Swim lessons

Swim lessons for all ages and skill levels

University of Idaho’s Swim Center offers American Red Cross-based swim lessons, focusing on water safety and skills for swimmers of all levels, from infants to pre-competitive swimmers. Classes are designed to improve body position, timing and comfort in the water.

All lessons are taught by U of I students, and a parent or guardian must be present during the children's lessons.

Course descriptions

The UIdaho Swim Center is an American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Provider offering programs for children (six months and older) and adults. Swim students progress at their own pace through levels, mastering each before moving to the next. The Swim Center offers Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics (Levels 1-3), and Learn-to-Swim (Levels 1-6) courses.

For more information on each level, refer to the American Red Cross Swim app, available on both Apple and Android.

Parent and Child Aquatics

(previously Parent/Tot) For children ages six months – 36 months. One parent is required to be in the water with their child. The goal of this class is to familiarize children with the water and provide safety information for parents, as well as teach techniques parents can use to orient their children to the water. Swim diapers required for those not potty trained.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1

(previously Guppies) For children three – five years of age. The goal of this class is to familiarize children with the water and help them acquire rudimentary basic aquatic skills. It also helps participants begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices in and around water.

Preschool Aquatics Level 2

(previously Sea Horse) For children three – five years of age. The goal of this class is to build on and improve skills learned in Preschool Aquatics Level 1 and increase knowledge of water safety topics. Children at this level should be comfortable being in the water and getting their faces wet.

Preschool Aquatics Level 3

(previously Tadpole/Starfish) For children three – five years of age. The goal of this class is to increase proficiency and build on the basic aquatic skills learned in Preschool Aquatics levels 1 and 2, as well as to reinforce water safety concepts from the earlier levels. Children at this level should be comfortable floating in the water, blowing bubbles, kicking and using their arms.

Learn to Swim Level 1

(previously Minnow) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to orient children in the aquatic environment and help them gain basic aquatic skills and begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water.

Learn to Swim Level 2

(previously Sea Otters) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to build on the basic aquatic skills and water safety skills and concepts learned in Learn to Swim Level 1. Children at this level should be able to enter the water independently, be comfortable getting their faces wet and be comfortable floating with assistance.

Learn to Swim Level 3

(previously Dolphins) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to build on the skills learned in Learn to Swim Levels 1 and 2 and help participants achieve basic water competency in a pool environment. Children at this level should be comfortable getting their faces wet, floating, kicking and using their arms in the water.

Learn to Swim Level 4

(previously Sting Ray) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to improve participants’ proficiency in performing the swimming strokes that were introduced in Learn to Swim Level 3. Children at this level should be comfortable jumping into the water, floating and be able to proficiently swim the front stroke for 25 yards.

Learn to Swim Level 5

(previously Piranha) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to introduce and help participants refine their performance of all six swimming strokes (front stroke, back stroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and butterfly). Children at this level should be comfortable jumping into water, submerging, swimming 25 yards and have proficient knowledge of front stroke and backstroke.

Learn to Swim Level 6

(previously Barracuda/Shark) For children ages six and up. The goal of this class is to refine strokes so participants swim with greater efficiency and effectiveness over long distances, as well as address aquatic emergencies and self-rescue techniques. Children at this level should be comfortable diving into water, swimming for 50 yards and have a proficient knowledge of front stroke, backstroke, breaststroke and elementary backstroke.

Group lessons

The Swim Center offers three-week group swim lesson sessions throughout the spring and fall semesters, with a total of six classes each session.

Classes will be offered twice a week on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday.
Minimum of three participants per class and a maximum of six participants per class.
Group lesson price is $60/three-week session.
Registration is open two weeks prior to the start date of each session.

Summer 2025 sessions:

Session 1: May 20 – June 5, 2025
Session 2: June 10 – June 27, 2025
Session 3: July 1 – July 17, 2025

Private lessons

The Swim Center provides American Red Cross swim lessons for Parent and Child Aquatics, Pre-school Aquatics levels one through three and Learn to Swim courses levels one through six.

Private lessons start the week of May 12, 2025
Private lesson price is $20 per 30-minute private lesson or $36 per 30-minute semi-private lesson

If you would like to schedule private lessons or semi-private lessons, please email idahoswimcenter@uidaho.edu.

Registration

To register for lessons, please visit Active.

Active requires that you create an account before registering for any swim center events, which can be done here, or by selecting the Sign-Up link on any page.

If you have questions or need to arrange another payment option, send an email to idahoswimcenter@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-7518.

Required forms

All swimming lessons require a signed Waiver of Liability prior to participation.

Complete a Waiver of Liability.

Swim lesson cancellation and refund policy

Private lessons must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling. All refunded private lessons are subject to a $5 administrative fee.

Group lessons are subject to a $25 refund administration charge if you cancel or choose not to participate within 48 hours of the start of the first day of lessons.

The Swim Center reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment or lack of instructor. Participants will receive a full refund if the Swim Center cancels a class.

Parking

Parking in Gold lot 39 behind the swim center is permitted after 5 p.m. except in specifically marked spaces. Additional parking in lot 24 behind the Law building is also available after 5 p.m.

If you are parking prior to 5 p.m., or if space is limited in these areas, please use the metered Pay-to-Park spaces along Rayburn Street. See the campus parking map for more information.

For more information, please visit Parking and Transportation’s website.

Locker rooms

There are locker rooms in the Memorial Gym and in the Swim Center. Children six years of age and older must use the locker room appropriate to their gender.

Preparing for swim lessons

Long hair must be tied back for safety purposes.
Swim diapers must be used for children who are not potty-trained. If a child is wearing a regular diaper, we will have to ask them to leave the pool.
Goggles are optional but not recommended for beginners. Swimmers should wear appropriate swimwear. Street clothing is not allowed. Swimwear with built-in floatation is discouraged.