Group Swim Lessons
Teaching young children to swim offers numerous benefits, primarily related to safety, physical development, and overall well-being. Swimming lessons can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, providing a crucial life-saving skill. Beyond safety, swimming improves coordination, strength, and endurance, contributing to a child’s physical health and fitness. Additionally, swimming can boost confidence, enhance cognitive development, and provide a fun and engaging activity for children. Holmes Run Pool offers two fun-filled classes for children of different ages and levels of readiness.
Class Details
When
June 20 through August 2, 2026
Classes meet once a week for 6 weeks.
No classes will be held on July 4th weekend.
Where
Meet in the Upper Pool by the steps.
Safety is a top priority. A lifeguard is always guarding the Upper Pool during lessons.
Cost
$150 for 6 classes
Parent & Paddler (6 mo to 4 yrs)
Parent & Paddler lessons are for the youngest swimmers and require a parent to be in the water with their child. Children and parents learn water safety skills, water adjustment, and basic swimming strategies. Meet other parents and children of similar ages from our pool community!
To maximize the benefits of your lesson, we recommend a ratio of one parent to one child.
Session Schedule
Saturdays, 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm
Sundays, 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm
* Days and times are contingent on enrollment.
Learn to Swim (3 to 7 yrs)
Children old enough to separate from their parents can sign up for Learn to Swim lessons. Children will be instructed in basic water safety, how to float in the water, submerge face under water, kick, and begin arm strokes.
For Learn to Swim classes, parents may choose to observe from the chairs on the pool deck, but younger swimmers may focus better when their parent or guardian is not nearby. So in some cases, it’s best to give your swimmer and instructor some space.
Session Schedule
Saturdays, 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
Sundays, 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
* Days and times are contingent on enrollment.
Swim Instructors
Prix Hixson
Prix Hixson
Swimming has been such a large part of Prix’s life, since she was seven years old. Holmes Run Pool is where she learned to love the water and competitive swimming. She grew up as a year-round swimmer and loved it, whether she was on a club team or in high school. As soon as it was possible (the summer she turned 13), she began her leadership roles at Holmes Run Pool. She first started as a swim team lane leader, teaching younger swimmers basic water skills every morning of summer swim practice. At 14, she started working as a swim instructor at the Camp Rodef Shalom summer camp hosted at Holmes Run Pool while continuing as a lane leader for the swim team. The next year, she became a private and group swim instructor. Overall, she has an extensive history in the pool, working with people of all ages, ranging from a few months old to ages 65+. She would love to share her swimming skills, whether that means working on technique or basic pool skills and she would especially love to help you or your kids!
Tessa Wright
Tessa Wright
Tessa has been a competitive swimmer for more than 10 years and is skilled in all four competitive strokes. Her favorite events are freestyle and butterfly, where she earned recognition as an All-Star swimmer, competed at the Junior Olympic level in butterfly, and was a member of an All-Star freestyle relay team.
She has experience teaching group swim lessons at Holmes Run Pool and a local swim school, as well as assisting with winter swim team coaching. Tessa is passionate about helping children build confidence in the water while developing strong swimming skills. She emphasizes water safety, awareness, and good technique, creating a positive and supportive learning environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Tessa holds certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED. She is also a PADI-certified scuba diver and enjoys exploring the ocean whenever she has the opportunity. Ask her about diving with sharks!
Her lifelong love of the water helps her connect with young swimmers, whether they are interested in competitive swimming, learning essential water safety skills, or exploring their curiosity about the ocean and the natural world.
Mary Gallacher
Mary Gallacher
Mary Gallacher is a rising senior at Falls Church High School and has been a member of the Holmes Run Pool community for more than 10 years. She has served as a lane leader on the swim team for the past four years and is an active swimmer on both her high school and summer swim teams.
In addition to competing, Mary enjoys sharing her love of swimming by coaching young swimmers, teaching group lessons, and providing private instruction. She has extensive experience working with children ages 5–12, both in and out of the water, and is passionate about helping swimmers build confidence and develop strong aquatic skills.
Mary especially enjoys working with Tropical Storm swimmers (beginners on the swim team), teaching the fundamentals of swimming and helping children feel comfortable and safe in the water. She is proficient in teaching all four competitive strokes and works closely with swimmers and parents to address individual goals and challenges. Her primary goal as an instructor is to create a positive, encouraging environment where swimmers can gain confidence, improve their skills, and have fun while learning to love the water.
Swim Lesson Registration
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