Aquatics Class Descriptions

Please consult the pool schedule. There may be one lane used for private lessons at any time. No lifeguard on duty. During scheduled class times, open/lap swimming may not be available. All ages and abilities welcome.

* Complimentary with Membership

** Additional Fee Associated with this Program

Open Swim*

Come enjoy the pool or swim at your own pace. Bring the family and enjoy the space. Open swim will tend to share space with private lessons. Feel free to cheer on the learners.

Lap Swim*

We do our utmost to keep at least one lane open for lap swim at all times, and indeed there are many times where the entire pool is dedicated to lap swim. Come get your yardage in. Share smart, share safe.

Swim Conditioning*

A workout designed by our certified coaches, this class gives the swimmer a challenge to improve their cardiovascular strength and endurance with the focus on proper stroke mechanics. This class is highly recommended for the novice level as well as triathletes. If there are more than 5 participants, all lanes will be used for this class. This class is for 18 years or older.

Swim 101*

This class is all about technique! Learn proper form for all six strokes through drills, technique and thorough instruction. For safety reasons, swimmers must be able to swim one length of the pool, but it doesn’t have to be pretty!

Swim 101 - First Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m. 

Water Aerobics*

Water Aerobics is a class designed to reduce weight-bearing stress, allowing for greater ease of movement and less impact on joints and muscles. By using water resistance and training aids this class will help you tone, strengthen, stretch and increase cardiovascular health.

Pilates & Plunge**

We will start with a half hour Pilates Mat class on the pool deck, then we will jump in for a half hour of swimming that focuses on core and balance. You do NOT need to be an avid swimmer to enjoy this class! Classes are offered on Fridays.  |  $15.00 per session

Fridays | 12:00 - 12:30 PM Pilates Studio  - 12:30 -1:00 PM Pool Deck                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  What to bring:  swimsuit, shorts or shirt & goggles

Team Hydra Swim Team**

This is a USA Swimming certified competitive swim team for swimmers ages 7-18. Swimmers must be able to swim one length of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle and be able to demonstrate a flip turn to join. Please contact Head Coach, Stephanie Cummings at sThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Private Swim Lessons

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Private and semi-private swim lessons are available and can be scheduled at your convenience. Start with an occasional lesson or set up a regular appointment for more rapid improvement and conditioning. Whether it’s your first time in the water or you are an avid swimmer, our professional and certified instructors can help you achieve your swimming goals! When contacting Aquatics Director, please add preferred day(s)/time(s), goals, and any obstacles to learning. Please contact Aquatics Director, Trevor L. Carroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find an instructor and set up a lesson!

• Lessons are available during the majority of Club operation hours.
• A complimentary 30-minute private lesson is included for new members!
• Non-members welcome, limit of one introductory class and up to one ‘5-pack’ of lessons before membership required.

2020 Pricing | Members ( have priority )

Group Lessons | 8 Pack 
$72.00 + tax | $9.00/class

Private Lessons
$32.50 + tax

Private Lessons | 5 Pack
$150.00 + tax

Private Lessons | 10 Pack
$292.50 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons
$40.00 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons  | 5 Pack
$186.00 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons  | 10 Pack
$360.00 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons x 3  - Pricing upon request

2020 Pricing  | Non-Members

Group Lessons | 8 Pack
$192.00 + tax | $24.00/class

Private Lessons
$47.00 + tax

Private Lessons | 5 Pack
$225.00 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons
$55.00 + tax

Semi-Private Lessons  | 5 Pack
$261.00 + tax 

Lesson Program

Group Swim Lessons

Our group classes range from “Parent & Tot” to the “Youth Swim Conditioning” level (please see descriptions below). Members and non-members may participate in our group lessons. If you have any questions regarding your swimmer’s ability level, please contact Aquatic Director, Trevor L. Carroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Each of our aquatic instructors is Lifeguard and CPR certified with extensive experience both as swimmers and instructors. Our small class size along with our fun and energetic instructors provides the student with the best opportunity to learn and grow in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

CLASS LEVELS (group & private)**

Group Swim Lessons (A Primer)

There is great benefit to learning the basics (and advanced intricacies) of swimming with one’s peers. The camaraderie and inherent competition of bettering oneself is best accomplished in group settings.

We strive to set the best first steps at all levels, rooting our instruction in foundational teaching and learning. Reliance and trust in the self as well as the water and instructor are key. It is for this reason that we strongly recommend not adding goggles until needed (usually Sea Lion class). Our new swim lesson program is sure to set you, your child and/or friend/family member up for the best possible learning experience in the water.

All questions can be directed to Aquatics Director Trevor Carroll, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parent-tot

Distance: N/A (occupies quarter of pool space)

Safety: Proper entry and exit, adaptation and introduction to air exchange

This class is for parent(s) and toddlers that are ages 6 months to 3 years. Focus is on water adaptation and safety. Parents will learn to safely instruct and handle toddlers in and around the water. Swim diapers and plastic pants required. Please change diapers prior to water entry. We will delight in showing you and your children safe and fun exploration of the water on Friday and Saturday mornings… Saturday mornings at 9:30 (following with group lesson program)

Otters

Distance: 5-10’ (up to flags)

Safety: Floating andrecovery

This class is for children ages 3 and older who are not able to float/glide by themselves. The focus is learning how to float and glide while becoming comfortable in the water using proper air exchange. The class is designed to keep the children interested and involved while also challenging them to trust the water, the instructor and themselves.

Seals

Distance: 15-20’ (flags to halfway)

Safety: Roll over to float, calling for help and lifejacket skills

For this class, the children should know how to float without assistance on their front andback comfortably. The focus will be on floating and kicking on their stomach and back, learning to take a breath and swimming to and from the wall without assistance.

Sea Lions

Distance: 20-60’(half to full length)

Safety: Reach in assist, boating safety and side-stroke

The ability to float, glide and kick is required for this class. The purpose of this class is to increase comfort, mobility and strength in the water. With the foundation of glide and kick established, it is now time to add arms and coordinated breathing. Focuses on rhythmic breathing, coordinated movement and introduction to breaststroke.

Dolphins

Distance: Several lengths of pool

Safety: Buddy system and water hazards

Children should be very comfortable in the water and must be able to swim the entire length of the pool using backstroke and freestyle (60’). This class will focus on breaststroke technique while reinforcing all that came before.

Orcas

Distance: 200–400 yards

Safety: Junior lifeguarding basics

Swimmers must be able to swim one length each of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke for this class. This class focuses on the butterfly technique as well as open and flip turns. Introduces reading workouts and precompetitive swim team drills.

Youth Swim Conditioning (Formerly Swim Team Prep)

YSC is for youth swimmers who have completed our swim lesson program, (Orca) and would like to take their swimming to the next level. Swimmers will learn how to read workouts and the pace clock, understand lane and training etiquette and be prepared to join a competitive swim team, or just advance their swimming overall. 45 minute class  |  11:45 AM-12:30 PM Saturday mornings. 

Adult Beginner I

Whether you are fearful or just lack experience, you are welcome!This class focuses on swimming basicssuch asair exchange, body position, kicking and arm strokes.

Adult Beginner II

Now it’s time to learn coordination with an emphasis on technique. Swimmers will learn correct form and complete various drills for each stroke to address specific needs for their strokes along with strength-building exercises to increase speed and endurance.

Private Lessons:

If a mixed-group dynamic does not seem like the best fit for you or your child, please consider one-on-one or semi-private lessons. Using the above structure, our highly trained and capable instructors will guide you through the process of becoming an ever better swimmer. We offer 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 ratios with single, 5-pack and 10-pack lessons.We work hard to accommodate your schedule.

All ages and abilities welcome.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Team Hydra Swim Team

 USA SWIMMING - Team Hydra (SAC)

The Seattle Athletic Club is the premier host for the year-round, USA Swimming Team Hydra. This team is dedicated to instilling a life-long passion for the sport of swimming by providing a positive, safe, respectful and fun environment in which swimmers learn how to swim competitively while learning the science behind the sport as well.

Through goal setting and training with a purpose, athletes will identify and overcome perceived limitations and achieve their true potential. We believe that the principles that guide Team Hydra will transfer to every aspect of our athletes’ lives.

Team members range from the ages of 7 to 18 and are divided into groups and practices based on ability and age. In order to join the team, swimmers MUST be able to swim freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly across the pool without hesitating, stopping or struggling, as well as demonstrate a flip turn.

There are three fundamental groups at Team Hydra; the Developmental Group, Age Group and Senior Group. Each group focuses on different aspects of competitive swimming with intensity, frequency and duration increasing as the swimmer moves up in groups. Groups are determined based on ability, commitment and age. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” criteria when placing swimmers, but instead look at each swimmer individually.

Developmental Training

This group is designed for swimmers ages 7-10 who are new to competitive swimming. Swimmers must be able to swim one length of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly across the pool without hesitating, stopping or struggling, as well as demonstrate a flip turn to join. This group focuses on technique, practice and swim meet terminology and competitive swimming basics.

Age Group Training

This group is designed for swimmers ages 10-12 who have competitive swimming experience and who are able to commit to at least 2 practices per week. Swimmers in this training group must have previously swum for a club team, or have been approved by the Head Coach.

Senior Training

This group is designed for swimmers ages 13-18 who have competitive swimming experience (summer league and high school swimming counts towards experience). Swimmers in this training group are committed to making at least 3 practices per week and all required swim meets.

For more information contact Team Hydras Head Coach  -  Stephanie Cummings |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

USA Swimming Team, Team Hydra Head Coach  |  Stephanie Cummings

Stephanie has been swimming competitively for 28 years and has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities for 18 years. She swam for the University of New Mexico and is the Head Coach of Team Hydra Swim Team in Seattle.

Stephanie's coaching philosophy is to make swimming a “lifelong sport”, and to instill the same amount of passion and love of the sport into her swimmers that she has. “To be a good swimmer, you must be strong and powerful, to be a great swimmer, you must also understand hydrodynamics, which is the science of swimming.” When it comes to competition, Stephanie believes that swimmers are only racing against one thing…the clock. “There will always be someone faster than you, there will always be someone slower than you, but if you improve your time, you are automatically a winner.”

FAQ

SAC NG AQUATICS FAQ 2020

How long is your pool?

20 yards or 60 feet. Slightly smaller than a “standard” pool which is usually 25 yards or 75 feet.

What is the size of your pool?

A “standard” pool is 6 lanes wide or just over 36 feet, by 25 yards or 75 feet, with varying depths of 3 to 9 feet deep. The SAC Northgate pool is 4 lanes wide or just 24 feet, 20 yards or 60 feet long; with a shallow depth of just over 3 feet and a full depths of 4 and 1/2 feet deep at drain. An overall volume of 35,000 gallons of water.

What are your hours?

With very few exceptions, the pool is open whenever the Club is open:

Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p. m.

Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Are you a Chlorine pool?

No, and yes. We use Saline as our primary sanitation system along with High Rate Sand filters. With Saline, and the process of electrolysis chlorine is a bi-product, which is as effective as a liquid chlorine pool with significantly less issues associated with standard chlorine pools, like chlorine “sting” or smell.

When can I swim laps?

Nearly all operating hours. We strive to allow for as much possible lap swimming as our schedule and member demand allows. Check pool schedule for details, but generally speaking; of the 112 hours of operation there are nearly 280 lap lane hours available. Only 8% of operating hours are dedicated to other programming which is exclusively Water Fitness and Swim Team.

Is there an Open Swim and when is it?

Open Swim runs daily from late morning to mid evening most days with occasional breaks for other programming such as Water Fitness or Swim Team. Check current pool schedule for details.

How is the pool laid out?

As a mixed-use, 4-lane pool we have only a few real options for pool layout. When not configured for Adult Lap Swim (All 4 lanes for lap), we leave two lanes open for lap, (Lanes 1 & 2) and move one lane line over to allow for our Mixed-use space, (Lanes 3 & 4) becoming an open space that can accommodate Open Swim, Private Lessons, Group Lessons, Therapy, or any other mixed use program.

When should I circle swim versus split the lane?

Generally speaking, when two lap swimmers are sharing a lane, they can “split” the lane, (left and right of center stripe.) If speeds are comparable and there will be a lot of butterfly stroke or breast stroke, or if there are three or more swimmers in a lane, circle swim is the way to go.

How many lap swimmers can be in one lane at one time?

There are many times a day where a lap swimmer can find a lane all to themselves. However, when busy we have no problem sharing lane space and getting two or three lap swimmers in each lane easily. If we plan accordingly by ability we could conceivably fit five swimmers in a lane. Swim Team is its own animal and they might get as many as eight in a lane, but that is exceedingly rare.

Do you offer swim lessons?

We do. In fact, it is one of our specialties. We offer both private lessons and group lessons. Based off of a foundational understanding of body mechanics and logical progression of learning that builds upon itself. Our system of instruction is rooted in trust; trust in oneself, trust in the instructor, and trust in the water. We offer swim lessons from those as old as 6 months, (parent-tot class), to those as senior as 100 plus. You are never too old to learn swimming. Check out current swim lesson offerings here.

Can non-members take swim lessons?

Yes, we allow non-members to take up to one session of group lessons, (average is 8 lessons per session). Or, an introductory private lesson, followed by up to a 5-pack of private lessons, (6 total) before urging membership and the continuation of lessons.

How do I go about getting private lessons?

Reach out to our Aquatics Director, Trevor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will collect your information and place it on our shared instructor document. Trevor will ask your name, the name(s) of the student(s), membership status, preferred day(s) & time(s), and goals for taking private lessons. From there he will add that information to the shared document. As soon as an instructor has matched availability, one of the instructors will reach out to you to schedule your first lesson.

When do you offer swim lessons?

We work with you to schedule private lessons. Group lessons run Monday & Wednesday afternoon each month. And Saturday mornings for two months at a time. Both Monday/Wednesday and Saturday usually run the same amount of classes, (average of 8 lessons per session.)

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

 2020 Registration for Group Lessons 

MARCH REGISTRATION

MEMBERS | February 18 th
NON-MEMBERS | February 25th

Mondays & Wednesdays

3:30-5:00 p.m.
March 2 nd – 25 th (8 Lessons)

Members | $72 Non-Members | $192

Saturdays
9:30 am - 12:30 pm

March 7 th – April 25th

(No Class 4/11)

APRIL REGISTRATION

MEMBERS | March 17 th
NON-MEMBERS | March 24th

Mondays & Wednesdays
3:30-5:00 p.m.
April 6 th – 29 th (8 Lessons)

Members | $72 Non-Members | $192

Tentative offerings for January/February 2020                                                                  

Monday & Wednesday

  3:30   Otter / Seal

  4:00   Sea Lion

  5:00   Dolphin / Orca

Saturday

  9:30  |  Otter/Seal | Sea Lion  | Parent-tot

  10:00 Otter/Seal  | Sea Lion | Dolphin/Orca

  10:30 Otter/Seal  | Sea Lion

  11:00 Otter/Seal | Sea Lion | Dolphin/Orca

  11:45 Youth Swim Conditioning (45 min Class) 

*Individual offerings of particular classes subject to change and will be listed on our website prior to each registration based on demand.

*Wait list(s) are important to inform us as to the want/demand of those classes. 

Sincerely,

Rob Lauren                                         Trevor L. Carroll                                               

General Manager                            Aquatics Director

Swim Lessons Registration 2020

*Classes subject to change based on enrollment and instructor availability. Offerings are set based off of current/projected enrollment, previous waitlist and instructor availability. Waitlists work! If you have any other questions please email Aquatics Director Trevor L. Carroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .