Programs

Students work toward development of the five core swimming competencies using age-appropriate learning activities. Learning is self-paced but challenging. Swimmers who are beginners up to those starting rotary breathing should sign up for Swim School.

Sections & Details

Designed to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5, this course will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim, and for those children who are developmentally ready, it will teach functional swim skills. This class approaches teaching swimming through creative, fun activities in the water. Students work toward developing the five competencies and progress toward achieving the benchmarks at their own pace in a small-group setting.

Sections & Details

This course is for students who have achieved the green Swim School benchmarks. Students refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and develop endurance. Swimmers should sign up for Stroke School if they can swim at least half a lap independently with some rotary breathing.

Sections & Details

The Riptides Swim Team is a competitive team and competes in the Northern Illinois Swim Conference (NISC). Practices are weekday mornings; and competitions against other local park districts on Wednesday nights. The goal of the program is to provide a competitive team experience at a recreational level. Emphasis is on learning competitive skills, enjoyment of the sport and a lifelong participation in swimming. All Riptides participants must be able to swim one length of the pool unassisted. Swimmers signing up for 2 hour 8am-10am practice (4210207-01) must have knowledge of all 4 competition strokes & a strong level of physical fitness. 2026 Riptides will have two teams both in B division of the Northern Illinois Swim Conference. Practices will be held at Maine South High School pool & Centennial Aquatic Center on a rotating basis. Team placements will be determined based on time trials for new participants and previous recorded times for past participants. Detailed practice, meet schedules and team divisions will be sent to participants once all registrations have been received mid-May. Full information will also be listed in our summer guide, which will be available on Monday, April 27th. Time trials for new participants will be Wednesday, May 13th 5:30pm-6:30pm or Friday, May 15th 6pm-7pm. Time trial sign-ups will be sent to new participants once registered. Practices begin on June 8th and go through July 23rd. Practices are Monday through Thursday 8am-10am with one-hour and two-hour practices available in that time range. There will be no practice June 19th and July 4th. Due to the size of the team, practices will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. There will be an inter-squad meet on July 1st, and meets with other park districts on June 17th and 24th, and July 8th and 15th. All home meets will be held Centennial Aquatic Center. Meets take place approximately 4pm-8pm. The conference divisional championship meet will be on July 22nd at Centennial Aquatic Center. NISC permits each team to enter 2 individual or one relay in each event for the conference meet, so not all swimmers may be able to attend. The end of season party will be held on July 24th from 8pm-10pm at Centennial Aquatic Center. Registration includes 2 customized latex swim caps. The caps will arrive by the first swim meet but may not be available prior to June 17th. Registrations received after May 15th will not receive a custom swim cap. Team logo caps may be distributed based on availability. Pre-registration for past participants of Riptides competitive and non-competitive teams is Monday, April 27th at 8:30am online or in-person for residents. Non-residents pre-registration will open on Friday, May 1st at 8:30am. General registration for residents is Monday, May 4th at 7:30am online or 8:30am in person. Non-resident registration is Friday, May 8th at 8:30am online or in-person. Please contact jjezek@prparks.org with any questions.

Sections & Details

This introductory diving class is for anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and learn the basic skills of springboard diving. Speed of progression naturally varies by participant, but the goals of the class include learning groundwork skills such as the tuck, front & back jumps, front & back standing dives and the basic diving hurdle. We require that all participants are able to swim 25 yards unassisted and each participant take part in a mandatory swim test during their first day of the class. This introductory diving class is for anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and learn the basic skills of springboard diving. Speed of progression naturally varies by participant, but the goals of the class include learning groundwork skills such as the tuck, front & back jumps, front & back standing dives and the basic diving hurdle. We require that all participants are able to swim 25 yards unassisted and each participant take part in a mandatory swim test during their first day of the class. For divers who have mastered the beginning diving skill and are ready for a new challenge, we also offer advanced diving. Speed and progression naturally varies by participants, but goals of advanced diving include learning somersaults, back dives, and correct diving form. We require that all participants are able to swim 25 yards unassisted. No class July 4

Sections & Details