Every RCSA program is part of one research-backed system — designed to meet your child exactly where they are and take them as far as they want to go.
The Aquatic Advantage Curriculum meets your child wherever they are. Depending on age and whether you want to be in the water, you'll enter through one of three levels — all of which converge at Grouper.
Your infant works one-on-one with a certified AAC instructor. Parent watches from poolside. Best for families who want focused individual attention from the very first lesson.
Same age range and foundational skills as Hatchling, with a parent in the water. Best for families who want to be part of the experience from the start.
The starting point for older toddlers and preschoolers new to the water. Private instruction covering foundational skills, adapted for an older child's developmental stage.
All four programs are managed and registered through River City Swim Academy. Open enrollment — classes forming now.
The earliest entry into the Aquatic Advantage Curriculum — one-on-one private instruction for infants and young toddlers. Your child works directly with a certified AAC instructor while you watch from poolside. Hatchlings begin building the neurological patterns that The Blue Effect research identifies as foundational to cognitive, social, and motor development.
Select your program & class time on the next page
The parent-participation version of Hatchling — same age range, same foundational AAC skills, with a parent in the water alongside their child. Minnow classes build the same early neurological patterns while adding the dimension of parent-child aquatic bonding. Parents gain firsthand knowledge of techniques they can reinforce at home.
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The entry point for older toddlers and preschoolers beginning their aquatic journey. Guppies cover the same foundational water safety and comfort skills as Hatchling and Minnow, adapted for ages 2–6. Private one-on-one instruction. No prior swim experience required. Guppy graduates advance directly to Grouper.
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All three entry paths converge at Grouper. This is where water comfort becomes water competence — and where the AAC's breaststroke-first approach begins. Children's nervous systems develop short-axis rotation control before long-axis rotation. Grouper teaches strokes in the sequence a child's nervous system is actually ready to learn them. Maximum 4 students per instructor.
Select your program & class time on the next page
Children who complete Grouper advance to the AAC Stroke School — Otter, Dolphin, and Orca — managed through River City Aquatics. Registration for Levels 5–7 is handled directly through RCA.
For families who need results fast — without sacrificing depth.
Daily intensive private lessons designed to build water safety skills and motor habits in the shortest possible timeframe.
Where the breaststroke-first sequence begins. Short-axis rotation motor control is developmentally ready before long-axis rotation — Otters learn strokes in the sequence their nervous system is prepared for.
Dolphin swimmers refine all four competitive strokes with increasing technical precision. Race-pace awareness, turns, and starts are developed here.
Orca is the pinnacle of the AAC. Swimmers at this level are technically proficient in all four strokes, race-ready, and prepared for the transition to USA Swimming competitive training at River City Aquatics.
Levels 5–7 registered and managed through River City Aquatics. Questions? Contact us directly.
| Level | Program | Ages | Format | Price | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hatchling | 6mo–2yr | Private | $149/mo | RCSA · Jackrabbit |
| 2 | Minnow | 6mo–2yr | Parent & Me | $129/mo | RCSA · Jackrabbit |
| 3 | Guppy | 2–6yr | Private | $149/mo | RCSA · Jackrabbit |
| 4 | Grouper | 3–6yr | Group (max 4) | $129/mo | RCSA · Jackrabbit |
| — | Accelerated Private | All ages | Intensive | Contact | RCSA · Email |
| 5 | Otter | Grouper grad | Stroke School | $129/mo | River City Aquatics |
| 6 | Dolphin | Otter grad | Stroke School | $129/mo | River City Aquatics |
| 7 | Orca | Dolphin grad | Stroke School | $129/mo | River City Aquatics |
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match your child to exactly the right class.
