Learn to Swim Contact

Swim Lessons 

Recreation Services will not be offering adult or youth swim lessons during the Summer 2025 semester. The next session of swim lessons will begin in the Fall 2025 semester. Information regarding dates and registration for this session will be posted when it becomes available. 

Class Details

Cost:

  • affiliates—$70
  • non-affiliates—$85

Days

  • Youth Swim Lessons: Tuesday and Thursday
    • 8 days with 30 minute lessons each day
  • Adult Swim Lessons: Sundays
    • 4 days with 1 hour lessons each day

Times

  • Youth Swim Lessons: There is a 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. session and 6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. session.
  • Adult Swim Lessons: There is a 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. session only. 

Location

  • Youth Lessons: Ball Pool
  • Adult Lessons: Lewellen Pool

Youth Swim Lesson Parking

  • Lessons begin at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
  • Parking may begin in Yellow Lots near Lucina Courts and the Student Center at 5 p.m. 
  • Parking in a Red Lot will result in a parking ticket.
  • Tickets are at the owner's expense. 

Adult Swim Lesson Parking

  • Lessons begin at 12:30 p.m.
  • Red, Yellow, and Green lots are not zone enforced on Sundays. 
  • Metered parking requires payment.
  • Tickets are at the owner's expense. 

 

Steps to Sign up for Swim Lessons

  1. Visit https://recreation.bsu.edu/ to log into your new Recreation Services Membership Portal.
  2. Sign into your account using your BSU information by selecting "Sign in with BSU Username and Password".
  3. Once logged in, select “Programs and Registrations” from the options below.  Select “Aquatics” from a list of options.
  4. Complete the payment process with credit card.

For those who do not have a BSU log-in, register for your guest profile by selecting “Sign Up” 
located in the top right corner. Follow the steps to create a profile and verify your account.

Class Descriptions

Youth Swim Lesson Prerequisites: Children not fully potty-trained are required to wear swim diapers under their swimsuits.

Youth Swim Lesson Age Requirement: 6 months to 3 years old, must be 6 months on or before day 1 of lessons

Adults (1 per child) are in the water with the participant with a focus on gaining comfort in the water, this class prepares young swimmers for entry into our beginner classes. Parent-Child pairs are taught the basics of buoyancy, breath control (blowing bubbles), body position, and water comfort based on developmental milestones. Beginners will splash, learn, and play as they explore comfort in and under water. Early swimmers will discover independence in the water as they learn fundamental swimming skills.

Lessons include:

  • songs and games
  • interaction with children
  • safety and awareness skills
  • blowing bubbles
  • supported front and back float
  • jumping from the side of the pool to an adult
  • arm and leg movement as developmentally appropriate

Age Requirement: Children must be at least 3 years old on day 1 of the program.

Level 1 is designed for children age 3+ with limited experience or comfort in the water. Level 1 introduces skills such as how to enter and exit the water independently, submerge fully, and blow bubbles. With guided support, participants explore basic swim skills, learning to float on their stomach and back as well as basic arm and leg movements. Swimmers will also learn basic water safety for the pool and at home.

Prerequisites: Pass Level 1 or can fully submerge independently five times, demonstrate a back float with assistance for five seconds, and glide two body lengths with face in the water with support.

Level 2 swimmers learn to swim short distances independently on both their front and back. Participants will also begin to work on treading water, rotary breathing, and deep water safety skills.

Prerequisites: Pass Level 2 or can independently tread water, float on back for 15 seconds and be able to swim at least 10 yards front crawl with rhythmic breathing and backstroke.
 
Level 3 Swimmers will build upon earlier levels. Swimmers are introduced to all six strokes and kicks. Independent swimmers will spend the majority of their lesson time at this level. Emphasis is placed on stroke development and teaches front, back, and side body positions as fluid kicks are introduced. Stroke mechanics are broken down to teach each part of a proficient stroke, starting with the kick. As lessons continue, swimmers will build endurance and work towards good form and efficiency. Swimmers will also begin to learn headfirst entries.
Prerequisites: Pass Level 3 or tread water for one minute in deep water and swim front crawl or backstroke with a near-perfect technique for 25 yards.

Once a streamlined body position and efficient kicks are mastered, Level 4 swimmers refine stroke mechanics. Stroke development continues at this level as swimmers are introduced to the complete breaststroke, butterfly, and side stroke – refining kicks and arms simultaneously for the first time. Swim lesson progression focuses on a proficient front crawl and elementary backstroke. Swimmers continue to learn new headfirst entries and open turns. This level is the beginning of endurance building and swimmers will start to swim longer distances.
Prerequisites: Pass Level 4 or can swim multiple 50-yard laps of front crawl and backstroke with near-perfect technique; and at least 25 yards of breaststroke and butterfly.

Level 5, proficient swimmers continue to refine all six strokes while utilizing long-distance swimming techniques to build endurance. Emphasis is placed on learning dives, open turns, flip turns, and building endurance and speed.

Adult Beginner: Adult Beginner is designed for adults with limited experience or comfort in the water. Adult Beginner introduces skills such as how to enter and exit the water independently, submerge fully, and breathe underwater. With guided support, participants explore basic swim skills, learning to float on their stomach and back as well as basic arm and leg movements. Swimmers will also learn basic water safety for the pool and at home.

 

Class needs a minimum of 4 participants to run. 

Prerequisites:  Pass Adult Beginner or can fully submerge, demonstrate a back float and glide two body lengths with face in the water. 

Adult Intermediate swimmers learn to swim short distances independently on both their front and back. Participants will also begin to work on treading water, rotary breathing, and deep water safety skills.

Class needs a minimum of 4 participants to run.