Swimming Lessons               

• Parent and Child ~ Levels 1-2
• Preschool ~ Levels 1-3
• Learn to Swim ~ Levels 1-5

To see the complete current class schedule, click here.

• On-line lesson registration ~ The City is pleased to offer quick and convenient registration online!
• In person ~ Registrations also accepted at the Recreation Department (3600 86th Street) or Urbandale Public Pool (7201 Aurora Avenue).

Parent and Child Lessons
Ages 6 months - 4 years old
This class will focus on ways for you to enjoy the water with your child. This class emphasizes parental teaching methods for water adjustment and basic skills. An adult must be in the water with the child throughout the class time. This class is designed to make your child more comfortable in and enjoy being around water. This class will not teach your child how to swim. For availability of specific levels and times, please check registration online. Cost $45.

LEVEL 1: Introduction to the Water
1. Using steps to enter and exit the pool
2. Blowing bubbles, going under water with mouth and eyes closed, opening eyes under the water
3. Bobbing 3 times
4. Front & Back float supported
5. Roll over from front to back and visa versa supported
6. Treading water in chest deep water
7. Kick on front and back (2 body lengths)
8. Arm action on front and back. (2 body lengths)
9. Arm and leg movements on front and back (2 body lengths)
10. Water safety skills

LEVEL 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
1. Entering and exiting the water (chest –deep)
2. Submerging body and holding breath (5 seconds)
3. Bobbing in water at least five times without stopping
4. Front and jelly fish float without support for at least 5 seconds
5. Back float without support for at least 15 seconds
6. Roll over from front to back and visa versa without assistance
7. Change direction in the water while swimming on front and back
8. Combined arm and leg action on both front and back. (5 body lengths)
9. Finning on back (5 body lengths)
10. Tread water for at least 15 seconds without assistance in chest deep water
11. Water safety skills

LEVEL 3: Stroke Development
1. Jumping into the water independently
2. Head first entry from side in a sitting and kneeling position
3. Bobbing in water at least 5 times while moving forward
4. Rotary breathing at least 10 times while doing the front crawl
5. Survival float, Back float, tread water at least 30 seconds
6. Change from vertical to horizontal positions while on back and front
7. Front crawl and Elementary backstroke at least 15 yards
8. Push off in a streamlined position on front with flutter kick and dolphin kick (3-5 body lengths)
9. Scissors kick at least 10 yards
10.Water safety skills

LEVEL 4: Stroke Improvement
1. Head first entry from the side in a compact and stride position
2. Swim under water at least 3-5 body lengths
3. Feet first surface dive, submerging completely
4. Survival swimming (30 seconds)
5. Front crawl and breaststroke open turns
6. Tread water using two different kicks. (2 min.)
7. Front crawl with rotary breathing, Elementary backstroke, Sidestroke (25 yards)
8. Breaststroke, butterfly (15 yards)
9. Push off in a streamlined position on back with flutter and dolphin kick (3-5 body lengths)
10.Water safety skills

Class Transfer Policy
If you need to transfer your child out of one class/session/level into another class/session/level prior to the first day of class, you will be charged a $5 processing fee. Please take time to read the course descriptions to help you accurately place your child in the proper level for swimming lessons. There will also be a $5 processing/transfer fee for swimmers who were signed up for the wrong level and need to be transferred the first day of class by staff.

Private Swim Lessons
These swim lessons are set up on an individual basis during public swim times only. They are private, one-on-one swim lessons arranged with a certified safety instructor. The cost of these lessons is $20 per half hour, with a minimum of 8 sessions. To arrange for private lessons, please call (515) 278-3959. 

Adult Learn to Swim
This class is designed for adults who want to either learn to swim or better their swimming skills. It is individualized. The instructor will spend time with each adult learner and give them things to practice while assisting another adult learner.  For more information, please check registration online.  

There are 4 different ways to register for swimming lessons:

1) Register on-line

2) Phone in.  Call 278-3963 to register over the phone with VISA / Master card / or Discover Card

3) Drop off.  Drop off completed registration form (with payment) (located on page 4 of this booklet) at the Urbandale Parks & Recreation office.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.  After hours, registrations may be dropped off in our box outside the front door of our building. 

4) Mail in completed form (with payment) to the Parks & Recreation office at 3600 86th Street, Urbandale, IA  50322

Are there separate registration dates for residents and non-residents? 

No.

How do I know what class my child should be in?

Please ask your child what he/she can do from the list of skills. If your child participated in the Urbandale lessons in the past, you should have received a certification card, indicating your child passed the current class or an achievement letter which informed you of what your child must work on to pass that class.  

If my child is in the wrong class, will he/she be moved to the correct class?

Your child will be moved only if there is an opening in that class. For optimum learning we restrict the number of students in each class based on the class requirements. Parent and Child (10 students), Preschool classes (4 students) Levels 1 & 2 (6 students), Levels 3 & 4 (8 students) Level 5 (10 students).

What if I need to pick up my child early from lessons and the locker room doors are locked?

Please inform your child’s instructor that he/she must leave early and take your child out of the class at the time they need to leave.

My child will need to miss some classes. Are there any make-ups?

There are no make-up classes.  Sessions are scheduled back to back.

Will lessons be canceled because of thunderstorms?

No, lessons will take place because our pool is indoors.

Can I watch my child’s lesson?

Parents may observe their child's swimming lessons whenever the would like to.

Can siblings swim in the Aquatic Playground during lessons?

No, we do not have a staff member available at the Aquatic Playground during our lessons and the State of Iowa will not allow us to have anyone on the outside pool decks.

I’m not sure if my child should be in Level 2 or Level 3. Can I register him in each class, and then get a refund for the class he does not participate in?

Because the lessons fill so quickly, we request that you register for only one class per session. Please ask pool staff for assistance in determining your child’s course.  Please do not sign up for multiple lessons unless you know for sure.  
 

REMEMBER:  Please refrain from registering your child for multiple sessions assuming they will advance to the next swim level for the following session.  Changes to registrations once processed are charged a $5 processing fee, and if the class you need is full, your child will not be able to join that class.  In that instance, the remaining fee, minus the processing fee, will be refunded.

We will be on vacation one week during the session. Can we enroll in another session for one week to make up for the week missed?

No, lessons fill quickly and we are unable to break up the session, or add more students than the designated number for each class. If you are unable to attend the entire session, please register in a different session.

My grandchild will be here for one week. Can I pay for just one week? 

No, participants must sign up and pay for the entire session. An important component of the lesson is the trust and confidence each student feels with the instructor and the other students that develops in the 8 days of class.