ARC Aquatics
Our clubs offer both indoor and outdoor pool options. At the Downtown location, we have a saltwater pool, hot tub, and steam room that are open year-round. We also offer an outdoor pool with a pavilion that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. At our South location, we have a Junior Olympic-sized outdoor pool and a baby pool that are both open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Guests are welcome Monday – Thursday. We are members only Friday – Sunday.
For any Information on Swim Lessons please email arcdowntownswim@ashevilleracquetclub or arcsouthswim@ashevilleracquetclub.com depending on your desired location.
Department Contacts
- Billy Martinez – Aquatics Director – for questions about the facilities & lifeguards please contact bmartinez@ashevilleracquetclub.com
- Shalene Hill – Assistant Aquatics Director – for questions about the swim team please contact shill@ashevilleracquetclub.com
Class Descriptions
Baby & Me (ages 6 – 24 months)
This class is designed to get you and your child comfortable in the water. This is an introductory class & caretakers hold the baby throughout. Instructors teach proper holding position, how to relate to your infant in the water & gentle movement to help swimmers get used to buoyancy. We sing songs & do group activities while teaching parents how to support their little ones with their swimming endeavors. Because of space only ONE parent/caregiver is allowed in the water with the swimmer. All children participating must wear swim diapers.
Toddler & Me (ages 2 & 3 years & a caregiver)
This class is designed to get you and your child comfortable in, bonded with, and enjoying the water. We use storytelling, verbal cues, and singing to increase comfort and engage your swimmer’s imagination so your little ones can learn to enjoy the water safely. Parents/caregivers are in the water with their swimmers. We work on getting faces wet, floating, arm paddles, leg kicks, swimming gently, and proper body dynamics. Because of space: ONE parent/caregiver is allowed in the water with the swimmer. All children participating must wear swim diapers.
Big Kid & Me (ages 3, 4 & 5 & a caregiver)
In this class we will work on proper breathing techniques, back floating for rest, swimming the front crawl correctly, using arms and feet properly, and gaining confidence in their swimming ability. Parents will assist in the water. In this class, parents are in the water primarily for safety reasons and to reinforce the habit of getting into the water together as family lessons are taught using the “Fuzzy Caterpillar” swim lesson curriculum where songs/games will be involved so be ready to sing along. All swimmers under the age of 4 & anyone who is not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper.
Group for Beginner Kids 5 – 9 Years old
This is a group for children who are beginning to get comfortable in the water. A group setting can be great because kids are often motivated by watching their peers try new & brave skills. Lessons are taught using the “Fuzzy Caterpillar” swim lesson curriculum consisting of a story, song, 3 brave tries per swimmer, games & a closing song. The goal during these lessons is that swimmers learn how to hold their breath & blow air out of their noses, that they get comfortable putting their mouth, nose, goggles, head & ears in the water & that they learn how to be horizontal on the water in a back & front float. These are often the biggest hurdles to learning to swim so any at-home support or bath time practice that parents/caregivers are willing and able to invest in will help swimmers progress more rapidly. Swimmers must have the aptitude & behavioral skills to be able to stay in the shallow water or on the stairs or swim platform while it is not their turn to swim with the instructor & need to know how to listen & follow instructions.
Beginner swimmers are those who:
- Are willing & potentially excited about getting in the water & learning to swim.
- Are willing to get their heads wet but may not know how.
- Have decided to forgo the use of any flotation devices and are committed to learning how to swim independently (flotation devices such as puddle jumpers inform the body in counterintuitive ways and are a hindrance to learning proper swimming skills.)
