the water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Aquatots (18 months - 3 years)
Basic water adjustment skills and simple water skills are taught. Infants/children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper and separate rubber/vinyl pants. An adult must accompany each student in the water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Pre-School (3 - 5 years)
Basic water adjustment continues, but simple water skills are now emphasized. Infants/children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper and separate rubber/vinyl pants. An adult must accompany each student in the water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Ages: 4 years – 6 years
Beginner 1
Parents do not accompany children. This class is for students who need to learn basic water adjustment skills. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 5 students.
Beginner 2
Parents do not accompany children. This class is for students who are already water adjusted. Students must be able to submerge for 3 seconds and float on their front and back without support. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 6 students.
Beginner 3
Parents do not accompany children. This class is for students who can already swim a combined stroke on their front and back, using a kick and arm stroke for a minimum of 5 yards. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 6 students.
Beginner 4
Parents do not accompany children. This class is for students who can already swim a coordinated front crawl for 15 yards (across the width of the pool), back crawl for 5 yards and are comfortable in deep water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 6 students.
Ages: 7 years – 13 years
Youth 1
This class is for students who need to learn basic water adjustment skills. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 8 students.
Youth 2
This class is for students who are already water adjusted. Students must be able to submerge for three seconds and float on their front and back. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 8 students.
Youth 3
This class is for students who can already swim a combined stroke on their front and back, using a kick and arm stroke for a minimum of 5 yards. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Youth 4
This class is for students who can already swim a coordinated front and back crawl for 15 yards (the width of the pool) and are comfortable in deep water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Advanced
This class is for students who can swim one length of front and back crawl, tread water and swim in deep water. Course is designed to refine front and back crawl as well as introduce breast stroke and butterfly. Swimmers will be divided into subgroups by skill level at the first class. Courses meet for six 40 minute sessions. Group size is limited to 10 students per instructor.
Ages: 14 & up
Adult 1
This class is designed for students who are fearful of the water and/or may have had a bad experience in the water. Basic water adjustment skills will be taught. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 6 students.
Adult 2
Designed for students who are already water adjusted. Students must be able to submerge for three seconds and float on their front. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Adult 3
Designed for students who can already swim a combined stroke on the front and back, using a kick and arm stroke for a minimum of 5 yards. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Adult 4
Designed for students who can already swim coordinated front and back crawl for 15 yards (the width of the pool) and are comfortable in deep water. Courses meet for six 30-minute sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students.
Adult Swim for Condition
This class is designed for students who can swim 50 meters of freestyle. This class will provide technical training and is an opportunity for prospective lifeguards to establish swimming proficiency.
Swim To Work
Ever want to become a lifeguard? Is your swimming skill/endurance not quite ready for you to take the pre-requisite swim test? Maybe you want to learn to be safe in and around the water and advance to be Lifeguard ready?
Swim-to-Work is an opportunity for youth ages 14 1/2 -17 and adults to get some lessons to prepare them for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training program and possible employment with Montgomery County Recreation.
Please email: Rec.aquatics@montgomerycountymd.gov for more information and to get enrolled.
Interested in Private Lessons?
Montgomery County Recreation Department's policy on private lessons states that private lessons can only be taught at MCRD-operated swim centers by instructors who are teaching group lessons during the current season. Each instructor has a description sheet with available teaching times in the Private Lesson Binder. These are the only instructors available. More instructors may be available in the future.
Private lessons are intended for one on one instruction. Lessons are 30 minutes and cost $40 per session, per student. If a Recreation Swim is in progress, students must wait for the instructor before entering the pool.
Parents/Guardians are not allowed to stay on deck during the lessons. Once you have completed the form, the cashier will give the form to the lesson supervisor, who will review and submit to each instructor. Private lesson instructors are asked to check for new requests each week; it is the sole responsibility of the instructor to contact you to schedule lessons. Please allow 7-10 days for reply. Any questions regarding your request can be directed to the lesson supervisor.
Guidelines for Placement in Swim Classes
Parent Assisted - Waterbabies / Aquatots / Pre-School
Class Requirements:
On the first day of class, students must be able to: have one adult participant per child and wear swim diapers and tight-fitting waterproof pants under the suit if not potty-trained.
Class Objectives:
Parent-assisted water orientation classes. Children will learn basic water adjustment skills and begin to master simple swimming skills (submerging, floating, kicking and arm stroking). Parents will gain the knowledge and skills to work comfortably with their child in the water.
Level 1 - Beginner - Level 1 / Youth - Level 1 / Adult - Level 1
Class Requirements:
On the first day of class, students must be able to: function well in a group setting without parents, since parents DO NOT accompany children.
Class Objectives:
Students who need to learn water adjustment skills. Students will be introduced to water entry, front and back floating, kicking, bobbing, blowing bubbles and arm strokes.
Level 2 - Beginner - Level 2 / Youth - Level 2 / Adult - Level 2
Class Requirements:
On the first day of class, students must be able to: enter water, front and back float without support, kick, blow bubbles and arm strokes. Parents DO NOT accompany children.
Class Objectives:
Students who are already water-adjusted. Students must be able to submerge for three seconds and float on their front and back without support. Students will be introduced to basic swimming skills: front and back glides, kicking, arm strokes on front and back, and rhythmic breathing.
Level 3 - Beginner - Level 3 / Youth - Level 3 / Adult - Level 3
Class Requirements:
On the first day of class, students must be able to: use basic swimming skills, front and back glides, kicking, arm strokes on front and back, and rhythmic breathing. Parents DO NOT accompany children.
Class Objectives:
Students who can already swim a combined stroke on the front and back, using a kick and arm stroke for a minimum of five yards. Students will be introduced to back crawl, elementary backstroke kick, treading water and rhythmic breathing. Students will also work on improving front crawl.
Level 4 - Beginner - Level 4 / Youth - Level 4 / Adult - Level 4
Class Requirements:
On the first day of class, students must be able to: swim a coordinated front crawl for fifteen yards and swim back crawl for five yards. Students should be comfortable in deep water.
Class Objectives:
Students who can already swim a coordinated front crawl for fifteen yards (across the width of the pool), back crawl for five yards, and are comfortable in deep water. Students will be introduced to elementary backstroke and breaststroke. Students will also work on perfecting front crawl, back crawl and treading water.
Program FAQ
Swim lesson fees range depending on the activity. Non-county residents are charged an additional $15 fee.
Each class meets for six (6) sessions and lasts thirty (30) minutes.
Swimming ability screenings are available for any participant. Swim Lesson Evaluations are available for one hour following the last lesson on Saturday and Sunday. If you need to arrange a lesson evaluation on a different day and time, please contact the swim lesson supervisor at your facility. Don't forget to bring a swimsuit and towel.
Yes. Please read the course descriptions carefully. The student must master all the prerequisite skills for a given course before starting lessons. By choosing the appropriate level, the student will be more likely to succeed. Please check all course dates to determine which classes will best accommodate the student's needs.
There are no make-ups or refunds for missed classes.
Yes, occasionally for inclement weather information or facility conflicts. Check each pool's listings for lesson schedule changes due to facility conflicts. Lessons will be held on all other days the facility is open. Please plan accordingly.
Parents: in order to assist us in offering a quality program for your child, you may not remain at the class unless it is otherwise stated in the description. Experience has shown that children are easily distracted. If a pool does allow observation, note that you may only watch from designated areas.
The fee covers only the lessons and no other use of the facility. Participants may enter the locker rooms only 10 minutes before the start of class.
Please reference Recreation's withdrawal policies. Transfers between swim lessons are not permitted.
Swim Centers
To learn more about pool schedules and passes, see our swim centers.
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