Aquatics

The Aquatic’s Department provides students with the opportunity to learn swimming and water polo skills through its Swim School and Water Polo School as well as providing competitive opportunities through Punahou Aquatics (PAQ) Club Swim Team and Club Water Polo Team.

Aquatics has a rich history at Punahou that includes Olympic medalists, world-record holders and numerous state championships. Various instructional, developmental and competitive programs are offered during the school year as well as during Summer Programs.

Program Dates for 2024 - 2025

Fall Semester: August 19 - December 21, 2024

Spring Semester: January 13 - May 17, 2025

*Punahou Aquatics (PAQ) Swim Team should check the TeamUnify calendar for practice schedules.

*Water Polo team should refer to program communication for schedule.

Swim School

Intended for grades 2 – 5, Swim School develops and improves stroke technique for the four competitive swimming strokes, builds endurance, and teaches skills such as racing starts and turns. Students work toward not only being water safe but also towards joining a club swim team.

Swimmers must be able to swim 10 – 25 yards without stopping. Note that Punahou School’s pool does not have a shallow end, so swimmers must be comfortable in deep water. Class sizes range from a minimum of three to eight swimmers per group.

Water Polo School

Intended for grades 4 – 5, Water Polo School develops and improves basic water polo skills and provides students with a better understanding of the sport while becoming more confident in the water. Students must have basic swimming abilities and be comfortable in the water.

Punahou Aquatics Club Swim Team

The Punahou Aquatics (PAQ) swim team is divided into two tracks - developmental and competitive, based on age and swimming ability, for students in grades 2 – 12.

Developmental Swim Team is designed for athletes to improve on their stroke techniques, and physical fitness. This program is intended for developing athletes who are looking to move into the competitive track as well as those interested in using swimming as fitness. Groups are based on ability and are designed to provide a fun yet challenging environment. The developmental groups consist of Mano, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

The Competitive Swim Team Groups represents the Punahou Aquatics Swim Team at the highest local and national swim meets. Athletes in these groups have chosen swimming as their primary sport and are striving to swim at the highest levels. The competitive groups consist of Jr, Sr, and National.

The focus for the swim team is on developing good stroke technique and endurance. Swim team membership is subject to availability, ability and approval of the head coach. All Punahou Aquatics swimmers are registered with USA Swimming. Punahou School also offers intermediate, junior varsity and varsity level ILH athletics teams during the winter season (November - February).

Punahou Water Polo Club Team

Punahou’s Water Polo Club (PWPC) Team is an invitational program for students in grades 6 – 12. It is designed for athletes to improve on their water polo fundamentals, conditioning, and tactics. Groups are based on their ability and are designed to best meet the needs of each individual athlete. Punahou also offers intermediate, junior varsity and varsity level ILH athletics teams in Fall (Boys August - October) and in the Spring (Girls February - May).