michael phelps swim school

A learn to swim program for all ages and abilities.

Registration
Registration enrollment begins the 5th week of the current session. Participants currently in the program have an early registration option starting on the 4th week of their session. For more information, please contact mpss@merrittclubs.com or download information on Michael Phelps Swim School curriculum and policies here.

Swim School Locations

Merritt Athletic Clubs Canton
3401 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
Michael Phelps Swim School Brochure for Merritt Canton
Private and semi-private lessons may be scheduled for children and adults.
See our Private Lessons Brochure for more information. You may start at any time.
For more information, please contact Ryan Moore.
Phone: 410-563-0225
E-mail: rmoore@merrittclubs.com

Merritt Athletic Clubs Eldersburg
1388 Progress Way, Eldersburg, MD 21874
Michael Phelps Swim School Brochure for Merritt Eldersburg
Private and semi-private lessons may be scheduled for children and adults.
See our Private Lessons Brochure for more information. You may start at any time.
For more information, please contact Eldersburg Aquatics Department.
Phone: 410-549-8855
E-mail: eldersburgaquatics@merrittclubs.com

Merritt Athletic Clubs Towson
8757 Mylander Lane, Towson, MD 21286
Michael Phelps Swim School Brochure for Merritt Towson
Private and semi-private lessons may be scheduled for children and adults.
See our Private Lessons Brochure for more information. You may start at any time.
For more information, please contact Jared Welsh.
Phone: 410-821-0160
E-mail: jwelsh@merrittclubs.com

Aquatic Instruction
The first level of aquatic instruction is the Get Wet level. This is a parent and child class for children 3 years of age and younger (exceptions are made for older children). This level focuses on water comfort, games, and relaxing in a warm water environment. Parents are instructed and encouraged to challenge each child's skills and level of comfort in the water. Continually under the guidance of an experienced instructor, the emphasis in this class is on fun in the water!

The next level is Pre-Beginner. This is our first class without parental involvement. Children must have reached the age of three to enroll in this level. The emphasis is on basic water skills such as floating, aided and unaided, blowing bubbles and retrieving items from the bottom of a shallow (3 foot) area. Listening to instructions and working within a group are also stressed along with very important water safety lessons. This level has games and activities which serve to give the child a comfortable feel for the water. Children will become comfortable going under the water. Pre-Beginner has two age divisions. Pre-Beginner I is for 3-5 year olds. Pre-Beginner II is for 5-8 year olds. The skills covered in the two divisions are identical in intention if not form.

By far the largest level of lessons is Beginner. These children are very comfortable in the water, able to completely submerge and can float on the front and the back. Children remain in the Beginner level until they are swimming freestyle and demonstrating rotary breathing. It is not unusual for children to remain in this level for multiple sessions, as the skills to be mastered are quite broad and varied. As with Pre-Beginner or any of our levels, there are two age divisions in Beginner. Beginner I is for children ages 4-6 and Beginner II is for children ages 6-10 years.

Advanced Beginner is the next level in which freestyle (crawl) stroke skills are honed and other competitive strokes are introduced and taught. Children should be able to demonstrate rotary breathing and have mastered the air exchange process. Similar to the other levels, there are two age levels of this class. Advanced Beginner I is for swimmers ages 4-6. Advanced Beginner II is for swimmers 7 years and older.

Intermediate is the highest level of group lessons as structured above. Intermediate swimmers can swim a distance unaided while demonstrating good rotary breathing with freestyle and a competent backstroke. These children will work to improve their skills so they can swim several laps of each stroke.

The ultimate goal of the Michael Phelps Swim School is to develop the whole person physically and mentally. Swim classes include personal safety, stroke development, water sports and games, personal growth, and rescue skills. We want to ensure that each of our participants has an opportunity to become very comfortable in the water.

For more information about Michael Phelps Swim School at Merritt Athletic Clubs, please contact mpss@merrittclubs.com.