The purpose of this course is to develop in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults who accompany them in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun, and loving experience. One adult must be in the water with each child. Swim Diapers required.

Sections & Details

The purpose of this course is to develop in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults who accompany them in water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water; it does provide a confidence-building, fun, and loving experience. One adult must be in the water with each child. Swim Diapers required.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. NEW! for summer 2025 Riptides is expanding into two swim teams competing in the A & C divisions of the Northern Illinois Swim Conference. Practices will be held at Maine South High School pool & Centennial Aquatic Center on a rotating basis. Detailed practice, meet schedules and team divisions will be sent to participants once all registrations have been received mid-May. Practices begin on June 2 and go through July 24. 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 19 and July 4. Due to the size of the team, outdoor practices will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. There will be an inter-squad meet on June 11, and meets with other park districts on June 18 and 25, and July 2, 9 and 16. All home meets will be held Centennial Aquatic Center. Meets take place approximately 4pm-8pm. The conference divisional championship meet will be on July 24. 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 25 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 18. Registrations received after May 20 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 28 at 8:30am online or in-person for residents. Non-residents pre-registration will open on Friday May 2 at 8:30am. General registration for residents is Monday, May 5 at 7:30am online or 8:30am in person. Non-resident registration is Friday, May 9 at 8:30am online or in-person. Please contact jjezek@prparks.org with any questions.

Sections & Details

Past & potential Riptides are invited to participate in Riptides Pre-Season. Swimmers will be able to meet our coaches before the season starts, refresh & review their skills, and get an idea of what typical practices will be like this Summer. As a prerequisite, swimmers must be able to swim at least 25 yards without assistance. Googles are required, and swim caps are highly encouraged. Swimmers participating in this program will be eligible for Riptides pre-registration.

Sections & Details

This program is designed to introduce the sport of water polo to children 3-12 years old. Participants must be capable of swimming one length of the pool unassisted and be comfortable in the deep end to participate. Coaches are former division 1 water polo players who are also parents of young kids.

Sections & Details

This program is designed to introduce the sport of water polo to children 3-12 years old. Participants must be capable of swimming one length of the pool unassisted and be comfortable in the deep end to participate. Coaches are former Division 1 water polo players who are also parents of young kids. No class June 15, July 3, July 6, July 24.

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 NEW for 2025. 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

We offer one-on-one private swim lessons, set to specific times and days of the week. Just pick the one that works for you.

Sections & Details

We offer one-on-one private swim lessons, set to specific times and days of the week. Just pick the one that works for you.

Sections & Details

We offer one-on-one private swim lessons, set to specific times and days of the week. Just pick the one that works for you.

Sections & Details