Swim Lessons

The City of Wheat Ridge is a Starfish Aquatics Institute Training Center and all our instructors receive training and certifications from the Starfish Aquatics Institute. Starfish Aquatics is recognized nationally and globally. Starfish Aquatics also collaborates with the USA Swimming Foundation. 

We offer group swim lessons for ages 6 months to 14 years old. 

We also offer private swim lessons for ages 3 - 6+. Interested in private swimming lessons? Private lessons are available for registration no later than 7 days before the lesson and no more than 1 month in advance. Register online at www.rootedinfun.com/register.

Each child has different swim experiences, backgrounds, and learning rates that may influence the rate each child acquires skills. Starfish Aquatics allows for instructors to modify lessons and teach skills from multiple levels. However, if there may be a safety risk due to depth or skills changes, we may ask to move you to a different level. As your child works through the levels you may also find that some levels need to be repeated a few times for that extra practice.

  1. StarBabies (6 -36 months)
  2. StarTots (1.5 - 5 years)
  3. Preschool (3-5 years)
  4. Youth (6-15 years)

A parent or trusted adult, along with the instructor, will help your child establish comfort in the water by teaching water adjustment and safety through fun games and songs. At least one adult must accompany your child in the water. Children must wear a swim diaper or tight-fitting swim pants under their bathing suit. Please note, this class is not intended to teach your child how to swim or survive in the water independently. 

  1. Jacob Rightenburg

    Aquatics Coordinator (Swim Lessons)

Register Online Search and register button

Program Information & Policies

  • Swimming can take a lot of energy and we suggest eating before lessons, but leaving about 30 minutes for food to settle before the lesson starts to avoid any upset stomachs.
  • All swimmers should use the bathroom prior to the start of the lesson to avoid any accidents. Children under 3 and any swimmers not potty trained must were Swim Diapers or tight-fitting Plastic Pants.
    • Clothes and diapers should be changed in locker-room or restroom facilitates. Family locker rooms and Single user on deck restrooms are available for families to utilize in addition to gendered locker rooms.
  • Parents are to remain in the pool area in case we need to clear the pool or participants need to use the bathroom.
  • Dive goggles, other goggles that cover the nose, and nose pieces are not permitted during lessons as they prevent participants for learning and practicing blowing air through the nose to prevent water from going into there. We recommend reducing use of goggles for early levels so participants can fully get used to the water.
  • There is no open swim during or between swim lesson.

Missed classes:

  • We do not offer refunds or make-ups for missed lessons. However, if you or another member of the household is ill with COVID like symptoms, test positive for COVID, or has been potentially exposed to COVID we ask that you do not attend swim lessons until the quarantine period expires.
  • If the pool closes unexpectedly, we will contact everyone with the information provided when you signed up, first via email, and then via phone. You can check with the front desk to make sure this information is up to date. We will credit your account for the missed lesson(s)
  • If the pool closes last minute or mid lesson, we will switch to an on-land safety day or move lessons to a different pool if possible.

If you have any questions about swim lessons, contact Jacob Rightenburg at jrightenburg@ci.wheatridge.co.us