NBAC

Michael Phelps Swim School (formerly North Baltimore Swim School) offers people of all ages and abilities a variety of educational swimming opportunities for lifelong aquatics fitness. Beginning each September, group, private and semi-private lessons are offered at the Meadowbrook location (the official headquarters of MPSS). Meadowbrook has served as host pools for swim instruction since 1993.

The original North Baltimore Swim School (NBSS) began in Timonium, MD in the early 90's. It quickly expanded and moved to the current Mount Washington location upon completion of the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in 1995. The NBSS was started as an out-growth of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC), the premier competitive swimming club in the state, and one of the top age group clubs in the country. In 2009, NBSS and Michael Phelps teamed up to enhance the program and offer absolute best-in-class instruction. The new MPSS combines the great programs of NBSS with Michael's passion for growing the sport of swimming and making it more available for people of all ages.

MPSS lesson sessions run for six weeks, for one-half hour per week. Group lessons cost $72 per six week session, semi-private lessons cost $111 per six week session and private lessons cost $162 per six week session. Enrollment is handled by mail, in person, and by telephone at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center.

Lessons are arranged according to ability and age. The first level of aquatic instruction is the Get Wet level. This is a parent and child class for children 3 years of age and younger (exceptions are made for older children). This level focuses on water comfort, games, and relaxing in a warm water environment. Parents are instructed and encouraged to challenge each child's skills and level of comfort in the water. Continually under the guidance of an experienced instructor, the emphasis in this class is on fun in the water!

The next level is Pre-Beginner. This is our first class without parental involvement. Children must have reached the age of three to enroll in this level. The emphasis is on basic water skills such as floating, aided and unaided, blowing bubbles and retrieving items from the bottom of a shallow (3 foot) area. Listening to instructions and working within a group are also stressed along with very important water safety lessons. This level has games and activities which serve to give the child a comfortable feel for the water. Children will become comfortable going under the water. Pre-Beginner has two age divisions. Pre-Beginner I is for 3-5 year olds. Pre-Beginner II is for 5-8 year olds. The skills covered in the two divisions are identical in intention if not form.

By far the largest level of lessons is Beginner. These children are very comfortable in the water, able to completely submerge and can float on the front and the back. Children remain in the Beginner level until they are swimming freestyle and demonstrating rotary breathing. It is not unusual for children to remain in this level for multiple sessions, as the skills to be mastered are quite broad and varied. As with Pre-Beginner or any of our levels, there are two age divisions in Beginner. Beginner I is for children ages 4-6 and Beginner II is for children ages 6-10 years.

Advanced Beginner is the next level in which freestyle (crawl) stroke skills are honed and other competitive strokes are introduced and taught. Children should be able to demonstrate rotary breathing and have mastered the air exchange process. Similar to the other levels, there are two age levels of this class. Advanced Beginner I is for swimmers ages 4-6. Advanced Beginner II is for swimmers 7 years and older.

Intermediate is the highest level of group lessons as structured above. Intermediate swimmers can swim a distance unaided while demonstrating good rotary breathing with freestyle and a competent backstroke. These children will work to improve their skills so they can swim several laps of each stroke.

If you are interested in any of the lessons offered by the Michael Phelps Swim School, call or stop by Meadowbrook.
410-433-8300 5700 Cottonworth Ave. Baltimore, MD 21209