Swim Lessons
Our American Red Cross Swim Lessons teach aquatic and personal water safety skills in a logical progression. Throughout the levels, swimmers build on basic skills to achieve the ultimate goal – to swim! As the levels increase, swimmers learn to refine the different strokes and build endurance.
We are committed to offering quality swim lessons and are compliant with the American Red Cross Swim Lesson standards, and meet the new r.09 swim lesson requirements set by the American Red Cross.
Fall 2009 Semester Sessions
Session 1 (Sept. 21-Oct. 15)
- four-week session: Sept. 21 – Oct. 15 (Class will be held on Oct. 12th – Columbus Day.)
- lessons offered M-W or T-TH from 5:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- registration begins Sept. 3rd at 8:00 a.m.
Session 2 (Oct. 26-Nov. 19)
- four-week session: Oct. 26 – Nov. 19
- lessons offered M-W or T-TH from 5:15 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- registration begins Oct. 19th at 8 a.m.
All Sessions
- Parent & Child Aquatics (30 minute lessons)
- Pre-School Aquatic Lessons Levels 1 – 3 (30 minute lessons)
- Learn to Swim Level 1 – 3 (30 minute lessons)
- Learn to Swim Level 4 – 6 (45 minute lessons)
- $40.00/lesson
To register for swim lessons, please call or stop by the DakotaDome on or after the registration date.
Adult Lessons
Adult Swim Lessons are also offered. Please contact Anthony Harris to set up a lesson!
Level Descriptions
Parent/Child Aquatics (age 6 months – 3 yrs.)
Parent and Child Aquatics helps young children (age 6 months to about 3 years) become comfortable in the water so that they are ready to learn to swim. It is not designed to teach children to learn to swim on their own. The parent or other adult caregiver is required to accompany the child and participate in class activities during the swim lesson. Only 1 child/parent!
This class is only offered during the April and May swim lesson sessions!
Preschool Aquatics Level 1 (age 3-4 yrs.)
Preschool Aquatics Level 1 is for 3 and 4 year olds with little or no experience in the water. The purpose of this class is to orientate the child to the water, swim lessons and to start teaching water safety. At this level the most elementary aquatic skills are taught. Children will continue to build on these introductory level skills as they progress through the Preschool Aquatics and Learn to Swim levels.
Preschool Aquatics Level 2 (age 3-5 yrs.)
Preschool Aquatics Level 2 is for children age 3-5 years old with some swim experience either through swim lessons or through water exploration on their own. The objective at this level is to build on the basic skills learned in Preschool Level 1 and to further their success with fundamental skills performed to a slightly more advanced degree than at Preschool Level 1. Most skills at this level are performed with assistance, but this level does mark the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills. The child must pass the exit skills presented at this level to move to the next level (all exit skills at this level are completed successfully with assistance).
If the child is age 6 or close to it after completing Preschool Level 2 he/she will then take Learn to Swim Level 2. If the child is age 5 after completing Preschool Level 2 he/she will then take Preschool Level 3.
Preschool Aquatics Level 3 (age 4-5 yrs.)
Preschool Aquatics Level 3 is for children age 4-5 years old. To enroll in this level the child must have completed and passed Preschool Level 2. The objective at this level is to build on the basic aquatic skills learned in PS levels 1 and 2. Skills in this level are performed independently.
After completing Preschool Level 3, he/she will then move forward to Learn to Swim Level 3.
Learn To Swim Program (for children about 6 years of age)
It may be appropriate for some 5 year olds to move into the Learn to Swim Program after successful completion of Preschool Aquatics Level 3.
Learn to Swim Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
The objectives for Level 1 are to learn basic personal water safety information and skills, to help participants feel comfortable in the water. At this level basic aquatic skills are taught (front/back floats, kicking actions, gliding, bobs and more).
Learn to Swim Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
The objective for Level 2 is to teach fundamental skills that will be used throughout the Learn to Swim program. Swimmers will learn to float without support, and will begin to move through the water independently.
Learn to Swim Level 3: Stroke Development
The objective for Level 3 is to build on previously learned skills taught by providing additional guided practice. At this level they will begin to swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke on their own.
Learn to Swim Level 4: Stroke Development
The objectives of Level 4 are to develop the swimmers confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to improve other aquatic skills. Swimmers continue to learn new strokes: side-stoke, back-crawl, and will start to develop the breast-stoke and butterfly. The basics of turning at the wall will be explored as well.
Learn to Swim Level 5: Stroke Refinement
The objectives of this level are coordination and refinement of strokes. Participants refine their performance of all the strokes (front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke) and increase their endurance and distances. Flip turns are introduced as well.
Learn to Swim Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency – Personal Water Safety
The objectives of this level are to refine strokes so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness and over greater distances. Personal Water Safety is the additional focus to this class.
Learn to Swim Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency – Fundamentals of Diving
The objectives of this level are to refine strokes so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness and over greater distances. Fundamentals of Diving are the additional focus to this class.
Learn to Swim Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency – Fitness Swimmer
The objectives of this level are to refine strokes so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness and over greater distances. Fitness Swimming is the additional focus to this class.
Please feel free to contact Wendy Johnson with any questions regarding our program, your child and level placement:
Wendy Johnson
Assistant Director of Campus Recreation
605-677-5928
DakotaDome Room 224
Learn water safety and have fun in our swim lessons!