Step-up Your Skills with Swim Lessons
At Hood River Valley Aquatics Center, we teach life-saving swimming skills and train people of all ages to know what to do if you get “in over your head.” We go out of our way to be informative, positive, and confidence-inspiring.
We offer Youth Swim Lessons and Adult Swim Lessons. Our Aquatics Center is a proud partner of USA Swim Foundation “Make a Splash” to encourage safety.
Spring Evening Swim Lessons
Evening swim lesson sessions run for two weeks each, Monday and Wednesday evenings. Each class lasts 30 minutes. Lessons do NOT include free swimming before or after class. Please pay for additional swimming at the front desk, and note that space will be limited for additional swimming. Scroll down for a complete description of each level.
WE NEED INSTRUCTORS - ASK THE FRONT DESK ON HOW TO APPLY
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WE NEED INSTRUCTORS - ASK THE FRONT DESK ON HOW TO APPLY 〰️
Session 3
Mondays and Wednesdays
April 15th - April 24th
Registration is Open
We need swim instructors! Ask the front desk on how to apply.
4:30-5:00pm: Guppies, Minnows
5:05-5:35pm: Bettas, Level 1A
5:40-6:10pm: Level 1B, Level 2A
6:15-6:45pm: Level 2B, Level 3
Session 4
Mondays and Wednesdays
April 29th - May 8th
Registration is Open
We need swim instructors! Ask the front desk on how to apply.
4:30-5:00pm: Guppies A, Bettas
5:05-5:35pm: Guppies B, Level 1A
5:40-6:10pm: Level 1B, Level 2
6:15-6:45pm: Level 3, Level 4
Session 5
Mondays and Wednesdays
May 20th - May 29th
Registration is Open
We need swim instructors! Ask the front desk on how to apply.
4:30-5:00pm: Minnows, Guppies
5:05-5:35pm: Bettas A, Level 1
5:40-6:10pm: Bettas B, Level 2A
6:15-6:45pm: Level 2B, Level 3
Session 6
Mondays and Wednesdays
June 3rd - June 12th
Registration is Open
We need swim instructors! Ask the front desk on how to apply.
4:30-5:00pm: Guppies A, Bettas
5:05-5:35pm: Guppies B, Level 1A
5:40-6:10pm: Level 1B, Level 2
6:15-6:45pm: Level 3, Level 4
We are currently using rSchool Today for all registration needs. If you have registered your child for any recreation programming this year with Parks and Rec or in the past with community education, you do not need to create a new account.
Swim Lesson Information
Pricing:
In District Fee | $26.00 for four lessons
Out of District Fee | $31.00 for four lessons
Scholarship Fee| $13.00
Group Lessons:
Group swim lessons are underway. We announce on our website and on social media when we open registration for swim lessons.
Private Lessons:
Wanting to teach private swim lessons on your own? Private swim lessons must be scheduled through the Aquatics Supervisor. Private swim instructors must sign an agreement with HRVPRD to reserve pool space and have a liability insurance naming HRVPRD as an additional insured. We do not currently have any instructors employed who are able to do private lessons.
Scholarships:
We are committed to making our programs accessible. Swim Lesson Scholarships are available. Please inquire about the scholarships at the front desk or when you sign up for swim lesson.
Active Rx Program:
Any person who receives some sort of social service benefit is eligible for free access to the pool and our swim lesson programs. If you are on SNAP, WIC, TANF, F/R Lunch Program, OHP, or are a Foster Parent, then you and your children are eligible to receive access to the pool through this grant.
Ask the front desk for next steps when registering.
Toddler Swim Levels:
Minnows (Parent Required in Water) : Taught in therapy pool.
Introduce your child to swimming basics with your help. Learn tools for swimming with your child and create a solid base for future skills.
Guppies: Taught in therapy pool.
For children with little experience or who are hesitant in the water. Child must be able to hold onto the wall, wait their turn, and follow simple instructions. Focus on comfort with basic swimming and water safety skills taught such as blowing bubbles, back floats, going underwater, and assisted forward swimming.
Bettas: Taught in therapy pool.
This class is for the more independent toddler who has confidence in the water, is willing to blow bubbles and go underwater prior to the first day of class. This class will focus on independent swimming, front and back floats, and buoyancy and breath control.
“Learn to Swim” Levels:
Level 1: Taught in the therapy pool.
Students will continue with breath control work, working on advanced breathing skills for safety, and learning to coordinate breathing with forward swimming. Students will learn independent front and back floats, and begin to coordinate the basics of freestyle.
Level 2: Taught in the competition pool with introduction to deep water.
This class will focus on independent swimming: floating, streamline kicking, freestyle, and backstroke. Students will learn the basics of rotary breathing, swimming for distance, and treading water.
Level 3: Taught in deep end of the competition pool.
Students will get comfortable in deep water, working on diving from the deck, feet and face first surface diving, and treading water. Students will continue to refine their freestyle rotary breathing, coordination of backstroke, and introduction to breaststroke and butterfly. This class focuses on building endurance and deep water safety.
Level 4: Taught in deep end of the competition pool.
Prepare students for advanced water safety, including competition. Students will refine their freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and diving. Students will also work on treading water, feet, and face first surface dives, as well as beginner junior lifeguard skills.
Swim Lesson Policies
A child may be enrolled in one session at a time.
No swimming with open wounds or contagious illness.
Cancellations due to low enrollment mean a credit and/or refund will be issued.
Cancellations with less than 24-hours notice of the first class that are not due to an approved illness will result in loss of lesson credits.
No refunds due to cancellations from inclement weather. A free pool pass for your child will be available for pick up for one day closures.
Preparing Your Child for Lessons
Bring a towels and warm clothes.
Secure long hair.
Let the instructor know of medical conditions at the first lesson.
Parents MUST accompany their child in the water to help non-swimmers during lessons. Instructors will guide the lesson to build skills, confidence, and teamwork.
Use the restroom prior to lesson.
Only light meals prior to lesson time.
Adult Swim Lessons
Adult swimmers of all ability levels are welcome, from the complete beginning with possible fear of the water to the experienced swimmer who wants to master basic strokes and breathing, and improve stroke technique. Lessons will be tailored to each student’s comfort and ability level with a low teacher to student ratio.
Adult Evening Lessons are appropriate for young adults or adults with little to no experience in the water. The focus of this class is the become more confident with skills like front and back floats, rhythmic breathing, freestyle basics, and survival strategies. As participants gain strength and confidence, more skills and strokes will be added.
Stay tuned for more information on free Adult Lessons coming in August.
USA Swimming Foundation
Make a Splash
Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District has joined USA Swimming Foundation’s water safety initiative, Make a Splash. This national child-focused water safety campaign aims to teach every child in America to swim. Through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers and water safety advocates across the country for swimming lessons and family education on the importance of learning to swim. The USA Swimming Foundation provides learn-to-swim programs, spreads national awareness, and brings strategic partners together to prevent drowning. To date, more than 2 million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through more than 600 qualified lesson providers across the nation.