Youth Swimming Lessons

Youth Swim Lesson FAQs:
- How many kids are in each class?
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Parent/Child - 10 Participants
Preschool, Level 1, and Level 2 - 5 Participants
Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5+ - 6 Participants - Are parents/guardians allowed to remain on the pool deck during lessons?
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With the exception of the Parent/Child class participants, once the class starts, parents/guardians are required to leave the pool deck for the duration of the lesson. Parents/guardians may return 5 minutes prior to the end of the lesson. On the second to last day of swim lessons, we have parents' day. During this class, parents/guardians are allowed to remain on the pool deck throughout the lesson to observe their swimmer.
- How can I watch my child's swim lesson?
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Parents/guardians may watch swim lessons from outside the building or from the lounge TV screen. Additionally, On the second to last day of swim lessons, we have parents' day. During this class, parents/guardians are allowed to remain on the pool deck throughout the lesson to observe their swimmer.
- Are your Swim Instructors certified?
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Yes - All of our Swim Instructors are American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors and have undergone extensive in-service training to further enhance their teaching abilities.
- What should my child bring to swim class?
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Swimsuit, towel, flip flops (optional), and goggles (Level 2 - Level 5+ Only)
- What should not child not bring to swim class?
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Water toys, swim masks, goggles (Preschool and level 1 Only), fins, and gum
- What type of swimsuit should my child wear?
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All participants should wear a clean swimsuit, which allows them to move freely in the water.
- Does my toddler/infant need to wear a swim diaper?
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Yes - We require a swim diaper to be worn by all children who are not fully potty trained under their swimsuits. Normal diapers do not work. Swim diapers with elastic around the thighs can be purchased online or at major stores.
- What if my child is registered for the wrong swim class?
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If capacity allows, we will try to move your child into a class that best fits their swimming ability. If classes are full, you will be issued a credit that may be used for swim lessons or other UTC Campus Recreation programs.
- Will classes ever exceed the participant-to-instructor ratio?
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No - Under no circumstances will our classes exceed the ratios provided below. This includes not moving students who were registered for the wrong class or accommodating siblings.
Parent and Child = 1:10
Preschool, Level 1, and Level 2 = 1:5
Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5+ = 1:6 - What if I need to cancel or move my child's registration? Will I receive a refund?
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We will attempt to move children between sessions and levels if possible. If this is not possible, a credit will be missed to your account that may be used for future swimming lessons or other UTC Campus Recreation programs. Misplacement of the child's level or session does not constitute a refund.
Refund requests for any reason will be granted if requested 14 business days prior to the start of the registered session of swimming lessons.
- Can my child attend some morning and some evening lessons?
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No - Unless the child is registered for both morning and evening lessons.
- What if my child needs to miss a lesson? Can we make the lesson up another day?
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No - Missed lessons are not made up, discounted, or refunded.
- What happens during a thunderstorm? Does Campus Recreation ever cancel lessons?
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If Campus Recreation needs to cancel a class due to weather, a mechanical failure, or any other reason, a credit will be issued to your account, which may be used for future swimming lessons or other UTC Campus Recreation programs.
If at all possible, UTC Campus Recreation will contact participants as far in advance as possible about cancelations. However, cancelations due to weather, are often made as late as possible to attempt to hold classes as scheduled.
- What happens if my child needs to go to the bathroom, is feeling unwell, or needs me for some reason?
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Please take your child to the bathroom prior to the start of class each day of lessons.
If your swimmer needs to use the bathroom during class, a staff member will escort them to a private stall and back to their swim class. If needed, we will call parents/guardians cell phone to come to the pool deck.
Youth Summer Swimming Lessons
UTC Campus Recreation is pleased to provide group youth swimming lessons for the Mocs and Chattanooga community. Our swim lesson curriculum is designed to provide your swimmer with an exceptional experience to teach them swimming and water safety skills. Each of our experienced Swim Instructors is an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certified and has received additional training to best teach your child.
Come learn to swim with us!
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Parent and Child
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Class Description: Parent and child swim lessons are designed for children aged 6 months – 3 years of age to become comfortable in and around the water so that they will be ready to learn to swim in the future. It is also a good fit for children with special needs and those who are especially timid or fearful up to age 5. This class offers a safe and gentle introduction to water in a supportive environment. Parents learn essential water skills and safety topics while laying the foundation for future aquatic skills. This class prioritizes water safety and preparing children for advanced swimming skills. Please note that Parent and child lessons require an adult to accompany each child in the water during the entire class, and swim diapers are required for all children who are not fully potty trained.
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 10:1
Number of Classes Per Session: One morning and one evening class per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 6 Months - 3 Years Old -
Preschool
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Class Description: Dive into our Preschool Level swim lessons, specially designed for children aged 3-5 years old. This class provides a nurturing introduction to the water, building comfort and confidence in shallow pool areas. With no prior swim experience required, children will focus on developing foundational skills such as balance, walking, breath control, floating, and kicking. Participants are encouraged to follow simple directions, such as remaining in a designated “safe place,” and should be willing to separate easily from parents or caregivers. Specifically tailored for those new to structured class settings, Preschool emphasizes basic aquatic skills and fosters positive attitudes and safe practices around water through both play and instruction. Due to the nature of comprehensive skills development, participants may repeat levels to ensure mastery. Join us for a fun and educational journey in the aquatic world!
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 5:1
Number of Classes Per Session: Two morning and two evening classes per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 3 Years Old - 5 Years Old -
Level 1
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Class Description: In Level 1, swimmers embark on their aquatic journey by acquiring fundamental skills in a structured and supportive environment. Tailored for beginners without prior experience, this level focuses on building water comfort, essential safety knowledge, and introducing basic swimming skills. Participants learn water entry and exit techniques, practice breath control and submersion, and develop the foundations of floating and gliding on both front and back. Positive attitudes and safe practices around water are fostered as swimmers gain confidence in their newfound abilities. Our experienced instructors guide swimmers through play and engaging activities, making each lesson a fun and enjoyable experience. Participants may find it necessary to repeat this level in order to lay the groundwork for advanced skills and stroke development in subsequent levels, ensuring a well-rounded and confident approach to water exploration. Join us in Level 1 as we begin our aquatic journey to build essential water skills and foster confidence in a nurturing environment!
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 5:1
Number of Classes Per Session: Two morning and two evening classes per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 3 Years Old - 7 Years Old -
Level 2
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Class Description: Level 2 is the next step in the aquatic journey for participants who have successfully mastered Level 1. New water safety topics are introduced, reinforcing previously acquired knowledge and skills. Designed for children ready to build on their basic skills, Level 2 focuses on enhancing strength, coordination, and independence in the pool, laying the foundation for future strokes and independent swimming as children develop further comfort in and under the water. Participants will delve into learning the kicks for all strokes, marking the beginning of true locomotion skills and progressing to a more advanced level, gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and back. This level emphasizes the ability to glide and float without support, recover to a vertical position, and develop simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions. Participants may enjoy the option of repeating this level as they build confidence and coordination in the water. Join us for an enriching experience in Level 2, where swimmers continue to thrive and build confidence in the water!
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 5:1
Number of Classes Per Session: Two morning and two evening classes per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 5 Years Old - 9 Years Old -
Level 3
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Class Description: Level 3 is designed for swimmers who have successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 and expands upon water safety skills and understanding. In this class, participants focus on building their strokes through guided practice and expanding their proficiency in previously learned skills. Level 3 is designed to familiarize students with deeper water and more precise techniques, including rotary breathing, multiple kicking styles, and extend their duration for treading water. Swimmers learn to swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary and proficient levels and delve further into floating, gliding, and basic water competency in a pool environment. Participants may repeat this level in order to master the full range of skills and techniques. Join us in Level 3 for a comprehensive and skill-building aquatic experience!
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 6:1
Number of Classes Per Session: One morning and one evening class per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 7 Years Old - 10 Years Old -
Level 4
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Class Description: Level 4 is designed for swimmers who have successfully completed Level 3 and will deepen aquatic safety understanding. Level 4 swimmers focus on refining and improving their swimming skills while increasing endurance. Participants enhance proficiency in strokes learned in Level 3 by swimming for greater distances with advanced techniques. The exploration of new strokes becomes a key focus, along with the basics of performing a simple open turn at a wall and the introduction of diving skills. This class offers a comprehensive approach to stroke refinement, skill advancement, and increased water confidence. Participants may find it beneficial to repeat this level due to the variety of skills and techniques taught. Join us in Level 4 for a rewarding and challenging aquatic experience!
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 6:1
Number of Classes Per Session: One morning and one evening class per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 8 Years Old - 12 Years Old -
Level 5+
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Class Description: Level 5 is designed for swimmers who have successfully completed Level 4 and reinforces safety skills in and around the water. Level 5 participants focus on refining the four competitive strokes – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle – with the objective of achieving greater efficiency over increased distances. This level serves as an excellent transition from swim lessons to competitive swimming, emphasizing stroke refinement to enhance ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness. Swimmers delve into advanced techniques such as flip turns and diving. Due to the comprehensive skill set covered in this course, participants may find it beneficial to repeat Level 5 to master the various skills and techniques. Join us for an exciting journey towards swimming mastery and increased water confidence!
Swim Team Prep: (Sessions 1 & 4) During these two sessions, Level 5+ will focus on preparing swimmers for joining a swim team. Some of the skills learned during these sessions include using a pace clock, starts, endurance, calculating target heart rate, and interval swimming.
Guard Start: (Sessions 2 & 5) During these two sessions, Level 5+ will focus on preparing swimmers for taking a lifeguard course. Some of the skills learned during these sessions include reaching extension rescues, lifeguard entries (i.e., stride jump), hands-only CPR, and preparing for the lifeguard course prerequisite exam.
Technique and Skill Development: (Sessions 3 & 6) During these two sessions, Level 5+ will focus on enhancing the swimmer's strokes, endurance, and turns. The classes will also continue to focus on refinement of all stokes, including butterfly and sidestroke.
Instructor to Participant Ratio: 6:1
Number of Classes Per Session: One morning and one evening class per session. Each class consists of eight 40-minute lessons.
Typical Age Range: 9 Years Old - 17 Years Old
If you have any questions about our aquatics programs, please contact UTC Campus Recreation
Kate Dennis
Phone: (423) 425-4222
Email: [email protected]