Updated January 27, 2022. The CDC has said it is not aware of reports that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads through people in pools or other treated aquatic venues, meaning that swimming is a pandemic-era activity that can keep you safely active this winter. These indoor private and public swim schools have protocols in place to reduce risk for students and staff, including health checks, frequent cleaning, staggered classes, use of masks, and social distancing when and where appropriate and reducing or eliminating touchpoints and shared equipment. As always, stay home if you feel sick or have tested positive for the coronavirus and adhere to all rules and guidelines. Ready, set, splash!
Big Blue Swim School
Open for reduced capacity classes, the facility with locations in Falls Church and Dulles offers a new customer flow to move through locations, spacing and face masks between classes in the pool, and face shields for instructors. Classes follow local and CDC guidelines. Locations offer weekly classes as well as multi-sibling classes and private classes; offerings include baby swimming lessons for children ages 3 months to 3 years, programs for toddlers ages 3-5 years, and more advanced programs for children ages 6 and up. Children of any age can learn different strokes and build their skills to become stronger swimmers. Multiple locations
Goldfish Swim School
There are locations of the popular swim school in Reston, Ashburn, Falls Church, and Alexandria, offering swim lessons using their holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Mini classes are designed for those aged 4 to 35 months, Junior for ages 3 and 4, Glider for ages 4 to 12, and Pro for ages 4 to 12; there is also a swim team option for kids ages 5 to 12 years and family swims. Locations work hard with state and local health authorities to ensure safe environments through social distancing, limited capacities, health assessments, masks, increased cleaning, and removal of commonly shared amenities. Multiple locations
St. James Swimming Academy
The sprawling Springfield fitness complex has a 52-meter, Olympic-sized, Myrtha training and competition pool with an infinity-edge overflow gutter to reduce wake, removable headwall, 20 track start blocks, and movable bulkhead to split the pool based on aquatic activities. In addition to being home to the USA swim team and water polo program, The Pool House offers swim clinics for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Group youth lessons are offered for ages 4 to 18, while private lessons are offered for kids and adults from beginner to advanced. Lessons are available with or without membership. 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield
British Swim School
This family-favorite swim school is open at both the Fairfax and Falls Church 24 Hour Fitness locations, offering lessons based on their philosophy of an individualistic approach with highly-trained child-friendly instructors, warm water, year-round, ongoing enrollment, small classes and all ages, from 3-month-old infants to adults. Kids class levels are based on assessment and skill, are 30 minutes in length and are at a 2:1 student to instructor ratio; adult and private classes are available upon request and subject to schedule availability. COVID-19 protocols including a fully vaccinated staff, sanitation stations and proper hand washing equipment at all pool decks, and CDC-recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Multiple locations
There are locations of this school in Woodbridge, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, and Gainesville, offering a free SplishSplash Baby Class (2-5 months with parent or caregiver), SwimBabies (2-36 months), SwimTots (3-5 years), SwimKids (6 years to teens), a Stealth Swim Team, and lessons for children with special abilities. Registration is ongoing. Multiple locations
Fairfax County RECenters
Many of the county’s RECenters offer swim lessons, including the popular Baby & Me (ages 6-18 months with parent or caregiver), Toddler & Me, (19 months to 3 years with parent or caregiver), Pee Wee Paddler (ages 3-7), Swimming for Children (ages 6-12), and Stroke Mechanics (ages 6-18); adult classes are also offered. Private and semi-private lessons allow instructors to provide more individualized attention, helping overcome obstacles which may require more time or dedication than a standard swim lesson. Locations adhere to CDC, Virginia, and Fairfax County health and safety protocols. Multiple locations
Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center
The Woodbridge facility is offering parent/child swim lessons, Levels 1 through 6 swim lessons and Swim Team Prep for kids, as well as adult intermediate and other adult classes, including adults who fear the water. All classes follow the American Red Cross swim lesson curriculum. While private and semi-private classes are usually offered, private swim lesson requests are currently not being taken due to a full program with a full wait list. All classes adhere to CDC, Virginia and Prince William County health and safety protocols. 13025 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge
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