Learn to Swim Program
Swim lessons save lives! Our lessons are conducted with certified lifeguards on duty at all times. We tea
ch all ages, including babies, youth and adults as well as those with special needs. Sessions are available year-round in our indoor, temperature-controlled pools.
ch all ages, including babies, youth and adults as well as those with special needs. Sessions are available year-round in our indoor, temperature-controlled pools.Authorized provider for the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Click here or on the image to the right to download our Learn to Swim brochure as a PDF.
Interested in private swim lessons? Click here.
Aqua Tots I & II
Give your baby the earliest start in water familiarization. Your baby will be conditioned to feel comfortable in the water and well prepared for future classes. A swimming adult required.
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Preschool I
Students are taught to feel comfortable in the water. Assisted skills include:
Enter/exit water using ladder, steps or side
Blow bubbles through mouth and nose for 3 seconds
Submerge mouth, nose, and eyes
Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects twice
Front/back glide and recover to vertical position 2 body lengths
Back float 3 seconds
Roll from front to back and back to front
Explore arm and hand actions for treading water
Alternate arm/leg action on front and back 2 body lengths
Combined arm/leg action on front and back 2 body lengths
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Preschool II
Students are taught to feel comfortable in the water. Assisted skills include:
Enter the water by stepping in from the side
Bob 3 times
Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects twice
Front float and recover to a vertical position 3 seconds
Front and back glide 2 body lengths
Back float 5 seconds and recover to a vertical position
Roll from front to back and back to front
Demonstrate treading water with arm and leg actions 5 seconds
Front crawl 3 body lengths
Elementary backstroke/Backstroke 3 body lengths
Finning arm action 3 body lengths
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.Preschool III
Students are taught to feel comfortable in the water. Assisted skills include:
Enter the water by jumping in from side
Fully submerge head and hold breath for 5 seconds
Bob 5 times
Front float and recovery 5 seconds
Jellyfish and tuck floats 5 seconds
Back float 15 seconds
Back glide and recovery 2 body lengths
Change direction while swimming on front and back
Tread water using arm and leg actions for 15 seconds
Front crawl 5 body lengths
Elementary backstroke/Backstroke 5 body lengths
Finning arm action 5 body lengths
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills
Helps students feel comfortable in the water. Completion of Preschool I, II and III is equivalent to passing Level 1. Participants learn to:
Enter and exit water safely
Submerge mouth, nose and eyes
Exhale underwater through mouth and nose
Float on front and back
Open eyes underwater, pick up submerged object
Follow basic water safety rules
Explore arm and hand movements
Use a life jacket
Swim on front and back using arm and leg actions
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Gives students success with fundamental skills.
Participants learn to:
Enter water by stepping/jumping from side
Fully submerge and hold breath 5 seconds
Bob 5 times
Open eyes underwater and retrieve object
Front/Jellyfish/Tuck float 5 seconds
Front/Back glide 2 body lengths
Back float 15 seconds
Roll from front to back and back to front
Change direction while swimming
Arm and leg actions for treading
Combined arm/legs actions on front and back5 body lengths
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 3 - Stroke Development
Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice. Participants learn to:
Enter water by jumping from the side
Dive to enter from a sitting and kneeling position
Bob while moving to safety 5 times
Rotary breathing
Survival float 30 seconds
Change from vertical to horizontal on front/back in deep water
Tread water 30 seconds
Flutter and dolphin kick 3-5 body lengths
Front crawl 15 yards
Elementary backstroke 15 yards
Scissor kick 10 yards
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 4 - Stroke Improvement
Develops confidence in the skills learned and
improves other aquatic skills. Participants learn to:
Dive from a compact and stride position
Swim underwater 3-5 body lengths
Feet-first surface dive
Survival swimming 30 seconds
Front crawl and backstroke open turns
Tread water 2 minutes using 2 kicks
Front crawl 25 yards
Breaststroke and butterfly 15 yards
Streamlined flutter and dolphin kick 3-5 body lengths
Elementary backstroke 25 yards
Back crawl and sidestroke 15 yards
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 5 - Stroke Refinement
Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes. Participants learn to:
Shallow-angle dive from side
Tuck and pike surface dives
Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming
Tread water 5 minutes
Front crawl 50 yards
Breaststroke 25 yards
Butterfly 25 yards
Elementary backstroke 50 yards
Back crawl 25 yards
Scull 30 yards
Sidestroke25 yards
Keep track of your progress with our Required Course Skills checklist. Print it out and check off all completed tasks.
Level 6 - Swimming & Skill Proficiency
Refines strokes so students swim with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Prepares students for more advanced courses.
Personal Water Safety
Fitness Swimmer
Hours of Operation
Activity Center
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday - Friday, 6am-9pm
Saturday, 7am-7pm
Sunday, noon-7pm
913.685.6000
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099
Recreation Complex Office (Sports)
9701 W. 137th Street
Monday - Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6030
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099
Administrative Offices
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6000
Vision Statement:
"Enriching Lives, Strengthening a Spirit of Community"
Mission Statement:
"We will champion community and personal growth through dynamic lifelong recreation experiences."
Upcoming Events
