Youth Swim Lessons

Lesson Offerings

• Lessons will be offered in the Summer semester.
• A session is 5 lessons over 3 weeks.
• Lessons are 30 minutes in length.
• To view current offerings and register please visit RSConnect.
• Enrollment is limited to maintain an optimal teaching environment. Registration is completed on a first come, first served basis.
• Make-up swim lessons will be scheduled on the Friday following the cancelled swim lesson during the same time slot. Make-up swim lessons are scheduled in the event of a weather closure or an unforeseen cancellation.

Summer A 2026 (May/June), Florida Pool

Registration Opens: 4/20/2026 at 12:00am

Registration Closes: 5/10/2026 at 11:59pm

Summer B 2026 (July), Florida Pool

Registration Opens: 6/1/2026 at 12:00am

Registration Closes: 6/28/2026 at 11:59pm

Level Descriptions

It is important to enroll your child in the level you feel is most appropriate for their abilities. If you are unsure which level is most appropriate for your child, we encourage you to register for the Preschool Aquatics Tryout. This a free evaluation session where one of our American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors will perform a skills evaluation with your child to determine which lesson level they would be best suited for. This is not required however, should you register your child for an inappropriate level, they may only be moved to another level if there is a spot(s) available.

Parent and Child Aquatics

For children ages 6 months to 3 years. Child must be at least 6 months old on or before the first day of the session. A parent or guardian is required to accompany the child in the water and participate in the class. This course is designed to familiarize children with the water and teach swimming readiness skills. Parents will learn techniques they can use to help orient their child to the water and are provided with additional water safety information.

• Parents must be comfortable standing in water that is approximately 4.5 feet high. *

Preschool Aquatics

For children ages 3 to 5 years. Children must be at least 3 years old on or before the first day of the session.
Introduces basic aquatic skills, which will be built upon as your child progresses through the Preschool Aquatics (PSA) and Learn-to-Swim levels. Children start developing positive attitudes and safe practices around the water.

PSA Level 1

• No skills prerequisites are required.

PSA Level 2

• Further develops basic aquatic skills learned in PSA Level 1. Children begin to perform these skills at a slightly more advanced level. A successful demonstration of PSA Level 1 exit skills is required on the first day.

PSA Level 3

• Children increase proficiency in previously learned skills & learn to perform all skills independently. Successful demonstration of PSA Level 2 exit skills is required on the first day.

Learn-To-Swim Aquatics

Learn-To-Swim Level 1

• For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session. Level 1 introduces basic aquatic skills, which will be built upon as your child progresses through the Learn-to-Swim levels. Children start developing positive attitudes and safe practices around the water. Skills taught in this level overlap with skills taught in Preschool levels 1 & 2.
• No prerequisite skills are required for this class.

Learn-To-Swim Level 2

• For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.
• This level builds on the skills learned in level 1. Participants will learn to glide and float without support, further develop arm and leg actions on the front and back and lay a foundation for future strokes. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 1.

Learn-To-Swim Level 3

• For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.
• Level 3 participants learn and practice front crawl with side breathing, elementary backstroke, back crawl, scissor and dolphin kicks, treading water, and headfirst entries. Participants who successfully complete this level are considered to have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 2.

Learn-To-Swim Level 4

• For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.
• Participants refine performance of all six strokes, work to increase endurance, and learn flip turns on the front and back. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 3.

Current Offerings

To view current offerings and register please visit RSConnect.

Course Pricing

•  $75 for Affiliates (Non-Fee Paying/Non-Currently Enrolled Student, Faculty, Staff, Retiree, Alumni, and Spouses/Parents of the mentioned)
• $95 for Non-Affiliates

All requests for refunds must be submitted via e-mail to RSAquatics@ufsa.ufl.edu

Participants may be granted a refund under the following circumstances:

• In the event of cancellation by RecSports.
• The registered participant has documented medical circumstances that will prevent them from participating.
• If a written notice of a cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the registration closing or after, a prorated refund will be provided. A $15 processing charge will be deducted from the refund amount.

Transfer of Course Registration

• An individual may request a transfer to a different offering of the same course for no additional cost.
• Transfers can only occur during the current semester.
• Transfer requests must be made in writing before the course begins and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Registration Limits

• Due to limited class space, we strongly encourage participants to register for only one class per session. This allows us to provide opportunities for as many individuals as possible to benefit from our programs. Exceptions may be considered in extenuating circumstances.

RecSports Policies

• Membership, Day Pass for Guest & Spectator Policies
• Facility Policies
• Refund, Collections & Charges Policies
• Reservations & Rental Policies
• Programs & Services Policies

Swim Offerings

• Adult Swim Lessons

Youth Swim Lesson FAQ

When can you register for swim lessons?

• You can begin registering for swim lessons approximately one month - two weeks before they start.

Where do I register for swim lessons?

• Sign up via RSConnect utilizing the Aquatics tab.
• Visit the Membership Services Desk at Southwest Recreation Center:

3150 Hull Rd., between 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday to register in person.

What is the cost?

• $75 for Affiliates
• $95 for Non-Affiliates

How long are lessons?

• Lessons are 30 minutes in length.
• There are 5 lessons over 5 weeks.

How often do we host swim lessons?

• Youth Swim Lessons are offered in the Summer.

Do we provide private lessons?

• We do not provide private lessons currently.

Can a participant sign up for multiple time slots?

• Space is very limited at each level and our goal is to serve as many participants as possible.
• Only register your child for a single level based on the level description and child’s swimming experience.

Example - If a child is 3 years of age and has never swum before they would be best suited for Preschool Level 1. They should NOT be signed up for similar levels concurrently nor should they be signed up for any level higher prior to completing the exit skills for the previous level.

How do I know which class to sign up for?

Read the level description. If you have follow-up or additional questions, e-mail

RSAquatics@ufsa.ufl.edu

Parent & Child

For children ages 6 months to 3 years. Child must be at least 6 months old on or before the first day of the session. A parent or guardian is required to accompany the child in the water and participate in the class. This course is designed to familiarize children with the water and teach swimming readiness skills. Parents will learn techniques they can use to help orient their child to the water and are provided with additional water safety information.

* Parents must be comfortable standing in water that is approximately 4.5 feet high. *

Preschool Levels 1 - 3

For children ages 3 to 5 years. Children must be at least 3 years old on or before the first day of the session.

Introduces basic aquatic skills, which will be built upon as your child progresses through the Preschool Aquatics (PSA) and Learn-to-Swim levels. Children start developing positive attitudes and safe practices around the water.

• PSA Level 1 - No skills prerequisites are required.
• PSA Level 2 - Further develops basic aquatic skills learned in PSA Level 1. Children begin to perform these skills at a slightly more advanced level. A successful demonstration of PSA Level 1 exit skills is required on the first day.
• PSA Level 3 - Children increase proficiency in previously learned skills & learn to perform all skills independently. Successful demonstration of PSA Level 2 exit skills is required on the first day.

Learn-To-Swim Level 1

For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session. Level 1 introduces basic aquatic skills, which will be built upon as your child progresses through the Learn-to-Swim levels. Children start developing positive attitudes and safe practices around the water. Skills taught in this level overlap with skills taught in Preschool levels 1 & 2.

No prerequisite skills are required for this class.

Learn-To-Swim Level 2

For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.

This level builds on the skills learned in level 1. Participants will learn to glide and float without support, further develop arm and leg actions on the front and back and lay a foundation for future strokes. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 1.

Learn-To-Swim Level 3

For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.

Level 3 participants learn and practice front crawl with side breathing, elementary backstroke, back crawl, scissor and dolphin kicks, treading water, and headfirst entries. Participants who successfully complete this level are considered to have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 2.

Learn-To-Swim Level 4

For children ages 5 and over. Children must be at least 5 years old on or before the first day of the session.

Participants refine performance of all six strokes, work to increase endurance, and learn flip turns on the front and back. Prerequisite skills: demonstrate completion requirements of Level 3.

What if the level/class I want to register for is full?

• You can register and you will be placed on the waitlist. Should there be an opening in the class due to a registrant dropping, you will be sent an email with a unique link inviting you to register. You will have approximately 24 hours to register. If you do not register in that 24-hour window, the opportunity will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.

How many instructors are there?

• Parent & Child = 1 instructor per 10 participants.
• Preschool Level 1 and up = 1 instructor per 6 participants
• Learn-to-Swim Level 1 and up = 1 instructor per 6 participants

What are the qualifications for the instructors?

• All UF instructors are certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. They follow the standards and methods of teaching swim lessons as outlined by the American Red Cross Learn-To-Swim curriculum.

Where do the swim lessons take place?

• All lessons take place at Florida Pool, attached to the Student Recreation and Fitness Center (see map at end of document).
• Enter through the West gate, which will be located between Florida Pool and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Where do I park?

• Please refer to UF Parking Services to determine the best location for you to park. Parking restrictions are in effect in some areas near to the pool.
• The closest parking is located by the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
• RecSports is not responsible for any parking tickets you may receive.
• Enter Florida Pool through the west gate located between Florida Pool and Ben Hill Griffen Stadium.

Where do I go when I get to the pool?

• Instructors will meet you by the shallow end of the pool.

Can I get a refund?

All requests for refunds must be submitted via e-mail to RSAquatics@ufsa.ufl.edu

Participants may be granted a refund under the following circumstances:

• In the event of cancellation by RecSports.
• The registered participant has documented medical circumstances that will prevent them from participating.
• If a written notice of a cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the registration closing or after, a prorated refund will be provided. A $15 processing charge will be deducted from the refund amount.

Transfer of Course Registration

• An individual may request a transfer to a different offering of the same course for no additional cost.
• Transfers can only occur during the current semester.
• Transfer requests must be made in writing before the course begins and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Are there make-up lessons?

• Make up lessons will only occur in the event we have to cancel classes due to weather or unforeseen circumstances with the pool. Instructors will notify you of the make-up date in the event it is needed.

 Can I attend a class if someone misses the class and there will be a spot available for me?

• We cannot permit participants to join a class they are not registered for, even if there is a spot available. This is a safety and quality assurance policy. We need to limit the class to those who are registered because it allows instructors to deliver the highest quality lessons to those who have signed up and ensures that no confusion occurs.

What happens if I miss a lesson because I am sick/out of town/have a conflict?

• You miss/lose those classes and are not eligible for make-up lessons.

Florida Pool Address:

224 Fletcher Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608

When are decal-restricted hours?

• Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 am
• Unless signage indicates otherwise. Always check the signage at each location for hours specific to that lot or garage.
• Orange/Green: Parking restrictions are lifted after 4:30pm.

Facility Access:

• Enter through the west gate, which is located between Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Student Recreation & Fitness Center. (See map below)