Adaptive Private Lessons

Trident Swim School

Our Mission

Unlock the joy of swimming with our Adaptive Private Lessons, designed for children and adults with unique needs. Our expert instructors are specially certified to teach individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, anxiety, motor and sensory challenges, and other physical or mental disabilities or delays.


We create a supportive, personalized environment that caters to each student's specific requirements, helping them build confidence, improve skills, and enjoy the water. With a focus on safety and comfort, our lessons empower everyone to experience the benefits of swimming at their own pace.

Tara Curran

Head Coordinator of Adaptive Swim School Program

Areas of Expertise: Adaptive Aquatics for Diverse Abilities/ Infant & Toddler Water Acclimatization/ Fundamental Stroke Technique Development/ Water confidence & Safety Development


Tara Curran is a highly accomplished and dedicated swimming coach with 15+ years of experience in the sport. Her love for swimming began at a young age and she has relentlessly pursued excellence ever since.

As our Head Coordinator of Adaptive Swim School Program, Tara brings specialized expertise in working with swimmers of all abilities. She is certified as an Adaptive Swimming Whisperer through Swim Angelfish and holds additional certifications for working with swimmers who have unique needs.

Tara recently graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a bachelor's degree in Special Education and History, and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Special Education. Her academic background perfectly complements her coaching philosophy, which centers on understanding each athlete's unique needs and tailoring training programs accordingly.

Tara is currently in her second year with our swim team as a coach, bringing 4+ years of competitive team coaching experience and 7+ years of instructional swim school expertise. Her coaching background includes 2+ years as head coach for 12 and under swimmers at Newburgh Sharks and experience working with swimmers of all ages, skill levels, and abilities.

Tara firmly believes in the power of building strong relationships with her athletes, understanding their unique needs and goals, and creating inclusive swimming environments where everyone can thrive. Her extensive background in both special education and adaptive swimming makes her an invaluable addition to our team and the perfect leader for our Adaptive Swim School Program.


Yasmin Zayed

Recommended for age range of 1 + & Special Needs Individuals 

Areas of Experience: Special Needs Children & Adults / Baby lessons / Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort


Yasmin Zayed is certified in the Swim Whisperers® Program, with expertise in special needs, adult, and baby lessons. With four years of experience, Yasmin actively addresses student sensory and motor challenges through visual and communicative methods. Her methods apply to all ages, abilities, and needs with a focus on personal growth and development, and a heavy emphasis on comfort and safety in the water. Overall, she fosters an inclusive setting for individual and group swimmers. 

Elise Johnson

Recommended for age range of 1 + & Special Needs Individuals 

Areas of Experience: Special Needs Children & Adults / Baby lessons / Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort


Elise Johnson  has been swimming competitively for 10 years and is from upstate New York currently studying at Wagner College. Elise is part of the division 1 swimming and diving team here at Wagner College and has loved the water since childhood. She is an experienced swim instructor working with all age groups and groups with special needs. Elise is excited to be joining the Trident Team and is looking forward to help aid all kinds of swimmers.

Current/Upcoming Sessions

CURRENT SESSION NOW OPEN!

SPRING SESSION

Weekends:

Saturdays: 03/08/25, 03/15/25, 03/22/25, 03/29/25, 04/05/25, 05/03/25, 05/10/25, 05/17/25


Sundays: 03/09/25, 03/16/24, 03/23/25, 03/30/25, 04/06/25, 05/04/25, 05/11/25, 05/18/25




**NO MAKE-UP LESSONS OR SCHEDULE CHANGES- NO EXCEPTIONS**


REGISTER HERE

PRICING (8 week session)

Private Lessons (30 minutes)

$360

PAYMENT MUST BE IN CASH OR CHECK ON FIRST DAY OF CLASS

Policies

INSTRUCTORS:

Our dedicated instructors strive to provide consistency for your child's swimming experience. Occasionally, another qualified instructor may cover a lesson when your regular instructor has a scheduling conflict. Many of our instructors are competitive swimmers and college students who occasionally participate in swim meets and have academic commitments on select weekends. Additionally, a few of our instructors are USA Swimming certified coaches who may sometimes be absent due to team swim meet commitments. We appreciate your understanding as we balance consistency with our instructors' growth opportunities and professional development.


LOCKER ROOM FACILITIES:

Staff locker rooms are available for your use. We kindly request that you leave the facilities in the same condition you found them. Please note that Wagner College cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged personal items.


Please use locker rooms for all changing needs. For safety and privacy reasons, changing on the pool deck or in hallways is not permitted.


To ensure everyone's comfort and privacy, boys are not permitted in the women's locker room regardless of age. If you need assistance with changing your child, our family changing room is available upon request. Simply ask our deck supervisor, and a staff member will be happy to provide access to this facility for you.


Occasionally, locker rooms may be closed by the facility during special events or games. During these times, please use the restrooms located upstairs across from the viewing area for changing.


EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

We recommend that all swimmers arrive in their swimwear beneath their regular clothes for convenience. Please bring:

  • Goggles (traditional style, not full-face masks that cover the nose)
  • A towel for each child
  • Hair ties for long hair (swim caps are optional)


PARENT OBSERVATION POLICY:

To create the optimal learning environment, we invite parents to observe lessons from our designated viewing deck. The pool deck area is reserved for swimmers and instructors during lesson times.

Special accommodations are available for:

  • Very young children who need parental support during their first session
  • Children with disabilities who require additional assistance


ATTENDANCE POLICY: 

To maintain the quality of our program and appropriate instructor-to-student ratios, we are unable to offer make-up lessons or schedule changes - no exceptions.

In cases of illness or emergency, one credit may be applied toward your next session enrollment.

If your child will be absent, please email swimschool@tridentaquaticclub.com with the following information:

  • Your child's full name
  • Level of instruction
  • Day and time of their regular session


LOCATION & DIRECTIONS:

Spiro Sports Center

1 Campus Rd

Staten Island, NY 10301


For convenient access, we recommend parking directly on Howard Avenue. The Spiro Sports Center will be the first building on your right (identifiable by the fitness center visible through the windows). Enter through the main entrance, take the stairs to the basement level, and follow signs to the pool.

We suggest arriving a few minutes early on your first day to familiarize yourself with the facility layout and ensure a smooth transition to your child's lesson.


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