Swim Classes
Aquatic-based classes are an excellent way to stay fit no matter your age or physical fitness. It is never too late to learn to swim or sharpen your skills and enjoy this lifelong recreational pursuit. Continue reading for descriptions of our group levels, private offerings, and additional pool activities!
Registration Schedule
Spring Quarter 2025:
- March 24th, 10am: Registration for Group Lessons and Certification classes opens
- March 31st, 10am: Registration for Private Lessons opens
Need Financial Assistance to participate?
Apply for up to an 80% discount via the Student Recreation Fund!
Private Swim Lessons
Offered: Every Quarter
Private swim lessons provide 3 hours of 1-on-1 instruction with an experienced swim instructor! The schedule of sessions will be scheduled between you and your instructor after registration.
Prices:
- $138 for students (with Rec Membership)
- $176 for employees/+1s (with Rec Membership)
How do I register?
The process to register for private lessons is easy! We utilize a waitlist function to ensure we can accommodate everyone, but the wait isn’t long. Just follow the steps below:
- Go to our registration page and click on “Private Swim Lessons”
- Read through the program details
- At the bottom of the page, click “Waitlist Options”
- Add yourself to the waitlist (can only be done with a current Rec Membership)
- Next, fill out our intake form so we can quickly match you with an experienced instructor who can assist with your specific goals!
- Once an instructor becomes available, they will email you from their UW email and send a registration email from our registration software.
- Register and pay for the lessons through the registration email.
- Email the instructor back and begin scheduling your sessions!
What skills can the instructor help with?
We have multiple instructors who are experienced with almost anything you could want to learn, when it comes to swimming! Previous clients have improved on skills from floating and freestyle to improving endurance and reducing pain while swimming. If you’re unsure if we would be able to assist with a certain goal, or if you have specific accommodation requests to discuss, email us at recaqua@uw.edu. We will do our best to help you accomplish your goals!
Can I ask for a specific instructor for private lessons?
You can ask for a specific instructor, but there is no guarantee that you will be placed with them. You can wait on that instructor to have some space in their schedule but it may take more time than you are willing to wait.
Group Swim Lessons
Offered: Every Quarter
Don’t like learning alone? Group swim lessons are a great way to increase your confidence in the water and improve your stroke techniques, alongside peers of the same swim level. Group classes have 3-6 participants to one instructor. Each level of swim lessons has pre-determined skills you can expect to learn over the course of the class, but the instructor will do their best to work with your individual goals as well. We recognize that everyone learns at a different pace, so you may benefit from taking the same level multiple times.
Group Lessons are scheduled for two classes a week, over three weeks; there are two total sessions available per quarter. It is recommended that you attend all classes of your registered session to get the most out of it! Participants are required to attend the first class of the session.
Continue reading for descriptions of the different levels available. If you are unsure which level to take next, ask us at recaqua@uw.edu! For specific class days and times available, and to register, click the purple button above.
Prices:
- $50 for students (with Rec Membership)
- $88 for employees/+1s (with Rec Membership)
Level 1: Getting comfortable
Level 1 is for individuals with no previous swim experience. It is designed to give swimmers the time and assistance needed to feel more comfortable and confident in the water.
Pre-requisites:
- A feeling of discomfort in water, or unable to submerge underwater
Learning goals:
- Entering and exiting the water
- Being comfortable in the water
- Submerging your face under water
- Floating on your back
- Floating on your front
- Blowing bubbles
- Flutter kick
While these classes are designed to cover all material within the timeframe, everyone learns at a different pace. You may have to take one level multiple times before moving on to the next level – and that’s okay! Please look through all course descriptions before making your selection.
Level 2: Learning the Basics
Level 2 is for individuals with little to no previous swim experience. It is designed for swimmers who are comfortable in the water but have no practical understanding of swimming.
Pre-requisites:
- Comfortable in the shallow end (4ft)
- Can submerge face underwater
Learning goals:
- Blowing bubbles
- Floating on your back unassisted
- Floating on your front unassisted
- Safety Rolls
- Elementary backstroke
- Flutter kick
- The beginning of freestyle
While these classes are designed to cover all material within the timeframe, everyone learns at a different pace. You may have to take one level multiple times before moving on to the next level – and that’s okay! Please look through all course descriptions before making your selection.
Level 3: Intro to Swimming Strokes
Level 3 is for individuals who want to learn the basics of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke. Swimmers must be able to float on their front and back unassisted, and feel fully comfortable submerging their face underwater.
Pre-requisites:
- Comfortable in the shallow end (4ft)
- Can submerge face underwater
- Unsupported back float
- Unsupported front float
Learning goals:
- freestyle
- backstroke
- breaststroke
- Treading water in the deep end
While these classes are designed to cover all material within the timeframe, everyone learns at a different pace. You may have to take one level multiple times before moving on to the next level – and that’s okay! Please look through all course descriptions before making your selection.
Level 4: Technique, Endurance, and Butterfly
Level 4 is for individuals who can perform crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke. This class focuses on improving efficacy and endurance while swimming. Swimmers will also be introduced to butterfly stroke.
Pre-requisites:
- Able to swim one length of crawl stroke
- Able to swim one length of backstroke
- Able to swim one length of breaststroke
Learning goals:
- Improve stroke efficiency for three strokes
- Learn the basics of butterfly
- Improve endurance while swimming
- Introduction to flip turns
While these classes are designed to cover all material within the timeframe, everyone learns at a different pace. You may have to take one level multiple times before moving on to the next level – and that’s okay! Please look through all course descriptions before making your selection.
Level 5: Intro to Fitness Swimming
Level 5 focuses on stroke technique for the four main strokes and a small emphasis on learning how to swim for fitness.
Pre-requisites:
- Comfortable swimming 50 yards each (without stopping) of crawl stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke
- Understanding of butterfly
Learning goals:
- Improving stroke techniques using drills
- Using a pace clock to track stroke efficiency, speed, and increase workout
- Lap swim etiquette (sharing a lane, circle swimming)
- Set building
Please look through all course descriptions before making your selection.
H2O Cardio
This program is part of the Rec Class Pass.
Join us for fun in the H2O! This class combines buoyancy and water resistance to tone your muscles in a cardio-focused workout. We alternate using shallow and deep water for a variety of moves to get your whole body working! Participants joining us for the deep-water days must be able to tread water confidently.
Intramurals
Check out our aquatics-based Intramural programming!
To see a list of current classes, times, and to register, click the Register Here button:
Work for Aquatics
For more information and to apply, please visit the employment page, or contact us at recaqua@uw.edu.
FAQs
What group swim lesson should I sign up for?
There are several different options for you in regards to group lessons. We offer levels 1-5 to accommodate various skills levels and interests. Take a look at the class descriptions to see what group would be the best fit. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss them further, contact the Aquatics Manager (jvklay@uw.edu).
Are the private lessons better than the group lessons?
Private lessons are not better or worse than the group lessons. It really depends how best you as a student learn. If you learn better in a group, then the group lessons are a good fit. If you prefer more of a one on one interaction, the private lessons would be the better fit. The skills covered in both types are the same.
How long are the lessons?
Group lessons are each 30 minutes, twice a week, for three weeks (6 total classes). Private lessons are scheduled between yourself and the instructor: each single session can be 30 or 45 minutes long.
How do I purchase sessions?
Lessons can be purchased online through our online portal. If you are having trouble accessing the website or seeing correct prices, please reach out to recinfo@uw.edu.
If I fit some parts in the group level description but not all, do I need to retake the level?
If you do not fulfill the pre-requisites for the next level, then you should retake the level again or go into private instruction.
What if I am not on the same skill level as the rest of the swim lesson group?
If you find that you are not on the same level as the rest of the group, talk with the instructor. We will do our best to ensure the class fits your level and needs, or move you to a different class level.
Questions About Accessibility?
The University of Washington makes every effort to honor disability accommodation requests. UW Recreation encourages everyone to participate in our department offerings; please contact us at (206) 543-4590 or at recinfo@uw.edu for more information on how to get involved. Requests can be responded to most effectively if received as far in advance of the event as possible, preferably at least 10 business days.
Request Disability Services Office
To request disability accommodation, contact the Disability Services Office at:
- (206) 543-6450 (Voice)
- (206) 543-6452 (TTY)
- (206) 685-7264 (FAX)
- dso@uw.edu
- hr.uw.edu/dso
Request Disability Resources for Students
Or the Disability Resources for Students Office at:
- (206) 543-8924 (Voice)
- (206) 543-8925 (TTY)
- (206) 616-8379 (FAX)
- uwdss@uw.edu
- uwdrs.uw.edu
Insurance
UW Recreation does not provide accident or medical coverage for participants. It is recommended that participants obtain their own personal coverage. Students may obtain additional information on student accident/sickness insurance by contacting: Insurance & Cost | Husky Health & Well-Being (uw.edu)
Questions About Refunds?
For questions about program or membership refunds check the Registration page or contact recinfo@uw.edu.
Have feedback?
Kudos? Comments? Complaints? We want to hear from you. Fill the Recreation Feedback Form.