Swim Lesson Descriptions

StarBabies (6-18 months) and StarTots (19-36 months):

The purpose of this lesson is to develop a high comfort level in the water for very young children while at the same time teaching parents about water safety and drowning prevention. This course introduces balance holds and body positions, readiness songs, water play, submersion, air recovery and rollover, and forward movement by providing instruction to the adult who accompanies the child. Although safety skills and swim benchmarks are the core of the course, the goal is to provide a confidence building, fun-loving atmosphere for you and your child to enjoy the water together. Both parents are welcome and at least one parent or caregiver required in the water with each child. Swim diapers are required.

StarShrimp Readiness for Pre-School (ages 3-5):

Designed to meet the needs of beginner, cautious, or fearful preschoolers, this course aims to develop a high comfort level in the water and a readiness to swim. Activities include pouring water over the face and head, learning how to safely enter and exit the water, and voluntarily submerging their face. The goal is for your child to feel comfortable with their face and entire body fully submerged. Imagination games like "underwater tea party" and skills such as "fish cheeks" for breath holding are introduced. Safety habits, including asking permission before going to the water, are also a main focus.

StarShrimp Swim School for Pre-School (ages 3-5):

This class will teach beginning swim skills for those preschoolers who are already comfortable going underwater. Swimming skills are taught through creative, fun activities in the water. Participants work toward independent skills and actions which are tracked on a personal skill card. Progress is at their own pace in a small group setting. Swim skills include prone and back floating, rolling over, and arm and leg action for forward movement on front and back. Safety lessons are also included.

SeaHorse Swim School for Elementary (ages 6-8) and Primary (ages 9-12):

Participants work toward submersion and breath control, floating, underwater movement and air recovery, arm and leg action for forward movement and direction change, and track their safety and swim benchmarks progress through a swim school report card. Participants are provided with an opportunity to learn the core swimming skills and move on to advanced strokes. Learning is self-paced but challenging with an emphasis on improving skills performance.

Nautilus Stroke School (any age who can swim overarm pulls with kick for 30' with 1-2-3 breathe pattern):

Participants refine the freestyle and backstroke while increasing endurance. Stroke technique for elementary backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke, and butterfly is taught and diving is introduced.

Swim School for Teens and Adults (age 13 and older):

This course is designed to improve comfort and skill in the water, regardless of past swimming experience. Whether it's for fitness or fun, this course is perfect for teens and adults who are interested in learning or improving their strokes and water skills.

Private Lessons:

Private Swim Lessons are available upon request. One-on-one lesson fees are $192 each swimmer for 2 total hours of instruction. To maximize the learning process, we recommend 30-minute instruction sessions with independent practice between instructional sessions. All lessons are pre-scheduled at registration. Rescheduling is not permitted after the first lesson. A minimum of one lesson each week is required. If you are interested in private lessons, please email aquatics@uwf.edu or nquina@uwf.edu.