Group Swim Lessons
Group Swim
Our group swim lessons cater to all ages and skill levels, providing a supportive and fun environment for learning. All group swim lessons will be located at McComas Hall for Fall 2025.
Fall Registration opens August 1st, 2025.
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.
Group Swim Lessons & Schedule
Family/Child lessons help children ages 6 months to 3 years feel comfortable in the water while parents learn important safety skills. This foundational class requires parent participation and prepares children for future swim lessons. Cost: $80
Session 1
Tuesdays/Thursdays: - Sept. 2, Sept. 4, Sept. 9, Sept. 11, Sept. 16, Sept. 18 | 5:00-5:30 PM
Session 2
Mondays/Wednesdays: - Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 6, Oct. 8, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 | 5:00-5:30 PM
Participants must be comfortable away from parent.
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
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 | 2:15-2:45 PM or 3:00-3:30 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 2:15-2:45 PM or 3:00-3:30 PM
Preschool 2: Children 3 to 5 Years Old
Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool 1.
This class is for 3 to 5 year olds who are very comfortbale in the water. They 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
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 | 3:00-3:30 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 3:00-3:30 PM
Preschool 3: Children 3 to 5 Years Old
Prerequisite: Able to demonstrate completion requirements of Preschool 2.
This class is for 3 to 5 year olds who are very comfortbale in the water. They will learn new skills such as refining art and leg action on front and back, treading with and without support, as well as general water safety skills. Cost: $60
Session 1
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 | 2:15-2:45 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 2:15-2:45 PM
Participants must be comfortable away from parent.
Level 1: Recommended for Children 6 & Up
Objectives: Supported floating on front and back, gliding, kicking, and alternating arm and leg action. Cost: $68
Session 1
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 | 2:00-2:45 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 2:00-2:45 PM
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Level 1.
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
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 | 3:00-3:45 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 3:00-3:45 PM
Level 3: Stroke Development
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Level 2.
Objectives: Front crawl with breathing to the side, coordinated back carwl, 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
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 | 3:00-3:45 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 3:00-3:45 PM
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Level 3.
Objectives: Improve stroke proficiency on the front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke and elementary backstroke, sidestroke, surface diving, open turns, and personal safety and rescue skills. Cost: $68
Session 1
Sundays: - Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 | 2:00-2:45 PM
Session 2
Sundays: - Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 | 2:00-2:45 PM
Level 5: Stroke Development
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Level 4.
Objectives: Refine front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, emelentary backstroke, sidestroke, turns on front and back, long shallow dives and treading water. Cost: $68
- We will not be offering Level 5 group lessons for Fall 2025. Private lessons are available using this link.
Level 6: Swimming & Skill Proficiency
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Level 5.
Objectives: Refine all strokes to increase efficiency, power, and smoothness over great distances. Cost: $68
- We will not be offering Level 6 group lessons for Fall 2025. Private lessons are available using this link.
Overcome fear of the water and learn basic skills such as floating, gliding, kicking, rhythmic breathing, and treading water. Cost: $102
Session 1
Monday/Wednesday: - Sept. 3, Sept. 8, Sept. 10, Sept. 15, Sept. 17, Sept. 22 | 6:45-7:30 PM
Session 2
Tuesday/Thursday : Sept. 30, Oct. 2, Oct. 7, Oct. 9, Oct. 14, Oct. 16 | 6:45-7:30 PM
Prerequisite: Must be able to demonstrate completion requirements of Adult- Beginner.
Overcome fear of the water and learn basic skills such as floating, gliding, kicking, rhythmic breathing, and treading water. Cost: $102
Session 1
Tuesday/Thursday: Sept. 2, Sept. 4, Sept. 9, Sept. 11, Sept. 16, Sept. 18 | 6:45-7:30 PM
Session 2
Monday/Wednesday: Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 6, Oct. 8, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 | 6:45-7:30 PM
Important Swim Information
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! Private lessons consist of one participant and one instructor for a 30-minute lesson. Please feel free to explore our website for any additional information on 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 three (3) 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