Swim School Instruction

The Waterfront Swim School reflects the revised American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program. The program features two levels of Parent/Child Aquatics, three levels of Preschool Aquatics, and six levels of Learn-to-Swim. The program also provides six levels of lessons for adults as well as private instruction for both children and adults. Upon completion of each level, the student will receive an American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Certificate. To progress to the next level, students must have a certificate of completion from the previous level or be able to demonstrate skills from previous levels proficiently. Preschool Levels and Learn-to-Swim levels one, two, and three include a booklet that reinforces learning and provides parents with additional information about their child’s progress. Upon request, students can receive an evaluation sheet after the completion of the session.

The Waterfront Swim School encourages parent involvement in their child’s swim lessons. This website has useful tools such as information face sheets listing the specific objectives for each level. During the swim lesson, however, we do ask that parents sit out-of-sight near the deep end of the pool as to not cause distractions among the children.

Child & Adult Private Lessons: We are currently offering only private lessons for both child & adults.   

Lessons are 30 minutes long and are based on instructor availability. Please complete the Waterfront Private Lessons Form to schedule your lesson today.

Descriptions of Classes: Swim Level Evaluations: Participants may complete a swim test before registering to determine the appropriate level for child or adult swim lessons. Please contact The Waterfront to schedule a test or for more information.

Parent & Child Aquatics
Please note: A parent or caregiver must accompany each child into the water and participate in each class.
Parent and Child Aquatic programs familiarize children to the water and prepare them for lessons in the Preschool or Learn-to-Swim courses. Children should be between six months and three years old. Lessons are not designed to teach children to become proficient swimmers or to survive in the water on their own. Please see Level 1 and Level 2 for detailed information about the differences in objectives for each level.

Preschool Aquatics
Level 1: Orients preschool-age children to the aquatic environment and teaches basic aquatic skills. Participants start at about four or five years old.
Level 2: Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in the water.
Level 3: Teaches children to gain basic swimming propulsive skills by providing additional guided practice with increased distances and times.

Child Learn-To-Swim
Level 1: Develops positive attitudes, good swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water. Participants start around six years old.
Level 2: Encourages fundamental skills, including learning how to float without support and how to recover to a vertical position.
Level 3: Builds on the skills in level two by providing additional guided practice in deeper water while focusing in stroke development.
Level 4: Develops participants’ confidence in the strokes learned in level three, focusing on stroke improvement and other aquatic skills.
Level 5: Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.
Level 6: Refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with “menu” options that focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses. Options include: Fitness Swimmer, Personal Water Safety and Fundamentals of Diving.

Adult Learn-To-Swim
The Adult Learn-to-Swim program uses the same structure as the Child Learn-to-Swim program customized to an adult teaching level.

Private Lessons
All private lessons are based on 30 minute intervals and are available for all ages and skill levels. Please contact The Waterfront to schedule a lesson.

Presentations
Throughout the year The Waterfront holds various water safety presentations to keep you and your family safe while in and around the water. Presentations are free of charge and run about 30 to 60 minutes. Topics include Home Pool Safety, Water Safety Today, and Sun Safety. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Make-up Sessions/Weather Policy
Swimming lessons are weather dependent due to the outside location of The Waterfront Pool. There will be no make-up sessions for cancellations due to the weather. Cancellations due to the instructor or aquatic facility will have scheduled make-up sessions during the respective session.

Photo Policy
Please be advised that all participants involved in any department programs or special events are subject to being photographed. Such photographs may be used by The USFSP Waterfront without obligation to provide compensation to those photographed.

Course Evaluations
After each session, an evaluation will be distributed for program feedback and areas of improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How many lessons is it going to take for my child to “swim”?
A: Children vary widely when it comes to learning a skill. In general, each child’s readiness is influenced by physical development, previous experiences, home environment, parental attitudes and individual preferences. For most skills, there are simple prerequisites, activities and lead-ups that can prepare the child to perform those skills. For example, before children are ready to put their entire face in the water, they may need to practice blowing bubbles, washing the face, splashing and putting parts of the face in the water. It may take 30–80 lessons before a child can swim independently. However, to make sure your child does learn to swim well, be sure that he or she completes all of the learn-to-swim levels.

Q: What if my child cannot keep up with the class?
A: The progress of your child is not compared with that of any other child. Because they have different experiences and backgrounds as well as different learning rates, children acquire skills at different times. The instructor can adapt and adjust the level of difficulty to the individual child. This way, your child will feel a part of the group but will practice at his or her level. If you believe that your child needs to be in a different level class, consult with the instructor.

Q: Will my child become "drownproof" after participating in USFSP Swim School program?
A: Participation in any swimming lesson program does not “drownproof” your child. It is only the first step in developing your child’s water safety and swimming skills.

Q: How many levels should my child complete?
A: You child should complete all of the Learn-to-Swim levels to develop full swimming competency. A child who has only completed level 4 or 5 may have acquired just the basic skills for swimming. It may take several seasons for a child to successfully complete all levels. If he or she swims only during the summer months, skills will be diminished. Regular practice is necessary to keep skills and progress to the next level.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: You will be taking the first step by enrolling your child in swim lessons. You need to have your child attend class on a regular basis, work together with the instructor and take time for other practice and water play opportunities outside the program. Also, throughout the session of swim lessons, take the time each day to read the Learn-to-Swim booklet with your child and practice the activities suggested. Doing this will help extend the lesson experience beyond the water and encourage discussions about safe practices in and around the water.

Course Fees
USF STUDENTS:
Private $30.00/lesson

FACULTY, STAFF, AFFILIATES, ALUMNI and MEMBERSHIP:
Private $50.00/lesson

PUBLIC:
Private 60.00/lesson

NOTE: $5.00 discount for each additional family-related child.