We offer lessons during the Spring and Summer for various ages and skill levels at the Florida Pool. Lessons are open to the children of UF and the Gainesville community. Lessons are conducted using the American Red Cross curriculum and are led by American Red Cross-certified water safety instructors.
- Lessons will be offered in the Spring and Summer semesters.
- A session is 5 lessons over 5 weeks.
- Lessons are 30 minutes in length.
- All lessons are conducted on Saturday's.
- 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.
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
Group Swim Lessons may be granted a refund under the following circumstances:
- In the event of cancellation by RecSports.
- In the event the registered participant has documented medical circumstances that will not allow them to participate.
Transfer of Course Registration
- An individual may request a transfer to a different offering of the same course for no additional cost.
- Transfer requests must be made in writing before the course begins and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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.
