Swim Lessons
The Athens City Pool provides quality swim lessons that develop key water safety skills. We offer the American Red Cross Swim Lessons which are designed to encourage a lifetime of safety, fun and fitness. Each level builds skills and endurance with a specific teaching progression to make learning easier and exciting!
During the first day of lessons, instructors will be introduced and children that did not participate in our swim evaluation days will be given a swim test. This is to confirm swimmers are in the needed level of swim instruction so they can get the most out of their lessons. Our swim instructors will communicate with parents/guardians about any adjustments that need to be made in the placement of their child’s learn-to-swim level.
Please keep in mind that not all children learn the same way or at the same rate. Some may need to repeat a swim level while some may advance to the next level. This is completely normal and instructors are trained to evaluate which level will benefit the child the most. With patience, perseverance and practice swimmers will succeed in all levels.
Cost:
Swim Lessons - $40.00 per child, per session. Swim Lessons run Monday - Thursday (If weather cancel's then Friday will be a make up day)
Aqua Tots & Adaptive Aquatics - $35.00 per child, per session. These classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (If a day is canceled due to weather there will be no make up day)
Refunds are not given for missed class dates due to weather.
How to Register for Swim Lessons:
1. Online: https://secure.rec1.com/OH/athens-oh/catalog
2. In Person: At the Athens City Pool or Athens Community Center
3. By calling: (740) 592-3325
See the "Swim Lesson Sessions" Tab for information on swim lesson registration dates and class time offerings.
Swim Lesson Levels:
Turtle1 /Turtle 2: Water Adjustment (Must be 3-5yrs. old)
Turtle 1/Turtle 2 classes will be held in the toddler pool and zero depth to 1-foot section of the main pool. With assistance in both classes, students learn to become comfortable in and around water, as well as under the water. These levels are designed for younger swimmers who need assistance in learning basic elementary water skills with assistance and without. Emphasis of this class includes: water safety and adjustment through songs and games.
Tadpole—Level 1: Introduction to Water (Must be at least 3ft. tall) (Typical ages :4-7)
Tadpole classes will be held in the zero depth to 3-foot section of the main pool. This level is intended to help students feel more comfortable in the water with assistance from the instructor. Students will learn basic water skills: submerging with eyes open, breath holding, floating, gliding, alternating and simultaneous leg and arm action, and water safety. Participants must be at least 3ft. tall.
Frog—Level 2: Fundamental Water Skills (Typical ages: 5-8)
Frog classes will be held in the lap pool, in the 4 foot depth. Participants combine the skills developed in Level 1 to master the fundamental skills necessary for basic swim strokes with minimal assistance from the instructor with the goal of being independent in the water. Skills taught include rotary breathing, retrieving submerged objects, exploration to deeper water, finning, treading water, gliding, turning over, and swimming on back. The main goal for this level is to become comfortable swimming unassisted. Prerequisite: Must have passed Level 1.
Minnow—Level 3: Stroke Development (Typical ages : 6-12)
Minnow classes will be held in the lap pool and diving well. Students build and refine skills from Level 2, and are introduced to new strokes and techniques. This level introduces new floats, dolphin, flutter, scissor and breaststroke kicks, streamline, and elementary backstroke. Exploration to deep water swimming, and elements/ rules for diving in the 12-foot section will be introduced. Students will need to have the endurance and strength to swim at least 50 yards in order to pass. Prerequisite: Must have passed Level 2.
Seahorse—Level 4: Stroke Improvement (Typical ages: 7-14)
Seahorse classes will be held in the lap pool and diving well. Participants improve on swimming skills and increase endurance on strokes learned in previous levels. This includes front and elementary backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and rotary breathing. Additionally, skills taught include head first entries in the deep ends of the pool, and off the diving board, treading water, feet first surface dive and introduction to flip turns at the wall. High levels of swimming endurance needed to move on, 50+ yards. Prerequisite: Must have passed Level 3.
Porpoise—Level 5: Stroke Refinement (Typical ages: 7-14)
Porpoise classes will be held in the lap pool and diving well. This higher-level course focuses on increased endurance, coordination, and refinement of all strokes. Participants will work on refining strokes in order to swim with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Endurance and stroke perfection are the main focus of the class. Prerequisite: Must have passed Level 4.
Aqua Tots —Parent and Child Aquatics
This is a water exploration class for tots accompanied by a parent or guardian. The instructor will lead swimmers through water games and activities designed to help them become comfortable in the water. No skill prerequisites, however, they must be at least 6 months to 2 years old. Must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian at all times. Parents and tots will learn fun ways to get comfortable in the water. Get ready for some fun games and songs!
Adaptive Aquatics
These group lessons are for children of all ages with disabilities. Children with any level of experience are welcome to participate. These lessons will focus on water safety and basic aquatic skills. Instructors will work with children who are reluctant to enter or submerge in the water, who need to learn basic water safety, and who want to learn beginner swimming skills. Participants will need to enroll in this class, no drop-in fees as in previous years.