Lesson Placements
Due to High Demand and Limited Water Safety Instructors – Placement for Lessons Will be Longer than Expected.

Let our aquatics staff help you achieve your swimming goals. University Recreation’s swim program offers both private and private +1 swim lessons for both members and non-members of our facility. Our lessons are available for adults and children over 4 years of age. These lessons are designed for the individual needs of beginner, intermediate, and advanced swimmers as well as those who may be fearful of the water. By placing you with a specific instructor your lesson schedule can adjust to fit your needs.

Our lessons will last 30 minutes for both private and private +1 lessons; however, this can be adjusted if your child may not benefit for the full lesson. For a private +1 lesson we encourage the swimmers to be at a similar swimming ability level to obtain the full utilization of our program. It is up to the instructors discretion for the swimmers to work together or split that 30 minutes into half lessons (ie. 15 minutes per swimmer).

Learn To Swim Course Levels

Our Learn To Swim Course Levels offer a progressive and comprehensive swimming curriculum suitable for all ages and skill levels. From beginners taking their first strokes to advanced swimmers refining their techniques, each level is expertly designed to instill confidence and foster a lifelong love for swimming. Dive in and embark on a transformative aquatic journey, guided by our certified instructors, as you progress through these engaging and skill-building courses.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills

Introduction to Water Skills

  • Orient participants to the aquatic environment and help them gain basic aquatic skills
  • Help participants begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water

Prerequisites

  • No skill prerequisites
  • Participants usually start at about 6 years of age
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Fundamental Aquatic Skills

  • Build on the basic aquatic skill and water safety skill sand concepts learned in Level 1

Prerequisites

  • Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 1 exit skills assessment
Level 3: Stroke Development

Stroke Development

  • Build on the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 to help participants achieve basic water competency in a pool environment.

Prerequisites

  • Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 2 exit skills assessment
Level 4: Stroke Improvement

Stroke Improvement

  • Improve participants’ proficiency in performing the swimming strokes that were introduced in Level 3

Prerequisites

  • Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 3 exit skills assessment
Level 5: Stroke Refinement

Stroke Refinement

  • Help participants’ refine their performance of all six swimming strokes (i.e., front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke)
  • Refine strokes so participants swim them with greater efficiency and effectiveness over longer distances

Prerequisites

  • Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 4 exit skills assessment

Swimming Instruction Fees

Our Swimming Instruction Fees are designed to provide exceptional value for the comprehensive and personalized instruction you’ll receive. With a range of affordable options to suit your needs, our fees ensure that everyone can access high-quality swimming instruction tailored to their individual goals and abilities. Join us in the pool and unlock your potential as our experienced instructors guide you towards becoming a confident and skilled swimmer.

UWM Students & University Recreation MembersPrice
Private Lesson (One swimmer and one instructor)$19
Private +1 Lesson (Two swimmers of similar abilities and goals)$21
Non-Members & Milwaukee Area CommunityPrice
Private Lesson (One swimmer and one instructor)$21
Private +1 Lesson (Two swimmers of similar abilities and goals)$23

Placements

Please see below for what to expect in the process of assigning lessons:

  • This process is dependent on matching availability, and therefore we encourage our applicants to fill out as much availability as possible.
  • Once we have received your application we will place the application in our in our spreadsheet, for our instructor to choose.
  • We are typically able to place applicants with an instructor within a month of applying, however there are many factors involved that may cause delays.
  • If after a few weeks you haven’t been placed, please resubmit an updated/current application or email learn-to-swim@uwm.edu
  • If you have any questions or concerns please contact learn-to-swim@uwm.edu