Swim Lessons
Move through water.
Recreation Services offers swim lessons for all ages, taught by certified instructors who focus on safety and confidence in the water. Swimmers can choose group or individual sessions, allowing them to progress at a comfortable pace in a supportive environment.
For questions about our aquatics programs, email aquatics-safety@uni.edu.
Swim lessons are available at various times throughout the year. Please check back if there are no active classes currently listed in our registration system.
Private Swim Lessons
Private swim lessons are available for ages 3+ at any skill level, with a 1:1 participant to instructor ratio. Lessons are 30 minutes and times are based on instructor availability during WRC operating hours.
Adult Swim Lessons
Adult swim lessons consist of small personalized classes for persons of all abilities who want to learn basic swimming skills or who wish to perfect their strokes. This class is a good start for students preparing their swimming skills for a lifeguarding or water safety instructor course.
Paddling Panthers
Spots fill fast! Register early.
Session Details
- Sessions are comprised of 8 lessons each.
- There is a minimum enrollment of 4 swimmers for each class. Any other class that has an enrollment below 4 students will be canceled or taught for 30 minutes instead of 40 minutes.
Class Levels
- Parent/Child
This class is designed to help children ages 6 months - 3 years feel comfortable in the water. Parents and/or guardians must participate in this class. The basic skills learned are water entry, bubble blowing, front kick, back floating and underwater exploration. Swim diapers are required for children not potty trained. 30 minutes; 8:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Preschool
This class is designed to help children age 3-4 years feel comfortable in the water. Skills learned in this class are combined stroke on front and back, underwater exploration and using life jackets. 30 minutes; 4:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
This class is designed to help children 4 years and older feel comfortable in the water. Submerging mouth, nose and eyes, floating on front/back and swimming on front/back using arms and legs will be emphasized in this class. 40 minutes; 5:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
This class gives students success with fundamental skills. Front/back glide, treading water and swimming with combined strokes will all be introduced in this class. 40 minutes; 6:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 3: Stroke Development
This class builds on skills learned in Level 2. Front/back crawl, diving, safety skills, survival float, deep water skills and butterfly kick will all be introduced in this class. 40 minutes; 6:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 4: Stroke Improvement
This class develops confidence in previously learned skills and improves other aquatic skills. Elementary backstroke, breaststroke, scissors kick and survival skills will all be introduced in this class. 40 minutes; 6:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 5: Stroke Refinement
This class will further coordinate and refine the strokes previously learned. Surface dives, flip turns, sidestroke and survival swimming will all be introduced in this class. 40 minutes; 6:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
- Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
This class refines the strokes so students can swim with efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. It also prepares students to participate in more advanced courses, including Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard Training Courses. 40 minutes; 6:1 swimmer to instructor ratio.
Weather Policy
If lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the WRC, Recreation Services staff will inform patrons in the pool areas of the pending storm. Patrons have the option of leaving the pool or to continue to swim at their own risk. If patrons choose to leave, they should not use showers or landline telephones.
If a severe weather warning is received from UNI Police or another reliable weather source indicating a severe thunderstorm/tornado warning is present in the area, Recreation Services staff will instruct patrons to leave the pool and take shelter in the pool locker rooms. Once an all clear is received, patrons will be allowed to return to the pool.
In the event of severe weather, you may call the WRC at 319-273-2413 prior to driving to the building for swimming lessons to inquire about weather closures. Unless there is a severe weather warning, we will stay open for swimming lessons.
- Where are lessons held?
Swim lessons are held in both the lap and leisure pools, depending on the level.
- Can I make up a missed class due to illness or schedule conflict?
No.
- Where should I park for swim lessons?
If you do not have a UNI Parking Permit, parking is available in the metered lot on the west side of the WRC. Parking is not monitored on Saturday or Sunday but may closed depending on large events being held on campus.
- What should I wear to swim lessons?
Adults should wear an athletic bathing suit. Children who are not potty trained must wear a swim diaper underneath their bathing suits; we do not have swim diapers available for sale. Goggles are not required but may be worn during lessons.
- Can both parents be in the water for the parent/child class?
Yes.
- Do parents need to be in the water during preschool classes?
No. However, it is encouraged that parents sit in the chairs near the class.
No. However, it is encouraged that parents sit in the chairs near the class.
- Where can I change my child before and after classes?
There are men’s and women’s locker rooms connected to the pools. Children four years of age or younger are permitted in the opposite gender locker rooms with their parents. Additionally, there is a family changing room connecting to the leisure pool in the SW corner.
- Can I work out while my child is in swim lessons?
No. Parents should be either on the pool deck or on the pool balcony to provide assistance if needed.
No. Parents should be either on the pool deck or on the pool balcony to provide assistance if needed.
- Can I drop my child off at swim lessons, and come back and get them?
For safety purposes, parents must stay in the building during their child’s swim lessons.
- What is the refund policy?
You will receive a full refund minus an administration fee per registration. If you need a refund or have any questions regarding refunds, please email aquatics-safety@uni.edu.