Learn to swim and enjoy recreational aquatics activities at Palatine Park District! The District offers a variety of classes year-round indoors at the Health and Recreation Center at Harper College as well as at all three outdoor aquatics facilities throughout the summer, including swim lessons for all ages, lifeguard training, diving, water polo, and a USA Swimming competitive swim team program.
Palatine Park District swim lessons are based off the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Class offerings include something for everyone learning to gain skills in the water, from infants to adults.
Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
Introduction to Water Skills Develop skills in the water by learning the fundamentals of swimming. Class includes learning assisted front and back stroke, floats and glides.
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Students that are comfortable in the water will continue to build upon skills taught in previous levels while learning to be independent.
Level 3: Stroke Development
Students must be comfortable in deep water. They will continue to develop front and back crawl and be introduced to more swim strokes.
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Building upon strokes previously learned, students will start to gain endurance and continue to learn proper technique.
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Students will continue learning the competitive strokes and preform them at further distances. This level will introduce turn and starts.
Level 6: Fitness Swimming & Fundamentals of Diving
Building endurance is the focus of this level and becoming swim team ready. Students will build up to a 500 yard swim.
Preschool Aquatics | Ages 3-5
Designed for children to gain more confidence in the water and be introduced to new swimming skills. This class will focus on learning the fundamentals and how to be safe in the water.
Swim With Me | Ages 6-months – 4 years
With a swimming adult, students will be introduced to being in the pool and water safety. Learn basic skills through fun songs and games and become more comfortable in the water.
Parent Assisted Lessons
This class is designed around the curriculum of American Red Cross swim lessons levels 1-3. Parents will be in the water assisting their swimmer through all developmental skills including floating, kicking, and swimming. Instructors will provide structure and guide participants to gaining independence in the water.
Adult Swim Lessons
Designed for men and women who wish to learn or improve their swimming skills, strokes, and techniques.
Semi-Private Lessons
With a 3:1 student to instructor ratio, Semi-private lessons are a great alternative for students that may need more individualized help in the swimming pool. This class will follow the guidelines of the Learn to Swim Program Levels 1-6. Participant’s swim levels and ages may be combined for any lesson.
Private Lessons
One on one half hour lessons, focused on what you want to learn. Please fill out our interest form to receive more information. Fill Out Request Form
Shallow Water Aerobics
This low impact shallow water class focuses on continued movement through the water while emphasizing flexibility and mobility. Accompanied by music, this is the perfect opportunity for people looking to take the first steps into water aerobics.
Deep Water Aerobics
Held in the deep end of the pool while wearing a floatation belt, this class offers a zero-impact workout that includes swimming style movements at an aerobic pace. Perfect for all fitness levels, water resistance helps increase strength and mobility without putting too much stress on joints or bones.
Aqua Zumba
Take your Latin dance to the pool. Water increases the resistance but reduces the stress on the joints. Aqua Zumba® is fun, and a great aerobic and strength training workout. Class is appropriate for all fitness levels with a pace that allows you to move through the water with resistance, strengthening the muscles and joints to full range of motion without impact.
Aqua Barre
Get ready to dive into this brand-new class that brings Barre to the water. Learn how ballet inspired movements and gentle resistance can strengthen arms, legs, and especially core. Aqua Barre workouts are appropriate for all fitness levels. Be the first to try this fun and inspiring water workout.
Aqua Jog
This water fitness class is a no impact, high intensity program that focuses on building cardiovascular strength and endurance. Classes are held in the deep water and participants will use a flotation belt. This class is beneficial for runners and active fitness participants as it offers a no impact dry land alternative to cross training.
Aqua Fit
This class is for all fitness levels. The class helps improve strength, muscular endurance, coordination, balance, as well as helps alleviate joint pain.
Class | Day & Time |
Water Aerobics | M-Th: 11:00am-12:00pm |
Weekend Water Aerobics | Sa: 10:00am-11:00am |
Aqua Jog | Th: 8:00am-8:45am |
Aqua Fit | M&F: M:8:00am-8:45am F:9:00am-9:45am |
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.
Learn to Dive – Beginning | Ages 9-18
Designed to teach the safe and proper way to use the 1-meter springboard. Any individual 9 years and older who has an interest in diving, and has completed level 4 learn to swim class and can swim comfortably in deep water and complete a head first entry into the water. 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 9-18
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.
Dive Team | Ages 9-18
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.
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.
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).
Patrick Griffin
Aquatics Manager
Palatine Park District
847.496.6205
Tony Gallagher
Swim Team Coordinator
Palatine Park District
847.202.3240