ISR
6 MONTHS TO 6 YEARS | OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS
Survival swimming lessons for infants and young children in Delaware and the surrounding communities
Registration for the 2026 January - April ISR sessions are now open!
Not One More Child Drowns
All students, even those as young as 6 months old, learn the fundamental ISR skill of rolling onto their backs to float, rest, and breathe. Infants and toddlers who are not yet walking well will learn to maintain this position until help can reach them, and it's just as important for our older students as they incorporate more swimming skills.
As toddlers and young children gain more physical skills on land, they are ready to learn more skills in the water as well. ISR teaches children to swim a short distance, rotate onto their back to a floating position, and then turn over to continue the sequence of swimming and floating until they can reach safety at the steps, side of the pool, or shoreline.
Class Structure
Students come to lessons 5 days a week, Monday – Friday. Each lesson will be no more than 10 minutes long with just one child in the water at a time. Lessons are individually tailored to meet your child’s developmental and physical abilities as well as meeting their emotional needs. Much is accomplished in a short but very intense private lesson. Your child will have the same 10-minute time slot each day. You can expect your child to complete his or her initial course within 6 weeks.
2026 Session Start Dates:
- January 5th, 2026
- March 2nd, 2026
- March 9th, 2026
- April 20th, 2026
*Peak season pricing in effect- please see pricing below for details
What Should I Enroll for?
ISR Self-Rescue®
These are the standard ISR lessons discussed on the ISR website. If your child has never done ISR lessons or has done other swim lessons outside of ISR, this is the type of lessons you want to select for scheduling. These lessons usually take an average of six weeks to complete, depending on the age and ability of the child.
ISR Floater to Swimmer
These lessons are ONLY for babies who completed ISR lessons as a ROLL-BACK TO FLOAT and are now ready to learn SWIM-FLOAT-SWIM.
If your child was over one year of age when they completed lessons previously and they did some swimming, then you need to select REFRESHER. If you are not sure, please contact us before scheduling.
ISR Refresher
These lessons are for children who have already completed the full ISR set of swim-float-swim lessons. As the name implies, these lessons enable the children to "refresh" the skills that they have already learned. Students attend lessons Monday-Friday for ten minutes each day. Since these skills are not new to the children, refresher lessons usually take approximately two weeks. These should be completed every 4-6 months.
Meet Our Instructors
ISR Master Instructor
Ms. Devon has been an Infant Swimming Resource® (ISR) instructor at Hockessin Athletic Club since 2012 and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with children and families. In 2023, she earned her Master ISR Instructor certification, a distinction that allows her not only to teach children but also to train and certify new ISR instructors. Through this role, Devon helps expand access to high-quality, life-saving swim instruction in communities that need it most.
Devon is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure Management with a minor in Business. While becoming an ISR instructor was not part of her original career plan, the role quickly became a meaningful and rewarding path that blended her education, personal strengths, and desire to remain present for her family. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive learning environment where children can build confidence and independence in the water.
Known for her calm presence, deep expertise, and commitment to water safety, Devon believes ISR is about far more than swimming—it is about empowering children with skills that can save their lives. She takes pride in mentoring both students and fellow instructors, helping ensure that ISR’s mission continues to reach more families year after year.
ISR Instructor
Ms. Judy brings a lifetime of experience in safety, instruction, and physical training to her role as an Infant Swimming Resource® (ISR) instructor. Her background spans more than five decades and includes military service, law enforcement, martial arts, aquatics, and fitness. Judy is a former United States Marine and Military Police Officer, where she also served as an instructor in defensive tactics and survival swimming—experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to discipline, awareness, and personal safety.
Throughout her career, Judy has held leadership and instructional roles in martial arts organizations, including teaching Judo and Ju-Jitsu and coordinating youth programs. She is also a highly credentialed group fitness instructor with extensive experience teaching aqua fitness classes. Her journey in aquatics began in 2014 and continued to grow as she discovered ISR in 2021, immediately recognizing it as a natural extension of her passion for protecting and empowering children.
For Judy, ISR is about more than learning to swim—it is about building trust, confidence, and respect for the water. She is deeply committed to partnering with families and giving children the skills they need to help save themselves in the water. Judy considers it a privilege to play a role in each child’s ISR journey and to provide parents with greater peace of mind through education and preparation.
ISR Instructor
Ms. Kristin has been working as a swim instructor since 2011 and became an Infant Swimming Resource® (ISR) instructor at Hockessin Athletic Club in 2023. She holds a degree in Health and Physical Education from West Chester University, along with minors in Adapted Physical Education, Nutrition, and Health. Her professional background includes experience in both aquatics and school settings, giving her a well-rounded foundation for working with children of all abilities.
Kristin’s passion for ISR grew not only through her professional experience, but also through her role as a parent. After observing ISR instruction while working at the pool, she knew she wanted her own children to learn these essential skills early. Her children successfully completed ISR at HAC, reinforcing her belief in the program’s effectiveness and importance. When the opportunity arose to become ISR certified, Kristin eagerly embraced the chance to teach a program she deeply trusts.
Kristin is dedicated to helping children develop confidence, independence, and respect for the water. She values building strong relationships with families and guiding them through each step of the ISR process. Her teaching style is supportive, energetic, and child-focused, ensuring every student feels safe and encouraged as they master critical water safety skills.
Learning Expectations
Age 6 months - 12 months
- learn to hold their breath underwater
- learn to roll onto their back
- learn to float unassisted, rest, and breathe until help arrives
- learn to perform ISR's Self-Rescue® skills first in a swim diaper and then while fully clothed.
Age 12 months - 6 years
- learn to hold their breath underwater
- learn to swim with their head down
- learn to roll onto their back and float, rest, and breathe
- learn to roll back over to resume swimming until they reach the side of the pool, crawl out or be rescued by an adult
- learn to perform the Self-Rescue® first in a swim diaper/bathing suit and then fully clothed.
Pricing
Limited scholarships are available each year. Due to limited quantities available, instructor approval must be confirmed prior to applying.
Enrollment:
- $105 Enrollment Fee through ISR National
Weekly Fee:
- $140 per week
- *$150 during peak season