Group Swim Lessons

Step 1: Navigate to online portal at connect.recsports.vt.edu to start the registration process

Step 2: If you are a current VT affiliate, please click on “Log In” and enter your PID credentials. If you are not affiliated with VT/are a community member, please click “Sign Up” and fill out the screen based on your information. If you are registering dependents for swim lessons, there will be an opportunity to add them to your profile once your profile is created.

Step 3: Navigate to the swim lesson registrations but clicking on the “Swim Lessons” icon on the dashboard

Step 4: Select the session and level you are interested in registering for. 

Step 5: Click the orange “Register” button. Please press the “Add A New Dependent” button if you are registering someone other than yourself for this session. Fill out the dependent information and press “Save”.

Step 6: Click the orange “Register” button on the dependent you would like to register. If an “Age Restriction” note shows up, please note that based on the certain level, this dependent’s age is outside of the traditional age range. 

Step 7: Read over and accept the waiver on the next screen

Step 8: Add an emergency contact on the next screen

Step 9: Checkout and look for a registration confirmation in your email with more information about the swim lesson program

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 levbel 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

Please review the levels below. The participant needs to be able to accomplish the objectives/exit skills before moving onto the next level. If you are unsure what level you or your child should be in, please contact Lyncee Kowalcik at lkowalci@vt.edu.

Parent & Child

This level is designed for children under the age of three. Participation can start as early as six months of age. This class teaches parents how to give their child a positive experience in the water. Participants will become acclimated to the water and learn safety skills while having fun developing swimming readiness. Parent partipation is required.

Preschool I

- Participants must be able to swim with noodle without instructor assistance 

For two to five year olds, this class will develop comfort in the water, learn water entry, bubble blowing, floating, kicking, underwater exploration and general water safety skills.  We encourage our younger participants to take the parent & child class first. This class is the next step from parent & child so parents do not participate. 

Exit skills include: blowing bubbles through mouth and nose; submerging mouth, nose, and eyes; open eyes under water; front glide and back float and recover to vertical position; roll from front to back and back to front; treading with arm and hand actions; alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back; combined arm and leg actions; and more.

Preschool II

- Participants must be able to jump in and swim to the lane line with a noodle without instructor assistance

Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool I.  This class is for three to four year olds who are very comfortable in the water will learn new skills such as combined arm and leg action on front and general water safety skills.

Exit skills include: bobbing; open eyes under water; front and back floats and glides; recover from a front and back float to a vertical position; tread water using arm and leg action; combined arm and leg action; finning arm action on back; and more.

Preschool III

- Participants must be able to swim wihout a noodle without instructor assistance 

Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool II.  This class is for four to five 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.

Exit skills include: enter water by jumping in; fully submerging and holding breath; bobbing; front, jellyfish, and tuck floats; back float and glide; change direction of travel while swimming on front or back; tread water using arm and leg action; finning arm action on back; and more.

Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills

Must be six years old the first day of the program in order to participate and be comfortable away from parent.

Objectives/exit skills: Supported floating on front and back, gliding, kicking, and alternating arm and leg action.

Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic

This level gives participants success with fundamental skills.

Objectives/exit skills: Unsupported float, gliding, kicking on front and back without support, combined arm action with kick on front and back, treading water without support, change directon of travel whiel swimming; roll from fron tto back and back to front; personal safety and rescue skills.

Level 3 - Stroke Development

This level builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper waters.

Objectives/exit skills: 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, bobbing while moving; and personal safety and rescue skills.

Level 4 - Stroke Improvement

This level develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatics skills.

Objectives/exit skills: 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.

Level 5 - Stroke Refinement

This leve provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.

Objectives/exit skills: Refine front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, turns on front and back, long shallow dives and treading water. Personal safety and rescue skills are also covered.

Level 6 - Swimming and Skill Proficiency

This level refines all strokes with a focus on preparing participants for lifetime fitness and safety.

Objectives: Refine all strokes to increase efficiency, power, and smoothness over great distances. Personal safety and rescue skills are also covered.

Beginner Adult

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

Intermediate Adult

Adults with no fear of water who possess beginner swimming skills must be able to kick and breathe using a kickboard for 25-yards without stopping. Students will learn front crawl, back crawl, and develop comfort in deep water.