Seattle Athletic Club offers a wide range of fun classes in aquatics. With swim conditioning being our most popular (think masters swimming), filled up with long time swimmers, newbies and triathletes alike.
Our water aerobics program continues to grow as our staff frequently attends new workshops and are offering the latest unique yet fun exercises to keep the class entertained and pushing their limits.
The majority of swim lessons are done on a private basis and are set up on days and times that fit with YOUR schedule. We offer these lessons to all populations.
At Seattle Athletic Club we offer some especially unique classes to cater to our members. They are set up on a seasonal basis and include swimming prep, open water swim training (skills, technique, and endurance training), and swim parties too!
- For more information about swim lessons, contact Aquatics Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 206.443.1111.
Aquatics Class Descriptions
Team Hydra
Team Hydra Swimming is a year-round, USA Swimming Team for swimmers between the ages of 7 and 18. In order to join the team, swimmers MUST be able to swim Butterfly, Breaststroke, Freestyle and Backstroke across the pool without hesitating, stopping or struggling, as well as demonstrate a flip turn Please contact Head Coach Stephanie Cummings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration details.
Stephanie Cummings
Head Coach
SAC's Team Hydra Swimming
(206) 307-5031
Family Open Swim
Each Sunday there will be a lifeguard on duty from 10:45 AM - 12:30 PM for parents and their children to utilize and have fun in the pool.
Swim Conditioning
Swim Conditioning is a structured one hour coached swim workout focusing on improving swimming technique and endurance. Classes are modified for swimmers of all abilities. Lap swimmers are encouraged to participate. *intermediate/advanced
Swimming Prep
This is a class designed with the beginner adult swimmer in mind. There is a bit more emphasis on stroke technique, basic swimming drills, and endurance training to make you a more efficient swimmer. Beginner/intermediate
Water Aerobics
This class is great for the individual looking for a challenging non-impact workout. This class helps build/maintain endurance, tones and strengthens the muscles of the body and is an excellent form of conditioning. Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Youth Swim Training
YOUTH conditioning class for ages 6-14. Must be able to swim 80 yds. This will be a conditioning and skill building class. Swimmers will work on technique, endurance and of course add in a flare of fun! This class is part of the aquatic group exercise classes so it is open to members.
Specialized Swim Clinics
Clinics will now be taking place EVERY Monday, with each clinic being 45 minutes. There will be a variety of offerings for a beginners to more advanced swimmers.
The Clinics are fee-based and requite sign up by Friday prior to the date of the clinic. These are specialized clinics with technique/skill focus and each one will vary from basic/beginner to more advanced specialties. For more information, please email Robert Hunt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Cost is $35 per clinic.
Meet Our Aquatics Instructors
Teresa Nelson
In 2000, Teresa completed a degree in Fitness Management and became certified as an ACSM Health Fitness Instructor, an NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a Pilates Instructor through the Pilates Studio New York, and a USAT Level II triathlon coach. She continues to advance her training by ongoing webinars, mentorship programs,education, and maintaining her certifications. Teresa is also the founder/owner of the triathlon team TN Multisports.
Teresa swam at the collegiate and national level for Tacoma Swim Club and the University of Nevada Reno. During her youth she was instructed by world re-nowned swim coach Dick Hannula, author of Coaching Swimming Successfully and the the Swim Training Bible. Teresa guides many new triathletes to feeling comfortable in the open water and helps experienced triathletes make improvments in their open water swimming times and abilities.
Nathan Palmer
Nathan has spent his life learning about movement and body awareness: he swam competitively since age 7, played various team and individual sports, has been practicing Tai Chi for 22 years, and in the last five years has become an accomplished fitness trainer, swim instructor and water aerobics teacher. He graduated Ashmead College and is a Certified Personal Trainer through ACSM. Nathan is also certified in Muscle Activation Technique, Jump Start. Currently, Nathan’s competitive passion is rowing. He’s a member of the Lake Union Crew Men’s Competitive Team. Prior to his fitness career, Nathan was a classical actor/director with a penchant for big broad comedy. He was occasionally funny.
Kelli Zappert
Kelli started teaching swimming lessons to all ages in 1981. She has found a passion in water aerobics and long history in teaching, spanning nearly 20 years. Kelli also coached the AAU swim team from 1984 – 1990, along with the lifeguard competition for 4 years. She took the AAU team to Florida for National Competition 2001, where they placed 3rd overall. She has swam competitively and in her spare time she enjoys hiking, skiing and anything outside. Kelli considers herself a cat lover, with two mischievious cats - Chewy and Vinny.
Stephanie Cummings
USA Swimming Team, Aqua Dynamics Head Coach
Stephanie has been swimming competitively for 16 years and has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities for 13 years. She swam for the University of New Mexico and is the Head Coach of the Aqua Dynamics Swim Team in Seattle.
Stephanie has coached a variety of teams during her career including White Water Aquatics, Central Area Aquatic Team, and is the Head Coach of the Olympic View Maddogs
Stephanie's coaching philosophy is to make swimming a “lifelong sport”, and to instill the same amount of passion and love of the sport into her swimmers that she has. “To be a good swimmer, you must be strong and powerful, to be a great swimmer, you must also understand hydrodynamics.” When it comes to competition, Stephanie believes that swimmers are only racing against one thing…the clock. “There will always be someone faster than you, there will always be someone slower than you, but if you improve your time, you are automatically a winner.”
Mark Webb
Mark grew up in Seattle playing competitive baseball. After a rotator cuff injury, he switched to competitive golf. In 2003, a friend of Mark’s talked him into doing his first running race, a marathon. 10 marathons later, the same friend talked him into doing his first triathlon, Ironman Canada. He has since completed a total of 7 ironmans along with multiple half iron-man events.
Mark has been coaching triathlon for 6 years as his full-time job. He believes anyone can become a successful triathlete if they adopt the three D’s: Desire, Dedication, and Discipline. When not training, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Class Policy
At SAC it is our mission to accommodate all our members the best we possibly can, although we cannot guarantee lane availability during class times. During posted class times we will do all we can to open up lap swimming lanes if it suits the format, the size, and will not disrupt the members that are currently in the class. Therefore when class in progress, please check with the instructor so that they can integrate you into a lane if appropriate.
*throughout the day we offer swim lessons. Lessons have priority to the outside lanes and you may be asked to move to an inside lane and or share a lane.
*Lap swimming is open any time a class is not in progress* All swimming (outside of class times) is on a first come first serve basis. *Please note, you may be asked to move to an inside lane, as the outside lanes are designated for individuals with disabilities, parents swimming with children, or those utilizing the aqualogix equipment.
USA Swimming - Aqua Dynamics Swim Team
USA Swimming - Aqua Dynamics Swim Team (AQUA)
The Seattle Athletic Club is the premier host for the year-round, USA Swimming team the Aqua Dynamics Swim Team (AQUA). This team is dedicated to instilling a life-long passion for the sport of swimming by providing a positive, safe, respectful and fun environment in which swimmers learn how to swim competitively while learning the science behind the sport as well.
Through goal setting and training with a purpose, athletes will identify and overcome perceived limitations and achieve their true potential. We believe that the principles that guide AQUA will transfer to every aspect of our athletes’ lives.
Team members range from the ages of 8 to 18 and are divided into groups and practices based on ability and age. In order to join the team, swimmers MUST be able to swim freestyle and backstroke across the pool without hesitating, stopping or struggling.
There are three fundamental groups at AQUA; the Developmental Group, Age Group and Senior Group. Each group focuses on different aspects of competitive swimming with intensity, frequency and duration increasing as the swimmer moves up in groups. Groups are determined based on ability, commitment and age. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” criteria when placing swimmers, but instead look at each swimmer individually.
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Developmental Training
This group is designed for swimmers ages 8-10 who are new to competitive swimming. For safety reasons, swimmers MUST be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for an entire length of the pool without stopping or struggling.
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Age Group Training
This group is designed for swimmers ages 10-12 who have competitive swimming experience and who are able to commit to at least 3 practices per week. Swimmers in this training group must have previously swum for a club team, or have been approved by the Head Coach.
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Senior Training
This group is designed for swimmers ages 13-18 who have competitive swimming experience (summer league and high school swimming counts towards experience). Swimmers in this training group are committed to making at least 4 practices per week and all required swim meets.
Stephanie Cummings
USA Swimming Team, Aqua Dynamics Head Coach
Stephanie has been swimming competitively for 16 years and has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities for 13 years. She swam for the University of New Mexico and is the Head Coach of the Aqua Dynamics Swim Team in Seattle.
Stephanie has coached a variety of teams during her career including White Water Aquatics, Central Area Aquatic Team, and is the Head Coach of the Olympic View Maddogs
Stephanie's coaching philosophy is to make swimming a “lifelong sport”, and to instill the same amount of passion and love of the sport into her swimmers that she has. “To be a good swimmer, you must be strong and powerful, to be a great swimmer, you must also understand hydrodynamics.” When it comes to competition, Stephanie believes that swimmers are only racing against one thing…the clock. “There will always be someone faster than you, there will always be someone slower than you, but if you improve your time, you are automatically a winner.”
- To find out which group fits YOU the best contact Head Coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to set up your evaluation at 206.443.1111.