Aquatics

Apex Park and Recreation District is thrilled to announce a fresh upgrade in the swim lesson program as we transition to Starfish Swimming. This new program is designed to bring focus, structure, and safety to each lesson, tailored for every age and ability. Starfish Swimming combines essential skills with fun, practical safety techniques like self-rescue and survival floating so every swimmer is prepared and confident in the water.

With Starfish Swimming’s clear progression system, swimmers have specific milestones to aim for, making their progress easy to see and celebrate. The color-coded levels encourage participants and help keep motivation high. Instructors are trained in Starfish’s specialized teaching methods, ensuring consistent, quality instruction customized to each swimmer’s needs.

What lesson should I register my preschool child (ages 3-5) for under the new system?

• Old Preschool Level 1 should enroll in either Preschool Swim School 1 – White or Preschool Swim School 2 – Red.
• Old Preschool Level 2 should enroll in Preschool Swim School 3 – Yellow.
• Old Preschool Level 3 should enroll in Preschool Swim School 4 – Blue.
• Participants who have passed Preschool 3 should enroll in Preschool Swim School 4 – Green.

What lesson should I register my youth child (ages 6-12) for under the new system?

• Old Youth Level 1 should enroll in either Youth Swim School 1 – White or Youth Swim School 2 – Red.
• Old Youth Level 2 should enroll in either Youth Swim School 3 – Yellow or Youth Swim School 4 – Blue.
• Old Youth Level 3 should enroll in Youth Swim School 5 – Green.
• Old Youth Level 4-6 should enroll in Stoke School.

StarBabies and StarTots Swim Lessons

Ages 6 months-3 years

A parent-child swim course designed to teach parents or caregivers the techniques to help their little ones develop aquatic readiness and water safety habits. With loving encouragement and guidance, this class builds a foundation for self-rescue and swimming skills as children grow and become developmentally ready. Through fun and engaging activities, participants will explore water entries and holds, proper body positions, submersions with targets and launches, rolling to the back to rest and breathe and forward movement with swim-roll-swim techniques.

Safety is a core focus, with lessons on asking for permission before entering the water, adult supervision, the appropriate use of lifejackets, and flotation devices for emergency assists. Parents and caregivers will also learn essential water safety practices, including recreational water illness prevention and an introduction to rescue breathing and CPR. While this course does not aim to make children accomplished swimmers or guarantee survival skills, it equips families with the tools to build confidence, comfort, and safety in the water.

Preschool Swim School

Ages 3-5

Designed to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5, swim school will develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim. Developmentally ready children will learn functional swim skills geared toward the ability to self-rescue. This class approaches teaching swimming through creative and fun activities in the water. Students work toward achieving the skill steps and benchmarks at their own pace in a small group setting.

Preschool Swim School 1 – White: Readiness

This level introduces preschoolers to water readiness skills in a fun and supportive setting. Participants will practice essential techniques like safely entering and exiting the water, pouring water over their heads and faces, and holding their breath while looking underwater. Through gentle guidance, they will learn to feel at ease with water on their faces and work toward relaxed submersion for 5 seconds. This level emphasizes water safety with the foundational lesson of always asking for permission before getting in the pool, setting the stage for your child’s future aquatic adventures.

Preschool Swim School 2 – Red: Body Position and Air Exchange

Introduces preschoolers to fundamental swimming skills, focusing on body position and breath control in a supportive environment. At this level, participants will learn to float like a starfish on their front and back, practice bobbing in and out of the water, and tuck and stand from the back. They will also begin kicking independently on their front and back, moving up to 3 meters (10 feet). With an emphasis on water safety, children will practice putting on a lifejacket, jumping in, and kicking on their backs to build confidence and safety awareness.

Preschool Swim School 3 – Yellow: Forward Movement and Direction Change

Introduces preschoolers to the excitement of forward movement and changing directions in the water. At this level, children will practice beginner strokes on their front with their faces in the water and beginner strokes on their backs. They will also learn to roll onto their back from the front and change direction while swimming. Safety skills, like treading water for 10 seconds, are emphasized to build confidence and independence. By this level’s end, your preschooler can swim-roll-swim for 10 meters (30 feet), developing safety awareness and foundational swimming skills.

Preschool Swim School 4 – Blue: Streamlines and Side Breathing

Focuses on streamlines and side breathing, helping preschoolers develop more efficient movement in the water. Participants will practice streamlined positions with kicks on their front and back and swim underwater for up to 1 meter (3 feet). They will begin learning the side-breathing position with a kick and how to perform a side-roll-side motion while kicking for 5 meters (15 feet). Safety skills include practicing a reach or throw assist with flotation and teaching your preschooler how to help others safely. By the end of this level, children will confidently complete a side-roll-side with a kick for 10 meters (30 feet).

Preschool Swim School 5 – Green: Water Competency

Designed to help preschoolers achieve water competency with a focus on safety and confidence. Children will practice drills like “3 strokes – STOP” and “3 strokes – ROLL” to build strong swimming habits and control in the water. They will also develop endurance and coordination through the “3 x 3” drill and learn to tread water for up to 60 seconds. Safety skills, such as recovering from disorienting water entries, ensure children know how to stay calm and react appropriately. By completing the Starfish Safer Swimmer Award sequence — jumping into deep water, resurfacing, treading water for one minute, and swimming 50 meters — preschoolers will be prepared for independent water activities.

Youth Swim School

Ages 6-12

Students work toward developing functional swimming focused on self-rescue using appropriate learning activities. Learning is self-paced but challenging.

Youth Swim School 1 – White: Readiness

Participants will build essential water skills in a confidence-boosting environment. Participants will focus on safe water entry and exit, practice holding their breath while looking underwater, and improve coordination with skills like tucking and standing from the front. In addition to skill-building, the program reinforces water safety habits, including the critical benchmark of asking permission before entering the pool. By the end of this level, your child will achieve a relaxed 5-second submersion, developing comfort and readiness for the next steps in swimming.

Youth Swim School 2 – Red: Body Position and Air Exchange

Participants strengthen their swimming foundation, focusing on body positioning and breathing techniques. Participants will master starfish floats on their front and back, refine their bobbing skills, and practice transitioning from a tuck to a standing position. They will develop efficient kicking techniques, propelling themselves 3 meters (10 feet) on their front and back. Safety is a priority, with skills like putting on a lifejacket, jumping in, and kicking on their back. By the end of this level, children will confidently jump or roll into the water and transition onto their backs for controlled breathing.

Youth Swim School 3 – Yellow: Forward Movement and Direction Change

Participants take the next step in swimming by introducing forward movement and directional changes. They will refine beginner strokes on both their front (with their face in the water) and their back while learning to roll from front to back for breathing and support. Directional swimming techniques are introduced, enabling smooth transitions during movement. Safety skills are reinforced through treading water for 10 seconds. By the end of the level, your child will confidently swim-roll-swim for 10 meters (30 feet), mastering critical safety and swimming benchmarks.

Youth Swim School 4 – Blue: Streamlines and Side Breathing

Participants build streamlined body positions and develop side breathing for improved swimming efficiency. Participants will refine front and back streamline kicks, practice swimming underwater for 1 meter (3 feet), and perfect the side-breathing position while kicking. This level emphasizes side-roll-side motions with kicks, progressing to 10 meters (30 feet) by the end of the level. Safety is a priority, with lessons on how to perform a reach or throw assist using flotation, empowering children to respond safely in emergencies. This level lays the foundation for more advanced swimming techniques and water safety confidence.

Youth Swim School 5 – Green: Water Competency

Participants become fully water-competent swimmers. Participants will refine their swimming techniques and develop endurance through various swim drills. Treading water for 60 seconds and recovering from disorienting water entries builds critical safety skills and confidence in challenging situations. The program concludes with the Starfish Safer Swimmer Award sequence, where children demonstrate mastery by asking permission to enter the water, jumping into deep water, resurfacing to tread water for one minute, and swimming 50 meters. This level ensures your child is prepared for a safer and independent enjoyment of aquatic environments.

Stroke School

Ages 6-12

Students learn stroke techniques for freestyle, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke and develop endurance and water fitness.

Beginner

Designed to help participants refine their swimming techniques and build endurance in four fundamental strokes. At this level, participants will focus on swimming freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke each for 10 meters (30 feet) while improving their stroke technique, breathing, and body positioning. Emphasis is placed on water safety, with participants learning the importance of always asking permission before getting into the water and learning to put on a lifejacket while in the water. This level builds skill and confidence, setting the foundation for more advanced swimming techniques and ensuring participants are safe and capable in the water.

Advanced

Introduces participants to the most challenging yet rewarding strokes in swimming. At this level, participants will focus on learning the butterfly stroke and breaststroke for 10 meters (30 feet), building strength, timing, and technique. Safety is emphasized through emergency scenarios, helping participants understand how to react in various water-related situations as well as learning to use the survival float for up to 2 minutes. This level is designed to improve swimming skills and water awareness, ensuring participants are prepared for more advanced strokes while maintaining safety and confidence in the water.

Endurance and Fitness

Designed to help participants build stamina and strength while improving their swimming efficiency. At this level, participants will focus on swimming 100 meters (or yards) using at least two different strokes, building their ability to swim for longer distances. Safety is emphasized with the benchmark of performing a survival float or treading water for 5 minutes, ensuring participants can stay calm and afloat in emergency situations. This level helps participants develop their physical fitness and water safety skills, preparing them for more advanced aquatic challenges.

Teen Swim Lessons Confidence, Skills and Fitness

Ages 13-17

Teen Swim Lessons Confidence, Skills and Fitness

A supportive environment for swimmers of all levels to improve their skills, enhance water safety, and build fitness. For beginners, the focus is on mastering basic water skills like entering and exiting safely, holding their breath, and floating, which serve as the foundation for more advanced techniques. Intermediate swimmers will work on refining strokes like freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke while gaining skills in swimming for distance and changing directions in the water. Advanced swimmers will take on the challenge of learning butterfly and improving endurance with longer swims. Throughout the program, water safety is prioritized, with lessons on survival, floating, treading water, and responding to emergencies.

Adult Swim Lessons

Ages 18+

Adult Swim Courses are designed for older teens and adults looking to enhance their water skills and confidence. These lessons offer three tailored options to suit individual needs and interests: Building Confidence and Competence in the Water, Mastering Fundamental Strokes, and Endurance and Fitness.

Adult Swim Lessons: Building Confidence and Competence in the Water

Offers a step-by-step approach to building water confidence and swimming skills. Participants start with foundational techniques like safe entries, breath-holding, and basic floating before progressing to body positioning, beginner strokes, and directional changes, including swim-roll-swim for 10 meters (30 feet). Advanced levels focus on streamlining, side breathing, and endurance, with participants swimming up to 50 meters using multiple strokes. Safety is emphasized throughout, with skills like treading water, handling disorienting entries, and practicing reach-and-throw assists.

Adult Swim Lessons: Mastering Fundamental Strokes

Focuses on developing proficiency in key swimming strokes while emphasizing water safety and confidence. Participants will refine freestyle and backstroke techniques, swimming 10 meters (30 feet) each, and learn resting strokes like the elementary backstroke and sidestroke, which promote calm and endurance. Advanced skills include mastering the butterfly stroke, focusing on strength, timing, technique, and the breaststroke, emphasizing proper form and long-distance efficiency.

Adult Swim Lessons: Endurance and Fitness

Designed to help participants build stamina and strength while improving their swimming efficiency. At this level, participants will focus on swimming 100 meters (or yards) using at least two different strokes, building their ability to swim for longer distances. Safety is emphasized with the benchmark of performing a survival float or treading water for 5 minutes, ensuring participants can stay calm and afloat in emergency situations. This level helps participants develop their physical fitness and water safety skills, preparing them for more advanced aquatic challenges.

Swim Lessons Frequently Asked Questions

When should I register?

Classes fill extremely quickly. Plan to register for class on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 am for the next session.

What should my child wear to class?

Swimmers should wear a swimsuit that is comfortable for them. Any participant who is diaper-dependent must wear swim diapers. Goggles that do not cover the nose are recommended for all classes but are not required. Goggles that cover the nose are prohibited. Swim caps are allowed but not required.

Can parents stay to watch?

Parents must stay in the designated areas during lessons to accommodate any bathroom needs or in case of an emergency. Families are welcome to observe the lessons but must remain within the designated areas.

How long will my child be at this level?

The duration your child will remain at a particular swim level depends on several factors, including their age, previous swimming experience, and the frequency of lessons. Some participants will spend a few weeks to a few months at each level, progressing as they master the required skills and meet the safety benchmarks. However, some children may advance more quickly, while others may need additional time to build confidence and proficiency in certain areas. Our instructors will assess your child’s progress regularly and provide guidance on when they are ready to move to the next level. We focus on ensuring that each swimmer feels confident and capable before advancing, ensuring a positive and rewarding learning experience.

What happens if my child misses a class?

Due to ratio restrictions, we cannot offer make-up lessons or refunds for missed classes. Please plan to attend all registered classes.

• Children under the age of 3 are required to wear a swim diaper and/or tight-fitting plastic pants under their swimsuits. (No regular diapers allowed in pools)
• Children ages 5 and under must be accompanied into the water by an adult (18+) within arm’s reach.
• Children 6-9 years must be appropriately supervised by an adult in the pool area. Children age 10 and older may swim without adult supervision.
• Non-swimmers of any age must be supervised by an adult.
• Children 6 and older must use gender-appropriate locker rooms.
• Portions of all pools may be closed periodically for swim lessons or special events.
• Please note that a full head and body shower must be taken before entering the pool.
• No refunds for inclement weather. Please note the weather prior to paying for daily admission.
• As a reminder, there is no open swim during swim lesson times. Non-swim lesson participants are not allowed in the water during swim lessons.

Drop-in Aqua Classes

Search for Drop-in Aqua Classes

• Aqua Combo
• Aqua Fusion
• Deep Water Boot Camp
• Wet and Wild

Fee-Based Aqua Classes

Search and Register for Fee-Based Aqua Classes

• BOGAFit

For more information, contact Tehra Porterfield at 720.898.3412 or [email protected].

The Masters Swimming Workouts Program promotes a fun, healthy, and social environment for swimmers interested in swimming for fitness, participating in triathlons, and adult competitive swimming. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and should possess intermediate to advanced swimming skills. To receive the resident discount rate, participants must be an Apex PRD resident.

Swimmers must have a Masters Swimming pass or pay the drop-in fee. No reservations are required. Check in when you arrive.

Master Swim Times

Arvada Aquatics Center:

• Monday-Friday: 5:30-7 am
• Saturday: 6-7:30 am

Fitzmorris Recreation Center:

Weather dependent

• Monday and Wednesday: 12-1 pm

Masters Annual Pass

• Daily Drop-in: Res. $15 (non-res. $19.50)
• Masters Annual Pass: Res. $480 (non-res. $577)
• Masters Senior Pass: Res. $400 (non-res. $460)
• Masters Annual Plus: Res. $500 (non-res. $650)
• Masters 20 Punch Card: Res. $185 (non-res. $240)

Masters Annual Plus includes Master practices and open lap swimming at AAC and the summer outdoor pools.

To compete with US Masters Swimming, please register on the US Masters Swimming website. Although competing is fun, you do not have to hold a membership to swim with our team.

North Jeffco Swim Team

Visit the North Jeffco Swim Team website or call 303.887.5467.

Mile High Dive Club

Call 303.871.0754 or visit the Mile High Dive Club website.

Meadowglen Swim Club

Call 720.937.0873

Register for CARA Swim Team

The Colorado Association of Recreational Athletics (CARA) swim team is designed as a strong recreational program for non-ranked, non-sanctioned participants. Swimmers participate in two practices per week.

Swimmers who are interested in participating in the CARA swim team must be able to complete the following:

• 25 yards of front crawl and back crawl
• Basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly

Contact Melissa Porterfield at 303.467.7144 or [email protected] for more information.

Aquanauts swim on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30-7:30 pm at the Arvada Aquatics Center. Registration is seasonal. Register for the summer CARA swim team by June 1.

Register for Basic Life Support

Health and Safety Institute (HSI) Basic Life Support (BLS) is a 5-hour class designed for healthcare providers and other public safety professionals working in a wide variety of occupational settings - in and out of the hospital - and individuals enrolled in healthcare and public safety career training programs.

HSI BLS has been approved by the HSI Medical Advisory Board and reviewed by the HSI Advisory Council.

HSI BLS is an approved provider of continued education hours for Emergency Medical Services (CAPCE) and Dental Professionals (AGD/PACE).

This two-year certification covers adult, child, and infant CPR AED alone and working in a team.