Parent Tot
Parents and children are introduced to the fundamentals of water safety and water discovery in a fun, stimulating environment. This class will help equip parents with information on how to safely submerge and properly hold infants in the water. Children must have a swim diaper.
Parent Tot 1
(6 months to 2 years old)
Class Size: 10 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Parents and children are introduced to the fundamentals of water safety and water discovery in a fun, stimulating environment. This class will help equip parents with information on how to safely submerge and properly hold infants in the water. Children must have a swim diaper.
Lesson Times:
Tuesdays: 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 5:00 PM
Sundays: 10:30 AM
Sundays: 3:30 PM
Parent Tot 2
(2-3 years old)
Class Size: 10 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Parents and children focus on the fundamentals of water safety and the development of swim readiness skills. This class incorporates games that introduce the fundamentals of skills such as breath control, submersion, blowing bubbles, and assisted kicking and floating. Children must have a swim diaper.
Lesson Times:
Tuesdays: 5:35PM
Thursdays: 5:35 PM
Sundays: 11:05 PM
Sundays: 4:05 PM
Preschool
3-5 years old. Our preschool classes focus on how to safely enjoy the water while gaining comfort and confidence. These classes are divided into three levels that include safety, independence, and development.
Level 1 - Water Comfort & Safety
NOTE: This level was previously our Swarm level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Preschoolers will learn water safety and how to develop comfort with submersion, learn proper breath control, and front and back float with assistance. This class is designed for first-time swimmers and for children who are not yet comfortable being in the water.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:00 PM
Mondays: 6:10 PM
Tuesdays: 6:10 PM
Wednesdays: 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 5:35 PM
Thursdays: 6:10 PM
Saturdays: 10:30 AM
Saturdays: 12:15 PM
Sundays: 3:30 PM
Level 2 - Water Confidence & Independence
NOTE: This level was previously our Vikings level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Preschoolers will further focus on gaining confidence and independence in the water by concentrating on control and movement in the water. Participants will continue to practice water safety. This class is best suited for participants who need guided practice and are not yet able to independently swim on their own or stay afloat.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:35 PM
Tuesdays: 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 5:35 PM
Wednesdays: 6:10 PM
Wednesdays: 6:10 PM
Thursdays: 6:45 PM
Saturdays: 11:05 AM
Sundays: 10:30 AM
Level 3 - Stroke Fundamentals & Development
NOTE: This level was previously our Twins level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Preschoolers are introduced to arm/let action, rhythmic breathing, and will swim further distances up to 15 yards, both with assistance and independently. This class is best suited for participants who are unable to swim longer distanced independently.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 6:45 PM
Wednesdays: 5:35 PM
Thursdays: 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 11:40 AM
Sundays: 11:40 AM
Sundays: 4:40 PM
Youth
6-12 years old. Our classes are divided into six levels that include safety, independence, mechanics, & more!
Level 1 - Water Comfort & Safety
NOTE: This level was previously our Swarm level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Participants will learn water safety and how to develop comfort with submersion, learn proper breath control, and front and back float with assistance. This class is designed for first-time swimmers and for participants who are not yet comfortable being in the water.
Lesson Times:
Tuesdays: 5:35 PM
Wednesdays: 6:45 PM
Thursdays: 6:10 PM
Saturdays: 10:30 AM
Saturdays: 12:15 PM
Sundays: 12:15 PM
Sundays: 4:05 PM
Sundays: 5:15 PM
Level 2 - Water Confidence & Independence
NOTE: This level was previously our Vikings level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Participants will further focus on gaining confidence and independence in the water by focusing on control and movement in the water. Participants will continue to practice water safety and further learn about the aquatic environment. This class is best suited for participants who are not yet able to independently swim on their own or stay afloat.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:00 PM
Mondays: 6:45 PM
Tuesdays: 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 6:45 PM
Thursdays: 6:45 PM
Saturdays: 11:05 AM
Sundays: 11:40 AM
Sundays: 3:30 PM
Sundays: 4:40 PM
Register
Level 3 - Stroke Introduction & Fundamentals
NOTE: This level was previously our Twins level
Class Size: 4 Participants
Duration: 30 Minutes
Participants are introduced to alternating and simultaneous arm/leg action, rhythmic breathing, and swimming further distances up to 15 yards both with assistance and independently. This class is best suited for participants who are unable to swim longer distances independently.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:00 PM
Mondays: 5:35 PM
Mondays: 6:45 PM
Tuesdays: 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 5:35 PM
Tuesdays: 6:10 PM
Tuesdays: 6:45 PM
Wednesdays: 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 11:40 AM
Sundays: 11:05 AM
Sundays: 12:15 PM
Sundays: 3:30 PM
Sundays: 5:15 PM
Level 4 - Stroke Development & Technique
NOTE: This level was previously our Lynx 1 level
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
Participants will further work on alternating and simultaneous arm/leg action and primarily focus on front crawl and backstroke for 15 yards. This class is for participants who are not yet able to swim 15 yards of the two basic swim strokes.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:35 PM
Mondays:6:25 PM
Tuesdays: 5:35 PM
Tuesdays: 6:25 PM
Wednesdays: 5:35 PM
Wednesdays: 6:25 PM
Saturdays: 10:30 AM
Saturdays: 10:30 AM
Saturdays: 12:10 PM
Sundays: 10:30 AM
Sundays: 4:05 PM
Sundays: 4:55 PM
Sundays: 4:55 PM
Level 5 - Stroke Development & Technique II
NOTE: This level was previously our Lynx 2
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
Participants will further work on alternating and simultaneous arm/leg action, and rotary breathing. They will learn front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke for 15 yards while improving stamina. Participants will be introduced to other components of swimming. This class is for participants who are not able to swim 15 yards of the four basic swim strokes of front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke. Class size is limited to 5 participants per instructor. Each class session will be 45 minutes long.
Lesson Times:
Mondays: 5:35 PM
Wednesdays: 5:35 PM
Thursdays: 5:35 PM
Saturdays: 11:20 AM
Sundays: 11:20 AM
Sundays: 4:05 PM
Level 6 - Stroke Mechanics & Refinement
NOTE: This level was previously our Wild level
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
Participants will work on stroke techniques and learn competitive strokes to become more efficient swimmers. This class will refine strokes so participants can swim with further efficiency, power, and smoothness over longer distances. This class is for participants who are not yet able to swim front crawl, backstroke, or breaststroke across the pool for 25 yards. Class size is limited to 5 participants per instructor. Each class session will be 45 minutes long.
Lesson Times:
Monday 6:25 PM
Tuesday 6:25 PM
Wednesday 6:25 PM
Thursday 6:25 PM
Saturday 12:10 PM
Sunday 12:10 PM
Beyond Swim Lessons
Ages 9-12. Our advanced classes are designed for swimmers who want to further incorporate swimming into a lifestyle. Participants will hone in on all major competitive strokes and techniques while swimming greater distances.
Level 1 - Competitive Training
NOTE: This level was previously Timberwolves and 9-12 years of age.
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
Participants will refine stroke techniques and learn competitive stoke. This class is for children who are not yet able to swim the basic swim strokes consistently across the pool and back and who are looking to increase strength and endurance. Participants will learn to swim freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke across the pool for 25 yards. Participants will practice endurance building and competitive techniques.
Lesson Times:
Thursday 5:35 PM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Sunday 12:10 PM
Level 2 - Competitive Endurance
NOTE: This level was previously Competitive/Gophers and 9-12 years of age.
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
Participants will refine stroke techniques and learn competitive stoke. This class is for children who are not yet able to swim the basic swim strokes consistently across the pool and back, and who are looking to increase strength and endurance. Participants will learn to swim freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke across the pool for 25 yards. Participants will continue to practice endurance training and competitive techniques.
Lesson Times:
Thursday 6:25 PM
Saturday 11:20 AM
Sunday 11:20 AM
Adult Classes
It’s never too late to learn to swim. Our adult classes split into two levels that are programmed to learn the basics of swimming, survival skills, stroke development, fitness swimming, and more.
Adult Beginner
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
This class is designed for adults of all ages who are uncomfortable in the water and have little to no experience with swimming. In this class participants will learn about floating, kicking, and stroke techniques. The number of strokes introduced is based on each individual's progress during the class.
Lesson Times:
Tuesday 5:30 PM
Tuesday 6:20 PM
Thursday 5:30 PM
Thursday 6:20 PM
Adult Intermediate
Class Size: 5 Participants
Duration: 45 Minutes
This class is designed for adults of all ages who are comfortable swimming 25 yards in deep water on their front and back. In this class, participants will learn how to increase endurance while swimming and refine stroke technique. This class is perfect for those looking to exercise in the water.
Lesson Times:
Tuesday 5:30 PM
Tuesday 6:20 PM
Thursday 5:30 PM
Thursday 6:20 PM
Gray Ducks Swim Team (ages 6-17)
Registration opens February 27 at 12 p.m.
Learn to Swim is excited to announce the launch of our new swim team, Gray Ducks! Gray Ducks will be a team dedicated to building teamwork, strength in and out of the pool, and most importantly building a fun atmosphere that your swimmer will look forward to coming back to everyday.
Monday/Wednesdays 6 - 8 p.m.
Saturdays 9 - 11 a.m.
Located in the Natatorium at the Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center
What is the requirement?
For ages 6-17 years old. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards (the length of a pool) consistently and know all 4 strokes. If you are unsure if your swimmer is ready, we can perform a swim evaluation. Please fill out this form if you are interested in completing an evaluation.
What is the cost?
The below packages are monthly costs along with a registration fee. Each month we will send a reminder email to pay your monthly dues, which are listed below. Unfortunately, our registration system does not allow autopay, so you will be required to pay dues monthly. If you fail to pay your monthly dues your swimmer will not be allowed to practice until a payment has been made.
The registration fee is a one time fee, paid when you first register your swimmer. This, along with a monthly package will need to be paid when you initially join the team. After that you will only pay the monthly amount of whichever package you’ve chosen. The registration fee will not need to be paid every semester.
Registration fee: $75
1 Day per Week Package: $75
2-3 Days per Week Package: $125
Does my swimmer need to attend all three days?
No! When registering for Gray Ducks, you will have the option to choose the 1 day a week option, or 2-3 days a week option. What mixture of days you choose to come based off of the package you purchase is completely up to you. For example, you could buy the 2-3 days a week package and come Mondays/Wednesdays, but if something comes up, your swimmer could attend Monday/Saturday instead! Another example is that you could buy the 1 day a week package and alternate Mondays and Wednesdays every other week. We hope that this option will be a flexible and valuable option to your swimmer and your family
Where?
Minneapolis Recreation and Wellness Center - The Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center. A majority of the time your swimmer will be in the Natatorium. However, at times we may need to hold practices in the Cooke 15 pool due to schedules. If that is the case we will be sure to communicate that with your swimmer. The Cooke 15 pool is down a hallway from the Natatorium so swimmers stay in the same building!
What is the situation with parking/drop-off?
Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center is right next to the University Parking Ramp located right off of University Ave. If you would like to park and watch your swimmer you are more than welcome to. Your other option is to drop your swimmer off in the drop-off round-about in front of the University Parking Ramp while you run errands, grab dinner, or anything else you may need to do. If you do not wish to stay and watch, it is not required.
What does my swimmer need to bring?
We recommend that your swimmer bring a “swim bag” complete with a kickboard, fins, hand paddles. Along with those, a swimmer must always bring goggles. Swim caps are optional. All of this equipment can be purchased here.
Are there swim meets required?
For this first semester of Gray Ducks we will not be participating in swim meets, as we will be focusing on building our team. We plan to bring swim meets into the picture in Fall or Spring of 2024.
Will there be summer options?
At this time, we will not have practices during the summer. If we have enough demand for a summer option we will consider it based on staffing and pool availability.
Are the coaches students?
Yes! We will have two highly skilled and consistent student coaches running practices.
Five (5) 30-Minute Lesson
Student: $100/person
RecWell Member: $125/person
Non-Member: $150/person
Five (5) 45-Minute Lesson
Student: $50/person
RecWell Member: $75/person
Non-Member: $100/person