Evo Swim School

WHAT IS SUMMER SWIM TEAM?
Summer Swim Team is designed for kids already enrolled in the EVO stroke lesson levels (Porpoise & Dolphin). Summer swim team is also great for friends that can display basic freestyle and backstroke who may not already be enrolled at EVO.

This is a perfect opportunity for kids to get introduced to competitive swimming at an entry-level. Practices and competitions are conducted in the WIDTH of our outdoor pools (18 yards). It’s fun and the first step to our year-round swim team!

WHEN DOES ENROLLMENT OPEN?
Enrollment begins Monday April 29th!

WHEN DOES SUMMER SWIM TEAM START?
Practices will begin Tuesday, May 28th, and will continue for five weeks. Pro-ration is available if you can’t swim the whole season.

CAN I STAY IN MY STROKE LESSON AND ADD A SECOND OR THIRD DAY OF SUMMER SWIM TEAM?
Yes! We strongly recommend you keep your regular stroke lesson day(s) and times and just add an additional one or two days of swim team practice per week during the summer. If your child would prefer to swim 100% with the summer swim team, that’s fine too!

WHAT DOES SUMMER SWIM TEAM COST?
Swim as many times per week as you like for just $21 per one hour practice.

LOCATIONS & PRACTICE TIMES:
EVO SanTan Gilbert Location:
> M-Th 9:00-10:00 a.m.
EVO Mesa/Gilbert Location:
> M-Th 2:30-3:30 p.m.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (all items available for purchase at both locations)
> rubber fins
> goggles

MINI SWIM MEET SCHEDULE (meets only cost $10 per child to attend and run about 30 minutes with an early afternoon start time)
> June 15th at EVO Mesa/Gilbert location
> June 29th at EVO SanTan Gilbert location

In partnership with the QCUSD Aquatic Complex we are pleased to bring you another year of discounted SWIMMING LESSONS and SWIM TEAM for the 2024 summer season! Indoor air-conditioned viewing room will be available for parents to enjoy! Focused 3x per week lessons offered for five weeks, May 29th through June 27th.

Enrollment Opens Monday, April 29th
Please complete our online pre-registration, then call 480-404-6191 to pick your class schedule.

Swimming Lessons:
> 3 lessons per week (T/W/Th)
> May 29th through June 27th
> 30 minute lessons
> lessons held every 30 minutes from 3:30pm to 7pm
> Maximum of 4 children per class

Swimming Lesson Pricing:
> $61.62 per week for families that attend a QCUSD school
> $72.54 per week for child that DO NOT attend a QCUSD school
> $12.50 insurance fee (paid only once for one or all sessions)

Swim Team:
> Practices held 2x per week 5:00 to 6:00 PM (T/Th)
> May 29th through June 27th
> Advanced Stroke and Development One group levels only

Swim Team Pricing:
> $43.68 per week
> $12.50 insurance fee (paid only once for one or all sessions)

ABOUT THE LESSONS:
> Once per week Starfish lessons are approximately 25 minutes in length
> Children must be between the ages of 4 and 24 months old to participate
> One adult must accompany each child in the water during every lesson
> A wonderful introduction to learning to swim, controlling tears, holding breath, and overcoming separation anxiety

RULES FOR FREE TUITION:
> New or returning students can take Starfish lessons in the month of April TUITION FREE
> There are no sessions – enroll at anytime
> Make up lessons are not available during the free lesson period
> All children will be charged our once annual insurance fee of $25 upon enrollment (if you haven’t already paid it in 2022) to cover our cost to insure you and your child while swimming with us

> At the end of April you can choose to take a break or continue at Starfish tuition rate of $48 per month for one weekly lesson per week ($87 per month for two weekly lessons).
> There is no obligation beyond paying our once annual insurance fee.
> This is a great opportunity to spend time with your child while teaching them a life saving skill.

These lessons will prepare your child to advance into higher levels of swimming lessons that will lead to a life of independence and joy in the water! The earlier your child becomes comfortable in the water, the faster they will learn to swim independently.

Complete our online pre-registration. Once submitted, you will receive a number to call to get enrolled. If you have any questions, please call our office at 480-404-6191.

When you are ready to enroll your child into our program, please make sure you have completed the ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION before you call to get enrolled.

This form is found on our website and will enable you to set up your family account. No enrollments can be done online and no payments are automatically charged by inputting your payment information.

Once you have submitted this form you will be prompted with a phone number to call to pick out your class time(s). Over the phone we will explain when and how payments will be taken and get you all set to swim!

Please note, if you have swam with us in the last six months, you don’t need to complete this form. If it’s been more than six months, you will need to complete the pre-registration again before enrolling.

EVO Swim School is an evolutionary learn-to-swim facility with complete resources to offer the very best in aquatic instruction for infants, children, pre-competitive swimmers, highly competitive swimmers, and adults.

Learning to swim has evolved in two ways. First, our progressive approach to instruction is more than just bubbles and back floats. Our students actually learn to swim, are confident in the water, and emerge as happy and safe swimmers.

Secondly, from babies all the way to college-bound student athletes, we have the ability to offer the very best in aquatic instruction for every age and at every level.

EVO is the first step in our evolutionary approach to swimming. EVO Swim School will teach your child to swim and introduce them to the competitive strokes. Beyond that, our club swim component, know as the RIO Salado Swim Club, manages the competitive side of swimming. Our Pre- Competitive Swim Team is a great way to introduce your child to the world of competitive swimming. As our athletes develop their skills, they have the opportunity to train and compete with our Competitive Squad where are goal is to help athletes prepare to swim in college.

Wherever your child fits into our program, our ultimate goal is to teach them how to swim for safety first, then for backyard fun, then for fitness…and finally for competition.

We are so confident in our highly trained staff that we offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are not fully satisfied after your first four lessons.

With several locations in the east valley including Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek, there is a convenient place for your child to participate.

This is why EVO Swim School is the place “Where Learning to Swim Has Evolved”!

Coach Bryan Crane brings a wealth of knowledge about technique and training to our Master program. He has been coaching masters for years in addition to club coaching. Bryan has transitioned out of the club coaching world to focus on his teaching career. However, he loves swimming and still wants to stay connected to it via Masters Swimming. We are lucky to have him team up with us!

PRE-REGISTER FOR MASTER’S SWIMMING HERE

PLEASE NOTE:
> All abilities are welcome, however, you must be able to swim at least 200 yards without stopping

COACHED PRACTICES ($80 per month)
EVO SanTan Gilbert location
M/T/Th 5:00 to 6:00 AM
Fri 5:00 to 6:00 AM at Chandler High Pool
Sat 6:30 to 7:30 AM

NON-COACHED PRACTICES ($43 per month)
EVO SanTan Gilbert location
M/W/F 5:15 to 6:15 AM
Sat 6:30 to 7:30 AM
EVO Mesa/Gilbert location
M/W/Th 5:45 to 6:45 AM
Sat 6:00 to 7:30 AM
Sun 7:00 to 8:30 AM

TUITION RATE:
> $43 or $80 per month
> $25 once annual insurance fee upon enrollment ($35 for a family)

Have you ever wondered what the next step in your child’s progression is past the Development Training Program. The Competitive Junior 1 Group is designed for swimmers that have been recruited directly from our Development Training Program. This program enables them to receive the next level of coaching with a focus on core competitive stroke fundamentals. Athletes ages 8 to 14 years old can be eligible for this group. However, children of like ages will practice in separate groups. Athletes will swim 2x per week for 1.25 or 1.5 hours per practice (depending on age and ability).

We have the most qualified coach in the state to lead this group. Coach Melissa Ripley has been coaching age group swimmers for over 40 years. Melissa is a three time Olympic gold medalist in 1972 and has devoted her life to the sport. She is a perfectionist and loves to teach sound fundamentals to kids who want to the be the best they can be. Read Melissa’s full bio below.

Required Equipment (Items stocked at both EVO locations)
> Kick board
> Center-mount snorkel
> Fins
> Duckie fins
> Pull buoy
> Water bottle
> Mesh equipment bag
> Team cap
> Team suit

BIO: MELISSA BELOTE RIPLEY – THREE TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

Melissa Louise Belote was born on October 16, 1956 in Washington D.C. and grew up in Springfield, Virginia. She has been called one of America’s greatest swimmers. Melissa is the middle child of Florence and Buddy Belote. She has two sisters Barbara and Jenny.

Melissa first appeared on the national swimming scene at the age of 12 (1969) when she qualified for her first United States National Championship.

In 1972, Melissa won both the 100 and 200 meter Backstroke at the United States Olympic Trials and set a world record in the 200 meter Backstroke.

Later that year in Munich, Germany, Melissa led the women’s American Swim Team as she won three Gold Medals. She placed first in the 100 meter Backstroke, setting an Olympic and American record. She finished first in the 200 meter Backstroke setting a World, Olympic, and American record. She also swam the lead off leg on the World, Olympic, and American record setting 400 Medley Relay team.

In 1973, Melissa continued her dominance when she won the 200 meter Backstroke at the World Championships.

In 1976, Melissa made her second Olympic team, which competed in Montreal, Canada. Melissa finished fifth in the 200 meter Backstroke, setting a new American record.

From 1970 to 1979, Melissa won 8 AAU Individual National Championships and was a 16 time AAU All-American. She also won 6 individual National Collegiate Swimming Championships and led her college team, Arizona State University to two National Championships. Melissa was a four-year All-American at Arizona State University.

In 1972 and 1973, Melissa was the runner-up for the Sullivan Award, the highest amateur award recognized in the United States. In 1977, she won the Broderick Award as the Outstanding Women’s Collegiate Swimmer in America.

Melissa is in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, the Washington Hall of Stars, the Arizona State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 1999 Melissa was selected to the United States Swimming “Team of the Century,” as well as, Sports Illustrated Top 50 Athletes from the state of Virginia, and the Arizona Republic Newspapers Top 100 Athletes of Arizona.

Melissa has been involved with swimming, either as a swimmer or coach, since 1965 when she started competing as an 8 year old at her community swim club, Springfield Swim & Racquet Club. In addition to her coaching responsibilities as Head Age Group Coach at Rio Salado Swim Club, Melissa is the Head Swim Coach at McClintock High School.

Melissa is married to Richard A. Ripley and they have two children, Rachel Alexandra (28) and Erik Alexander (26). Rachel swam at the University of Missouri and graduated in 2013. Erik swam at Towson University and graduated in May 2015.

Melissa Belote Ripley
> 40 year’s coaching age group swimming, 14 years High School coaching
> Four time All-American for Arizona State University
> Six time National Collegiate Champion for Arizona State University
> Olympian (1972 & 1976)
> Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist (World, Olympic and American Record holder)
> World Champion 1973 – 200 m Backstroke
> Sullivan Award Runner-up (1972 & 1973) – Top Amateur Athlete in American
> Broderick Award (now called Honda Award) for Outstanding Women’s Collegiate Swimmer (1977)
> Fiesta Bowl All-American (1977)
> Arizona Republic Newspaper – Women Athlete of the Year (1977 & 1978)
> Inducted into the Arizona State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1981)
> Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1983)
> Inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (1989)
> Sports Illustrated Top 50 Virginia Athletes (1999)
> Arizona Republic 100 Greatest Arizona Athletes (1999)
> USA Swimming – Female 200 Backstroker of the Century
> Named to the PAC 12 All-Century Team – 100 Years of Champions, 1915 – 2015
> Inducted into the Arizona Swimming Hall of Fame (2016)

This state of the art facility includes an indoor teaching pool for swimming lessons and an outdoor, 8 lane, 25 yard pool for competitive swimming. Siblings can participate in lessons and swim team at the same time! 90% of the outdoor pool is covered with shade sails and our indoor viewing room provides an air conditioned space that enables you to see both the indoor and outdoor pools at the same time.

<ALL TUITION RATES CAN BE FOUND HERE

SWIMMING LESSON SCHEDULES
> Mon 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
> Mon-Thu 2:45 to 7:00PM
> Fri 3:30 to 6:00PM
> Sat 8:00AM to 12:00PM

SWIM TEAM SCHEDULES
> Mon-Fri 4:00 to 7:30PM
> Sat 9:00 to 11:00AM

SWIM TEAM GROUP LEVELS
Advanced Stroke
> must know the basics of all four strokes
> practices are 60 minutes long
> swim 1x or 2x per week
> swim meets are offered but not mandatory
> fins and goggles are required (caps are recommended for long hair)

Development 1
> must be legal by USA Swimming standards in all four strokes
> practices are 60 minutes long
> swim 1x or 2x per week
> swim meets are offered but not mandatory
> fins and goggles are required (caps are recommended for long hair)

Development 2
> for more advanced swimmers not yet in high school
> practices are 90 minutes long
> swim 1x, 2x, 3x, or 4x per week
> swim meets are offered but not mandatory
> fins and goggles are required (caps are recommended for long hair)

High School Training Group
> full details for this program can be found HERE
> for athletes preparing for their high school swim season
> practices are 90 minutes long
> swim 1x, 2x, 3x, or 4x per week
> swim meets are offered by not mandatory
> fins and goggles are required (caps are recommended for long hair)

MASTERS ADULT SWIM INFO
> click HERE

Meet Andrea Courtney, the Head Site Coach at EVO’s competitive Gilbert swim school, RIO Swim Club. We recently sat down with Andrea to learn more about her and help our students get to know her better, too.

David Tait, owner of EVO and RIO: Hi, Andrea. Thanks for chatting with us! For those who don’t know you, tell us about your role at RIO Swim Club.

Andrea: As the Head Site Coach at the Hamilton pool, my primary role is running practices every night for four different groups, helping our competitive swimmers with their technique on all of their strokes, and working with them on their turns and dives. I also run monthly evaluations to see what they could improve and determine if they are ready to move to the next group.

David: You’ve coached some of our best students, and I know you were a competitive swimmer, too. How long have you been swimming and coaching?

Andrea: I started swimming competitively when I was 6 years old and continued swimming through high school. I hurt my knee and wasn’t able to continue swimming, so coaching allowed me to stay with the sport. Once I got involved with coaching, I fell in love with being able to help others improve in a sport that I enjoy so much.

Now, I have been coaching for almost 13 years! I have coached high school swimmers since I graduated, led a swim team at a local gym, and I have been coaching at RIO for three years.

David: We’ve loved having you as part of our team. Out of all of your time in swimming, what has been your fondest memory?

Andrea: I started swimming in Colorado during the summer while I was visiting my grandparents. I remember the first time I won the 100 backstroke at a championship meet. It was the same meet where our co-ed relay took first! It was a huge accomplishment for me and pushed me to continue. It also was awesome to do it with my friends that I had been swimming with for so long.

David: Wow, I bet that was an amazing moment! Outside of swimming, do you have any special talents or fun facts that most people don’t know about you?

Andrea: I don’t really have any special talents, but one thing that a lot of people don’t know is that I am a survivor of cancer. It has helped me be who I am today and given me a huge appreciation for my family and friends. We spend a lot of time together going to sporting events, concerts, and camping whenever we can.

David: We’re so glad you’re healthy now and thankful to have you as part of our Gilbert swim school.

Andrea: Thanks, Dave. It’s been so much fun helping kids reach their goals, and I love working with the EVO/RIO team. They feel like part of my family!

Over the years, our instructors have taught thousands of kids and adults how to swim with our Gilbert swimming lessons. During those lessons, we’ve tried tons of different equipment and experienced what works best firsthand. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing our top picks for training equipment, learn-to-swim tools, and accessories to help you or your child learn the right technique and have fun!

This month, we’re gabbing about goggles for kids. Here are some of our favorite brands.

**Finis H2 Jr.

Who these goggles are good for:

Ages 5-8

Why we recommend them:

We like that these goggles are comfortable and come in cool colors that kids love. Their soft frame and silicone eye gasket create a watertight fit without hurting their sensitive faces, and the silicone strap and back clip allow easy adjustment.

**Finis Fruit Basket

Who these goggles are good for:

Ages 3-8

Why we recommend them:

The Fruit Basket goggles have the same benefits as the H2, and they smell good. Children can pick their favorite out of four scents, so don’t be surprised if they start begging to go swimming once they have these goggles!

**TYR Kids’ Swimple Goggles

Who these goggles are good for:

Ages 2-6

Why we recommend them:

These goggles are so simple that even young kids can put them on without help. They come in multiple colors, and the single strap splits into two straps behind the head for a secure fit.

**TYR Qualifier Goggles

Who these goggles are good for:

Kids moving from swimming lessons into development swim team

Why we recommend them:

Qualifier Goggles are racing goggles that are a bit bigger to help swimmers see better in the water. They also have the same strap as the Swimple Goggles, which keeps them tight yet comfortable.

All of these goggles, plus our other favorite swimming equipment, can be purchased at EVO’s pro shop. For more goggle recommendations or details about our Gilbert swimming lessons, contact EVO Swim School at 480-404-6191.