The NMU Rec Sports Department is proud to offer the American Red Cross version of Learn to Swim - swimming lessons. Our certified instructors will guide the swimmer through appropriate swimming levels so that greater safety and swim skills are achieved. See below for class options and registration links. Please call the Rec Sports office at 906-227-2519 or stop by PEIF office 126 if you have questions or are having trouble with registration. If you are unsure of the level to register your child in-please contact us-should we need to change your level we do charge a $10 fee for credit card refunds/level cancellations. 

Important Message:

As of July 1, 2023, the Aquatics program has changed age minimum's for participants registering for level 1 to 5.5 years of age. As of July 1, only one registration for swimming lessons per person per University academic semester will be permitted (do not sign up for multiple levels within the semester).

 

Winter Session #1 2025 **Registration begins December 16, 2024

Session Dates: January 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29

Level 1: 6:10pm-6:40pm

Level 2: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Level 3: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Click here to register for Winter Session #1 

Winter Session #2 **Registration begins December 16, 2024

Session Dates: February 3, 5,10,12,17, 19

Level 1: 6:10pm-6:40pm

Level 2: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Level 4: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Click here to register for Winter Session #2

Winter Session #3 **Registration begins December 16, 2024

Session Dates: March 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

Level 1: 6:10pm-6:40pm

Level 2: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Level 3: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Click here to register for Winter Session #3

Winter Session #4**Registration begins December 16, 2024

Session Dates: March 31, April 2, 7, 9, 14, 16

Level 1: 6:10pm-6:40pm

Level 2: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Level 4: 6:10pm-7:00pm

Click here to register for Winter Session #4

Private/Semi-Private Lessons are also available for those who have passed through American Red Cross Level 2 or can provide proof of level 2 completion, are older than 8 years of age or are looking for technique/skill refinement. 

Winter 2025 Private and Semi-Private Lesson Reservation Requests will begin January 6, 2025. Reservation requests will be scheduled in the order that they were received. 

Pre-registration is required, please click here to fill out the private/semi-private lesson request form and follow the instructions listed below:

  • After clicking the link above, click sign-in or create a profile 
  • Under "facility" choose private/semi-private lesson 
  • Fill in contact information
  • Under Comments please list:
    • Age and previous swimming history of the registrant should be listed along with rationale for the need for lessons
    • If the participant has a need for any special accommodations
    • Dates/times that work best - the more information provided is appreciated

Private/Semi-Private Lesson Requests are reviewed on Tuesdays/Fridays. Participants will be contacted by e-mail to confirm scheduling depending on their place on the waitlist. No lessons will be scheduled less than 2 weeks in advance of the initial request. 

*Private/Semi-Private Lessons are limited to one session per academic semester when there are individuals on the waitlist. 

Private Lessons
6 sessions: $105 Members, $115 Non-Members
Private lessons are for those that have passed through level 2. Sessions last 30 minutes.

Semi-Private Lessons
6 sessions: $73 Members, $93 Non-Members
Semi-private lessons are for those that have passed through level 2. Sessions last 45 minutes. Both swimmers must be at the same age and ability level for semi-private lessons.
 

Class Descriptions

  • Level 1: $45 Member $55 Non-Member
  • Level 2-6: $60 Member $80 Non-Member 

Wildcats (Level 1) - Intro to Water Skills

Begin to develop positive attitudes, good swimming habits and safe practices in and around water.

Prerequisites: Must be 5.5 years old when registering, toilet trained. Recommended ages 5.5-8 years.

Skills learned:

  • Blow bubbles through the nose and mouth, and bob
  • Glide and float on their front and back
  • Roll from their front to their back, and back to front

If you your child is able to complete the skills listed above (or has passed level 1 swimming lessons), your child is ready for level 2.

Tigers (Level 2) - Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Learn to float without support and recover to a vertical position. Recommended age 6-8 years.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of level 1 or ability to perform all skills listed in level 1 OR:

  • Float on their front, then float on their back for 5 seconds and return to a standing position
  • Retrieve objects underwater and jump in the pool unassisted
  • Swim the elementary backstroke for 10 body lengths

If you your child is able to complete the skills listed above (or has passed level 2 swimming lessons), your child is ready for level 3.

Shock (Level 3) - Stroke Development

Build on skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice in deeper water. Recommended age 7-9 years.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of level 2 or ability to perform all skills listed in level 2 OR:

  • Tread water or float for 30 seconds
  • Perform the flutter, scissor, dolphin, and whip kick
  • Swim front crawl and elementary backstroke for 15 yards

If you your child is able to complete the skills listed above (or has passed level 3 swimming lessons), your child is ready for level 4.

Lions (Level 4) - Stroke Improvement

To develop participants confidence in strokes learned in Level 3 and improve other aquatic skills. Recommended age 8-10 years. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of level 3 or ability to perform all skills listed in level 3 OR:

  • Perform headfirst entry from the side of the pool
  • Swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke for 25 yards
  • Swim breaststroke and back crawl for 15 yards

If you your child is able to complete the skills listed above (or has passed level 4 swimming lessons), your child is ready for level 5.

Pistons (Level 5) - Stroke Refinement

To further learn how to coordinate and refine strokes. Recommended age 9-11 years. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of level 4 or ability to perform all skills listed in level 4 OR:

  • Dive in and swim 50 yards of front crawl then 50 yards of the elementary backstroke
  • Swim breaststroke for 25 yards and back crawl for 25 yards
  • Perform flip turns and surface dives

If you your child is able to complete the skills listed above (or has passed level 5 swimming lessons), your child is ready for level 6.

Redwings (Level 6) - Fitness Swimmer

Refine strokes so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Recommended ages 10+ years. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of level 5 or ability to perform all skills listed in level 5 OR:

  • Swim 100 yards of the front and back crawl, and 50 yards of the butterfly, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke
  • Demonstrate all flip and open turns
  • Tread water for 2 minutes

NMU Rec Sports
recsport@nmu.edu
Call 227-2519 or visit PEIF 126 with questions.