Aquatics Programs

Learn to swim and enjoy recreational aquatics activities at the Palatine Park District! The District offers a variety of classes at all three aquatics facilities, including lifeguard training, snorkeling, scuba diving, water polo, swimming lessons for all ages, and a USA Swimming competitive swim team program.

Learn to Dive – Beginning | Ages 8-18
Designed to teach the safe and proper way to use the 1 meter springboard. Any individual 8 years and older who has an interest in diving, can swim comfortably in deep water and do a head first entry off the side of the pool can join this class. Students will be taught a forward approach and back press to begin, then progress to forward and backward dives as well as other skills as time and ability permit.

Learn to Dive – Intermediate/Advanced | Ages 8-18
Designed for the diver who has been recommended from the beginning diving lesson. If divers have come from a different diving program, or have had no formal instruction, the diver should be able to successfully execute a front approach, back approach, front dive, and a back dive. Divers at this level are encouraged to register for multiple sessions.

Learn to Dive – All Levels Combined | Ages 8-18
For divers who have already had a beginner lesson and already know the forward and backward approach. Students also can complete a forward dive with an approach and are able to do a back dive with or without a spotter.

Dive Team | Ages 8-18
A year round competitive United States Diving Team where the coaching staff strives to create an atmosphere where each diver will be able to achieve his or her own potential in a positive and nurturing environment. For more information, visit windycitydiving.com and view team programs currently offered.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training | Ages 15+
Lifeguard Training includes CPR for the professional rescuer and provides more comprehensive training for individuals who wish to become lifeguards. Participants are required to pass a water skills test prior to entry into the course. Course fee includes textbook and CPR mask which you will keep. Course content includes: professional lifeguarding, preventive lifeguarding skills, equipment based rescue techniques, procedures for handling spinal injuries, and A.E.D. training.

Jr. Lifeguarding | Ages 11+
An introduction to Lifeguarding offering general water safety, prevention, and responses to aquatic emergencies. Class provides hands-on experience under the supervision of a Lifeguard or Head Lifeguard. 15 hours of field experience at the pool of your choice is required.

Learn to Snorkel | Ages 7+
Above and Under Water staff will teach you to adjust your snorkel gear, use different kicks to see more, breathe, hold, dive, recover items on the bottom, clear your ears as you go, and properly enter and exit the water safely.

Try Scuba | Ages 9+
Discover Scuba Diving in one of our Park District pools. Strap on a tank, weights, and other cool scuba gear and breathe underwater. Now is your chance to dive in and experience the adventures and wonders of the underwater world.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1 | Ages 3-5
Children learn elementary aquatic skills (i.e., breath control, submerging, and supported floats as well as establish a foundation for stroke mechanics) with parental assistance.

Preschool Aquatics Level 2 | Ages 4-5
Children build upon basic aquatic skills. With assisted instruction and encouraged independence, children begin to develop fundamentals for back and front crawl.

Preschool Aquatics Level 3 | Ages 4-5
Children tie together skills from previous levels. This entails practicing skills to attain higher stroke proficiency and swim greater distances. All skills will be performed independently.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills | Ages 5-14
Enter and exit water, blow bubbles, bob in water, open eyes to retrieve objects, supported floats, and glides.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills | Ages 5-14
Progress to performing unsupported floats. Learn basic movements for front and back crawl. For children who can submerge underwater comfortably.

Level 3: Stroke Development | Ages 5-14
Must be comfortable with deeper water. Children will build up to swimming 15 yards of front and back crawl with proper breathing technique.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement | Ages 5-14
Children learn the butterfly stroke and open turns. They are also taught new kicking techniques used for 2 minutes of treading water.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement | Ages 5-14
Children practice all competitive strokes and must perform them properly over longer distances (up to 50 yards per stroke). They also learn competitive turns and various deep water surface dives.

Level 6: Fitness Swimming & Fundamentals of Diving | Ages 5-14
Building endurance is the focus of this level. Swimmers will build up to a 500 yard continuous swim and 5 minutes of trading water in addition to learning various surface and springboard dives.

Palatine Tiger Sharks | Ages 6+
Palatine Park District Tiger Sharks is a USA Swimming year round competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability. Online registration is not available for Swim Team classes. Visit the Palatine Tiger Sharks website at ppdswim.org.

High School Water Polo | Ages 14-18
This program is for high school age players interested in playing water polo, a fast-paced sport that combines swimming, basketball, and football. Participants should be proficient swimmers (beginner level and above).

Age Group Water Polo | Ages 8-14
This beginning water program is for young players interested in learning and playing water polo. Water polo is a fast-paced sport that combines swimming, basketball and football. Participants should be proficient swimmers (beginner level or above). Visit Northwest Chicago Water Polo for more information.

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Questions or Programming Suggestions?