Aquatics

Our recreation swim team, affiliated with the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association, is an excellent opportunity to introduce youth, ages 6-18, to the fun and excitement of competitive swimming.  Our coaches work hard to teach skills and technique that will improve efficiency in the water.  They strive to promote competition as well as sportsmanship.  Participants don't have to have competitive experience, but must be able to swim a full 50-yards (two lengths) in a competitive, correct freestyle stroke and also exhibit the ability to swim for 45-minutes in a coached setting. 

• Fall season: September - December
• Winter season: January - April
• Summer season: June - August
• Waitlist registration: Register Online or call 720-977-5901

Thornton CARA swim team is currently full.  

Cost is $120.00 per season. No refunds will be given two weeks after the program begins. Parents will be required to volunteer for at least one home meet per season or an additional $25 fee will be added.

Fall (September-December) & Winter (January-April) Seasons at VMAC Pool Practice Days

Summer Season (June-August) at Park Village Pool Practice Days

Join Thornton coaches for a program that will improve your physical fitness and refine your swimming technique. This swim fitness program is for individuals age 18 and older who enjoy swimming in a structured program.

Practice Schedule

Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center

5310 E. 136th Ave. 
Thornton, CO 80602
Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 5:30-7 a.m.

Carpenter Recreation Center 

11151 Colorado Blvd. 
Thornton, CO 80233
Tuesday/Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m.

Note: Punch cards and passes need to be purchased at TWRC and brought to each M/W/F practice at VMAC. Masters Swim Team schedule changes in the summer.  

*Schedule is subject to change.

Passes & Punch Cards

Punch cards and daily passes are available for purchase at our recreation centers. No admittance will be given without one of these methods of admission. You may not use your recreation center pass for the Masters Program.

Adults

Seniors

You may also purchase a one-time daily pass for $7 for adults (ages 18-61 years) and $6 for seniors (ages 62+) at the Trail Winds Recreation Center, if you are just wanting to try the program out before purchasing a punch card.

Youth Triathlon Clinic: Ages 8-14

This one-week youth triathlon clinic will teach youth the fundamentals of the sport of Triathlon. Swimming, biking and running will be covered along with transitions. On the final day the kids will participate in the Thornton Triple-T Triathlon. T-shirt, Triple-T Triathlon entry and a completion certificate are included. Space is limited. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, July 25.

Fees: $49.50R/$51.75NR (Includes Triple T Triathlon)

Youth Triathlon ONLY: Ages 8-14

The Triple T Triathlon strives to encourage youth to be active and achieve their personal best. You do not need to register for the Triathlon if you've already registered for the Youth Triathlon Clinic. Your registration is included with the clinic package. Space is limited. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, July 25.

Activity #548121-A: Friday, August 1, 8 a.m. at Trail Winds Recreation Center

• Ages 8-9: ​Swim 100 yards, bike 1 mile, run 400 yards
• Ages 10-12: Swim 150 yards, bike 2.5 miles, run .5 miles
• Ages 13-14: Swim 200 yards, bike 5 miles, run 1 mile

Fees: $27.50R/$29.75NR

The City of Thornton is excited to bring you its Learn to Swim Program.  This structure was implemented in an effort to provide participants with a logical progression in their efforts to learn to swim.  In the event that you are unsure of the level of your child, please call 720-977-5907 to set up a water test with a certified instructor.

*Parents are responsible for signing up their child/children in the appropriate level each session. Your child will not automatically be put into the next level if he/she passes.* Visit the Activity Registration Information page using the link above.

Adult Swim Lessons

These lessons are offered in a small group setting.  Skills learned in the beginner class include comfort in the water, independence, breathing, floating, gliding, kicking and basic stroke technique.  There are no requirements for the beginner class!  Let us help you reach your goals, it's never too late! Please see a complete class offering located on the lesson schedule to the right.

Parent/Tot

Ages: 6 Months-3 Years
This class was designed with an emphasis on safety skills, water adjustment and fun. At least one parent must accompany each child in the water.

Level 1-Water Exploration

Ages: 3-5 Years | Ages 6+ Years
This class will orient kids to water and teach them basic swimming skills.

Level 2-Primary Skills

Ages: 3-5 Years | Ages 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 1 skills. Skills taught include underwater swimming, front/back glides, deep water skills, breathing, combined stroke and safety.

Level 3-Stroke Readiness

Ages: 3-5 Years | Ages 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 2 skills. Skills taught include components of front/back crawl, elementary backstroke, dive from poolside, bobbing, basic rules of safe diving.

Level 4-Stroke Development

Ages: 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 3 skills. Skills taught include endurance in elementary backstroke, front/back crawl, rotary breathing, as well as introduction to breaststroke kick and turns.

Level 5-Stroke Refinement

Ages: 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 4 skills. Skills taught include endurance in elementary backstroke, front/back crawl, sidestroke, and breaststroke kick. Also covered are breathing, diving and treading water.

Level 6-Stroke Proficiency

Ages: 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 5 skills. Skills taught include diving, front crawl 100-yards, back crawl 100-yards, breaststroke 25-yards, sidestroke 25-yards, butterfly, speed turn for breaststroke and flip turn for front crawl.

Level 7-Advanced Skills

Ages: 6+ Years
Must have passed or show competency in Level 6 skills. Skills taught include fundamentals of competitive swimming and training, swim continuously for 500-yards, front crawl 200-yards, underwater swimming 10-yards, back crawl 100-yards, breaststroke 50-yards, sidestroke 25-yards, butterfly 25-yards, backstroke flip turn, *retrieve diving brick from deepest area of pool, and *treading water for two minutes, legs only.

Level 8

Ages: 6+ Years
Have you passed Level 7 swimming and want to stay active? Do you want to fine tune your competitive strokes to keep sharp during the year or prepare for a swim team? Join us for an all-inclusive stroke clinic that will provide drills and techniques that will help improve the four competitive strokes, as well as work on starts and turns. This is an excellent class for preparing to participate in Thornton's CARA swim team.

Private Swim Lessons

Private swim lessons are available at the Recreation Center and are designed to address the specific needs of the swimmer. Sessions are 30-minutes, one-on-one with the instructor. Class days and times are arranged between the student and the instructor. Participants of all ages and ability levels are welcome. Call 720-977-5907 for information.

Fees: $28R/$32NR per 30-minute session  |  $100R/$120NR four 30-minute sessions  |  $200 eight 30-minute sessions

Merit Badge Testing

Is your scouting organization in need of a swimming pool in order to complete your merit badge testing? We offer the help of a certified instructor to assist you with requirements and testing. Groups are also invited to enjoy a “fun swim” immediately following their badge testing. Please call the Aquatics Coordinator at 720-977-5907 or one of our Aquatics Specialists at 720-977-5919 for available days and times.