Swim Lesson Policies and Procedures

Registration for Group Lessons

Swim lesson registration will begin one month prior to the start of the swim session you wish to participate in. Registration is taken over the phone and in person at the Aquatic Center during open published hours. As class size is limited per instructor, only one registration per student in each session is allowed. Swim levels are offered in a variety of sessions and time blocks, however, not every level is offered in every session or time block.

All swim classes accommodate a range of skills. For example, swim school students range from both learning to go underwater to those who love it. Instructors have the skills and training to handle each student's need within the same class setting. They will adjust lesson plans to accommodate the class abilities. UWF reserves the right to make changes to class rosters to ensure we provide the best experience for all participants.

If you have a difficult time figuring out which level is right for your child, we can assist you. UWF is not responsible for placing your child in the right level, but we will do our best to make each participant's experience a positive one. Your current instructor, aquatic administration, or Aquatic Center front desk attendant can help. Call the UWF Aquatic Center at 850.474.2497.

Low Enrollment

When there are less than 3 students in a class, you may be required to switch to a different class time offering. If you prefer to stay in the time slot after being notified of the change, the private or semi-private lesson rate will apply.

Prepayment, Make-up Lessons, and Refund

Payment is made at the time of registration. We accept cash, check, and credit cards.

For participant cancellation or withdraw requests received seven (7) days or more in advance of the session start date, payment will be applied as a credit to the family account and honored in full minus a $25 administration fee and any deposits, convenience, or registration fees. Cancellation and withdraw requests received 6 or less days in advance of the session start date are not eligible for credit or refund. All swim lesson registrations are participant specific and are non-transferable.

No make-up classes are offered for lessons missed by participants. Cancellations of lessons due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control will be made up through an open swim credit. If UWF Administration requires the Aquatic Center to close and cancel a lesson, official information about university closings and re-openings will be available from the campus radio station, WUWF 88.1FM., or via the UWF Newsroom or the official UWF Twitter account. Families of children currently enrolled in lessons will be provided a rainy-day pass which will allow them a one-time free admission to the facility to practice their skills during family recreational swim hours. Instructors will not be available during this time. Parents should come prepared to enter the water and must stay within an arm's reach of their child.

Entering the Aquatic Center and Observing Lessons

Week day entry is through the Main Lobby entrance on the north-side of the facility. Check-in with the Front Desk Attendant. Saturday morning entry is through the Courtyard entrance on the east-side of the facility. A door will be propped open for entry. Check-in with your instructor. Please wait on the bleachers for your instructor's signal that they are ready to begin the lesson. 

Before entering the pool water, please have your child(ren) remove gum or candy from their mouth, remove all adhesive bandages, and use the restroom. All swimmers should stay out of the water when they are ill with diarrhea, even if they are wearing swim diapers or swim pants. The risk of contaminating the pool with feces and germs can make others sick.

Although we encourage parents to be active and knowledgeable about their swimmer’s learning experience, to provide the best learning environment, family members are not allowed on the pool wet deck during lessons. They may observe swim lessons from the bleachers located on the east side of the pool deck or opt to enter the water with their child to participate in the lesson. This allows for fewer distractions for all students. For parents who choose to remain in the bleachers, if you find your child continually trying to interact with you during their class, we encourage you to move out of the immediate area so that their attention remains focused on their instructor.

Parents should remain available (no matter the age of the participant) in order to escort children safely to and from the restroom or to be available in cases of emergencies, inclement weather, or questions. After each lesson, please be available for the instructor to give you verbal progress updates and feedback on your swimmer’s progress.

Swim Diapers/Swim Pants Policy

Children in diapers or those who are not completely toilet trained may use either disposable or reusable swim diapers or swim pants. Parents should be aware that even though swim diapers and swim pants might hold in some solid feces, they are not leak proof. Swim diapers can delay diarrhea-causing germs, like Cryptosporidium, from leaking into the water for a few minutes, but swim diapers do not keep these germs from contaminating the water. Swim diapers and swim pants are not a substitute for frequent diaper changing and bathroom breaks. It is recommended that swim diapers and swim pants are checked frequently and changed away from the poolside. Changing tables are available for use in both locker rooms.