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Group Swim Lessons

Group Lessons

Our group swim lessons cater to all ages and skill levels, providing a supportive and fun environment for learning.

Spring Registration opens Jan 2nd. 

Swim Skill Levels

Please check the levels listed below. Participants should achieve the specified skills before moving up.

If you're unsure of the right level for you or your child, please contact our Aquatics team at aquatics@vt.edu for help. 

Please note you must have dependents added to your account prior to registering for youth programs.

Lessons Up to Preschool III

Family/Child lessons are offered Monday to Thursday, and Sundays, depending on your registered session. If you have multiple children in different skill groups, please click here for the full schedule.

Up to Preschool III Lessons are offered on the weekends, depending on your registered session. If you have multiple children in different skill groups, please click here for the full schedule.

Family/Child (Under 3 Years Old)

This class teaches guardians how to give their child a positive experience in the water. Cost: $80

Schedule:

Session 1, held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:00pm - 5:30pm, begins January 27th and ends February 13th.

Tuesday/Thursday: Jan 28, Jan 30, Feb 4, Feb 6, Feb 11, Feb 13 | 5:00pm - 5:30pm

Session 2, held on Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:00pm - 5:30pm , begins March 17th and ends April 2nd.

Monday/Wednesday: March 7, March 19, March 24, March 26, March 31, April 2 | 5:00 pm - 5:30pm

Session 2A, held on Sundays from 3:15pm - 3:45pm, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th. Cost: $55

Sunday: March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13 | 3:15pm - 3:45pm

Session 3, held on Tuesdays & Thursday from 5:00pm - 5:30pm, begins April 15th and ends May 1st.

Tuesday/Thursday: April 15, April 17, April 22, April 24, April 29, May 1 | 5:00pm - 5:30pm

Preschool 1: Children 3 to 5 Years Old

This class will develop comfort in the water, learn water entry, bubble blowing, floating, kicking, underwater exploration and general water safety skills. Cost: $60

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 10:30am - 11:00am, 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 2:15pm - 2:45pm, 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 10:30am - 11:00am, 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 2:15pm - 2:45pm

Preschool 2: Children 3 to 5 Years Old

Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool I.

This class is for 3 to 5 year olds who are very comfortable in the water will learn new skills such as combined arm and leg action on front, treading with support and general water safety skills. Cost: $60

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 10:30am - 11:00am, 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 2:15pm - 2:45pm, 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 2:15pm - 2:45pm, 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Preschool 3: Children 4 to 5 Years Old

Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool II.

This class is for 4 to 5 year olds who are very comfortable in the water will learn to refine arm and leg action on front and back, as well as treading with and without support and general water safety skills. Cost: $60

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 10:30am - 11:00am, 11:15am - 11:45am

Sunday | 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Lessons Up to Level 6

Levels 1 to 6 are offered on the weekends, depending on your registered session. If you have multiple children in different skill groups, please click here for the full schedule.

Level 1: Recommened for Children 6 & Up

Participants must be comfortable away from parent.

Objectives: Supported floating on front and back, gliding, kicking, and alternating arm and leg action. Cost: $68

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 11:15am - 12:00pm (noon)

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Objectives: Unsupported float, gliding, kicking on front and back without support, combined arm action with kick on front and back, treading water without support, personal safety and rescue skills. Cost: $68

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Sunday | 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am, 11:15am - 12:00 (noon)

Sunday | 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Level 3: Stroke Development

Objectives: Front crawl with breathing to the side, coordinated back crawl, elementary backstroke, scissor and dolphin kick, treading water skills, diving from the side of the pool, and personal safety and rescue skills. Cost: $68

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm, 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Level 4: Stroke Improvement

Objectives: Improve stroke proficiency on front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breast stroke and elementary backstroke, sidestroke, surface diving, open turns, and personal safety and rescue skills. Cost: $68

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Session 1, held on Sundays only, begins January 26th and end February 16th.

Saturday | 11:15am - 12:00pm (noon)

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Session 2, held on Saturdays only, begins March 22nd and ends April 12th.

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Saturday | 11:15am - 12:00pm (noon)

Sunday | 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Level 5: Stroke Refinement

Objectives: Refine front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, turns on front and back, long shallow dives and treading water. Cost: $68

Personal safety and rescue skills are also covered.

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Level 6: Swimming & Skill Proficiency

Objectives: Refine all strokes to increase efficiency, power, and smoothness over great distances. Cost: $68

Personal safety and rescue skills are also covered.

Session 1, held on Saturdays only, begins January 25th and ends February 15th.

Saturday | 10:15am - 11:00am

Session 2, held on Sundays only, begins March 23rd and ends April 13th.

Sunday | 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Lessons for Adults

Adult Lessons are offered Monday to Thursday, depending on your registered session.

Adult: Beginner or Intermediate

Overcome fear of the water and learn basic skills such as floating, gliding, kicking, rhythmic breathing, and treading water. Cost: $102

Session 1, held on Mondays & Wednesdays only, from 6:45pm - 7:30pm, begins January 27th and ends February 12th. Skill Level: Adult Beginner

Session 1, held on Tuesdays & Thursdays only, from 6:45pm - 7:30pm, begins January 28th and ends February 13th. Skill Level: Adult Intermediate

Monday/Wednesday: Jan 27, Jan 29, Feb 3, Feb 5, Feb 10, Feb 12 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

Tuesday/Thursday: Jan 28, Jan 30, Feb 4, Feb 6, Feb 11, Feb 13 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

Session 2, held on Mondays & Wednesdays from 6:45pm - 7:30pm begins March 17th and ends April 2nd. Skill Level: Adult Intermediate

Session 2, held on Tuesdays & Thursdays only, from 6:45pm - 7:30pm begins March 18th and ends April 3rd. Skill Level: Adult Beginner

Monday/Wednesday: March 17, March 19, March 24, March 26, March 31, April 2 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

Tuesday/Thursday: March 18, March 20, March 25, March 27, April 1, April 3 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

Session 3, held on Mondays & Wednesdays from 6:45pm - 7:30pm begins April 14th and ends April 30th. Skill Level: Adult Beginner

Session 3, held on Tuesdays & Thursdays only, from 6:45pm - 7:30pm, begins April 15th and ends May 1st. Skill Level: Adult Intermediate

Monday/Wednesday: April 15, April 17, April 22, April 24, April 29, May 1 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

Tuesday/Thursday: April 15, April 17, April 22, April 24, April 29, May 1 | 6:45pm - 7:30pm

How many participants are in each class?

The Virginia Tech Aquatics program follows guidelines set by the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. The recommended ratio of instructor to participants is one to six (1:6); therefore, there could be up to six participants in a class. For our parent child classes we have a 1:10 ratio.

Do you offer any private instruction?

Yes! We offer both private and semi-private lessons. Private lessons consist of one participant and one instructor for a 30-minute lesson. Semi-private lessons consist of two participants and one instructor together for a 30-minute lesson. Please feel free to explore our website for any additional information on private and semi-private lessons. 

Why is my child's class not offered this semester?

Virginia Tech Aquatics offers every class each session, and we strive to ensure that each class makes. We require a minimum of two (2) participants in order to hold the class. If your child’s class does not make, we will accommodate any changes that need to be made due to the class not making. 

Why is there a time difference between Preschool and Levels 1-6?

Preschool Levels are 30 minutes because participants are younger in age, cannot maintain a sufficient amount of energy, and often do not have the attention span for a longer class. 

What does my child have to do to pass the level he/she is in?

Each level has specific exit skills that the participants must demonstrate in order to move on to the next level. Our main goal is to ensure that participants are placed in levels in which they will succeed. By ensuring that the participants are placed in levels with other participants with similar skill sets, we believe they will be more comfortable in the water in order to perfect their skills while keeping safety as the main priority. 

Am I allowed to work out while my child is in lessons?

We ask that you remain in the designated observation area during lessons. In the case that there is an emergency or if your child needs you, we want to ensure that we can find you quickly and unite you with your child in a timely manner. 

Why do the lessons always seem to start late?

Safety lessons are an integral part of our American Red Cross swim lesson program.  The first 5 minutes of our lessons, our instructors are in the cove teaching your child how to be safe in and around the water.  We will get to the water once our safety lesson is completed for the day!

Where can I park for lessons?

With questions regarding parking, please visit Parking and Transportation website.

In the case of an emergency situation during swim lessons, please follow this protocol:

For an in-water emergency:

Step 1: Remain calm

Step 2: The lifeguards will blow their whistle signaling all participants to get out of the pool

Step 3: Parents gather at the double door entrance of the pool

Step 4: The Head Swim Instructor will call classes over one at a time starting with Preschool Level 1

Step 5: Reunite with your child and exit through the locker room

For a fire emergency:

Step 1: Remain calm

Step 2: Exit the facility through the closest door – Participants and instructors will exit to the outside from the pool deck

Step 3: Reunite with your child in the grassy area near the traffic circle in front of McComas – For a visual, please see the map

For safety and security reasons, it is important that parents/guardians remain in the observation area at all times during lessons