Swimming Lessons

Skill Levels

1. Ages 6 months – 3 years: Swim Tots

   In this class, babies and toddlers adjust to the pool with light submersion and back floats. An adult caregiver must accompany each child for the whole lesson. The caregiver does not need to know how to swim! These lessons are in shallow water.

   Prerequisite

   • Children must be able to hold their head up independently.

   Skills taught

   Swimmers will learn the following skills, depending on their age:

   • Bubble blowing
   • Body position
   • Kicking
   • Underwater submersion
   • Back float – assisted
   • Roll over technique
   • Water safety
   • Reaching
   • Independence

   Sign up for Swim Tots online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!

2. Ages 3–4: Swim Preschool

   In this class, young children learn basic swim skills in a safe and positive environment. They will learn body position, blowing bubbles, floating, kicking, deep water adjustment, and independent swimming in a safe and positive environment. Caregivers are not in the water with the participants. 

   Prerequisite

   • Children must be able to listen and participate without a caregiver in the pool.

   Skills taught

   • Water adjustment
   • Assisted flutter kicking
   • Assisted front and back glides
   • Submersion
   • Breath control with bobs and bubbles
   • Front float
   • Back float
   • Water safety

   Sign up for Swim Preschool online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!

3. Ages 5–12: Levels 1–3

   In levels 1, 2, and 3, children learn the skills they need to tread water and swim independently. On the first day of each class, instructors group the children into three skill levels, then teach each group independently. 

   Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
   Swimmers will learn basic exploration that will lead to independent swimming. The goal of Level 1 is to allow swimmers to gain confidence in the water and be able to swim freestyle independently.	In Level 2, swimmers will continue development of freestyle and elementary backstroke.	Swimmers will continue development of freestyle and backstroke while increasing endurance.
   Prerequisite None!	Prerequisites Pass Level 1: Face in the water 10 comfortable bobs unassisted 4 freestyle arm strokes unassisted 10 second front and back floats unassisted 4 elementary backstroke strokes unassisted	Prerequisites Pass Level 2: 15 yards freestyle with rhythmic breathing 15 yards backstroke
   Skills taught Front and back floats for 10 seconds, unassisted Front and back glides, unassisted Flutter kicking with support of a dumbbell Four freestyle arm strokes, unassisted Four elementary backstrokes, unassisted Introduction to water over the head Submersion Water safety	Skills taught Comfort jumping into 10 feet of water Front and back glides with flutter kick Freestyle with rhythmic breathing for 15 yards Elementary backstroke for 15 yards Whip kick on back Backstroke 10 yards Water safety	Skills taught Breaststroke kick Whip kick on front glide Sitting/kneeling dives Scissor kick Freestyle 25 yards Backstroke 25 yards Treading water Water safety

   Sign up for levels 1–3 online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!

4. Ages 5–12: Levels 4–5

   In levels 4 and 5, children develop their swimming technique and endurance. On the first day of each class, instructors group the children into two levels, then teach each group independently.

   Level 4	Level 5
   Swimmers will develop freestyle and backstroke technique and endurance.	Swimmers will focus on building their technique and endurance in all strokes.
   Prerequisites Pass Level 3: 25 yards freestyle with rhythmic breathing 25 yards backstroke 10 yards breaststroke kick 30 seconds of treading water	Prerequisites Pass Level 4: 50 yards freestyle 50 yards backstroke 12 yards breaststroke 12 yards butterfly kick 1 minute of treading water It is common for swimmers to retake Level 4 to ensure readiness for Level 5!
   Skills taught Standing dives Breaststroke 12 yards Sidestroke 12 yards Dolphin kick 25 yards Freestyle 50 yards Backstroke 50 yards Treading water Water safety	Skills taught Freestyle 100 yards Backstroke 100 yards Breaststroke 25 yards Butterfly 12 yards Sidestroke 25 yards Touch turns Flip turns Intro to an Individual Medley Water safety

   Register for levels 4–5 online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!

5. Ages 13–17: Lifeguard Prep

   This training will help students aged 13 to 17 develop lifesaving skills.

   • Swimmers will learn water rescues, basic first aid, and CPR/AED skills.
   • This class prepares students to pursue American Red Cross (ARC) lifeguard certification, which starts at age 15.

   Register for lifeguard prep online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!

6. Teen Lifeguard Academy

   Learn about Teen Lifeguard Academy at Phalen Park Beach.

7. Ages 18+: Adult Swim Lessons

   This class is for adults who have little to no experience in the water. It introduces fundamental skills for safe swimming.

   Price

   • Saint Paul residents: $75.00 per eight-lesson class
   • Non-residents: $93.75 per eight-lesson class

   Prerequisite

   • None!

   Skills taught

   • Front crawl
   • Back crawl
   • Floating
   • Elementary backstroke
   • Water safety

   Register for adult swim lessons online or by calling 651-642-0390.

   All lessons full? Click here!