AQUATICS

Private and Group Lessons

Enhance your skills in the water with our expert instructors! Whether you’re working on water comfort, learning to swim, refining competitive strokes, or seeking a great aquatic workout, our personalized lessons are designed to support your growth as a swimmer. We now offer private dive lessons as well—our talented dive coaches are here to help you improve your form and confidence on the board.

Lesson Levels and Options:

Youth Swim Lessons: Tailored for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Adult Swim Lessons: Private and semi-private options for stroke improvement and aquatic therapy.

Scheduling and Payment

Lessons are scheduled directly with the instructor for flexibility and convenience. Payment is required at check-in and can be made at the front desk via cash, check, or credit card. You can also purchase a package of lessons in advance. Please note that lessons cannot begin until payment has been received.

Dive into personal progress with Tuckahoe’s dedicated swim and dive instructors!

Private/Semi-Private Swim & Dive Lessons

Ready to improve your skills in the water? Our list of skilled private instructors and their rates can be found below. Dive lessons are available with any of our experienced dive coaches. Adult private or semi-private stroke and learn-to-swim lessons are also offered.

Choose the instructor who best fits your needs, and start your journey toward greater confidence and skill in the water!

Private/Semi-Private Instructors

Explore our list of private instructors and their rates below. If you have any questions about scheduling, specific requests, or finding the ideal coach for your needs, please contact us at Aquatics@Tuckahoe.net.

Ready to Begin?

To get started, please complete the form below.

Private Lesson Packages

All private lessons must be paid for before they begin. You can pay in advance by purchasing a lesson package (3-pack, 5-pack, or 10-pack) by contacting aquatics@tuckahoe.net.

Packages are coach-specific, meaning they apply only to lessons with a coach at the corresponding level. Private swim lesson packages are exclusively for private lessons, while semi-private packages apply only to semi-private lessons.

Any unused lessons on your package are fully refundable.

Aquatic Therapy

Fee: $100/session

We’re pleased to offer aquatic therapy sessions with Dr. Abi Ortmayer, PT, DPT, a local physical therapist with an extensive background in competitive swimming and coaching. Dr. Abi uses our facilities and equipment to work with clients both in and out of the pool, focusing on mobility and physical health.

While we do not provide diagnoses and will refer clients for formal evaluations as needed, Dr. Abi can guide you through a tailored rehabilitative or prehabilitative plan. This unique opportunity is designed primarily for adults but is open to all who may benefit from expert aquatic therapy.

Professional Coaches

Rates vary by coach – inquire directly

Chris Douglass
Assistant Head Dive Coach

Shannon Eagan
Head Dive Coach

Zach Eisig
Assistant Head Swim Coach

Dr. Abi Ortmayer
Swim Lessons and Therapy Sessions

Torey Ortmayer
Head Swim Coach

Christina Protic

Nika Sauger

Graduate Coaches

Private: $41/30min
Semi-Private: $23/additional athlete

Andrea Montano

Erin Warner

Senior Coaches

Private: $36/30min
Semi-Private: $19/additional athlete

Calla Spignardo

Danielle Hughes

Sophia O’Connell

Juliet Jones

Lucas Lopez

Jack Tanner

Junior Coaches

Private: $30/30min
Semi-Private: $17/additional athlete

Violet Dunkel

Ella English

Eva Hare

Maddy McManus

Desmond Spignardo

Lauren Shepard

Leah Nguyen – Dive Coach

Connor Tweddle – Dive Coach

Ally Graves

Elise Eclarinal

Group Swim Lessons

Tuckahoe’s beginner-level group swim lessons are designed to build water confidence and essential safety skills in a fun, supportive environment. Our young swimmers will learn:

  • Full submersion and surfacing techniques
  • Floating on front and back
  • Wall walking for safety
  • Proper breathing techniques
  • Treading Water
  • Introduction to forward propulsion using kick and pull techniques
  • Proper use of swim equipment (suits, goggles, caps, kickboards, etc.)

Join us as we help young swimmers develop foundational skills for a lifetime of confidence in the water!

Level I (Ages ~3-6)

30-Min class

Our Level 1 swim classes introduce children to independent water skills in a safe, encouraging environment. To join, participants should be comfortable in a group setting. Skills covered include:

  • Basic water safety rules
  • Building water comfort and confidence
  • Proper breathing techniques
  • Submerging and re-emerging
  • Floating on both front and back
  • Kicking on front and back for propulsion

This level sets a strong foundation for safe, independent swimming!

Level II (Ages ~4-7)

30-Min Class

Level 2 classes help swimmers build on water comfort and safety while developing greater independence in the water. Skills covered include:

  • Enhancing comfort and safety awareness
  • Independent propulsion techniques
  • Developing proper kick technique
  • Floating on the back independently
  • Introduction to the freestyle stroke

These skills provide a solid base for advancing swimmers toward more confident and efficient movement in the water.

Level III (Ages ~5-8)

30-Min Class

Level 3 classes are designed for swimmers who have forward propulsion skills. This level focuses on refining technique and introducing new skills, including:

  • Improving freestyle arm stroke with an emphasis on side breathing
  • Developing advanced safety skills like treading water
  • Introducing the basics of backstroke
  • Improving kicking technique

These skills help swimmers build endurance, confidence, and technique as they progress toward more advanced levels.

2024 Tuckahoe Winter Group Lessons

Group lessons will be offered on Saturday afternoons (1pm – 2:30pm) from September to December. Each session will span six weeks (6 classes total), and each class will be 30-minutes long. There is limited space available – if your desired class is full, please contact Aquatics@Tuckahoe.net to join the waitlist.

    • Session 1: September 21 – October 26, 2024
      • Member Registration: $95
      • Nonmember Registration: $115
    • Session 2: November 2 – December 14, 2024
      • No class 11/30
      • Member Registration: $95
      • Nonmember Registration: $115
    • 2025: Beginner instruction is available exclusively to members during the winter season in our winter swim level 0. For summer, both members and non-members will have the opportunity to participate in group lessons. Information about the summer classes will be posted in May 2025.

Level I

Beginner
Practice Days & Time:
  • Saturday 1pm – 1:30pm

Level II

Beginner
Practice Days & Time:
  • Saturday 1:30pm – 2pm

Level III

Beginner
Practice Days & Time:
  • Saturday 2pm – 2:30pm

Note: Registration for members opens on 8/9. Nonmembers will be able to begin registering for group lessons on 8/20.

Group Lesson FAQs

Each swim class requires a minimum of three children to run. If fewer than three are registered, we will do our best to merge classes where possible or, if necessary, cancel the class. Our goal is to maintain an optimal learning environment with a maximum 4:1 athlete-to-instructor ratio, ensuring focused, personalized attention for each swimmer.

On the first day of class, instructors will evaluate each child’s swimming skills to ensure proper placement. If any significant adjustments are necessary, we will discuss them with the parent. Our aim is to group children with similar swimming abilities together, regardless of age, to foster a supportive and effective learning environment.

Instructors will utilize Tuckahoe’s group lesson descriptions to assess the skills each child may have already acquired. Coaches will recommend when children are ready to advance to the next level based on their progress. If a child is not yet ready for advancement, they should be registered for the same class in the next session to continue developing their skills.

Please note that no refunds will be issued after the first class of the current session. In the event that we must cancel a class due to the club being closed, we will strive to provide a make-up class or may offer pro-rata refunds for the missed session.

To maximize our time in the water, please arrive at least 5 minutes early. Note that non-members may only enter the facility with one family member accompanying the child onto the pool deck. The front desk will not allow additional family members beyond this.

Athletes are encouraged to wear a proper bathing suit and bring a pair of goggles to each class. For those with longer hair, a swim cap is recommended, although it is not required.