Our goal is to provide quality instruction for children in a safe and comfortable environment. Although we are using the newly updated American Red Cross Swim Instructional program, we take it a step farther by maintaining a low student to instructor ratio, following a set curriculum, and assessing each student every session. We emphasize proper technique providing skills for a future of satisfying and safe aquatic pursuits whether it be for leisure or competition. Instruction is available for all ages and ability levels beginning at 10 months old. We offer group and private swim lessons year round.
Spring Swim Lesson registration will open November 18th.
Registration Information
Prices depend on session dates. Click links above for more information. Program fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Group lessons can be registered for in person, at the Pro Shop, in the Rec lobby or online.
- Participants who are new to the program will be assessed on the first day to determine their comfort level and their current swim abilities to be placed in the appropriate level.
- Participants who have been in the program before should register for the level stated on the progress report received at the end of each session. If there are further questions on the appropriate level, please contact the Coordinator of Aquatics & Safety.
Register for Swim School Today!
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Catch Up with Makeup Swim Lessons!
Did you miss a swim class you were previously enrolled in? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our Makeup Swim Lessons! Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you can’t make it to your scheduled class. That’s why we offer this convenient solution to help you catch up and stay on track with your swimming journey. Enroll Here
Swim School Levels
For children 10 months to 2 years of age. This parent and child program introduces basic skill and safety concepts to parents and children. Adults will learn how to work with their child in the water with appropriate support and holds to prepare and encourage their child to participate fully. The skills introduced will lay a foundation for learning to swim. Parents are also introduced to several water safety topics. One adult per child must attend each class and participate in the water. Each class is 30 minutes long.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Exit and enter the water safely with assistance
- Gain comfort in the water
- Explore submersion of mouth, nose and eyes
- Float on front and back with assistance
- Perform arm and leg movements with assistance
Parents are in the water with the child in this course. Towels are not provided during swim lessons. Please bring a towel with you.
For children 2 – 3 years of age. This parent and child course will help toddlers become comfortable in and around the water learning fundamental water skills with assistance of a trusted adult. In addition, adults will learn about water safety and how to safely handle their child in and around the water. This class is not designed to teach survival in the water on their own. One adult per child must attend each class and participate in the water. Each class is 30 minutes long.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Learn to ask permission before entering the water
- Exit and enter the water safely with and without assistance
- Gain comfort in the water
- Explore submerging underwater in a rhythmic pattern (bobs)
- Float on front and back with assistance
- Change body position in the water with assistance
- Glide on front and back with assistance
- Perform arm and leg movements with assistance
- Swim and enter water with an approved Life Jacket
The child will become familiar with the aquatic environment and learn basic aquatic skills. Children will begin to learn how to be safe around the water.
Upon successful completion, the child will:
- Exit and enter the water safely
- Pour water over head
- Fully submerge mouth, nose and eyes underwater
- Blow bubbles through the mouth and nose for 3 seconds
- Explore underwater swimming
- Change body position in the water with assistance
- Float and glide on front and back with assistance
- Perform arm and leg movements with assistance
*Preschool 1, 2, 3 is for ages 3-4 years of age who have attended a parent and child program, have been in a structured swim program previously or are comfortable without the parent in the immediate area. This class will instruct the child at their ability. Completion of Preschool 1, 2, 3 will bypass Level 1 and 2 for older children.
The child gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around the water. This level is the start of independent aquatic locomotion skills.
Upon successful completion, the child will:
- Perform 5 bobs with proper breathing
- Enter water from the side and recover to a float with assistance
- Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
- Float from front and back and back to front float with assistance
- Perform streamlined glide on front and back using a proper kick, with assistance
- Float and glide on front and back with assistance
- Perform arm and leg movements for 3 yards with assistance
- Scull with hands while in back position with flutter kick without assistance
*Preschool 1, 2, 3 is for ages 3-4 years of age who have attended a parent and child program, have been in a structured swim program previously or are comfortable without the parent in the immediate area. This class will instruct the child at their ability. Completion of Preschool 1, 2, 3 will bypass Level 1 and 2 for older children.
The child will learn correct propulsive skills in the water on the front and back independently. They will perform skills for longer distances and times.
Upon successful completion, the child will:
- Perform 10 bobs with proper breathing
- Enter water from the side and recover to a float without assistance
- Float on front and back without assistance
- Roll from front to back ad back to front float without assistance
- Perform streamlined glide on front and back using a proper kick without assistance
- Perform streamlined glide rotating from front to back using a proper kick for 15 yards
- Change direction of travel while swimming on front and on back without assistance
- Tread water using arm and leg movements for 2 minutes
- Perform beginner stroke independently for 5 yards
- Scull and kick on back for 10 yards without assistance
*Preschool 1, 2, 3 is for ages 3-4 years of age who have attended a parent and child program, have been in a structured swim program previously or are comfortable without the parent in the immediate area. This class will instruct the child at their ability. Completion of Preschool 1, 2, 3 will bypass Level 1 and 2 for older children.
For children 5-13 years of age, Level 1 orients the child the aquatic environment and help them gain basic aquatic skills. Participant will develop positive attitudes, effective swimming skills and safe practices in and around the water. Swim School Level 1 skills overlap Preschool Level 1 and Preschool Level 2 skills.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Exit and enter the water independently and safely
- Fully submerge mouth, nose and eyes underwater
- Be able to hold breath underwater for 5 seconds
- Perform 5 bobs with proper breathing without hesitation
- Explore underwater swimming
- Float and glide on front and back without assistance
- Change body position in the water with assistance
- Perform beginner stroke on front with assistance (face in water)
For ages 5 – 13 years of age who have completed Level 1 skills or Preschool Level 2 skills. Level 2 will build on the basic aquatic skills learned in Level 1 and the child will work on performing these skills without assistance. This level is the beginning of true locomotion skills laying the foundation for learning strokes. Swim School Level 2 skills overlap Preschool Level 2 and Preschool Level 3 skills.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Perform 10 bobs with proper breathing without hesitation
- Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
- Float on front and back for 10 seconds without assistance
- Roll from front to back and back to front float without assistance
- Perform a streamlined glide with kick on front and back using a proper kick without assistance
- Perform streamlined glide rotating from front to back using a proper kick with assistance
- Perform head and hand lead side kick with proper lateral breathing with assistance
- Perform arm beginner stroke with proper breathing for 10 yards
- Scull with hands on back with kicking
- Enter water by jumping from the side and recover to a float with assistance
For ages 5 – 13 years of age who have completed Level 2 skills or Preschool Level 3 skills. Level 3 will develop the Freestyle and Backstroke at proficient levels for short distances. Children will also begin work on the kicks for Elementary Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Participants who successfully complete Level 3 will have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Perform 20 bobs with proper breathing without hesitation
- Perform streamlined glide on front and back using proper kick for 15 yards
- Perform streamlined glide rotating from front to back using a proper kick for 15 yards
- Perform a single switch arm and leg movement for freestyle and backstroke
- Perform a triple switch arm and leg movement for freestyle and backstroke for 15 yards
- Complete 15 yards of freestyle with proper lateral breathing, body position and rotation
- Complete 15 yards of backstroke with proper body position and rotation
- Scull and flutter kick on back for 15 yards
- Perform whip kick on back with proper flexion of knees and ankles
- Perform streamlined dolphin kick for 3 yards
- Preform the survival float for 1 minute.
For ages 5 – 13 years of age who have completed Level 3 skills. Level 4 will improve participant technique and endurance of the freestyle and backstroke. The Breaststroke and butterfly will be introduced along with open turns.
Upon successful completion of this level child will:
- Perform the Freestyle for 25 yards with proper technique
- Perform the Backstroke for 25 yards with proper technique
- Perform the triple switch for freestyle and backstroke
- Demonstrate an open turn for freestyle and backstroke
- Demonstrate proper arm stroke and breathing for Breaststroke
- Demonstrate the Breaststroke kick (whip kick).
- Demonstrate a streamline off the wall with dolphin kick for 5 yards.
Level 5 will refine technique and increase endurance of all swimming strokes. Participants will learn open and flip turns for all strokes.
Upon successful completion child will:
- Perform the Freestyle for 50 yards with proper technique
- Perform the Backstroke for 50 yards with proper technique
- Perform the Breaststroke for 25 yards with proper technique
- Perform the Butterfly for 15 yards with proper technique
- Perform proper turns for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly
- Swim 300 yards nonstop using above strokes
Swim School Policies
Swim School sessions are regularly five classes long. In the case of a holiday or special event, some sessions may be 4 weeks (fees adjusted). Classes are 30 or 40 minutes in length depending on the class level.
Individuals in classes or observing must adhere to all Marshall Recreation Center Policies. View our Policies and Procedures online.
For more information about Aquatics, please contact:
Vincent Murphy
Assistant Director of Aquatics & Safety
Email: murphy317@marshall.edu
Telephone: 304-696-3653