For Highlands members looking for a learn-to-swim program or a pre-team program, the Highlands Swim School is a great option. Swim School is led by the club's Developmental Swim Director, Kelli Morris Larkin, and coached by our own Highlands swim team coaches. Our core program is the popular 5-Week Morning Swim School run in June and July. In response to the growing interest, we are excited to expand our Swim School program in 2024 to include a pre-season session in late May and early June. We will also offer an evening option during regular season (June - July). Details below!

Ages: 3 - 10 years

Swim Level: Any swim level (including beginner swimmers)

Session Options:

Pre-Season 3-Week Evening Swim School: May 28 - June 13

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 3 Week Program

3 evenings a week for 3 weeks

• Session 1: 6:30 - 7pm
• Session 2: 7:05 - 7:35pm

Fee: $160

Regular Season 5-Week Morning Swim School: June 17 - July 18

*Morning Swim School is our Core Swim School Program. We encourage all swimmers to sign up for the Morning Swim School if scheduling allows as it provides the most consistent, daily lessons for the most progress during the season.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4 mornings a week for 5 weeks

• Session 1: 7:45am - 8:15am
• Session 2: 8:20 - 8:50am
• Session 3: 8:55 - 9:25am

*No swim school on July 4

Fee $315

Regular Season 5-Week Evening Swim School: June 18 - July 18

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 5 Week Program

2-3 evenings a week for 5 weeks

• Session 1: 6:30 - 7pm
• Session 2: 7:05 - 7:35pm

*No swim school on June 26, July 4, July 10

Fee: $200

Class Length: 30 minutes

Group Assignments:At the time of registration, families will receive a link to a Google form in their registration confirmation email. Families should promptly complete the Google form to indicate their first and second choice session and their swimmer's current swim level. Coaches will assign swimmers to an initial group and time based on the swimmer's level as indicated in the preference form. Coaches will ask each swimmer to perform certain skills on the first day of class to ensure their proper placement in the class – if any changes are needed we will discuss them with the parent and we work to find the proper class level for the swimmer. It is our goal to have children with similar swimming skills in the same class, although they may not necessarily be the same age. While coaches will do their best to consider each family's preference on time, we cannot guarantee a specific time slot. If swimmers are ready to advance to the next level during the session (e.g., a higher level group within Swim School or to Swim Team), coaches will make that recommendation.

Coach to Swimmer Ratio: Maximum of 4 swimmers per coach depending on level. For ages 3 - 4, there will be 2 coaches for 4 swimmers.

Other criteria: Highlands members only. Swimmers must be able to separate from their parent easily and handle being in the water for a 30-minute lesson.

How to register:Registration for Swim School will open February 12. Spaces are limited so please register early. Scroll down for the link or click on the black "Register" button on the home page.

Group Descriptions

Beginner Classes:

Junior 1

Ages 3-4 years old

Requires no prior swim instruction but children must be willing to participate without a parent. The instructors focus on safety skills, building confidence in the water, and water acclimation. Instructors will introduce basic swimming skills, work with students to gain independence on their front and back and teach the beginning of freestyle and backstroke.

Beginner 1

Ages 5-8 years old

For children with little to no experience in the water. The goal of this class is to gain confidence and comfort in the water. The class will focus on water exploration, introduce water safety, basic swimming skills, breath control and the basics of freestyle and backstroke.

Intermediate Classes:

Intermediate 1

Ages 4 - 10 years old

Class for swimmers who are comfortable in the water and will consistently demonstrate independence on their front and back. The class will focus on safety skills, breath control and the fundamentals of freestyle and backstroke. Students will work on swimming freestyle for extended distances with proper balance and breath control.

Advanced Classes:

Advanced:

Ages 4 - 10 years old

Class for swimmers able to swim half a length of freestyle and float comfortably on their back. Students will work on improving technique and swimming longer distances. Swimmers will work towards swimming freestyle and backstroke for 25 yards, and be introduced to butterfly and breaststroke kicks. This is a good option for swimmers who are not quite ready for the Swim Team WHOMPERS group. At the decision of our coaches, swimmers who progress to meet the Swim Team WHOMPERS criteria may move up to join WHOMPERS at any point in the season.

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TO REGISTER, click HERE. Registration opens Monday, February 12.

Questions about Swim School? Email Gillian Russell at [email protected].