What's the youngest age RIKA Swimming Academy takes?

The Baby Bubbles level has a normal age range of 6 months to 3 years. These are 1:1 classes with the parent in the pool.

Does the academy run competitive swimming?

Yes. After the 10 learn-to-swim and development levels, swimmers join the Squad: Squad Pioneers (11-13 years) and Squad Elite (14+), who compete locally and internationally. Squad Elite trains 7-8 swim sessions a week.

What other sports does Rika sports academy offer?

Tennis, football and padel academies are listed on the website as coming soon. Swimming is the programme with published details.

How much do lessons cost?

Prices are not published on the website. Ask the provider.

Where are lessons held?

The academy lists Amity University's Dubai campus in Academic City (+971 56 508 8668) and a second venue at Falcon City of Wonders (+971 54 279 8878). Ask which levels run at each.

Are the coaches qualified?

The academy says all its swimming coaches are certified by the UAE Swimming Federation and ASCA. The head coach, Coach Rika, lists a PE degree and ASCA Levels 1-5, and the other swim coaches list sports education degrees and lifeguard certificates.

Rika sports academy

Water SportsSwimming

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Academic City

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Rika sports academy runs RIKA Swimming Academy, a levelled swim programme for children in Dubai. The academy lists Amity University's Dubai campus in Academic City as one of its venues. Babies from 6 months start in Baby Bubbles, 1:1 classes where a parent gets into the pool with the child. From age 3, children work through Fun for Fun (F4) and Stroke Learning levels, each with a clear pass test, such as floating unassisted on front and back or swimming 25 metres of freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers who finish all 10 levels move on to the swim team, and the Development and Squad groups take part in local and international competitions. The academy says its programme is inspired by the US National Plan for teaching swimming and that all its swimming coaches are certified by the UAE Swimming Federation and the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA). Tennis, football and padel academies are listed on the site as coming soon. It is rated 4.8 on Google from 25 reviews.

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The activity

Swimming, explained

Swimming lessons build water confidence first, then stroke technique. The youngest children start with breath control, blowing bubbles and floating, often with a parent in the water beside them. Older children learn freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, with side breathing, turns and starts added along the way. A levelled programme moves each child up when they pass a set skill test, so a nervous first-timer and a confident swimmer each work at the right stage. Beyond water safety, swimming builds stamina, coordination and discipline, and some children go on to join a competitive squad that races in local and international meets.

Who it's for

Babies and children from 6 months up to competitive teenage swimmers. The levels, with the normal age ranges the academy gives: Baby Bubbles (6 months-3 years, parent in the pool); Fun for Fun (F4) Levels 1-4 (about 3-7 years); Stroke Learning (SL) Levels 5-8 (about 6-9 years); Development Team, Pioneers and Gurus (9-10 years); Squad Pioneers (11-13 years) and Squad Elite (14+).

What to expect

The youngest swimmers start in Baby Bubbles, 1:1 classes where the parent is in the water and follows the instructor, working towards 10 relaxed 'bobs' (going under, blowing bubbles and coming back up). Each later level has its own pass test, such as floating unassisted in Level 2 or 10 metres of freestyle with side breathing in Level 5. Training load rises at the top end: Development Pioneers train 4 days a week plus dryland, Development Gurus swim 6 days a week with 2 fitness days, and Squad Elite does 7-8 swim sessions and 3-4 fitness days a week. Trial sessions, prices and the class timetable are not on the website, so ask the provider.

Highlights

Levelled swim programme from Baby Bubbles (6 months-3 years) to Squad Elite (14+) (rikasportsacademy.com)
Every level has a clear skill test before a child moves up (rikasportsacademy.com)
All swimming coaches certified by the UAE Swimming Federation and ASCA, the academy says; the head coach lists ASCA Levels 1-5 (rikasportsacademy.com)
Development and Squad swimmers take part in local and international competitions (rikasportsacademy.com)
Venue at Amity University Dubai campus, Academic City (rikasportsacademy.com)
4.8 on Google from 25 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Rika sports academy is rated 4.8 on Google from 25 reviews, with 24 at 5 stars and 1 at 1 star. Parent testimonials on the academy's website mention children gaining confidence in the water, a supportive, family-friendly atmosphere, and swimmers going on to compete and win medals.

The facts

Ages: 6 months to 14+, across Baby Bubbles, F4, Stroke Learning, Development Team and Squad levels (rikasportsacademy.com)
Not published yet: Ask about prices and trials
Schedule: Weekly load published only for the top groups: Development Pioneers 4 days plus dryland; Development Gurus 6 swim days plus 2 fitness days; Squad Pioneers 6 swim days plus 3 fitness days; Squad Elite 7-8 swim sessions plus 3-4 fitness days. Class times not published (rikasportsacademy.com)
Where: Amity University, Dubai Campus, Academic City, Dubai
How to book: rikasportsacademy.com/contact-us · +971 56 508 8668 · [email protected]

Guide · 7 min readRead: How to choose a swim school in Dubai: what to look for and what to ask

Questions parents ask

Good to know

The academy also lists a second venue at Falcon City of Wonders, with its own number, +971 54 279 8878; ask which levels run where (rikasportsacademy.com)
Adult swimming, ladies' classes, a Determination programme and summer camps are listed by name on the site, with no details yet; ask the provider (rikasportsacademy.com)
Toilet on site; wheelchair-accessible toilet, car park and entrance (Google listing)

Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.