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Jump in the water with these free and cheap swim lessons in Charlotte

A variety of free and cheap swimming lessons are available in the Charlotte area, most through Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.
A variety of free and cheap swimming lessons are available in the Charlotte area, most through Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. JCC
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Key Takeaways

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  • Double Oaks offers free swim lessons starting June 24; registration opens June 21.
  • Mecklenburg Parks provides free adult swim classes and low-cost youth sessions.
  • Ray’s Splash Planet hosts a free event June 26 for kids, with a current waitlist.

If you’re looking to cool off and learn a new skill, check out some of these swim lesson options in the Charlotte area.

People of all ages can make a splash this summer in Charlotte with affordable swim lessons.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning in the United States each year. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 and one of the three leading causes in unintentional injury death in ages 5-34.

Many programs in Charlotte offer the opportunity to teach both children and adults how to swim. Check out some of these free and affordable options.

Swim for free

Double Oaks Family Center

Location: 2014 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206

Double Oaks family center in Charlotte offers free swim lessons starting on Tuesday, June 24. Registration is now underway for lessons on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10-10:30 a.m., 11:15-11:45 a.m., and 5:30-6 p.m.

Sign-ups for specific class times will be every Saturday at 9 a.m.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Pool, 2219 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers a free swim class for county employees. Registration is open for ages 18 and up.

Class are from Monday, Aug. 11 to Monday, Sept. 22 and will be held at the Marion Diehl-Main Tank Shallow Water pool. Class times are Mondays from 5:45-6:30 p.m.

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Ray’s Splash Planet

Location: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Ray’s Splash Planet offers the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson for free on Thursday, June 26. The national event designed to help prevent drownings by teaching kids how to swim is currently full, but you can register for the wait list here. Ages are 5-10 for the class Thursday, June 26 from 9-9:30 a.m.

Swim for cheap

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Pool, 2219 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Registration for all classes are $48 for residents and $60 for non residents. Here are the available classes:

  • Starbabies/Startots: Ages 6 months-2 years, and an adult is required to be with the child. Dates run Tuesday, July 15 to Thursday, July 31 for classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15-9:45 a.m. Registration is currently open.
  • Swim School-Beginner Level 1: Ages 3-5. Dates run Tuesday, July 15 to Thursday, July 31 for classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:50-10:20 a.m. Registration is currently open.
  • Swim School-Adult: Ages 13 and up. Dates run Tuesday, July 8 to Thursday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 12 to Thursday, Aug. 28. Classes for both sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Registration for July is currently open, and registration for August opens Wednesday, July 16 at 10 a.m.
TO
Trinity Olivier
The News & Observer
Trinity Olivier is an intern on The News & Observer’s Service Journalism Team through McClatchy’s HBCU Development Internship Program. She is a rising junior at Florida A&M University majoring in broadcast journalism.
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