You gotta crawl before you walk. You gotta swim (at least a little) before you dive.

That’s why Denver Divers offers a full swimming program that ranges from teaching infant survival skills to teaching older adults how to swim. Beginning in 2011, Denver Divers has hosted a highly successful Infant Aquatics program with Jolyn Anderson. Jolyn is also the director of store’s swim program using the Swim Schools International (SSI) approach. Swim Schools International is part of Scuba Schools International, Denver Divers’ primary training agency for our core scuba business.

We believe it is our duty to offer the gift of swimming to every participant that wants to enjoy it, and believe that water safety is one of our most important goals. By offering the combination of the survival swim lessons Infant Aquatics teaches to children six months to six years and the SSI swimming, stroke and adult lessons, Denver Divers can provide a top notch swim program for the whole family!

It's Easy to Join a Swim Class!

1. Call 222-SWIM to schedule an orientation
   
2. Come watch an Adult swim class and see the fun.
   
3. Be fitted for your mask, fins, snorkel & vest.
4. Free rental equipment for all sessions or purchase your own.
   
5. Pay in full & relax - you will learn to swim in no time!

Swim Schools International grew out of the passion of a few avid aquatic professionals in both the swimming and scuba diving worlds. They were intent on creating a worldwide, standardized program for swim instruction, open to anyone that wanted to better their abilities and level of swim instruction in their facilities. Swim Schools International provides education materials, swim teacher training and certification for Swim Teachers, Trainers, and Aquatic Training Facilities around the world. SSI stands as the paradigm for swim teacher certification worldwide. SSI’s training initiatives and certification requirements ensure that our certified teachers are capable of meeting the needs and abilities of swimmers of all ages - from 6 months old all the way through adulthood.

The Swim Schools International standardized lesson plans allow Denver Divers the flexibility to tailor classes to the needs of the individual swimmer. Class structure is based on swimmer ability, not on a timeframe for completion. If your swimmer is ready to move up to the next level, the lesson plan flexibility allows for that to occur on an individualized basis, instead of waiting for the entire class to reach the final goals for the level.

As we developed our swim program, Denver Divers placed greatest early emphasis on learning to teach adult non-swimmers. Successful learning by adult non-swimmers typically depends upon mastery of skills different from those used to teach youth. So our certified Adult Swim Teachers are trained in special skills for teaching physically larger and stronger swimmers, as well as ways of managing lifelong aquatic fear factors often present in adult non-swimmers.

Fall lessons run September 16th – December 17th (No lessons the week of Thanksgiving). Minimum commitment of 6 weeks is requested but not required. The more frequently you can attend the faster you will learn!

Fall Special - $199 for 6, 30 minute private lessons (NO registration fees).

The SSI Approach

In 1969 Scuba School International member, Paul Oberle, began developing his method of teaching swimming to adults. Paul found that many of his students who wanted to learn to scuba could not swim. The early days of scuba did not include equipment such as inflatable vests; therefore swimming skill requirements were much more rigid. Paul discovered that by initially putting a non-swimmer in vest, mask, snorkel, and fins to develop their confidence, and then reversing the process and removing the equipment one piece at a time, a person learned to swim with confidence.

At Denver Divers, you will begin by wearing an inflatable vest (you cannot possibly sink!), mask, snorkel, and fins while learning the freestyle and many more in-water techniques. You’ll be amazed! As your confidence builds, you can remove the gear one piece at a time.

Adult Non-Swimmers

You can learn to swim. It’s easy, fun and GUARANTEED!

Even if you have taken swimming lessons before - even if you cannot wash your hair under the shower - even if you look at a body of water as a suffocating liquid that frightens you - you can learn to swim.

Adult Swimmers

Already know how to swim? We also offer more advanced classes for adults wishing to learn technique and advanced strokes. These skills may be used in future exercise training programs, however the water temperature in our pool is designed for teaching scenarios and is not recommended for distance workouts or endurance purposes.

We know your life is busy…we can customize your class times to fit YOUR schedule. Mondays through Saturdays, morning, noon or night!

To accommodate adult learners, Denver Divers offers lessons both early Saturday mornings and in the later afternoons. Look at the (hyperlink) class schedule for details. We suggest 30 minute lessons initially, adding more time as skill increases. Private adult lessons are $30 for 30 minutes or $60 per hour. You are eligible for a 10% discount if you have a child currently enrolled in our swim program or Infant Aquatics lessons.

SSI Level 2 Stroke Lessons

Children six years and older who have graduated from the Infant Aquatics survival swim program or who come to us with a solid swimming background are encouraged to join the strokes program at Denver Divers. Stroke instruction also follows the SSI curriculum described below.

SSI Level 2 Stroke Lessons
Children six years and older who have graduated from the Infant Aquatics survival swim program or who come to us with a solid swimming background are encouraged to join the strokes program at Denver Divers. Stroke instruction also follows the SSI curriculum described below.

Intermediate I
Children as young as five who have mastered at least one basic stroke can join the Intermediate I classes. The goal of this class is to teach students to swim 100 feet (two lengths of our pool); and to dive in and swim across the pool.

Intermediate II
Intermediate II is designed for children six and older who are already efficiently swimming 100 feet (two lengths of the pool).   At the end of this class students should be swimming both freestyle with rhythmic breaths and elementary backstroke 100 feet, and be able to tread water for two minutes.

Advanced I
Seven year old children who already swimming both freestyle with rhythmic breathing and elementary backstroke can join the Advanced I class.  In this class, children learn the fundamentals of competitive swimming including freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke over 100 feet or two lengths of the pool.

Advanced II
Advanced II is a class best suited to children eight years old and above who are currently performing competitive free, back, and breaststroke.  The goal of Advanced II is to teach competitive butterfly stroke over 100 feet or two lengths of the pool.

The Junior Olympian Program is meant to enhance rather than replace year-around competitive swimming programs and summer swim teams. During this Denver Divers’ program, our teachers can work with your child’s coaches to learn additional competitive techniques or teach new skills. The class is designed for eight year-olds striving to obtain mastery of all four competitive strokes. Classes include an introduction to snorkeling and water safety skills.

Schedule and Cost
Our year-round lessons focusing on skills and advancement based on each student’s proficiency and help keep our happy little swimmers in tip top swim shape! Group classes of up to four students are offered on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm or Saturdays from 8:00 am to 10:00am. The cost is $25 per half-hour lesson. The minimum required commitment is six class.

Private stroke instruction is also available for $40 per 20 minute lesson. Semi-private lessons are available for $30 per child for a 30 minute lesson.

Additional classes may be added based on interest, so please check back if the above days and/or times don’t work for you. Register today for our strokes program!

Infant Aquatics specialists teach infants and young children survival swimming skills. The core of the program involves teaching every student the survival back float. Infants and toddlers cannot raise their heads to take a breath, so they are taught to roll completely over onto their backs to float, relax and breathe. Once they have acquired these lifesaving skills in bathing suit or reusable cloth swim diaper, they are presented with the real-life situation of demonstrating their skills while fully clothed. You really have to see it to believe it…please visit the website for specific program information and watch videos of the “swim-float-swim” method taught to children ages 6 months & up at www.infantaquatics.com.

Teaching infants and young children survival swimming is preventive medicine in the fight against pediatric drowning, while learning basic swimming strokes in an entirely different concept. The goal of each Infant Aquatics instructor is to teach his/her students to solve problems in the aquatic environment, so that if they are ever exposed to an unexpected encounter with the water, they will be equipped to handle themselves.

According to Contemporary Pediatrics (July, 1999) in eighteen states, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children one to four years of age. In the state of Colorado, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in this age group. Two year old boys account for the greatest number of fatalities because of rapidly developing motor skills and extreme curiosity about water. Children are naturally drawn to pools, hot tubs, lakes, canals, streams, reservoirs and beaches. Despite a parent’s best efforts at supervision, it only takes one head turn before an accident has occurred.

The value of bringing this program to Denver Divers and its families cannot be measured. Jolyn’s expertise enables her students to safely enjoy the water while providing peace of mind to many Denver families. In addition, the education parents receive by being a part of Infant Aquatics makes them advocates for public awareness of the dangers water poses to children.

By offering this life saving program, Denver Divers helps benefit our community and quite possibly save lives!

Schedule and Cost
All registration and payment for Infant Aquatics lessons are handled directly through Jolyn Anderson. At Denver Divers, Infant Aquatics hours are 9:30 am to 1 pm weekdays. To register for Infant Aquatics private survival swim lessons, please email denver@infantaquatics.com or call (303) 927-7234.

Infant Aquatics-preferred swim gear is available at Denver Divers. Retail items include swim diapers, infant and child-sized wetsuits, swim goggles, and children’s fins.

Certifications Offered

• Level 1 Swim Teacher
  
• Level 2 Swim Teacher
  
• Adult Swim Teacher
  
• Baby & Me Swim Teacher
  
• Swim Teacher Trainer
  
• Swim Teacher Trainer Certifier

Swimmer Levels

• Baby & Me
  
• Aquababy
  
• Aquatike I
  
• Aquatike II
  
• Aquatike III
  
• Preschool Beginner
  
• Advanced Preschool Beginner
  
• Beginner I

Call Denver Divers or stop by to sign up for the class and session(s) of your choice. You can also come and watch a class and/or sign up for a free in-water evaluation to determine class placement.

Once you are registered, schedule a time to attend orientation. This free session is designed to help you understand the program(s), complete student training records, receive professional fitting for mask, snorkel, fins, and snorkeling vest, and sign a liability waiver and forms attesting to your understanding of Denver Divers policies and procedures. During orientation, we will give you a tour of the pool facilities and the rest of the shop.

Both for Infant Aquatics and SSI swim programs, Denver Divers requires you to register and pay for a minimum number of classes per session. The length of sessions varies depending upon the type of classes. Denver Divers training policies and procedures apply to swim programs as well as snorkeling and scuba programs.

Release Forms - click to Dowload:

1. SSI General Waiver & Release of Liability
   
2. SSI Parental Statement of Understanding

Teacher Certifications
SSI has years of experience developing and implementing certifications, with over 40 years in the realm of Scuba Diver certifications. SSI ported over the strong underpinnings of that certification process and applied it to swim teaching to create the most prepared and capable swim teachers in the world. Teachers undergo a home study program, classroom training and pool training to learn the specific skills properly. In order to focus their training on the correct group of students, each certification level requires hands-on apprenticeship time under another certified SSI Swim Teacher. SAFETY and CONSISTENCY for your swimmers are the names of the game here. Using this apprenticeship requirement means that every certified Swim Schools International Swim Teacher has experience with another before beginning to teach their own students on their own.

Lesson Plans
The Swim Schools International standardized lesson plan, known as the Gold Script, allows individual Swim Centers to choose between semesters, sessions, or open enrollment without impact to the progression of the swimmer. Classes are tailored to the individual swimmer based on ability, not on a timeframe for completion. If your swimmer is ready to move up to the next level, the lesson plan flexibility allows for that to occur on an individualized basis, instead of waiting for the entire class to reach the final goals for the level.

Classes
Typically classes are scheduled to be held once or twice a week, for 30 minutes per lesson. Stroke & Level 2 classes are primarily 30-45 minutes in length and have a 4:1 max swimmer: teacher ratio. Junior Olympian classes are often 1 hour in length to allow for the longer distances and full workout schedules for the swimmers, allowing for proper warm-up and cool-down periods for exercise to minimize impact on the body.

Enrollment Options
Denver Divers offer a range of enrollment options throughout the year, while offering additional specific seasonal programs. Our lesson plans allow for continuation and advancement of the swimmer based on his or her ability, not on the schedule.

Open Enrollment (Private Lessons Only): A popular option for a "Start Today" approach to starting swim lessons. With open enrollment, a swimmer just continues on from level to level, progressing through the lesson plans at their own pace, without concern for an end date to a particular session or season. Only available to those enrolled in privates.

Sessions:
Formatting for classes is loosely based on the DPS school calendar. It also allows our busy families to choose a session that works well with other family activities or scheduled vacations / holidays. Typically, we offer 2 Fall sessions, 2 Spring sessions and 2 Summer sessions. Please contact Denver Divers directly for session dates.

Schedule of Classes:
Our schedule changes on a monthly basis because it is customized to meet the needs of our currently enrolled families. We cannot guarantee that lessons will be at the same time each session or with the same teacher. We will change or add classes where there is demand for a specific class, day or time. Feel free to give us your feedback on what works best for YOU and we’ll do our best to meet your requests! If the current schedule is full or doesn’t work for you, please check back for future availability and schedule updates.

Registration, Tuition, and Payment Policies

Registration Fee:
All new students enrolling in our program will pay a non-refundable $25.00 annual registration fee ($50.00 max per family) to cover administrative costs, pool time and insurance fees.

Tuition and Payments:
Tuition payments for the current session are due, in full, on or before the first day of your child’s lesson. Payment options here. If you are enrolling 2 or more children in the program, you may divide your tuition into 2 payments. We understand that families may occasionally need to make alternative payment arrangements. Please contact us to discuss your needs on an individual basis.

Cancellation, Make-up Lesson, and Refund Policies

Running Late:
If you are running late, it is always helpful to alert your instructor with a phone call or text. Please note: the instructor will use reasonable efforts to fit you in whenever possible, but your lesson time may be shortened and/or rescheduled for a later time if necessary. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled lesson to ensure your child is ready to go into the water—without rushing—at the scheduled time.

Advance Cancellations:
Infant Aquatics appreciates twenty-four (24) hour advance notice if you will be unable to make your scheduled lesson. Should you need to cancel you will be charged for the missed lesson even with advance notice. It may be possible, however, to make advance arrangements with another parent to switch your lesson times or to reschedule your lesson time to accommodate you. There are no guarantees but in these situations please contact your instructor to discuss your options as soon as you become aware that you will be unable to make your scheduled lesson. Consistent and steady attendance will increase your child’s rate of progress, and is an essential ingredient in the Infant Aquatics Denver program

Cancellation Due to Illness:
If you are unable to attend a lesson due to illness, please call Denver Divers ASAP. We request 24 hours advance notice as a courtesy. However, you will be charged for the missed lesson even with advance notice. In an effort to keep everyone healthy, please keep your child home if they have had more than two episodes of diarrhea within 24 hours, have a fever, or have been diagnosed with a contagious illness such as pinkeye or strep throat. Please follow your pediatrician’s recommendation as to when your child may return to lessons.

Instructor or Weather Cancellations:
Occasionally, an instructor may be ill or absent for personal reasons. Every effort will be made to have a substitute instructor conduct lessons for that day. If we have to cancel lessons, we will offer a makeup class to all students affected by the cancellation. In the event of inclement weather—severe enough for Denver Public Schools to close--we will not conduct lessons. Denver Divers does not follow a delayed start schedule; unless classes are cancelled at Denver Public Schools, we will follow our typical daily schedule.

Make-up Lessons:
A limited number of make-up lesson times will be available during each session on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is not guaranteed that you will be able to schedule a make-up lesson, especially if your child misses more than one lesson per session. Make-up lessons may be offered at a different pool location, time and day than your regular lessons. Please check the white board at the pool or speak with your instructor directly.

A “no show” student—a student who has not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance—is not eligible for a make-up lesson.

Refunds:
We do not offer refunds. Regardless of your attendance, you are required to pay in full for all lessons in your registered session.

We take great care to provide our customers with the class they need, at the time that they prefer. Once a student has a reserved space in a class that space is no longer marketable and is considered sold.