We’ve Grown With Your Swimmers!

We started as Aqua Baby Survival Swim School, and now we’re diving in as Waves of Hope Swim Academy.
Same heart. Bigger splash. And now built to grow with your kids!

Programs That Grow With Your Child

Built for Safety.

Designed for Growth.

Trusted by Parents.

At Waves of Hope, every program is rooted in our proven survival method and tailored to your child’s age, ability, and readiness. From infants learning to float to teens building strength and confidence, we offer expert-led instruction that supports both skill and peace of mind.

Programs That Grow With Your Child

Built for Safety.

Designed for Growth.

Trusted by Parents.

From infants learning to float to teens building strength and confidence, we offer expert-led instruction that supports both skill and peace of mind.

Our Signature Program

Aqua Baby Survival Swim

CRawlers

Ages 6 months + | Not walking

This program is for children ages 6 months and up who are not yet walking but are crawling and rolling over independently. It teaches essential survival swim techniques, including rollback-to-float from a face-down position. The class builds the foundation for independence and confidence in and around water. It is a 5-week program with 10–12 minute lessons, scheduled on various days depending on the session, and costs $785.

WALKers

Ages 12 months - 7 years| Walking

Designed for children ages 12 months to 7 years who are walking, this program teaches survival swim techniques using the Swim Float Swim method. It also includes pool exit strategies to support safety and independence. Lessons are 10–12 minutes long and take place Tuesday through Friday or Monday through Thursday over a 5-week period. The full program cost is $785.

It was 100% worth it! Nicole did an amazing job teaching both kids to swim and float in the water. They love to be in the pool and are not afraid of the water. My 5 year old is an amazing swimmer and love to drive down in the 6 foot pool for toys. My 3 year old was afraid of the water when we started and now jumps right in and is am amazing swimmer!

-Kari S

GROUP Swim Programs

Little

Dippers

Level 1: Gentle Beginnings

For ages 2–24 months with no prior survival swim, this class focuses on bonding, water comfort, and playful introduction to the water.

Level 2: Confident Floaters

For ages 7–29 months who have completed Survival Swim, this class focuses on maintaining your child's independent rollback to float, while gradually teaching them to confidently Swim•Float•Swim.

Water

explorers

Level 1: Brave Beginners

For ages 1–4 after completing Aqua Baby Survival Swim, this class builds confidence through singing in the superbowl, jumping in to swim, going down the slide, and diving for toys.

Level 2: Confident Foundations

For ages 2–6, this level builds from Level 1 while focusing on playful independence, longer swimming with sequence 5-5-5.

Level 3: Ready Set Go

For ages 3+, this level continues with the skills from Levels 1 &2 while introducing diving from the pool deck and pre-stroke drills.

Partnered

PROGRESS

For children of all ages who have completed Aqua Baby Survival Swim and their caregivers/parents (yes, parents get in the water too). The intent of this class is to provide post-survival swim guidance for kids who don't have the confidence to join a group class independently, and to boost confidence in both child and parent swimming outside of private lessons. Your child will swim with other kids, practicing their skills and gaining confidence. We will offer hands-on instruction in a structured, supportive setting. It's a great way to reinforce skills while building trust, comfort, and consistency outside private lessons.

Power Strokes

Level 1: Intro to Strokes

For ages 3.5+, this level introduces freestyle, backstroke, and endurance building with the Slipstream™ technique.

Level 2: Intermediate

This level focuses on developing side breathing, breaststroke, butterfly basics, and treading water.

Level 3: Advanced

Designed for swim team preparation, this class sharpens full strokes, endurance, efficiency, and deep diving skills.

Trusted. Certified. Committed to Water Safety.

AMAZING TEAM

At Waves of Hope Swim Academy, every instructor is trained in certified survival swim methods and passionate about helping children feel confident in the water. We take our role seriously — not just as swim teachers, but as partners in your child’s safety, growth, and independence.

Nicole NUsshag

Founder &

Lead Instructor

With years of hands-on experience teaching survival swim, Nicole is the heart behind Waves of Hope. She's known for her calm presence, strong communication with parents, and ability to meet each child exactly where they are—emotionally and developmentally.

Karl NUsshag

Certified Survival Swim Instructor

& Operations Supervisor

Karl is Nicole’s husband and the behind the scenes man at Waves of Hope. From managing the books and equipment to ensuring the facility is safe and stocked. His support allows our instructors to focus fully on what matters most—your child in the water.

Lisa Pineda

Certified Survival

Swim Instructor

Lisa brings energy, encouragement, and focused attention to every lesson. Families appreciate their clear guidance, patience, and consistency in the water. She helps little ones build comfort through play and positive association.

Khloe NUsshag

Videographer & Future Swim Stroke Instructor

First born daughter of Nicole and Karl, Khloe is the talented eye behind our underwater footage. She captures each child’s progress with care and creativity. Her videos help parents see the confidence and skill developing beneath the surface—and preserve those big moments forever.

Kaily NUSSHAG

Baby Swim Whisperer

Second born daughter of Nicole and Karl, Kaily is the baby swim whisperer and the heart behind our youngest swimmers' success. With a gentle spirit and a natural connection to babies, she helps little ones feel calm, confident, and safe in the water. Whether it’s their first splash or their first float, Kaily brings comfort and joy to every lesson. Parents love her and babies trust her.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When should I enroll my baby in swim lessons?

You can enroll your child as early as six months of age or when your baby is rolling over both ways and sitting independently. Your baby will learn how to roll from a face-down position in the water to a face-up independent back float with a private instructor.

I have a newborn. What can I do to introduce him to the water now?

If your baby is under six months of age, you can still get started with parent-led lessons. We offer a Little Dippers class beginning in May (assuming there’s enough interest), comparable to a “Baby & Me” lesson for ages 2-7 months old. These lessons will be available once a week for 20 minutes per lesson with an instructor to help parents/caregivers get the baby comfortable in the water. In this class, parents will be in the water with the baby.

When will my child only learn to float on their back?

While our number one priority is water safety and teaching children to float on their back to breathe, most children master this skill between 4-5 weeks. This leaves us with the last week or two to have some fun while building confidence. We will teach them how to swim•float•swim across the pool (for our walking students), which is so fun for them! Our second priority is having fun in the water! We do our best to incorporate our slide, games, and toys to ensure that we get some playtime and do not always have to work. Next thing you know, your child will be crying because they have to get out of the pool.

What does the American Academy of Pediatrics say about swim lessons?

The AAP recommends swim lessons as a layer of protection against drowning that can begin for many children starting at age 1.

What if I cannot afford to pay for swim lessons?

The Colt Catalina Foundation works exclusively with Infant Aquatics® instructors to provide scholarships for families in need of tuition assistance. If your child is under four years old and needs tuition assistance, please reach out to the Colt Catalina Foundation or contact us to help get a scholarship for your child. 

If we have vacation planned is it ok to miss a week of lessons?

We encourage you to plan your vacation around swim lessons. The consistency of regular attendance will set your child up for success. We understand that life is busy and things come up, so missing a lesson here or there is ok. Please know that you are paying for a time slot regardless of attendance. We offer makeup lessons at no additional charge if we have to cancel due to the weather. Please see the weather policy.

What is your weather policy?

The instructor will cancel lessons if lightning is nearby. Please note that the weather can be quite different in your location than ours. We do not cancel lessons because it’s raining. The pool water is between 88 – 90 degrees, so your child will be warm while swimming. If the instructor has to cancel your lesson due to lightning, we will make up that lesson another day. If you choose to cancel your lesson when the instructor is still working, you are forfeiting your lesson for that day. Due to the unpredictable afternoon and evening weather during the monsoon season, we will only offer morning lessons during this time, typically during the session beginning in July.

What if my child doesn't want to come back to swim lessons after we start?

This is very common, so please do not worry! This is when your child needs your loving support the most. Trust the process and your child will eventually be crying because they have to get out of the pool.

My child is no longer a toddler is it too late to enroll them for survival swim lessons?

It is never too late! If your child is over six years old, we can set up an assessment to see if we are a good fit to work with your child. No matter the age, our primary focus will always be survival swimming.

Why are lessons so short?

Our survival swim program is private swim lessons. The instructor’s attention is only on your child, and your child is swimming the whole time. There is a lot involved in this learning process, and your child will be tired in the 10-12-minute window. Once fatigue sets in, the learning process is over. The key to your child’s success is working in short, consistent increments. It’s a short time commitment for lasting results!

What is survival swimming?

Survival swimming is where one has the ability to have a controlled float in any depth of water. Children who are walking can learn to kick and swim, then roll to their back to breathe/rest, flip back over, and continue swimming.

Why Aqua Baby Survival Swim School?

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children 1-4 years old. Getting your child safe in the water is a priority! Our focus is getting your child safe in the water in weeks, not years. Once your child completes our survival swim program, he will know how to respond if he ever encounters an aquatic accident. Once your toddler learns to roll over to float, relax and breathe, he will experience the pleasure of swimming and gain confidence.

Why is the cost higher than other swim programs in Tucson?

Imagine that in 6 short weeks, your child will go from no experience in the water to knowing exactly what to do in the event of an aquatic accident! Your child will be the only student in the water with an instructor where the entire lesson is focused on your child with no other distractions hindering the lesson time. This allows your child to retain more of what is being taught. Your child will transform in the water right before your eyes, having the ability to swim in weeks, not years!

What's next after my child graduates the survival swim program?

Your child is encouraged to attend semi-private group classes once or twice per week to retain and build upon their skills. This is especially important during the warmer months when your child may be swimming/playing differently than how they learned while swimming at home. By having them attend group class, it will encourage them to use their skills correctly. Children under 2 must continue to attend weekly lessons as they will outgrow their skills much faster than an older child. With how quickly babies and toddlers grow during the first few years, their center of gravity tends to shift, affecting their ability to float comfortably. Maintaining their skills is very important whether it’s with us or at home.

NOTE: your child must graduate from the Aqua Baby Survival Swim program to be eligible for group lessons.

Do you teach strokes?

This program sets a proper foundation for any child to learn strokes. Typically children do not have the coordination to learn strokes such as freestyle and backstroke until they are about five years old. Younger children can learn the swim•float•swim technique. This technique must be mastered by all of our students regardless of age. If we have students ages 4 and up that seem ready, we can introduce side breathing, freestyle, and backstrokes to them during lessons or a semi-private group lesson.

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Copyright 2025

Waves of Hope Swim Academy LLC

All Rights Reserved | Legal

Copyright 2025 | Aqua Baby Survival Swim LLC | All Rights Reserved | Legal