Comfort First. Skill Second. At Every Age We Teach.
Whether your child is six months old and meeting the water for the first time, or twelve years old and refining flip turns, the goal is the same: a child who is genuinely comfortable and capable in the water, not just performing for an instructor. Group classes are built around two age tracks so every child is taught the way that stage of childhood actually learns.
Classes meet once per week at $36 per class, billed monthly, continuous enrollment. Maximum four students per instructor. All classes in our 90°F indoor pool. Choose Infant & Toddler (6 months to 4 years) or Children (5 to 12 years) below, or book at austinswim.com →
Infant & Toddler
Ages 6 months to 4 yearsThe first goal is not swimming. The first goal is trust. Parent-and-child classes for children under 2 (you are in the pool with your child). Aquatike 1 and Aquatike 2 for ages 2 to 4 (parents are not in the pool, but can watch from the viewing area).
Ages 6 months to 2 years
You are in the water for the entire class. Focus: water comfort, submersion, basic movement, and building positive associations with the pool. Class ratio 4:1.
Ages 2 to 4 · New to the water
For toddlers new to the pool or not yet comfortable in the water. Focus: submersion comfort, relaxed floating with support, and basic kicks and movement.
Ages 2 to 4 · Building independence
For toddlers who go underwater comfortably and can swim and float with minimal assistance. Focus: extending independence and preparing for the Children’s track at age 5.
Children
Ages 5 to 12 yearsChildren swim independently in group classes from age 5 onward: parents watch from the viewing area. Children advance when they demonstrate the skills, not when a semester ends.
No experience or not yet comfortable in the water
Floating with support, basic kicks, water entry, breath control, and comfort going underwater, building confidence before independent skill.
Comfortable in the water but not yet swimming with breathing
Freestyle with side breathing, backstroke fundamentals, treading water, and building the endurance to swim independently for real distances.
Freestyle with side breathing and backstroke for 25 meters
Stroke refinement, butterfly introduction, flip turns, and the skills needed to move to a swim team, lifeguarding, or open water comfort.
Not sure which level, in either track? A placement assessment ($42.50) takes the guesswork out. An instructor evaluates your child and recommends the right starting level.
Program at a Glance
| Ages | 6 months to 12 years, across two tracks |
| Format | Parent-and-child (6 months to 2 years) · Independent group class, parent in viewing area (2 years and up) |
| Levels | Parent-Child · Aquatike 1 · Aquatike 2 · Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced |
| Class size | Maximum 4 students per instructor |
| Schedule | Once per week · Weekdays M to Th or weekends |
| Price | $36 per class · billed monthly · continuous enrollment |
| Pool | 90°F heated indoor pool · 10 yards · year-round |
| Progression | Performance-based: children advance when skills are demonstrated, not on a fixed schedule |
| Placement | Assessment available for $42.50 (half-price private lesson) if you are unsure of track or level |
Continuous enrollment. No semester start required.
Book at austinswim.com any time. Not sure which track or level? A placement assessment ($42.50) puts your child in the right class from day one.
Who Group Classes Are For
First time in the water
Parent-Child and Beginner both meet children exactly where they are: comfort first, positive associations second, and skills once the child is ready.
Comfortable, but not swimming solo yet
Aquatike 1 and 2, and Intermediate, are the bridge between water comfort and real independent swimming, at whichever age your child is on that path.
Swims independently, ready to sharpen skills
Advanced is for children who swim freestyle with side breathing and backstroke for 25 meters. The focus shifts to technique, butterfly, and turns.
Had a hard time in other programs
Small class ratios, maximum four students per instructor, and a warm pool create an environment where hesitant swimmers of any age can build real confidence.
Your First Class
Arrive a few minutes early for your first class. Come in through the main entrance at 5909 Burnet Rd and let the front desk know you are here for swim lessons. A typical 30-minute class includes a warm-up, focused skill work, and a short practice swim to finish. Progress looks different for every child: our team will let you know how your child is doing and when they are approaching readiness to advance.
What to bring
A swimsuit, goggles, and a towel. Children who are not potty trained need a swim diaper (disposable or reusable) under their swimsuit. No fins, floaties, or swim aids: we provide any tools needed during class.
Who is in the pool
For children under 2, a parent or guardian is in the water for every class. From age 2 on, children swim independently with their instructor and parents watch from the viewing area, which has seating and quiet activities for siblings.
If your child cries or hesitates
Completely normal, especially in the first few sessions. Our instructors are experienced with adjustment periods and will never force anything. Consistent weekly attendance is what creates comfort.
Practicing between classes
Even bathtub exercises that reinforce movements from class help. When your child has pool access outside of lessons, 10 to 15 minutes of unassisted practice, without floaties, builds the independence lessons work toward.
Why Austin Families Keep Coming Back
Your child should never feel lost in the crowd.
Every group class is capped at four students per instructor. That is not a target average: it is the maximum, at every age we teach, from the parent-child class through Advanced.
90°F, every month of the year.
Austin winters are not warm, and most outdoor pools close or go cold. A warm pool helps the youngest swimmers relax and helps older children stay focused and engaged, regardless of season.
They move up when they are ready. Not when the semester ends.
From the parent-child class through Advanced, children advance when they demonstrate the skills. Children who are ready move up quickly; children who need more time get it.
Over forty years teaching Austin families.
Tom’s has been teaching swimmers of all ages in Austin since 1982. Over 18,000 certified divers and swimmers. Over 400 five-star Google reviews. Families who brought their children here in the 1980s and 1990s now bring their grandchildren.
What Parents Say
From our over 400 five-star Google reviews.
“We had a very positive experience with our 2.5 year old in their swim lessons. Small groups, very attentive and skilled staff.”
Amanda T., Toddler Swim Lessons
“Morgan Lee is the best swim teacher for young kids! She is gentle and encouraging, and my 2 year old will only swim with her!”
Jennifer W., Infant Swim Lessons
“Have seen our son improve in skills and be more confident in the water. He has been excited to show off how long he can float.”
Nick P., Children’s Swim Lessons
“My now 4 and 6 year old have been coming to Tom’s since 2022. I appreciate the small classes and the instructors’ genuine investment in each child.”
Alexis F., Children’s Swim Lessons
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all: this is one of the most common reasons parents choose Tom’s, at every age we teach. We do not treat hesitation as a problem. We treat it as information about where to start. Our instructors build trust before pushing skill, using warm water, encouragement, and small steps that give children genuine wins before asking for harder things. Some children relax in the first class; others take a few weeks. Both are normal. If your child has specific concerns, call us before enrolling: we can help you figure out whether group lessons or a private lesson is the better starting point.
Use the track and level descriptions above: Infant & Toddler for ages 6 months to 4 years, Children for ages 5 to 12. If you are unsure, a placement assessment is available for $42.50: a private lesson where an instructor evaluates your child and recommends the right class. Book at austinswim.com →
We accept children from 6 months old. For ages 6 months to 2 years, classes are parent-and-child format and you are in the water the entire time; one parent or guardian per child. From age 2 on, parents are not in the pool and watch from the viewing area instead. Children must be able to support their own head to start at 6 months; if you have questions about whether your child is ready, call us at (512) 451-3425.
Both levels are for ages 2 to 4 and parents are not in the pool for either. Aquatike 1 is for children with little or no experience or comfort in the water. Aquatike 2 is for children who are comfortable going underwater and can swim and float with minimal assistance.
It depends on the child. Progress is skill-based, not time-based, in both tracks. Our team will let you know how your child is progressing and when they look ready to move up. We celebrate progress at every step, not just when a child moves up.
Private and semi-private lessons are available for children age 2 and up who want more individual instruction or are working through a specific challenge. Private & semi-private lessons →
After completing Advanced, many children move on to private lessons for stroke refinement, join a swim team, pursue lifeguarding, or carry their water confidence into open water, snorkeling, or eventually scuba diving. The skills built here last a lifetime.
Tom’s has two changing rooms and two bathrooms available for swim lesson families, located inside the facility. Plan to arrive a few minutes early for your first visit to get oriented.
Ready to start? Enroll any time.
Book online at austinswim.com, use the iClassPro app, or call (512) 451-3425. Serving Austin families since 1982 at 5909 Burnet Rd. Over 400 five-star Google reviews and 18,000+ certified divers and swimmers. Continuous enrollment, no fixed session start dates.
Book Now → Call (512) 451-3425 →