Private Swim Lesson Program

Private Swim Lesson Program Overview 

Private Swim Lessons are a supplement to group swim lessons. Students should participate in the group Learn to Swim program first when possible. Private Swim Lessons are designed to help students who are having difficulty with specific skills in a group lesson or if they need a little more attention to move past a challenging skill.  Children do best when they are taught in a group setting where they can interact and encourage each other.

Children under 3.5 years of age should be enrolled in either the Parent and Child class or Toddler Fin class. They are not eligible for Private Swim Lessons. Children who are beginners and have not previously taken swim lessons and are under 5 years typically do not have the skills or stamina to benefit from a 30-minute private lesson.  Please view the requirements and information for each program to determine which is best for your child.  In many cases, children who have just turned 3 years old do best in the Pre-Fin course as it utilizes a low ratio of student-to-teacher to introduce children to swimming without a parent.

Who can register?

Private Lessons are available to participants ages 3.5 and older. Age group is determined based on the age of the participant on the start date of the lesson. Children ages 3.5 through age 5 are only eligible for semi-private lessons (2 participants, 1 instructor).  Ages 5 and up are eligible to take private (one-on-one) lessons. Youth and adults who would like to take semi-private lessons will be accommodated by request only.  Parents or participants would need to find a partner as we are not able to pair students.  One student registers up front and the other can call in to add to the lesson and pay the remaining fee.  The original student would receive a refund for overpayment.

How to Register

Private lessons are offered quarterly, in coordination with our group lesson session dates.  Private Swim lessons will be online to view one week prior to the registration time.  For an overview of the annual schedule for lessons click here.  Sections can be searched based on pool, day, time and instructor prior to registration.

Register for the current session of lessons

If the program is in session please call to register 703-228-4747 press 1 to determine which spaces are still available.

Fee reductions are available for Arlington residents under age 18. Fee reductions must be approved prior to registering for the program. There are additional private and semi-private lessons during the break between sessions. see below for details.

Non-Arlington residents pay an additional $20 per person per session.

*Available for those who want to take lessons with a friend or family member, after you register the first participant, call 703-228-4747 press 1 to register the 2nd participant, please let them know the code of the section and that you need to register the additional child into the course with the updated fee.

When and Where

As space and instructors are available, Private Swim Lessons are available in the evenings (4:30-8:30 p.m., varies by facility) and on weekends (12-7 p.m.)

Waitlists

Place yourself on the waitlist (at no cost) if a section you would like to register for is full. You may choose to be on as many waitlists as work with your schedule.  You will be contacted when space is available. You will have 24 hours to claim the space if you are contacted. If no response is received, the next waitlisted participant will be offered the spot.

Cancellation Policy

For a single lesson:

Notify privateswim@arlingtonva.us of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so may result in the loss of a lesson.  Exceptions will only be made for illness/injury or approved emergencies if an attempt to contact instructor is made at least four hours ahead of lesson time. Any lessons cancelled by the participant less than four hours ahead of lesson start time are not eligible for a credit.

Lessons cancelled for personal reasons (vacation, illness or other) by the participant in accordance with the cancellation policy during the session will be credited back to the participant’s account. Credits are limited to one lesson for sessions with five lessons or less; two lessons for sessions with six lessons or more. Credits can be used for future swim lessons or other Park and Recreation programs. Make-up lessons will be provided only in extenuating circumstances on behalf of the facility/instructor, all make-ups must be coordinated through   Make-up lessons will not be allowed to be scheduled directly through the instructor.

If a participant misses more than the allotted number of lesson, their space will be offered to the next person on the waitlist. Please note these policies are in place to promote consistency for the instructor and student.

For the remainder of the session:

In the event that a participant wishes to cancel the remainder of their lessons, contact privateswim@arlingtonva.us immediately. Lessons that are scheduled for 24 hours or more after a participant contacts privateswim@arlingtonva.us will be credited to the participant’s account.

No refunds will be given after the end of the class period in which a participant is registered. Cancellations for medical reasons will be reviewed on a case by case basis, when verification is provided in a timely manner.

Credit Policy

Lessons cancelled by the participant in accordance with the cancellation policy during the session will be credited back to the participant’s account. Credits can be used for future swim lessons or other Park and Recreation programs. All makeup lessons must be coordinated at privateswim@arlingtonva.us. Makeup lessons will not be allowed to be scheduled directly through the instructor.