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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
General
WeAquatics offers several types of swim lessons and swim programs designed to support swimmers at every age, ability level, and goal. Each swim program follows a clear progression — from water safety and survival skills to stroke development and competitive training.
Here’s an overview of our swim courses:
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR®)
Infant Swimming Resource
Best for: Infants and toddlers (typically 6 months–3 years)
Focus: Water survival and self-rescue skills
ISR swim lessons teach infants how to float, roll onto their backs, breathe, and recover independently in the water. This safety-focused swim program uses short, structured one-on-one lessons.
Learn-to-Swim Lessons (Ages 4+ & Adults)
Best for: Children ages 4+, teens, and adults
Focus: Stroke fundamentals and water confidence
This foundational swim program helps swimmers learn proper breathing, kicking, arm coordination, and basic stroke mechanics. Lessons are individualized to match each swimmer’s experience level.
Group Swim Lessons
Best for: Swimmers who thrive in a social environment
Focus: Skill development with peer motivation
Group swim lessons combine structured instruction with the energy of learning alongside others. This swim program maintains small class sizes while encouraging teamwork and accountability.
Adaptive Swim Lessons
Best for: Swimmers with physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental differences
Focus: Personalized pacing and inclusive instruction
Adaptive swim lessons are tailored to meet individual needs while maintaining a strong safety-first approach. This swim program emphasizes comfort, communication, and steady progress.
Narwhals Swim Team
Narwhals Swim Team
Best for: Youth swimmers ready for advanced training
Focus: Competitive technique and endurance
This swim program builds stroke efficiency, strength, teamwork, and race readiness in a structured team setting.
Adult Masters Swim
Adult Masters Swim
Best for: Adults 18+
Focus: Fitness, technique refinement, and structured workouts
Adult Masters Swim offers coach-led training sessions designed to improve endurance, efficiency, and overall conditioning.
How Do I Choose the Right Swim Program?
Choosing the right swim lessons depends on:
- Age and developmental readiness
- Current skill level
- Comfort in the water
- Long-term goals (safety, recreation, competition, fitness)
If you’re unsure which swim program is best, our team can help guide you toward the right starting point.
Contact us to find the right swim lessons for your swimmer.
Our ISR lessons can be taken by infants as young as 6 months. We have the experience and know-how to work with everyone from 6 months old to adults.
Infants and toddlers might lack the coordination and development to learn strokes, but they can learn the fundamentals of breath control, floating, and water propulsion. Young children often don’t have the self-doubt adults have, making it an ideal time for them to pick up a new skill.
Our ISR program is ideal for children from 6 months to 4 years old.
Our Learn-To-Swim lessons are best for children at least 4 years old or who have completed the ISR program. Learn-To-Swim Lessons are aimed at individuals at least 4 years old. Adults are also welcome to our Learn-To-Swim program. No prior swimming experience is necessary.
Young Masters is for children (4 or older) who have graduated from the Learn-To-Swim program.
Every age group learns differently in swim lessons because physical development, attention span, and emotional readiness all play a role. Our swim programs are designed to match each swimmer’s stage — building safety first, then skill, then strength.
6 Months – 3 Years
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR®)
Infant Swimming Resource
Focus: Survival & Self-Rescue Skills
Infants and toddlers learn:
- How to roll onto their back to float
- How to maintain a float and breathe
- How to recover independently if placed face-down in water
- Breath control and comfort in the water
At this stage, swim lessons are short, structured, and focused entirely on water safety.
Ages 4 – 6
Early Learn-to-Swim Foundations
Focus: Water Confidence & Basic Skills
Children in this age range learn:
- Submerging comfortably
- Independent floating (front and back)
- Basic kicking and arm movement
- Introduction to freestyle and backstroke mechanics
- Listening skills and pool safety rules
This stage builds the bridge from survival skills to true swimming ability.
Ages 7 – 12
Stroke Development & Endurance
Focus: Technique & Skill Refinement
Swimmers begin developing:
- Coordinated freestyle with side breathing
- Backstroke technique
- Introduction to breaststroke and butterfly
- Flip turns and streamlining
- Increased stamina and lap swimming
Swim lessons at this level focus on strong mechanics and efficiency, not just distance.
Teens (13 – 17)
Focus: Advanced Technique & Conditioning
Teens work on:
- Stroke efficiency and refinement
- Endurance and interval training
- Competitive skills (if joining team pathways)
- Confidence and independence in deep water
- Personal goal setting
Many teens transition into structured team training such as the Narwhals Swim Team
Adults (18+)
Focus: Confidence, Technique & Fitness
Adult swim lessons support:
- Overcoming fear or past negative experiences
- Learning to float and breathe comfortably
- Proper freestyle and backstroke technique
- Endurance and lap swimming
- Triathlon or fitness training
Adults may also join structured programs like Adult Masters Swim for coach-led workouts and community support.
How Skills Progress Over Time
Across all ages, our swim programs follow a natural progression:
Safety → Comfort → Coordination → Technique → Endurance → Performance
Each swimmer advances when they demonstrate skill mastery — not simply after a set number of weeks.
Swim lessons are individualized, and every swimmer progresses at their own pace. Instead of a set “graduation date,” our swim programs focus on mastering skills with confidence and consistency.
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR®)
Infant Swimming Resource
- Initial session: Typically 1 to 2 months
- Lessons are short and frequent (often daily, Monday–Friday)
- Refresher sessions are recommended periodically
ISR focuses on survival skills, so completion means the child can consistently demonstrate independent floating and recovery skills.
Learn-to-Swim Lessons (Ages 4+ & Adults)
- Most beginners show measurable progress within 8–12 weeks of consistent weekly lessons
- Skill mastery may take several months to a year, depending on goals
- Advanced stroke refinement can continue long-term
Because this swim program is individualized, lessons continue until the swimmer reaches their personal goals.
Group Swim Lessons
- Many swimmers progress through a level in 8–10 weeks
- Advancement depends on skill demonstration, not time spent
Group programs allow steady development while maintaining clear skill benchmarks.
Adaptive Swim Lessons
- Timelines vary based on comfort, communication style, and learning pace
- Progress is measured by confidence and functional skill development
There is no “rush” — success is defined by safe, consistent progress.
Narwhals Swim Team
- Ongoing program with seasonal benchmarks
- Swimmers typically train multiple sessions per week
- Advancement is based on endurance, technique, and readiness for competition
This is a developmental swim program rather than a short-term course.
Adult Masters Swim
- Ongoing fitness-based swim program
- Many adults see improved endurance and technique within 4–8 weeks
- Participation can continue indefinitely for fitness and community
What Impacts How Fast a Swimmer Progresses?
- Consistency of attendance
- Age and developmental readiness
- Comfort level in the water
- Practice outside of lessons
- Individual learning style
ISR students will swim five days a week (Monday–Friday) for ten minutes each lesson. This frequency is necessary until the student has completed his or her training, which is generally 6–8 weeks. After this time, optional maintenance lessons can be taken at intervals appropriate to the student’s age and the frequency of swimming done outside of lessons.
We observe all major US holidays. For specific dates, please reference our calendar: https://weaquatics.com/calendar/.
LTS students swim once a week until they gain the skills necessary for group training sessions.
Generally speaking, expect ISR classes to take six to eight weeks. That being said, we do not like to provide a specific timeline on how long the program will take as all students learn at different paces. Our coaches ensure your child completes the program, no matter how long it takes. We are fully committed to seeing each child master the necessary skills to self-rescue.
The tuition is paid upfront with no additional costs.
YM workouts do not have makeup sessions. Due to capacity limits, it is imperative you notify us at least 24 hours prior to workouts if you are unable to attend.
Pricing varies by location and program selection. To get exact pricing, simply go to our Customer Portal and follow the prompts to choose the program and location that works best for you.
Madeira School (McLean, VA): 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Chinquapin Park Rec. Center (Alexandria, VA): 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Waterside Fitness and Swim Club (Washington, DC): 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Bethesda Marriott Suites (Bethesda, MD): 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Trinity Washington University Center (Washington, DC): Opening set for September 7, 2021. We’ll post information as it’s available.
With the current safety protocols in place, we prefer our coaches meet with students in a class setting after enrollment. We’ll update information and protocols as the situation progresses.
Waterside Fitness and Swim Club does not have its own parking. We advise parking on 6th Street.
We are providing ISR classes at the Madeira School (McLean, VA) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Chinquapin Park Rec. Center (Alexandria, VA) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Bethesda Marriott Suites (Bethesda, MD) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We recommend classes based on age, as well as progression of swimming skills.
We are located in Alexandria, VA; McLean, VA; Bethesda, MD; and Washington, DC. For more information, see our locations page: https://weaquatics.com/locations/.
Other than major holidays, we do teach year-round. See our calendar for more information: https://weaquatics.com/calendar/.
The Bethesda Marriott Suites and Waterside Fitness and Swim Club pools are heated.
No, all our host pools are indoors.
Yes, all our instuctors are vaccinated.
Please visit the Safety Protocols page to learn more.
Our swim lessons are led by experienced, professionally trained coaches and instructors who are passionate about water safety and skill development. Each instructor is carefully selected for their technical expertise, teaching ability, and commitment to creating a supportive learning environment.
WeAquatics instructors work across our swim programs — including Infant Swimming Resource (ISR®), Learn-to-Swim lessons, Group Swim Lessons, Adaptive Swim Lessons, Narwhals Swim Team, and Adult Masters Swim — ensuring swimmers receive consistent, high-quality instruction at every stage.
All instructors follow a safety-first approach and focus on building confidence, proper technique, and long-term swimming success.
Visit our Swim Instructors page to meet our team and learn more about their experience and certifications.
At this time, we are not currently offering at-home private swim lessons.
Once you sign up for classes, your enrollment will be approved, denied, or added to a waiting list.
Please visit our Customer Portal (https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/weaquatics/locations) to enroll. Once you sign up for classes, based on availability, your enrollment will be approved, denied, or added to a waiting list.
ISR Questions
ISR
Generally speaking, children ages six months to one year learn the ISR Self-Rescue® skill of rolling onto their backs to float, to rest, and to breathe. They learn to maintain this position until help arrives. For more information, please see this page: https://www.infantswim.com/lessons/isr-lessons.html.
We do, but the instructor has been certified on how best to hold and to train the child in the water. Please be mindful of that.
This nonrefundable $105 fee to ISR, Inc., covers a medical screening by our ISR registration evaluation team (RET) to assess the physical and developmental readiness of your child. The national ISR team requires children to be at least six months old and be able to sit up independently in order to complete the registration process.
Your child will understand basic, age-appropriate swimming techniques, such as rolling over from a facedown position, unassisted floating, and even swmming facedown for three to five seconds. If desired, they can continue to our Learn-To-Swim classes, which cover more advanced swimming techniques.
The high frequency of classes helps your child properly form the muscle memory for the swimming techniques they will be learning.
Yes, ISR classes are one on one.
While it’s OK to skip the occasional lesson, frequent absences can lengthen the process of forming muscle memory for your child.
ISR lessons are available to students six months to four years old.
It’s a required certification for swimming instructors who teach infants.
LTS Questions
LTS
Yes. Our adult program lessons are tailored to each student in order to build strengths and to improve weaknesses. Whether you’re working on the diving board or simply putting your head under water, this is your safe space!
Learn-To-Swim (LTS) monthly billing occurs on the first of each month until an end date is established. The LTS monthly charge is based on the number of your scheduled days that occur in the month. Makeup sessions are limited to two per month and are valid for three months. There is a one-time registration fee.
Our students are taught accurate body positioning and how to be balanced in the water, which promotes increasingly efficient swimming. Our LTS lessons are tailored to each student, building on strengths and improving weaknesses. Our adult program follows the same curriculum. We ensure our students learn to swim all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). This positions students well should they choose to swim competitively in the future.
Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
WeAquatics Learn-To-Swim (LTS) lessons are offered to students at least four years old to adults.
All LTS lessons are one-on-one. Every student learns at his or her own pace, and we highly recommend this private lesson structure.
All LTS lessons are one-on-one, and they are scheduled once per week. A typical weekly lesson lasts thirty minutes, and students meet with the same instructor every week.
A typical weekly lesson lasts thirty minutes, and students meet with the same instructor every week.
Madeira School (McLean VA): From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Chinquapin Park Rec. Center (Alexandria, VA): From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bethesda Marriott Suites (Bethesda, MD): From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Waterside Fitness and Swim Club (Washington, DC): From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Trinity Washington University Center (Washington, DC): Opening September 7, 2021
Pricing varies by location and program selection. To get exact pricing, simply go to our Enroll Now page and follow the prompts to choose the program and location that works best for you. https://weaquatics.com/join-now/
Pricing varies by location and program selection. To get exact pricing, simply go to our Enroll Now page and follow the prompts to choose the program and location that works best for you. https://weaquatics.com/join-now/
I paid a registration fee the last time I swam. As a returning LTS client, do I need to pay again?
No. The registration fee is a one-time charge.
Please visit our Customer Portal (https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/weaquatics/locations) to enroll! Once you sign up for classes, your enrollment will be approved, denied, or added to a waiting list.
Swim Team Questions
Narwhals Swim Team
The Narwhals Swim Team program are group lessons for our more comfortable swimmers between the ages of four and fourteen. YM is for those who know the four basic swimming strokes or who were proficient in our LTS class.
Our recommended age range is four to eighteen years old.
YM introduces students to the joy of competitive swimming—without the commitment level of joining a swim team.
Students will fine-tune their swimming strokes and increase their overall stamina.
Narwhals Swim Team practices are one hour.
Yes. Swim Team practices are held in groups.
Four times a week.
On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, we practice at Chinquapin Park Rec. Center in Alexandria, Virginia. On Tuesdays, we will practice at Trinity Washington University Center in Washington, DC.
Yes, we require a swimming test that assessses proficiency and familiarity with a few basic swimming strokes.
Every six weeks from September to June, swim team students have the option of competing in scheduled swim meets.