**Please note that the call volume is very high and leaving multiple messages will delay calls being returned. Thank you for your patience. Please make sure to check the available prior to calling.
Learning to swim is a critical life skill. It is important for children of all ages to know basic swimming skills and water safety. NOVA runs perhaps the largest “learn-to-swim” program in the Richmond area. Each year, we teach over 6,000 lessons to children age three and up. Our SwimNOVA lessons program has five levels, each focusing on progressively more advanced skills. Our systematic instruction focuses on core body movements, adding skills over time, while our gentle approach that builds confidence in young children. Lessons are taught on weekdays or weekends (weekends are September through May).
Once a swimmer has completed the skills in all of our Level 5 lessons, we offer different programs that one of our coaches will recommend.
NOVA also offers a variety of clinics throughout the year. Our spring clinics (Sunday afternoons from March to May) are organized to help summer league swimmers get in the pool early to work on conditioning and technique.
Whether your child takes lessons to learn to swim with sound skills, or progresses through the program onto our competitive swim team, NOVA instructors and coaches will help him or her develop basic skills, a knowledge of water safety and a love of swimming. We look forward to seeing you in the pool!
SwimNOVA is training and hiring new swim instructors for the Fall 2024.
Interested candidates should reach out to Leslie Wenert at coachleslie@novaswim.org.
SwimNOVA Lessons Office
12207 Gayton Road.
Richmond, VA 23238
804-754-3401 x 1
In Person Office Hours at Gayton Sept-May:
M-Th 12:00-5:00 pm
Mondays and Wednesdays; OR Tuesdays and Thursdays
Holidays Break Schedule:
No lessons Wed. Nov. 27-Sun. Dec. 1 (Happy Thanksgiving)
Last day of Weekday 2024 is Dec. 19
No lessons Dec. 20-Jan. 5 (Happy New Year-Winter Break)
Lesson | Time | Availability |
---|---|---|
Preschoolers (3 and older)/Homeschoolers (Levels 1-5) | 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm | Limited |
Preschoolers (3 and older)/Homeschoolers (Levels 1-5) | 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm | Limited |
Preschoolers (3 and older)/Homeschoolers (Levels 1-5) | 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm | Limited |
Lesson | Time | Availability |
---|---|---|
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) | 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm | FULL |
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) | 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm | FULL |
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) | 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm | FULL |
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) | 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm | FULL |
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) | 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm | FULL |
Elementary age and older only (Levels 2-5 only) M/W only | 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm | FULL |
Month | Dates | Lessons Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
September M/W | 9/9-9/30 | $154 (7 classes) |
September T/Th | 9/10-9/26 | $132 (6 classes) |
October M/W | 10/2-10/30* | $198 (9 classes) |
October T/Th | 10/1-10/31* | $220 (10 classes) |
November M/W | 11/4-11/25 | $154 (7 classes) |
November T/TH | 11/5-11/26 | $154 (7 classes) |
December M/W | 12/2-12/18* | $132 (6 classes) |
December T/TH | 12/3-12/19* | $132 (6 classes) |
*Progress reports distributed in your parent portal on 10/30 or 10/31 AND 12/18 or 12/19.
Weekend Lessons are in “Sessions” and are sold separately.
Weekend Lessons are held at Gayton on Saturdays and Sundays for the following (two) separate Fall Sessions:
Lesson | Time | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
Fall Weekend Session #1 | Sept. 14/15, Sept. 21/22. Oct. 12/13, Oct. 19/20*. | $176 | FULL |
Fall Weekend Session #2 | Nov. 9/10, 23/24. Dec. 7/8, 14/15*. | $176 | FULL |
Winter 2025 Weekend Session #3 (Jan/Feb) | Jan 25/26. Feb 1/2, 8/9, 22/23*. | $176 | *priority registration goes to Weekend Session #2 participants |
Winter 2025 Weekend Session #4 (March) | March 8/9, 15/16, 22/23*. | $132 | *priority registration goes to Weekend Session #2 participants |
*Progress reports will be provided: Oct. 20, Dec. 15, Jan. 23, Mar. 23.
Lesson | Availability |
---|---|
10:00 am - 10:45 am | FULL |
10:45 am - 11:30am | FULL |
11:30 am - 12:15 pm | FULL |
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm | FULL |
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm | FULL |
Email: novalessons@novaswim.org
Lessons Office: 12207 Gayton Road Richmond, Virginia 23238
In Person Office Hours at Gayton Sept-May:
M-Th 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Phone: 804-754-3401 option #1
All families are required to read our SwimNOVA Lessons Policies: click here.
NOVA’s Lessons program is supported by our sponsor:
Swimmers must be 3 years and older and absolutely potty trained (no swim diapers). Some swimmers may benefit from beginning group lessons at 3.5 or 4 years old. Swimmers must be able to follow instructions in a class setting for the safety of the entire class.
Swimmers who have never had lessons or are not comfortable doing the skills listed below. No goggles are allowed.
Skills needed to progress to level 2:
Swimmers who are able to perform Level 1 skills
Skills needed to progress to level 3:
Swimmers who are able to perform Level 2 skills.
Skills needed to progress to level 4:
Swimmers who are able to perform Levels 2 and 3 skills.
Skills needed to progress to level 5:
Swimmers who are able to pass Level 3 and 4 skills.
Skills needed to progress to Strokes School or Novice Bronze:
The following levels after Level 5 lessons are under the NOVA lessons program. There are different options for swimmers whether the desire is to join the team or to continue to work on stroke and skill improvement and endurance in a twice weekly practice.
Registration is through the lessons office. There is not the commitment of the swim team (contracts, volunteer hours, meets, etc.).
Click here to View NOVA Strokes School Programs.
Parents must determine a child’s readiness for swim lessons.
NOVA accepts children:
Required Swim Attire:
The Facility, Bathrooms, Locker Rooms, and Classes:
Photos/videos:
Class Registration and Enrollment:
Weekday Classes
Weekend Classes
Leveling up to the next level:
Registration Fee:
Make-Up Classes:
Inclement Weather:
Placing a swimmer at a level that they are not ready for is not appropriate and will not accelerate progression in our program. Swimmers that have not been in the water for several months will lose skills they may have mastered before, so enrolling in a level below is usually appropriate.
Payment Policy:
Drop Policy – Weekday Classes:
Drop Policy – Weekend Classes:
Refund Policy:
Enrollment Policy:
Q: I am new to the SwimNOVA program, how do I know what level to put my child in?
A: There is a guide called “Choosing a Level” on the SwimNOVA Lessons homepage which describes the skills needed for each level. For additional help the lessons office can assist when registering. Please note our levels are different from other swim schools.
Q: I called the lessons office and no one answered.
A: The lessons office answers calls and returns messages in the order that they come in during office hours. Please leave one message and your call will be returned. Please do not call the business office or the Virginia Swim Shop. *Please note that the call volume is very high and leaving multiple messages will delay calls being returned
Q: I don’t understand why last year my child was swimming and very comfortable in the water but this year is afraid and can’t seem to remember his skills?
A: Young children learn swimming skills by repetition and practice, just like other skills apart from swimming. If a child has not been in the water in several, or even a few months, they will often “lose” their skills and have to relearn them. That is why on the report cards swimmers get at the end of each session, it states that the recommended level is valid for 60 days.
Q: My child’s progress report only has one item not proficient or above, why does she have to repeat that level?
A: Most of the time that “one missing skill” is the most important and challenging skill to pass a level. SwimNOVA has only 5 levels, and those levels have specific skills to master, unique in the SwimNOVA program. The skills needed to pass a level are mandatory for the next level.
Q: Can’t we just put my child in a level ahead to push them more?
A: No. Putting a swimmer in a level they are not ready for will not accelerate their learning swimming skills, in fact it will do the opposite. It will also compromise the rest of the swimmers that do belong in that level. If this happens you may not be guaranteed a spot in the session.
Q: I see you only teach children 3 years old and over that are potty trained. What can I do with my younger child to prepare them for lessons?
A: Consistent bathtub and pool playtime with parents is very important for younger children to get comfortable in the water. Learning to blow bubbles, get their face, eyes and ears wet can be made a fun yet constructive way to lay a foundation to help success in formal lessons in the future. Comfort in the water is very important.
Q: Is enrollment in subsequent sessions automatic?
A: No, with one exception. Weekend sessions (during the school year) and the summer sessions are NOT automatic re enrollment, thus a swimmer must be registered online for each session they intend to swim. The weekday lessons during the school year are the ONLY lessons in which a swimmer is automatically re enrolled. Read the Policies on Class Registration regarding our enrollment and drop policies.
Q: My child’s swim lesson ran for only 30 minutes and I thought classes were 45 minutes long, why was the class shortened?
A: Classes are 45 minutes long. If only 1 or 2 swimmers show up for a class, the instructor will run the class for 30 minutes.
Q: I would like to talk to my child’s instructor about his progress, when is a good time?
A: The best time to talk with an instructor when the class is completely over, as long as the instructor does not have another class immediately after. Please do not take up class time when the instructor is teaching. If an instructor has a class right after your child’s class, please try to talk to the instructor the minute or two before your class begins. If necessary, you can pass along a question to one of the lessons directors and they can find an answer for you.
Q: Will my child be on the swim team when they finish the SwimNOVA program?
A: Our program teaches proper stroke technique as if each swimmer in lessons would be swimming on the team someday. Some swimmers do join the team, while others learn to swim in our program to be skilled, confident and safe in the water, which is a necessary skill that will last a lifetime. All swimmers are taught in the same manner no matter which path they are on. Once they finish Level 5, they will be evaluated for team readiness. We also have programs for swimmers who want to continue swimming without the commitment of the swim team (contracts, meets, volunteer requirements).
Q: My child likes swimming, wants to continue past lessons, but is hesitant about swimming in meets, are meets really important?
A: Yes they are. Once a swimmer is on the team, techniques and skills are still the main focus. The best way to measure a swimmer’s progress is by putting the tools they have learned to use, in competition. Most younger swimmers new to the team are a bit nervous about their first meet, but once they have accomplished it, they are happy and confident. Just like children who play soccer, baseball, basketball or any other sport are expected to play in games or matches, the same expectation is there for swim team. The first level of the team (Novice Silver) requires participating in 2 meets during the season.
Q: I have asked my child if he wants to take swim lessons, and he says “no”, what should I do?
A: Unlike other sports, swimming is a lifesaving skill. ballet, soccer or karate are sports or activities that parents may want to give their child a choice in doing, but never learning how to swim. Once again, it is a lifesaving skill. A positive “you’re going to learn to swim” is the correct approach with a child.
Q: My child is in a weekend session and we went to swim lessons and there were no lessons, Why were they canceled without us knowing?
A: The weekend lessons are scheduled by specific dates that are on the website. Certain weekends during a session may be skipped due to swim meets or holidays and are planned ahead of time. Please note those dates when registering for a session.
Session | Dates | # Lessons | Prices |
---|---|---|---|
Summer Session #1 | June 3,4,5,6/ 10,11,12,13 | 8 classes | $160 |
Summer Session #2 | June 17,18,19,20/ 24,25,26,27 | 8 classes | $160 |
Summer Session #3 | July 1,2,3/ 8,9,10,11 | 7 classes: (no classes July 4) | $140 |
Summer Session #4 | July 15,16,17,18/ 22,23,24,25 | 8 classes | $160 |
Lesson Time | |
---|---|
10:00-10:45 am | FULL |
10:45-11:30 am | FULL |
11:30 am-12:15 pm | FULL |
12:15-1:00 pm | FULL |
Break 1:00-2:30 pm | FULL |
2:30-3:15 pm | FULL |
3:15-4:00 pm | FULL |
4:00-4:45 pm | FULL |
4:45-5:30 pm | FULL |
5:30-6:15 pm | FULL |
6:15-7:00 pm | FULL |