Held In Water — Summer Session 1

Held In Waters

Summer Session 1

July 7 – July 23
Classes meet Tuesday & Thursday

All classes meet twice weekly during the session.

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Held In Water — Class Selection

Summer Session 1 · July 8 – July 24

Find the Right Class

Every child learns at their own pace. Our small, nurturing classes are designed to meet them where they are.

Baby Class

A gentle introduction to the water where a parent or caregiver joins their child in the pool. Through songs, movement, and guided play, babies build comfort and awareness in the water.

Age Range 5 months – 3 years

Class Size 6 per class

Class Duration 30 minutes

Cost $210

Semi-Private Class

A small two-child class designed for children who benefit from more individualized support while learning foundational swim skills.

Age Range 2 – 9 years

Class Size 2 per class

Class Duration 20 minutes

Cost $250

Group Class

Designed for children building independence in the water while developing foundational swimming skills and safety.

Age Range 4 – 6 years

Class Size 4 per class

Class Duration 25 minutes

Cost $210

Time	Age	Instructor	Spots
10:15 AM	5–11 months	Hannah	6
11:05 AM	9–12 months	Hannah	6
11:55 AM	1.5–3 years	Hannah	6
2:30 PM	5–12 months	Hannah & Lora	6
3:25 PM	9–18 months	Hannah & Lora	6
4:20 PM	1–3 years	Hannah & Lora	6

Register for Baby Class

5–12 months

Your baby's earliest introduction to water with a parent or caregiver in the pool. A gentle song-and-play class focused on comfort, breath cues, and early water awareness. We guide you in how to hold your baby, support them safely, and read their signals in the water. Babies begin exploring breath cues, gentle submersion, back floats, and buoyancy while building trust in the water.

9–15 months

For babies becoming mobile. Parent or caregiver remains in the water. We build through repetition, song, and guided play while introducing breath control, going under water, climbing out, back floats, and buoyancy. The focus is helping your child become more confident and responsive in the water through consistent practice.

15 months–3 years

For confident movers who are not yet swimming independently. Parent or caregiver stays in the water. This is a bridge stage toward independent lessons. We work on climbing out, turning to safety, back floats, breath control, and water confidence while teaching parents how to set clear safety boundaries in and out of the pool.

Water Safety Note

Every 4th class, children practice fully clothed to build real-world water safety awareness.

Time	Age	Instructor	Spots
10:15 AM	Beginner 4-5 years	Kate	2
10:35 AM	Beginner 4-5 years	Kate	2
10:45 AM	Beginner 2–3 years	Hannah	2
10:55 AM	Beginner 4-5 years	Kate	2
11:15 AM	Intermediate 4-5 years	Kate	2
11:35 AM	Beginner 6-7 years	Kate	2
11:35 AM	Beginner 2–3 years	Hannah	2
11:55 AM	Intermediate 6-7 years	Kate	2
12:15 AM	Intermediate 7-9 years	Kate	2
12:25 PM	Intermediate 3–4 years	Hannah	2
12:35 PM	Beginner 7-9 years	Kate	2
12:45 PM	Intermediate 3–4 years	Hannah	2
12:55 PM	Intermediate 7-9 years	Kate	2

Register for Semi-Private Class

Semi-Private Beginner (ages 2–3)

Children begin swimming with us independently at 2½ (younger only with special permission). Twenty minutes is where this age maxes out, and we honor that. Tears and fears are welcome here — they're part of the work. This is where we begin the introduction of water on the face, going under, and finding buoyancy. We build confidence with clear boundaries: back floats, strong kicking feet, and learning to jump to a teacher.

Semi-Private Intermediate — ages 3–4

For the swimmer who still needs some assistance but is confident getting in, putting their face in, and ready for more. We work on jumping without help, turning around to the wall, rolling onto the back, and diving down to our pool islands or the steps to retrieve toys. This class is capped at four students because Teacher Hannah has an assistant in the water. Listening can be challenging at this age — we have a lot of experience holding the line on safety, and we ask that you trust us. If we ever feel a child needs an extra layer of safety, we'll wave a parent over.

Semi-Private Beginner (ages 4–5)

For the beginner swimmer who is comfortable enough to be in class without a parent and without major fear. We work on putting the face in, jumping from the side and from the islands in our pool, learning backstroke, and building overall confidence. If your 4 or 5 year old still has a lot of fears or tears, please start with Teacher Hannah — Teacher Kate's class is for children who are past that stage.

Semi-Private Intermediate (ages 4–5)

For the 4 or 5 year old who is past fears and ready to put swimming together: arms, legs, and breath. We work on independent turnarounds, rolling onto the back, and diving down for toys. Your child should be jumping in without help and comfortable putting their face in.

Time	Age	Instructor	Spots
3:00 PM	4–6 years	Hannah & Lora	4
3:55 PM	4–6 years	Hannah & Lora	4
4:50 PM	4–6 years	Hannah & Lora	4

Register for Group Class

Group Class — ages 4–6

For children who are ready to swim without a parent in the water and begin building independent swimming skills. We focus on breath control, putting the face in the water, jumping in safely, turning back to the wall, back floating, and short swims with strong kicking. This class helps children gain confidence, practice listening in a group, and strengthen the foundational skills needed for more advanced swimming.

Meet Your Teachers – Held In Water

Who will be in the water with your child

Each teacher works with specific age groups and levels. Knowing who your child will be with — and why — is part of choosing the right class.

Teacher Hannah

Founder · Youngest swimmers · Special needs · Water fear

Hannah has been teaching in and around water for nearly thirty years — she opened her first swim school at sixteen. Her approach is somatic and nervous-system based: she meets children where their bodies are, not where a checklist says they should be. In the afternoons, Teacher Lora assists in the water. This is her tenth consecutive season teaching in Hood River.

Craniosacral & somatic bodywork Health coaching — IIN / Columbia Doula & postpartum support Water adaptation & nervous system WATSU & Amnion Adaptive aquatics — Swim Angel Fish

Teacher Kate

Preschool & school-age · Beginners & intermediates

Kate teaches the bridge years between fear and real swimming. She's patient with kids who still have nerves about the deep end and skilled at moving children through the moment when arms, legs, and breath finally come together. Her groups stay small because listening at this age is genuinely hard.

Held In Water – FAQ

Questions, answered

Everything you need to know before you arrive. If something isn't here, just reach out.

How do I know which class my child should start in?

Start with your child's comfort in water, not age alone. If you're unsure, the Baby & Toddler or Beginner pathway is usually the best starting point, and guidance can always be provided.

What is Therapy Pool Support?

A supportive pathway for children who need a slower pace, emotional safety, or sensory support. It is not a level of progression but a support-based experience.

Does my child need to be confident before starting?

No. Confidence is built in the water. Each class is designed to meet the child exactly where they are.

Do I get in the water too?

Yes. Caregivers are in the water for baby and toddler classes. You are your child's anchor and foundation of safety.

Why no floaties?

Floaties create artificial body positioning that removes real water awareness. The focus is on building natural balance, trust, and body understanding in water.

What if my child is scared of the water?

Fear is welcome. Nothing is forced. The approach is slow, responsive, and focused on building trust first.

What should we bring to class?

Swimwear, towel, and comfort items if needed. A reusable swim nappy is required for younger children.

What makes Held In Water different?

The focus is connection first. Children are supported through trust, regulation, and relationship with water — not just technique.

Still have a question? Get in touch — we're happy to help.