About
Richmond Swims – Richmond Sailfish Kids Swim Team & Lessons offers a kids swim team, swim lessons, and coached pool workouts. The program includes competitive swimming, monthly competitions, and activities that focus on fitness and friendship. Sailfish coached pool workouts at the Plunge are held year round.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Practices Monday–Friday with group options between 4:00–6:00 pm
• Price: MONTHLY DUES FOR FULL TIME SWIMMERS: Guppy group – $95/swimmer. Minnow group – $100/swimmer. Sailfish group – $110/swimmer. Scholarship Families – $65/swimmer.
Practices are currently Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The Guppy Group meets from 4:00 to 4:50 pm Monday through Friday, the Minnow Group meets from 4:45 to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and the Sailfish Group meets from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The program uses TeamUp to manage registration and payments, and standard registration for 2026 is available.
The mission of the Richmond Sailfish is to encourage and empower young people to develop to their fullest potential as athletes, individuals, and role models in their community through participation. The program especially aims to provide inner-city youth throughout Richmond with an opportunity to develop swimming skills, character, and self-discipline in a supportive environment that fosters personal improvement. Richmond Swims states that it strives to provide swimming skills, competitive swimming, fitness, and friendship to Richmond residents of all ages and skill levels.
Head Coach John Schonder holds a Level II Certification with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and is a Professional Trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Assistant Coach Kaitlin Harris is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and a certified USA Swimming coach. The leadership team also includes Assistant Coach Jose Luis Albarran, and John Schonder serves as the Safe Sport club coordinator.
Everyone in the program is required to register with USA Swimming and pay annual dues, which cover insurance and a subscription to Swimming World Magazine. Swimmers are instructed to carry their USA Swimming cards with them at swim meets or other USA Swimming events, as they may be required to show them. Fees can be paid by check made out to “Richmond Swims” and given to the coach or sent to the attention of the Club Registrar at P.O. Box 70952, Richmond, CA 94807.
Richmond Swims is described as the evolution of Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFR), which has continually provided swim programs in the Plunge for the Richmond community. The team states that it offers all swimmers the chance to excel by maintaining small group sizes to ensure each swimmer plenty of personal attention from their coach. The program especially aims to serve inner-city youth throughout Richmond.
The Plunge was created through a bond issue in 1926, promoted by the citizens of Richmond. Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFR) was organized in 1979 as a non-profit organization. The Plunge was further damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and in November 1997 the City Council determined they had no option but to close the Plunge permanently, although people were allowed to swim in it until August 2001. Through the efforts of RFR, the Plunge opened again in 2010.
Last updated May 20, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Practices Monday–Friday with group options between 4:00–6:00 pm
• Price: MONTHLY DUES FOR FULL TIME SWIMMERS: Guppy group – $95/swimmer. Minnow group – $100/swimmer. Sailfish group – $110/swimmer. Scholarship Families – $65/swimmer.
Practices are currently Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The Guppy Group meets from 4:00 to 4:50 pm Monday through Friday, the Minnow Group meets from 4:45 to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and the Sailfish Group meets from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The program uses TeamUp to manage registration and payments, and standard registration for 2026 is available.
The mission of the Richmond Sailfish is to encourage and empower young people to develop to their fullest potential as athletes, individuals, and role models in their community through participation. The program especially aims to provide inner-city youth throughout Richmond with an opportunity to develop swimming skills, character, and self-discipline in a supportive environment that fosters personal improvement. Richmond Swims states that it strives to provide swimming skills, competitive swimming, fitness, and friendship to Richmond residents of all ages and skill levels.
Head Coach John Schonder holds a Level II Certification with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and is a Professional Trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Assistant Coach Kaitlin Harris is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and a certified USA Swimming coach. The leadership team also includes Assistant Coach Jose Luis Albarran, and John Schonder serves as the Safe Sport club coordinator.
Everyone in the program is required to register with USA Swimming and pay annual dues, which cover insurance and a subscription to Swimming World Magazine. Swimmers are instructed to carry their USA Swimming cards with them at swim meets or other USA Swimming events, as they may be required to show them. Fees can be paid by check made out to “Richmond Swims” and given to the coach or sent to the attention of the Club Registrar at P.O. Box 70952, Richmond, CA 94807.
Richmond Swims is described as the evolution of Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFR), which has continually provided swim programs in the Plunge for the Richmond community. The team states that it offers all swimmers the chance to excel by maintaining small group sizes to ensure each swimmer plenty of personal attention from their coach. The program especially aims to serve inner-city youth throughout Richmond.
The Plunge was created through a bond issue in 1926, promoted by the citizens of Richmond. Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFR) was organized in 1979 as a non-profit organization. The Plunge was further damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and in November 1997 the City Council determined they had no option but to close the Plunge permanently, although people were allowed to swim in it until August 2001. Through the efforts of RFR, the Plunge opened again in 2010.
Last updated May 20, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.