As an agency that offers numerous opportunities to swim and enjoy the water at Rec Center pools, lake and riverfront parks and waterparks, the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrates water safety all year long. Each year, the Park Authority hires, trains and certifies lifeguards and swim instructors. During National Water Safety Month in May, the Park Authority is placing added emphasis on water safety and education.

Dive Into Swim Lessons

No matter your age, the Park Authority offers lessons in the pool to learn how to swim and increase your swimming skills. In addition to private and semi-private swim lessons, ongoing group swim classes offered include:

• Baby & Me (6-18 months)
• Toddler & Me (19 months-3 years)
• Pee Wee Paddler (3-7 years)
• Swimming for Children (6-12 years)
• Stroke Mechanics (6-18 years)

In addition, the Park Authority has started offering swim lessons taught in Spanish at multiple Rec Centers. Bilingual instructors using the Virginia Swims curriculum teach lessons to swimmers in both English and Spanish. Contact your local Rec Center to identify bilingual aquatics lessons.

Award-Winning Adapted Swim Programs

Take part in an award-winning Adapted Aquatics Program for adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. The program includes learn-to-swim classes, aquatic exercise classes and training for Special Olympics and Paralympic Swim Team competition.

Water Safety Education for Children

This spring the Park Authority brought back its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program. The free, 30-minute presentation aims to get children ages 3 to 5 comfortable with the concept of being in and around water and shares vital water safety tips. Since this program began in 2022, more than 10,000 children have participated in these classes and learned more about water safety.

Advancing Skills with Summer Swim League

For those looking to increase their skills in the water, the Park Authority offers the Summer Swim League for swimmers ages 6 to 14 to join a swim team and participate in swim meets this summer. The deadline to register is June 9.

Together all these efforts combine to enhance swimming skills and water safety throughout Fairfax County. Learn more about National Water Safety Month webpage.

For a complete listing of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s offerings in and around the pool, visit the Aquatics and Swimming webpage.