Triangle cities offer low-cost swim programs for kids, teens and adults in 2025.
Programs run June through August at public pools and aquatic centers across towns.
Durham, Raleigh, Cary and Chapel Hill provide discounts and flexible schedules.
People of all ages can take swim lessons in the Triangle.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-4, and learning to swim with formal lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%, according to the Cary-based Triangle Aquatic Center.
The YMCA of the Triangle launched a free program in 2011 to teach children and adults how to swim. Raleigh and Cary locations have sessions available this summer, according to the program website.
Many cities in the Triangle offer low-cost swim lessons, accepting residents and non-residents.
Here are some options in the area.
Affordable swim lessons in the Triangle
▪ Durham Parks and Recreation offers 10-day swim lesson programs for all ages. The program runs from June to the beginning of August. Classes are separated by age group and split between the Campus Hill Pool and the Edison Johnson Aquatic Center. The lessons are Monday through Thursday, and they range from mornings to afternoons, depending on the class. Visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com for more information and to enroll.
▪ Raleigh has various lesson programs from June to August. One-week and two-week programs are offered, ranging from $45-$60. Classes range from preschool to adult and are split between eight different pools. Lessons are typically during the afternoons on Monday through Thursday, with some morning classes on Saturdays. Visit raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation for more information.
A parent wraps her daughter in a towel after her swim lesson. Dive In offers free swim lessons to children from families who face language and economic barriers. Lessons are held every Sunday during UNC’s fall and spring semesters. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Manthey
▪ Cary offers its TITAN Aquatics Program running from June to August. Classes are designed for kids aged 4-13. All classes have a registration fee of $49, with multi-lesson packages at $156 and each individual lesson at $29. Visit triangleaquatics.org for more information.
▪ Chapel Hill offers lessons once a week in an eight-week format. Programs for all ages are offered, from preschool to adult. The program is $60 for Chapel Hill residents and $75 for non-residents for all classes. All classes are held at the Homestead Aquatic Center. Lessons are on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoons. Visit webtrac.townofchapelhill.org for more information.
Where can babies and toddlers swim in the Triangle?
▪ Durham Parks and Recreation offers Aqua Tot (ages 0-4) and Preschool (3-5) classes from Monday, July 14-Thursday, July 24 and Monday, July 28-Thursday, Aug. 7. Sessions are held at EJAC Lane 8 and Campus Hill Pool in Durham. These programs cost $46 for Durham residents and $61 for non-residents. There’s a 10% discount when you enroll at least two children. Visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com for more information and to enroll.
▪ Raleigh offers Preschool Aquatics Swim Level 1 (ages 3-5) with one-week and two-week options. The programs have different sessions from Saturday, July 5, to Thursday, August 21. The one-week program costs $45 for Raleigh residents and $60 for non-residents. The two-week program costs $60 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Visit here for more information and to enroll.
▪ Cary offers TAC learn how to swim program Titans 1 (3-6). This program has three levels: Titans 1A, 1B, and 1C. The 1A and 1B programs start on Tuesday, July 1, and 1C starts on Wednesday, July 2. The sessions have different classes stretching all the way to Tuesday, August 15. It is $29 per individual class. Visit triangleaquatics.org for more information.
▪ Chapel Hill offers Preschool Levels 1-3 (3-5). Level 1 and 2 classes are Tuesday, July 8-Thursday, July 24 and Tuesday, August 5-Thursday, August 21 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Level 3 classes have two classes on Tuesday, July 8-Thursday, July 24 and two classes on Tuesday, August 5-Thursday, August 21 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:15 pm to 5:45 pm. Visit here for more information and to enroll.
UNC-Chapel Hill’s student-run organization, Dive In, has been offering free swim lessons to children from families who face language or economic barriers for over a decade. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Manthey
Swim classes in Chapel Hill, Durham & Cary
▪ Durham Parks and Recreation offers beginner and intermediate classes, both for ages 5-12. The beginner classes have no prerequisites, but intermediate classes require children to submerge their whole head into water and be able to swim at least 15 yards of front crawl and elementary backstroke. Sessions run Monday, July 14-Thursday, July 24 and Monday, July 28-Thursday, Aug. 7. Sessions are held at EJAC Lane 8 and Campus Hill Pool in Durham. These programs cost $52 for Durham residents and $67 for non-residents. There’s a 10% discount when you enroll at least two children. Visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com for more information and to enroll.
▪ Cary offers TAC Learn How to Swim Program for ages 7-12. This program is called Titans 2 and it has three levels 2A, 2B, and 2C. All sessions for July start Tuesday, July 1 with different classes stretching all the way to Tuesday, August 15. It is $29 per individual class. Visit triangleaquatics.org for more information.
▪ Chapel Hill offers Learn to Swim classes Levels 1-5 (ages 6-12). Classes are held Tuesday, July 8-Thursday July 24 and Tuesday, August 5-Thursday, August 21. Lessons are $60 for residents and $75 for non residents. Visit webtrac.townofchapelhill.org for more information and to enroll.
What about swim lessons for teenagers?
▪ Durham Parks and Recreation offers teen swim classes (ages 13-19) from Monday, July 28-Thursday, Aug. 7. Sessions are held at EJAC Lane 8 and Campus Hill Pool in Durham. These programs cost $52 for Durham residents and $67 for non-residents. There’s a 10% discount when you enroll at least two participants. Visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com for more information and to enroll.
▪ Raleigh offers Adult Learning Basic Swim Classes (ages 13+) with one-week and two-week options from end of July to the beginning of August. The one-week sessions are $51 for Raleigh residents and $66 for non residents. The two-week sessions are $66 for residents and $81 for non residents. Visit raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation for more information.
▪ Cary offers Amateur Titans for ages 13 and up. These classes are divided into three levels Beginner, Intermediate, and Fit. It costs $29 per individual class. Visit triangleaquatics.org for more information.
▪ Chapel Hill offers Learning the Basics and Learning and Refining Swim Strokes classes (13+). Sessions are Tuesday, July 8-Thursday, July 24 and Tuesday, August 5-Thursday, August 21. Lessons are $60 for residents and $75 for non residents. Visit webtrac.townofchapelhill.org for more information and to enroll.
Where adults can receive lessons
▪ Durham Parks and Recreation offers adult swim classes (ages 19-54) from Monday, July 28-Thursday, Aug. 7. Sessions are held at EJAC Lane 8 and Campus Hill Pool in Durham. These programs cost $52 for Durham residents and $67 for non-residents. There’s a 10% discount when you enroll at least two participants. Visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com for more information and to enroll.
▪ See above for Raleigh’sAdult Learning Basic Swim Classes (ages 13+).
▪ Chapel Hill offers adult swim classes (ages 17+). The classes are divided into two sections: Learning the Basics and Learning and Refining Swim Strokes. Sessions are held from Tuesday, August 5, to Thursday, August 21. Lessons are $60 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Visit webtrac.townofchapelhill.org for more information and to enroll.
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