Who We Are 

Since 1974, the Arlington Aquatic Club (AAC) has provided a safe, positive and productive environment for athletes of all ages and abilities to help them achieve their fullest potential as both swimmers and people. AAC has produced Potomac Valley, Zone, and Junior National Champions, as well as Senior National finalists, Olympic qualifiers and Olympians. 

AAC began as a one night per week swim clinic. Through the years, AAC has grown into a USA Swimming year round competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor. 

All of our coaches, as members of USA Swimming, have access to the most comprehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. They provide assurances that the time children spend in swimming will be quality time. 

The Club is supported by Arlington Aquatic Club Boosters, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit created with the sole purpose of making the AAC program operate successfully and efficiently. The AAC Booster Board is comprised of parents and the head coach. The Board coordinates fundraising and other activities. All parents are encouraged to be involved in team activities and fundraisers. The bylaws of the AAC Booster Club are available for your review on our website. Scheduled board meetings are posted on the AAC website and are open to any booster club member. Minutes from the meetings are published on our website. 

The Arlington Aquatic Club is offered and administered by Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). As such, AAC must follow all DPR rules, guidelines and policies, including the DPR Code of Conduct. All coaches and staff are DPR employees, and practices are held at Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center and Arlington Public Schools high school pools.

AAC Mission 

The mission of AAC is to develop well rounded swimmers who will excel both in the pool and in the community. The program provides an atmosphere that will enable any swimmer to reach their individual goals, foster a desire for excellence, and a love for the sport of swimming.

Our Vision

Challenging Greatness, in the pool and in life

Our Values

The following is a list of what we live for everyday and try to instill in each of our coaches and athletes: 

• Respect — Respect teammates, coaches, traditions and ourselves 

• Community — Promote a family atmosphere within AAC and serve AAC and the broader community through our example and our service 

• Teamwork — Recognize the need to work as a team and support our teammates 

• Integrity — Do the right thing by being honest, loyal, trustworthy, fair and sincere 

• Growth — Commit to growth and development of all individuals within AAC 

• Lifelong Learning — Learn from our experiences and mistakes in and out of the pool 

• Resilience — Demonstrate grit and persistence to overcome setbacks and obstacles 

• Inspiration — Motivate ourselves and others to achieve our fullest potential in and out of the pool

Teaching & Training Philosophies

AAC Pre-Competition Teaching & Training Philosophy 

• Develop proper stroke mechanics for competitive swimming AAC

• Provide individual attention to all swimmers, regardless of age or ability level 

• Promote psychological development of each swimmer by providing opportunities for goalachievement which result in positive self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment 

• Prepare swimmers to enter into the competitive swimming environment 

AAC Competition Teaching & Training Philosophy 

• Teach and reinforce the techniques of competitive swimming 

• Build physical strength and endurance 

• Promote team spirit and unity through competition and social interaction 

• Develop a sense of commitment, responsibility and time management skills necessary for achieving success 

• Teach and reinforce starts, turns and finishes appropriate for competition 

• All swimmers will learn how to set individual goals that are high, yet attainable, as well as learn the processes that it takes to reach these goals 

• Teach and reinforce race strategy