Safety-first survival and learn-to-swim lessons that build real confidence.
Individualized, adaptive swim instruction tailored to each swimmer’s needs.
Confidence and safety at any age.
Celebrate and make a splash.
Warm-water fun for practice and play.
Catch the Wave
Survival-first swim lessons for babies, kids, adults & adaptive swimmers — taught the BraveSwim™ way.
Catch the Wave Swim Club in Crystal Lake offers year-round indoor swim lessons for families seeking a trusted, structured learn-to-swim program in McHenry County. Serving swimmers from Crystal Lake, Cary, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, and surrounding communities, we teach infants, toddlers, kids, teens, adults, and adaptive swimmers how to learn to swim with safety and confidence at the foundation.
Our swim lessons begin with essential survival-first water safety skills before progressing into confident swim development and strong stroke technique. Rather than rushing swimmers through levels, we focus on building real independence in the water — ensuring each swimmer develops both competence and confidence.
Through our BraveSwim™ Method, and guided by Our Promise to Families, parents can expect a clean, professional facility, encouraging coaches, clear communication, and lessons designed to deliver meaningful progress every time they visit.
Monday — Thursday:
1:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday:
Closed
Saturday — Sunday:
8:30am – 2:00pm
We stand behind our coaching and safer swimmer guarantee.
If it wasn’t their day, we’ll make sure the next one is.
We don’t just teach swimming — we guarantee progress.
Try your first class completely risk-free — love it or get a full refund.
Straightforward pricing with convenient monthly billing. Pay-as-you-go options are available — contact the office for details.
$28.50
/per lesson
Billed monthly
What’s Included:
Great for swimmers of all ages and levels.
Pricing does not include the annual family fee.
$85.50
/per lesson
Billed monthly. One flat rate covers 1–4 swimmers.
What’s Included:
Great for siblings, small groups, adults, or swimmers who need more individualized attention.
Pricing does not include the annual family fee.
$50.00
One-time fee
Our $36 annual family fee keeps things easy. One yearly fee covers registrations for your entire family — no per-child charges. And instead of separate processing fees, technology fees, or other add-on costs throughout the year, everything is rolled into this simple charge. Tuition + annual fee.
That’s it.
We offer adaptive and special needs swim lessons focused on safety and individualized progress. Most swimmers begin in private lessons at our regular private lesson rate, with group options available in some cases. Start by completing our intake form so we can recommend the best fit.
Adult swim lessons are available for teens and adults and are always taught in a private format at our regular private lesson rate. Lessons are typically scheduled during quieter times. Tell us about your goals through the intake form to get started.
We offer private indoor pool birthday parties at this location for children of all swimming levels. Complete the inquiry form and we’ll email you full party details, including pricing, availability, party length, and what’s included.
Open swim and practice swim options are available at select times. Availability and pricing vary based on what you’re looking for. Complete the inquiry form and we’ll follow up with current options.
View available class days and levels offered at Catch the Wave – Crystal Lake.
Not sure which level is right? Take our Placement Quiz
Take our quick Skill Assessment Quiz and get matched with the right class for your swimmer.
Complete your registration to secure your spot and get started at this location.




Follow Catch the Wave for class updates, safety tips, swimmer celebrations, and more.




Choose the option that fits your family best — enroll online, reach out with questions, or connect with our team for guidance.
We are located at 269 Liberty Road, just south of Route 176. We are conveniently situated near the Crystal Lake Park District offices and just a short drive from Crystal Lake Central High School.
Crystal Lake offers survival-first swim lessons for kids, Parent-Child classes, private and semi-private lessons, adaptive swim lessons, adult & teen lessons, open swim & family time, and private pool rentals (including parties). All programs follow BraveSwim™.
Yes—Crystal Lake offers year-round enrollment. Availability shifts weekly, so checking the schedule is the fastest way to start.
Yes. Crystal Lake offers private and semi-private lessons for swimmers who benefit from more individualized pacing, extra repetition, specific goal work, or a quieter learning environment.
Tuition for Crystal Lake swimmers is billed monthly based on the number of lessons on your selected day. Small Group classes are $28.50 per lesson. Private and Family lessons are a flat rate of $85.50 per lesson (total, for up to 4 swimmers). We also have one $50 Annual Family Fee. This covers registration for your entire immediate family for a full 12 months—so even if you take a break and come back later in the year, you won’t pay it again until your anniversary date.
We teach swimmers from about 3 months old through adulthood, including older beginners.
After-school and early evening classes tend to fill first. Mid-day or earlier time blocks often offer more openings and faster start dates.
Warm-water indoor pool (typically 88-91°F), private changing rooms, wheelchair-accessible entry, viewing areas, hair dryers, refreshments, and nearby parking.
Arrive a little early so we can get you oriented. Our team will walk you through the facility, confirm your swimmer’s class details, and make sure they meet their coach before heading to the pool. First-day visits are designed to feel organized, calm, and welcoming.
Yes—lessons run continuously throughout the year with rolling enrollment.
Standard enrollment requires 6 weeks notice to discontinue. Casual enrollment has no ongoing commitment beyond lessons purchased. The first lesson isn’t free, but it’s satisfaction-guaranteed.
Families commonly come from Crystal Lake, Lakewood, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Cary, and Prairie Grove. We also see many families traveling from Woodstock and McHenry who choose us specifically for our specialized survival-first curriculum that isn’t available at typical recreational centers.
Yes. We believe transparency builds trust. You are welcome to visit our Crystal Lake facility to observe a class, meet the site director, and see our safety protocols in action. Please check in at the front desk when you arrive so we can guide you to the viewing area.
Yes. We are active members of the Crystal Lake and McHenry County community. We regularly host water safety presentations for local preschools, scout troops, and parent groups. If you would like us to speak to your group about drowning prevention, please contact our local office
Families choose our Crystal Lake location because it offers a consistent, well-run swim program with clear expectations and steady progress. Many families appreciate the reliable schedule, experienced coaching team, and the ability to start lessons without waiting for seasonal sessions. It’s a great fit for families who want structure, safety, and a survival-first approach they can count on week after week.
Yes. This Catch the Wave Swim Club location is independently owned and operated by a local team while following the BraveSwim™ curriculum, safety standards, and coaching systems used across all Catch the Wave locations.
Catch the Wave first began operating in Crystal Lake in 2016 as a pilot expansion, exploring how the program could serve the local community. At the time, a local scuba shop had a warm-water pool that was largely underutilized. The space was safe, effective, and well-suited for swim instruction. Catch the Wave partnered with the facility and began offering lessons, and the program quickly proved successful. Families connected with the survival-first approach, swimmers made strong progress, and the Crystal Lake community responded positively. As the scuba program grew, pool availability became more limited. Eventually, the space no longer allowed for consistent swim lesson scheduling. Despite strong results, Catch the Wave was unable to secure another suitable pool in the area — and rather than compromise the program, operations in Crystal Lake were paused. In 2026, the opportunity to return came in a new and lasting way. As the facility owner prepared for retirement, Catch the Wave acquired the entire pool facility, allowing the program to return with full control, stability, and long-term vision. Catch the Wave officially reopened in Crystal Lake in January 2026, this time with a permanent home built to support safe, effective instruction. This location highlights an important part of the Catch the Wave philosophy. The pool itself was originally designed for scuba training — not custom-built swim instruction. Yet over time, it has proven to be an effective, safe, and highly successful environment for teaching swimmers. Crystal Lake reinforces what Catch the Wave has always believed: it’s not about having the “perfect” pool. It’s about experienced instructors, a proven curriculum, and consistent results. When those pieces are in place, the setting becomes secondary — and the outcomes speak for themselves.
To reinforce BraveSwim™ survival skills, we offer optional, age-appropriate Water Safety Challenges at no additional cost:
During these challenges, swimmers practice applying their survival skills fully clothed — entering the water and demonstrating age-appropriate safety responses in more realistic conditions.
Water Safety Challenges are offered on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Please check with your local Catch the Wave office for upcoming dates and availability.