Swimming
Dive into the olympic-sized pool at The St. James. From swim classes to swim clubs, adults and kids will enjoy splashing around when they join our fun and safety-focused swimming programs.
The St. James Swim Club
Learn, improve, and compete in the pool. The swimming programs at The St. James are open to almost all ages and abilities. Whether you want to give your kids life-saving water skills, or you’re looking for competitive swimming clubs, we can help you achieve it. Beyond swim lessons and swim teams, The St. James Pool House is open for cross-training, lap swimming, triathlon training, sport rehabilitation, and more. We offer:
- An indoor, olympic-sized training and competition pool
- Swimming lessons for kids and adults
- Swim club for competitive racing
- Private swim lessons and personalized training
- Seasonal pool programs and pool obstacle courses
Our 52-meter Myrtha training and competition pool features:
- Removable headwall and 20 track start blocks including the backstroke start system
- Stainless steel construction and an infinity-edge overflow gutter to reduce wake.
Swim Evaluations
Swim evaluations is a great opportunity for your athlete to meet our head coaches and get evaluated for one of the many programs we are offering in the Fall. Whether your athlete is looking to join our Splash, Recreation, or Competitive teams, this will be a great chance to meet the coaches, learn more about the programs, and get an idea of what it would be like to swim at the St. James.
The evaluation includes a skill assessment to determine the best fit for our teams, and an information session to learn about our team structure, practice schedules, and the benefits of joining one of our swim teams.
If you have any questions, please email swimming@thestjames.com
Swim Teams
Ready to race? The St. James Swim Club is a USA Swim team sanctioned to compete against the top swimmers from across the country. STJ athletes work as a team, building skills that help them excel in the water and on the deck. Whether you are looking for swimming teams for kids or more competitive swimming clubs, our program can help you meet your goals. Benefits of joining an STJ swim team include:
- Coaching from passionate, expert coaches
- Cultivating a lifelong love of swimming
- Building character, leadership skills, friendships, and team spirit
- Strength and conditioning that help you perform in and out of the pool
- Access to one of the finest swimming facilities in the DMV
Competitive Swim Team
Competitive level group practices for all athletes who are competent in all four strokes. These athletes will have the ability to compete with other local and national clubs. Pre-requisite: Must be able to swim all four strokes legally.
Ages
Coed 4 - 18
Schedule
Practices occur Monday thru Saturday
Winter Recreational Swim Team
Join our recreational swim team, designed for swimmers new to competitive swimming, those preparing for high school teams, or athletes managing multiple sports. With practices twice a week, you can improve your swimming skills without overwhelming your schedule.
Our flexible schedule allows multi-sport athletes to choose their practice days each week, making it easy to balance swimming with other activities. Whether you're a beginner looking to develop your skills or an experienced swimmer seeking a low-commitment team option, our program offers a supportive, flexible environment for everyone.
Ages
CO-ED 4 - 18
Schedule
Practices Occur Monday thru Saturday
Splash Academy
The Splash Academy is the perfect way to get your athlete started in the world of swimming. For athletes between the ages of 4-10, the Splash Academy is a developmental program that helps your athlete succeed by putting them in a smaller group of similarly skilled athletes (4 athletes per 1 Coach). With practices twice a week for four weeks, your athlete will be reinforcing life saving skills, as well as preparing themselves for any future time on any swim team.
- 4 to 1 athlete to coach ratios for a conducive learning environment
- Teach your athletes life skills that they can carry through any sport or profession
- Swim with similarly skilled athletes to help grow their love of the sport
Private Swimming Lessons
We offer private swimming lessons for everyone, from first-time swimmers to competitive racers. New to the water? Our safety-focused swim coaches will teach you or your kids vital, life-saving swimming skills. Looking to improve your time? STJ coaches will help you increase stamina, fine-tune stroke movements, and build swim-enhancing physical fitness including flexibility and cardiovascular strength.
First Time Swimmers
The St. James swim instructors work with beginners from infants to adults to make sure everyone is comfortable in the pool. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends youth swimming lessons to protect from drowning as early as age one. Parents are welcome to watch from our comfortable spectator seating we guide their children through water basics. Private swimming lessons are available for adults of every age as well. Adults in particular often benefit from personalized attention to help them overcome any preconceived notions or fears of the water.
Instructors teach the basics, including safely entering the pool, floating, treading water, breathing, kicking with your legs and stroking with your arms. The St. James Swim Program recommends new swimmers should expect to spend at least 2 hours a week in the pool to achieve competency.
Advanced Swim Lessons
The St. James Swim offers advanced lessons for competitive swimmers who are looking to improve in the pool. Whether its correcting form, practicing dives or kick turns, or working on an individual stroke - we have expert instructors to guide you to become faster and more powerful in the water. One-on-one instruction allows for coaches to identify weaknesses and suggest ways to improve on a personalized basis. This is how individual swimmers can gain a competitive edge and advance to elite levels in the sport.
Masters Swim Program
The St. James Masters swimming program is a team-based training program to help adult athletes achieve their swimming goals. From basic swim principles to advanced racing techniques, STJ pro swim coaches give personalized instruction to help all levels become more proficient in the water.
Practices are run with a punch pass system. Each pass is valid for one year from the purchase date and can be used at any of the STJ Masters swim practices.
Practice Days & Times
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:00 AM-7:00 AM, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
- Wednesdays: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
- Sundays: 7:00 AM-8:30 AM (long course)
Not sure you're ready for Masters swim practices? No worries! Join our pre-masters swimming program:
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:00 AM-8:00 AM
Swimming Camps
School's Out Day Camps
We know how difficult it is to find suitable care for your children on student holidays. The St. James has you covered with our new Ultimate Sports & Adventure Day Camp! A wide range of sports and activities, your child will get to explore lots of new games and adventures. Campers will have the chance to compete in our fieldhouse, try out their skills in our courthouse, and explore their digital and creative side in our Super Awesome & Amazing facility.
Ages
5 - 13
Schedule
- 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Extended Day | 7:30 AM-6:00 PM
Meet Our Aquatics Admin
Randy Cooper
Director of Aquatics
Bailey Fouse
Assistant Director of Swim
Jessie Bricker
Head Swim Coach
Get in Touch
Interested in swimming at The St. James? Contact us to request information about adult and youth swimming lessons, swim teams, and more.