From swim lessons for every age to lap swimming, aquatic group exercise, and therapeutic recovery, acac Aquatics offers programs and amenities designed to build confidence, improve health, and inspire community.

Today’s Aquatics Classes

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Indoor Pools

Year-round access with heated lap lanes, swim lessons, and group exercise classes, making fitness fun no matter the season.

Outdoor Pools

Open-air pools with sun decks and shaded areas, perfect for summer swims, family fun, or laid-back relaxation.

Family Pools

Shallow zones and splash areas give kids a safe place to swim and play while adults enjoy the water close by.

Hot Tubs

Relax and recover in bubbling hot tubs designed for soothing muscles, unwinding, and restoring your energy.

Rooftop Pools

Take in elevated views while you swim, lounge, or socialize in rooftop pools designed for both energy and escape.

Waterparks

Enjoy waterslides, splash pads, and interactive play features that turn pool time into family adventure.

Expert Swim Instruction for Every Level

From first strokes to advanced training, explore our aquatics programming below to find the right path for each swimmer.

Dolphin Babies

Designed for young children and their caregivers, these swim lessons create a fun and safe environment to learn the basics of swimming. Classes focus on building water confidence, encouraging bonding between parent and child, and developing foundational swimming skills through engaging activities and games. Perfect for children 6 months – 3 years old.

Participating Locations | Albemarle Square, Downtown, Greenville, Five Forks, Midlothian, Short Pump, West Chester

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

Dolphin Club

Dolphin Club helps swimmers refine their stroke and build endurance in our non-competitive conditioning program.

Participating Locations | Greenville, Five Forks, Midlothian, Short Pump

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

Dolphin Swim School

Our signature swim school is an ideal learn-to-swim program for novice swimmers ages 3+. Our instructors are trained in the Starfish Aquatic International Swim School curriculum, focusing on creating safer swimmers by developing both swim and safety skills.

Participating Locations | Albemarle Square, Downtown, Greenville, Five Forks, Midlothian, Short Pump, West Chester

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

Elite Performance

Designed for competitive swimmers and athletes, Elite Performance provides advanced training to refine technique, boost endurance, and enhance race strategy. Coaches focus on stroke efficiency, speed work, and individualized feedback, helping swimmers reach their full potential in the pool. Whether training for competition or personal achievement, this program takes performance to the next level.

Participating Locations | Downtown

Contact our team for further details and registration.

Masters Swimming

Designed for adults who love to swim, Masters offers a structured training environment that improves endurance, refines technique, and builds camaraderie. Participants enjoy consistent coaching, variety, and a welcoming community of fellow swimmers.

Participating Locations | Albemarle Square, Midlothian, Five Forks

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

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Mighty Dolphins

Mighty Dolphins is our program for children 6+ who are able to swim but need to work on stroke development. Children must be able to swim the length of the pool without assistance or floatation and float on their back.

Participating Locations | Albemarle Square, Five Forks

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

Private Swim Lessons

Personalized, one-on-one swim instruction tailored to the individual needs of each swimmer. Whether building water confidence, refining technique, or preparing for competition, our instructors design lessons to match goals and pace. Swimmers of any age benefit from focused attention, faster progress, and customized tracking in a flexible format. Ideal for learners who thrive individually.

To sign up for lessons or for more information, contact our team.

Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Experience the perfect blend of personal instruction and peer encouragement with semi-private lessons. With 2–3 swimmers per group, participants enjoy individualized coaching while sharing the energy of a small class. This setting is ideal for siblings, friends, or peers who thrive in a supportive, team-like environment.

To sign up for lessons or for more information, contact our team.

Swim Team

The acac Swim Team is a developmental youth aquatics program promoting personal growth through competitive swimming. Programs run year-round for all age group and skill levels.

Participating Locations | Charlottesville, Greenville, Five Forks, Midlothian, West Chester

To sign up or for more information, contact our team.

Terrified Adults Swim Lessons

This unique program helps adults who have a fear of water build confidence and comfort in a safe, supportive setting. Experienced instructors guide participants step by step, focusing on water safety, relaxation, and foundational swim skills at a pace that feels approachable. The goal is to transform fear into confidence and create lifelong swimmers, no matter when they start.

Participating Locations | Downtown

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

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Training & Certifications

Prepare for a vital role in aquatic safety with American Red Cross lifeguard certification. Receive certifications in Lifeguard Training, First Aid, CPR for the Professional, and AED.

Participating Locations | Albemarle Square, Downtown, Midlothian, Short Pump, West Chester

View our program and events calendar for sessions or contact our team for more information.

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Additional Programs

Family Swim provides dedicated time for members of all ages to enjoy the water together in a safe and welcoming environment. It’s the perfect chance for kids to practice swimming skills outside of lessons and for families to bond with fun pool activities.

Schedules vary by club — see your club’s location page for hours.

Aquatic Group Exercise brings energy and variety to the pool with classes that combine cardio, strength, and resistance training in a low-impact environment. From Aqua Fit to deep-water workouts, these classes provide a great way to improve endurance, burn calories, and strengthen muscles without joint stress. All sessions are led by certified instructors who keep the workouts motivating and safe.

View our Group Exercise Schedule to locate a class.

Our lap lanes give members the freedom to swim on their own schedule in a welcoming, comfortable setting. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just getting started, you’ll enjoy a peaceful, effective workout every time you dive in. Reservations are only required at our Downtown and Albemarle Square clubs.

Visit the acac app to reserve your lane.

Aquatics FAQs

White Level | Requirements: Must be 3 years old | Focus: Trust & Submersion | Skills Learned:

  • Jump to instructor
  • Sit independently
  • Wall walk
  • Follow directions
  • Climb out independently
  • Pour water over head
  • Hold breath
  • Look underwater (with or without goggles)

Red Level | Requirements: Must demonstrate all previous level skills | Focus: Body Position & Air Recovery | Skills Learned:

  • Submerge and float back up
  • Assisted front and back streamline
  • Assisted/unassisted rolls (front to back and vice versa)
  • Submerge and recover for air
  • Assisted/unassisted back float

Yellow Level | Requirements: Must demonstrate all previous level skills | Focus: Treading Water | Skills Learned:

  • Front/back streamline with kick
  • Rotation to side glide with kick
  • Forward movement with kill and pull (front and back)
  • Retrieve submerged object

Blue Level | Requirements: Must demonstrate all previous level skills | Focus: Body Rotation | Skills Learned:

  • Tread water
  • Side glide with kicks (all sides)
  • Front/back streamline with rotation
  • Side glide to stroke and roll for breathing
  • Freestyle/backstroke with rolling for breath

Green Level | Requirements: Must demonstrate all previous level skills | Focus: Integrated Movement | Skills Learned:

  • Survival float
  • Side glide + 3 freestyle strokes + roll to back
  • Link multiple stroke sets with rolls for breath
  • Dive from side to pool

No. Swim lessons are open to both acac members and non-members. If your swimmer is a non-member, please stop by the front desk to sign our guest waiver before your first session. A signed waiver is required for program participation.

Classes are 30 minutes in length and are expected to start and end on time. We kindly ask that swimmers arrive 5 minutes early to the pool deck and wait to enter the water until the instructor invites them to do so. Please be on the pool deck ready to pick up your swimmer 5 minutes before the session ends. Consistent late pickups may result in registration termination and forfeiting the session fee.

Please bring these items for a great swim lesson:

  • Bathing suit
  • Goggles (optional)
  • Swim Cap (optional)
  • Hair secured and pulled away from the face
  • Swim Diaper (for children not completely potty trained)
  • Sunscreen (outdoor facilities)
  • Towel (depending on facility)

Facilities with bathrooms, showers, and lockers for securing personal items are available for your use. Family & assisted changing rooms/bathrooms are available at most locations.

Group lessons are conducted with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 6 participants, led by a single instructor.

Due to high demand, payment must be completed at the time of registration in order to secure a place in the class roster.

Refunds will only be given when requested by email to the swim lesson coordinator 72 hours prior to the first class of the session. In the event the facility is not operable due to mechanical or chemical issues and the lesson is cancelled, a credit will be applied towards the next Dolphin Swim school session. If lessons are impacted due to inclement weather, dry land activities may take place, or the lesson may be canceled. If the lesson is cancelled due to inclement weather a credit will be applied towards the next Dolphin Swim School session. This is only applicable if less than 50% of the lesson took place. In the event a participant is unable to attend due to a medical issue, please send an email with a note from a medical provider. The swim lesson coordinator will review the request and the missed lesson fee may be refunded.

Safety is always our top priority. If the aquatics center is closed due to weather, pool maintenance, or other factors, members are notified promptly via email or social media.

Yes! Our indoor aquatic centers are open year-round, so you can swim no matter the season. Our outdoor pools open mid-spring and remain open throughout the summer.

No. You are not required to reserve a lane. However, we highly encourage reservations to guarantee a lane when you arrive to swim.

Fitness that fits your life at acac

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Group Exercise
Group Exercise

Cardio, strength, and group fitness classes that keep you motivated and moving. Build fitness alongside a community that shows up with you.

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With state-of-the-art training spaces, premium recovery amenities, and classes for every fitness level, discover how acac can help you live your best.