Our swim lesson program follows the American Red Cross progressive swimming level model which includes six levels. All of our swim instructors are American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)-certified.
During the Academic year, the swim lesson program is limited to PRIVATE swim lessons only. Swim Lessons for children (under 18 years of age) are restricted to weekends after 10am due to facility policies. Adult swim lessons are not restricted to any set times. Private swim lessons run for 30 minutes and can be extended based on instructor availability*.
*Minimum time for a private swim lesson is 30 minutes. Prorated prices for shorter lessons are not allowed. Extended lessons beyond 30 minutes are only allowed in 30 minute increments and charged the appropriate rate per extension. (For example: an hour long swim lesson will be charged at the appropriate rate for two swim lessons).
Registration
Please call the UCSB Aquatics Swim Lesson line (805-893-2501) to set up Private Swim Lessons with one of our Red Cross WSI Certified instructors.
Age
Minimum age is 3 years, and child must be completely potty trained.
Maximum age is not applicable.
Fees
Recreation Center Members/Students/Faculty: $15/lesson**
Community members/others: $20/lesson**
**Rates subject to change without notice.
No Refunds
Levels
Level 1: Water Exploration
Swimmers have little or no experience with the water. Swimmers will be comfortably oriented to the water and taught basic pool safety. Skills taught include submerging face, blowing bubbles, bobbing underwater, assisted front and back floating, kicking on front and back, and assisted front and back gliding.
Level 2: Primary Skills
Swimmers are able to perform all of the skills in Level 1. Swimmers will learn to independently float on their front and back, independently glide on their front and back, glide on their front and back while kicking, retrieve objects underwater, front and back crawl for at least 5 yards, roll over from front to back and back to front in the water, and jump into the pool and level off from a vertical to horizontal position.
Level 3: Stroke Readiness
Swimmers are able to perform all of the skills in Level 2. Swimmers will learn to tread water, glide on their front and back for 10 yards, elementary backstroke, and kneeling and compact dives.
Level 4: Stroke Development
Swimmers are able to perform all of the skills in Level 3. Swimmers will further develop the skills learned in Level 3 and will increase their endurance by swimming freestyle and backstroke for 25 yards, elementary backstroke for 10 yards, tread water for 2 minutes as well as learn "side-breathing," breaststroke, and the standing dive.
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Swimmers are able to perform all of the skills in Level 4. Swimmers will learn to side-breathe on both sides, swim breaststroke (10 yards), sidestroke (10 yards), underwater for 3 body lengths, elementary backstroke (15 yards), dolphin kick (10 yards), and freestyle and backstroke (50 yards). Swimmers will also learn flip turns, diving on the diving board, and feet-first surface diving
Level 6: Skill Proficiency & Advanced Skills
Swimmers are able to perform the skills in Level 5. Swimmers will further increase their endurance by swimming freestyle and backstroke for 100 yards, breaststroke and sidestroke for 25 yards, butterfly for 10 yards, as well as the pike and tuck surface dives. Approach, hurdle, and jump tuck on a diving board will also be practiced.
Swim Lesson Reminders for Young Children (Guidelines)
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Children must be at least 3 years of age and "potty-trained" before beginning lessons.
- Please do not schedule lessons directly before, during or after your child's nap-time as this may interrupt their daily schedule.
- Please make sure your child does not eat a heavy meal 30 minutes prior to their lesson.
- Please give your children ample opportunity and encouragement to use the toilets before and after their lessons.
Pool Restrictions
- Non Rec Cen Members may enter the Rec Cen 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to prepare for your lesson- you may stay for 30 minutes after the lesson to exit.
- You must check in and out at the Rec Cen front desk.
- Swim passes for siblings, friends, parents, and other guests are available for purchase at the Rec Cen front desk.
- Persons staying longer than their scheduled lesson time without purchasing a pass may lose lesson privileges.