Swimming Classes for All Ages and Stages in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia
Every success story has a beginning. And for WeAquatics, it started with one instructor, a notebook full of directions to pools, and countless miles between them.
Today, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, that humble beginning has blossomed into a swimming education community that spans 20 locations and touches thousands of lives across the DMV area.
From a Single Pool to Thriving Swim School
In 2009, during the height of the economic recession, WeAquatics founder David Worrell found himself at a crossroads. After leaving his management consulting position, David turned to something he knew well— swimming!
“I would drive 35 minutes that way to teach one student, an hour this way to teach one,” David recalls of the early days. “I was just going like that, blindly, just to keep going, get started.”
Those early years were marked by determination and persistence. Without GPS or a website, David navigated the DMV area with handwritten directions, teaching wherever there was a pool and a willing student.
This dedication laid the foundation for what would become one of the area’s most trusted names in swimming education.
More Than Swimming Classes
For WeAquatics instructors, teaching swimming transcends the technical aspects of strokes and breathing patterns— it’s about personal transformation.
“When I swim, none of that stress is there,” shares instructor Mark. “When you swim, you’re swimming for yourself. You’re just trying to get from this end of the pool to that end of the pool.”
Our instructors celebrate these moments of growth, knowing that each small victory in the pool ripples into greater confidence in life.
“The progress builds naturally,” Mark explains. “And if I can get to the other side of the pool, then I got to the other side of the pool, and then you know what, I’m gonna go again… Oh, I did 15 minutes that I never thought I could do before.”
At WeAquatics, we seek instructors who understand that teaching swimming is about more than perfect technique – it’s about guiding personal transformation. Our instructors see each lesson as an opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and self-discovery.
Our Dedicated Instructors
What Sets this DMW Swim School Apart? People.
Take instructor Annette, who, at 67, began teaching after a successful career at Nordstrom. “I think it’s really important to remain active and useful until you take your last breath,” she shares. “Children live what they see.” Her own journey from learning to swim to participating in swim competitions exemplifies the vitality and enthusiasm of our swim instructors.
The instructors’ varied backgrounds help them relate to students’ fears and challenges. “Adults and children have the same fears – adults are just taller,” Annette observes with a laugh. “I understand you’re scared. Coach gets scared too,” she tells her students. “But one day we’re not going to be afraid anymore, because we’re learning how to swim.”
“What makes me the happiest is not a student happy with my lessons, but a student that’s happy with one of our instructors’ lessons,” David reflects.
Every day, WeAquatics instructors witness the transformative power of swimming. From the toddler who masters their first float to the adult who finally conquers their fear of deep water, each success story adds to the company’s legacy. These moments of triumph, both big and small, fuel the passion that drives every instructor.
Growing Through Challenges
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, WeAquatics faced what could have been a devastating setback. With five locations at the time, there was real uncertainty about the future. Yet, WeAquatics’ unique one-on-one instruction model proved to be perfectly suited for safe operation during the pandemic.
“Nobody knew what we were going through,” David remembers. “But we found ways to keep teaching, to keep connecting, to keep helping families maintain some normalcy in their lives.”
Community First
What sets WeAquatics’ swim school apart is its commitment to meeting communities where they are. Instead of building one central location, the company brings swimming education to neighborhoods across the DMV area, making lessons accessible to more families.
“You will find some families who will drive long distances to get to a pool,” David explains, “but most of the time, it’s just impossible with traffic and family commitments. So we decided to bring the lessons to them.”
Building Confidence, One Swim Class at a Time
WeAquatics’ growth reflects our commitment to meeting swimmers where they are— both in location and skill level.
What began as personalized one-on-one swim classes taught our youngest swimmers vital water survival skills, setting a good foundation for their swim journey. As these children grew, so did their needs— and our programs. Learn-to-Swim classes naturally followed, helping students of all ages build confidence and capability in the water.
Today, our programs span the full spectrum of aquatic education:
- Specialized ISR instruction for infants and toddlers
- Personalized Learn-to-Swim classes for all ages
- Group classes at Onelife Fitness Brambleton— and soon, at as many locations as possible
- Young Masters program for youth developing their competitive skills
- Adult Masters program for continued growth and fitness through lap swimming and competition
This natural evolution of programs is about creating opportunities for lifelong swimming engagement— for every age and stage.
Whether you’re a parent seeking water safety skills for your infant, an adult conquering water anxiety, or a swimmer ready to take their skills to a competitive level, WeAquatics now offers a continuous journey of aquatic growth.
Looking Toward the Future
As WeAquatics celebrates its 10th anniversary with 20 locations across the DMV area, the vision remains the same: make swimming education accessible, build confidence in every student, and create a supportive community in and around the water.
“Our community of families, students, and staff bestow trust upon WeAquatics. The expectations for operating in the DMV area are high. I’m clear that what got WeAquatics to where we are today is not enough to keep us here. We have to continue to evolve.” David shares. “And that’s where our focus is— enabling constant evolution. We can’t be everything for everyone, but we can internalize feedback and use it to guide our perspectives. That’s an expectation we’re honored to live up to.”
Whether you’re considering swimming classes for yourself or your child, looking to join our team of instructors, or simply celebrating this milestone with us, remember that at WeAquatics, you’re not just learning to swim – you’re becoming part of a community dedicated to growth, confidence, and excellence in the water.
