Private Swim Lessons
Personalized swim instruction is available for all ages and skill levels! Whether you are a brand-new swimmer looking to build confidence, or a competitive swimmer wanting to improve your meet times, we can help you succeed. Book Private Lessons to receive 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your specific goals, or Semi-Private Lessons and share a session with a sibling, family member, or friend.
Schedule
Lessons may be scheduled at any time throughout the day during the week and in the afternoon on weekends. Scheduling is limited during the pool’s peak hours which are from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Rescheduling & Cancellations
Lessons may be rescheduled with 48 hours notice. If a lesson must be cancelled, refunds may be requested provided cancellation notice is given at least 48 hours in advance. If the pool is closed due to thunder or other reasons, members are encouraged to reschedule.
Contact the instructor directly to reschedule or cancel a lesson.
PLEASE make every effort to notify your swim instructor if you can’t make it to your lesson, even if it is at the last minute, so they won’t be kept waiting!
Supervision & Safety
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.
Safety is a top priority. A lifeguard is always guarding the Upper Pool during lessons.
Lesson Details
When
Lessons may be scheduled at any time throughout the day during the week and in the afternoon on weekends. Scheduling is limited during the pool’s peak hours which are from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Use the Contact an Instructor form to schedule a lesson.
Where
Meet in the Upper Pool near the steps.
Cost
Rates are set by the instructor and vary depending on their training and experience.
Pay for lessons at the Front Desk.
Swim Instructors
Swim instructors are independent contractors who vary in age, experience, and style. When selecting an instructor for private lessons, please consider your specific goals (basic flotation and comfort, learning swim strokes, or refining technique for experienced swimmers). Because they are self-employed, these instructors manage all aspects of their lessons, including rates and scheduling. All communication should be made directly with your chosen instructor.
Evie Gallacher
Evie Gallacher
Evie is a rising college sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University and has been swimming for 15 years. This will be her second year coaching for the Hurricanes, and her third year offering private lessons. She has extensive experience teaching children ages 1-18 and specialize in beginner stroke development. She is a water safety instructor, lifeguard certified, BLS certified, and emergency pediatric care (EPC) certified. Whether your child has been swimming for many years or they are just starting out, she can help them find their groove in the water and become a more confident swimmer.
Lesson Rates
Private: $35
Semi-Private: $40
Joseph Gallacher
Joseph Gallacher
Joseph is head coach for the Hurricanes and has been a swimmer since age five. He has served as a lane leader for six years. He competed all four years on the Falls Church High School swim and dive team. He is currently studying accounting and pre-law at BYU, with an expected graduation in 2028, and continues to compete with the BYU club swim team. Joseph brings a strong technical foundation and competitive experience focusing on stroke legality, efficiency, and time improvement for swimmers at all levels. Joseph also works well with beginner swimmers building a strong foundation of basic water skills that translate well to stroke development.
Lesson Rates
Private: $35
Semi-Private: $50
Caden Mitchell
Caden Mitchell
Caden has been leading private swim lessons for the past three years. He has been an active member of the Holmes Run Swim Team since he was 8, and has been a lane leader/junior coach, a winter swim instructor, and a group swim instructor. Additionally he was a Lead Instructor for the summer camp program where he designed and delivered group swim lessons for developing swimmers. Caden has helped coach children between the ages of 9 months and 15 years old for the past five years. Outside of the pool, Caden works as an Assistant Teacher at Eastern Ridge Preschool, where he works full time during the summer months (2025-present) and part time during the school year. Caden’s extensive background working with young children has made him particularly skilled at connecting with them in a patient, encouraging, and effective way.
Lesson Rates
Private: $ 35
Semi-Private: $ 50
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!
Lesson Rates
Private: $ 30
Semi-Private: $ 45
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.
Lesson Rates
Private: $25
Semi-Private: $35
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.
Lesson Rates
Private: $30
Semi-Private: $45
Contact an Instructor
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