Swim Lessons

Harbor Swim School

At Harbor Swim School, we believe in lifelong learning. All swimmers can continue to learn and improve regardless of age and ability and life lessons can be learned through swimming. Our swim lessons curriculum focuses both on helping swimmers learn to be comfortable and efficient in the water and on how to be brave, focused and accountable. Our instruction is designed to challenge all swimmers, regardless of level, in a safe and enthusiastic environment.

We offer three types of swim lesson instruction at Harbor Swim School:

  1. Learn to Swim Group Lessons-parent/tot through Intermediate Level or Tugboat to Yacht as we call it at Harbor Swim School. Classes are 30-45 minutes long with a max of 4 or 5 kids (depending on level)
  2. Swim Team Classes-hour long classes designed for the Intermediate to Advanced swimmer (age 6-18) who is interested or already into competitive swimming.
  3. Private Lessons/Semi Private Lesson-one or two on one instruction that can have both a flexible schedule and a flexible curriculum. Perfect for any age or ability. Scroll down to fill out a private lesson interest form.

Why Harbor Swim School?

The most important factor that differentiates our program from others is our desire to individualize instruction for each participant. Kids learn at different rates and even within the same level you will find kids with varied abilities or who pick up on things faster than other kids. This is normal child development and will never change, so instead of trying to find three children who are at the exact same spot in their learning, we feel it is better to have instructors who are trained, just like your kids’ school teachers, to teach multiple kids of varying abilities at the same time.

What We Believe

Our curriculum includes safety objectives and behavioral objectives that will help your child not only become a better and safer swimmer, but a more confident and brave person.  
In order to facilitate this curriculum, it is extremely important to create the best learning environment possible. Starting with our first session, you will notice a calm pool environment so that each student gets the best chance to listen to their instructor and practice their swimming skills. 
Finally, safety is an important issue for all parents, especially at the pool, and we feel the same way! The Swim School has a certified lifeguard on the deck during all of our group lessons and we will be addressing pool safety with all of our students, regardless of their age or level.

Sign up for Swim Lessons!

Upcoming Swim School registration dates:

Registration Dates:
Winter 1:
December 17th Members
December 18th Non-members

Winter 2:
February 4th Members
February 5th Non-members

Spring:
April 1st Members
April 2nd Non-members

Summer:
May 20th Members
May 21st Non-members

Fall 1:
August 12th Members
August 13th Non-members

Fall 2:
October 7th Members
October 8th Non-members
 

Swim Lesson Class Schedule:
Winter 1:
Monday, January 6th – Saturday, February 22nd 

Winter 2:
Monday, February 24th – Saturday, April 19th
(no lessons 3/24-3/29)

Spring:
Monday, April 21st – Saturday, June 7th

Summer:
Monday, June 16th – Saturday, August 2nd

Fall 1:
Monday, September 8th – Saturday, October 25th

Fall 2:
Monday, October 27th – Saturday, December 13th
(Thursdays finish 12/18)
 

Group Lesson Descriptions

Group lessons are typically held in our warm, salt water pool. Classes are limited to 4 swimmers in Paddleboat, Rowboat and Sailboat, 5 swimmers in Skiboat and Yacht level.

Tugboat

Parent & Child: A class for children ages 6 months to 3 years. Children must wear swim diapers if not potty trained.

Paddleboat

PreBeginner: Children must be at least 3 years of age (or have prior approval from Kathy).  Children must be able to attend class without a parent present and follow instructor rules.

Rowboat

Beginner: Children must be able to go underwater comfortably.

Sailboat

Novice: Children must be able to float independently on stomach and back and demonstrate rotary breathing.

Skiboat

Intermediate: Children must have mastered rotary breathing and can swim free-style and backstroke across pool.  Class is offered 30 minutes in the Warm Pool.

Speedboat

Intermediate: Children must have mastered rotary breathing and can swim freestyle and backstroke the length of the warm pool.  Must have basic knowledge of breaststroke kick and dolphin kick.

Yacht

Advanced: Children must have knowledge of the four competitive strokes and be able to do legal breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Swim Team Class Descriptions

Stroke Technique

Designed for competitive swimmers ages 6-11 years. Kids must have passed Skiboat level and be able to perform legal breaststroke and butterfly kicks. Class will focus on improving stroke and turn mechanics.

Stroke Endurance

Designed for competitive swimmers ages 9 years and older.  Kids must have at least one season of competitive swim experience.  Class will focus on maintaing proper stroke mechanics for longer distances.

Swim Training

Designed for competitive swimmers ages 13 years and older who would like a structured swim workout.  Swimmers should be proficient in all 4 strokes.  Swimmers should expect to swim a minimum of 2000 yards per day.

FAQ

Our program offers lessons for children as young as six months into adulthood.  Levels listed below.

No. During adult swim hours, only adults can be in the pool area including the warm pool and the hot tub.

Online registration is available through our Club Automation site.  Please call the front desk at 608.831.6500 or contact Kathy Peterson to sign up for private lessons or if you have specific questions about Harbor Swim School.

In addition to the regular men’s and women’s locker rooms by each of our pools, Harbor has two family changing rooms for your benefit.  All kids over the age of 4 with a parent of the opposite gender should use one of the these family changing rooms.  Kids who are 4 and younger with a parent of the same gender may use the regular locker rooms.  All persons entering the water must shower beforehand.

All parents and spectators must watch lesson from the far side of the pool.  We have benches or chairs for you in each pool area that are close enough to see but far enough away to allow the kids in the class to focus completely on their instructor and the skills being taught.  If you would like to workout, please just let the instructor know where in the club you will be in case of emergency.

The pools are closed during swim lessons.

Non-member pricing is available for group swim lessons. Please call our front desk at 608.831.6500 for more information on swim lesson pricing.

At this time, we do not offer make up lessons for a child’s absence or illness.  If you wish to make up the lesson, private lesson rates will apply.  Please contact Kathy Peterson with questions.

The waitlist for our private swim lessons is currently closed at this time. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you in our swim school soon!

Fitness is a
Lifelong Pursuit

We truly believe Harbor Athletic Club is a club for all reasons. Whether your reason is to increase your fitness level, learn to relax by taking yoga, feel recharged in group exercise classes, or just want to stretch your muscles in the warm water pool, you can find it at Harbor.