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Learn-to-Swim Program
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The Neal Fitness Center is proud to offer the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program. This nationally recognized program utilizes highly-trained Water Safety Instructors and top-of-the-industry curriculum to support learners at any stage in their swimming journey. We work to develop strong swimmers with a focus on being safe in, on, and around the water.
Our American Red Cross WSI certified instructors work with your goals - whether it's to overcome a fear of water, build on basic swimming skills, or get swim team ready! Make progress through our program to ensure you gain "confidence in water, for life."
Learn more about the different levels we offer here
Level Descriptions
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30 minutes lessons for ages 6 months-3.5 years with an adult
No previous experience is needed. Have fun in the pool with songs, games, and activities that will help you and your child be safer and more comfortable in the water. Submersion is your choice. Swim diapers must be worn under child’s bathing suit, if not potty-trained.
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30-minute lessons for kids aged 3-5
Pre-School Beginner
No parental assistance. For 3-5 year olds. This is a beginner class. No swimming experience needed to enroll. Class will focus on safety in and around the pool and introduce new swimmers to the water by blowing bubbles, submerging face, and moving/kicking arms and legs. Front and back float also introduced.
Pre-School Experienced
No parental assistance. For 3-5 year olds who are able to swim independently without a float 20 feet on front and at least 15 feet on their back.
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45-minute lessons for youth 5-14
Level 1 – Introduction to Water Skills
Acceptable for 5+ year olds. Little or no swimming skills are necessary to enroll. Class will focus on safety in and around the pool and introduce new swimmers to the water by blowing bubbles, submerging face and kick and arm movements. Front and back float also introduced. Work towards unassisted floating and swimming on front and back.
Level 2 –Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills
Acceptable for 5+ year olds. Swimmers must pass Level 1, should be comfortable with putting their face in the water and should be able to float on front and back to enroll. Class will focus on fully submerging and proper arm and leg movements for freestyle (front crawl) and backstroke.
Level 3 – Stroke Development
Must pass level 2 or must swim 20 feet on back and 20 feet on front using rhythmic breathing to enroll. Class will progressively build on skills developed in earlier levels. Lesson includes rotary breathing in Freestyle, elementary backstroke and Introduction of breaststroke kick, treading water and kneeling dive.
Level 4 – Stroke Improvement
Must pass level 3 or must swim elementary backstroke and front crawl (freestyle), with rotary breathing 45 feet each, dive, and tread water for 1 minute to enroll. This class will help swimmers gradually increase the distances swum for freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke. Introduce breaststroke pull, butterfly kick and standing dive.
Level 5 – Stroke Refinement
To enroll, must pass level 4 or must swim front crawl (freestyle) and elementary backstroke 25 yards each, breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke for 15 yards each and tread water for 2 minutes. This class is designed to improve stroke mechanics while swimming greater distances.
Level 6 - Swimming & Skill Proficiency
To enroll, must pass level 5 or swim front crawl, and elementary backstroke 50 yards each, breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke for 25 yards, and tread water for 3 minutes. Swimmers will work on: All six strokes, front and back crawl flip turn, breaststroke turn, breaststroke speed turn and pullout, butterfly turn, sidestroke turn, pike and tuck surface dive, tread water for five minutes, and basic water rescue.
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45-minute lessons for people aged 15+
The American Red Cross Adult Learn-to-Swim program is designed to help adults of all skill levels gain confidence and proficiency in the water. The program is structured into three levels, each tailored to meet participants' needs and goals. Each level promotes a supportive and encouraging environment, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while gaining essential water safety knowledge.
Level 1: Learning the Basics
This level is ideal for beginners who are new to swimming or feel uncomfortable in the water. Participants learn fundamental skills such as floating, gliding, and basic strokes like front crawl and backstroke. The focus is on developing water confidence and safety, including breathing techniques and basic water survival skills.
Level 2: Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes
For those who have mastered the basics, Level 2 builds on foundational skills to enhance stroke techniques and swimming efficiency. Participants refine strokes like freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke while improving coordination, endurance, and rhythmic breathing. Safety skills such as treading water and deep-water swimming are also emphasized.
Level 3: Swimming for Fitness
Level 3 is designed for adults who are comfortable swimming and want to use it as a form of exercise. This level focuses on improving stroke mechanics, increasing stamina, and incorporating swimming into a fitness routine. Participants also learn how to set personal fitness goals and may explore advanced techniques like flip turns or interval training.
Private Swim Instruction
Why private lessons?
Private swim lessons provide personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to meet your unique swimming goals and abilities. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics, an intermediate swimmer refining your technique, or an advanced swimmer seeking to enhance your performance, private lessons offer a customized approach to help you succeed.
Taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors, these lessons focus on water safety, skill development, and building confidence in a supportive environment. With flexible scheduling and individualized attention, private swim lessons are perfect for anyone looking to progress at their own pace and achieve specific milestones in the water.
Fill out the Private Swim Instruction Request form below or contact Member Services to get started!
FAQs
Find answers to your most pressing questions about swim lessons!
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You will need to check in at the front desk before each lesson.Make sure to sign the liability waiver early and have your picture taken at the front desk.
Our classes start and end promptly! Please arrive with enough time to change, use the bathroom, and shower before entering the pool.
Please note that street shoes are not allowed on the pool deck. Please remove your shoes in the locker room area. We encourage wearing flip-flops or shower shoes (not worn outdoors).
Upon arrival on the pool deck, please find a seat on the benches. Your instructor will come to call your swimmer when it's time to begin the class. Swimming before and after lessons is not permitted.
If you are late for class, it will be your responsibility to locate your class in the pool and join.
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If you are going to miss a class, please let your instructor or the front desk know.
If you miss a class or your class is canceled during the 6-week session, you are entitled to one make-up class during the 7th week at your regularly scheduled class time.
You MUST register with the front desk for make-ups. Instructors may not be available or prepared for make-up if you do not register in advance.
Occasionally, classes may be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Every attempt will be made to contact you in advance via email, text, and phone call. Please make sure you have updated contact information on file.
If a regular class falls on a federal holiday, we will reschedule it for week 7, at the same day and time. If you also need a makeup class, it can also be scheduled for week 7, but on a different day and time, provided it is for the same level.
After week 7, any missed classes will be forfeited.
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We keep our pool at 82*.
Here are some tips to help keep your swimmer comfortable during lessons if they get chilled easily:
Wear a long-sleeved swimsuit, rash guard, neoprene wetsuit or vest.
Consider using a swim cap or neoprene headband to reduce heat loss through your head.
Bring two towels: one to wrap up in immediately after exiting the pool, and one for after showering. Shower robes and cover-ups may also help.
Take a cool rinse shower before entering the pool, to make the water feel less cold.
Engaging in physical activity will aid in maintaining a comfortable body temperature! Keep moving, and avoid getting in and out of the water too many times.
Having a light snack before swimming can give your body the energy to generate heat through physical activity. Hungry bodies can have a harder time maintaining a comfortable body temperature.
Infants and young children benefit from shared body heat, and you can too! Ask your instructor about techniques for holding that increase comfort in cold water.
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Swimmers can progress to the next level upon passing an exit skills assessment. More information about exit skills can be found in the Red Cross Swim Lesson Achievement booklet and on the Red Cross Swim App.
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Don't worry if your swimmer needs to repeat a level multiple times! Every swimmer progresses at their own pace. Our role is to facilitate learning in a safe environment and challenge our swimmers to progress towards their goals. It's common for swimmers to take a level a few times before being ready to move ahead. You can support your swimmer’s learning by giving them extra time to practice their skills in a pool and using the Red Cross Swim App for tips.
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We do not offer Infant Self-Rescue lessons. Instead, we proudly utilize the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program, which is widely regarded as the gold standard in water safety and swim instruction.
Our program focuses on age-appropriate skills that promote safety, confidence, and enjoyment in the water, while adhering to the highest standards set by the industry. Through our comprehensive approach, we ensure that swimmers of all ages learn critical water safety skills in a safe, nurturing, and effective way.
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At the Clubhouse Aquatic Center, we understand that fear of water is a common and valid concern, and our instructors are specially trained to create a supportive and encouraging environment. Here’s how we help fearful swimmers build confidence and learn to enjoy the water:
Personalized Approach: Every swimmer’s journey is unique. Our instructors take the time to understand each individual's fears and tailor lessons to their comfort level, starting with small, manageable steps to build trust and confidence.
Gentle Progression: We emphasize gradual exposure to the water, beginning with basic skills like breathing and floating. By focusing on small achievements, we help swimmers feel a sense of accomplishment at every stage.
Patience and Empathy: Our instructors are patient, kind, and empathetic, providing constant encouragement and reassurance. We aim to create a stress-free experience where swimmers feel safe and supported.
Fun and Playful Learning: For many, fear of swimming stems from negative past experiences. We turn lessons into fun and engaging sessions, using games and activities to foster a positive relationship with water.
Communication and Trust: Building trust is key. Our instructors maintain open communication, explaining each step of the process so swimmers know what to expect and feel in control of their learning journey.
We believe that with the right guidance and a nurturing environment, anyone can overcome their fear of swimming and discover the joy of being in the water.
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Red Cross Swim Lesson Newsletter: A digital newsletter specific to your enrolled level is distributed by your instructor on day one.
Red Cross Swim Lesson Achievement booklet: Swimmers will receive an Achievement booklet on their first day of lessons. They can use this booklet to track their progress through the Learn-to-Swim levels. Once a participant completes all the requirements for a level, the instructor will sign and date the page in the Swim Lessons Achievement Booklet and check a box to indicate the participant's readiness to enroll in the next level.
The Red Cross Swim mobile application (app) supports and promotes the Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program, with a focus on the Preschool Aquatics and Learn-to-Swim courses. This app provides water safety information for both adults and children and connects them to Red Cross Training Providers that offer Red Cross Learn-to-Swim programs. The main goals of the app are to:
Support and promote the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program.
Enable parents to monitor and share their children's progress through the Preschool Aquatics and Learn-to-Swim levels.
Provide adults with general water safety information and specific safety guidelines for different environments.
Help children learn about water safety through video segments from Longfellow’s WHALE Tales, age-appropriate water safety messaging, and quizzes for the parent and child to complete together.
Photo booth opportunity! Please feel free to take photos of your swimmer, but please be considerate of others who may not want their children photographed or posted on social media. There is a photo backdrop on the pool deck that can be used to celebrate a great day at swim lessons! If you choose to post on social media, please consider using the following hashtags: #LearnToSwim #RedCross #SafetyFirst #Fitness4All