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Swim Lessons

Lessons are open to the community, so please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors! All classes are taught by an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor &/ instructor's aide.

For more information, or to register:

  • Private Lessons
  • Call the Director of Aquatics & Wellness at 417-625-9693
  • Stop by the Recreational Services office (BSC 241)

Private Lessons

  • Private lessons are scheduled based on participant/instructor availability.
  • Consists of four 30-minute classes. (Must be scheduled prior to registration.)
  • All levels/class types available.
  • Notice must be given to instructor  at least 48-hours in advance, in order to reschedule.*
  • In the event of an emergency, please contact  instructor, asap. Please note that proof of emergency may be required to reschedule.*
  • No shows, late cancellations, or failure to provide proof of emergency may result in loss of missed class.
  • Late arrivals may not be able to make-up missed time.
  • *While we will do our best to reschedule missed appointments which fall within our policy, there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so. Rescheduling will be dependent upon availability of appointment times. In the event we cannot reschedule, no refund will be given. For this reason, please miss or ask to reschedule only in the event of a true emergency.
  • Ages 6 months+ (Children & Adults)
  • If sharing:
    • No more than two people per lesson.
    • Both participants must be at the same learning and skill level.
    • Instructor reserves the right to split time between participants, if not at the same level.

Cost:

  • $45/person
  • $70 total (if shared)

Group Lessons

TriFit

Instruction available for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.

  • Participants should have a basic knowledge of front crawl/freestyle, as well as any other strokes they plan to use in their fitness swimming. (This does not mean they have to be good at it or even able to do it, just that they understand the concept.)
  • Participants should be comfortable putting their head and face in the water; and should not be afraid of the water (outside the realm of a healthy fear).
  • Training equipment will be provided; however, participants are encouraged to bring good fitting goggles (not masks).
  • Instruction will be on an individual basis, dependent upon the needs/goals of each participant.
  • Participants should come with one to two things in mind they want to work on or achieve (i.e. shave time, swim further/longer, master basics, etc.).

Adult & Child/Preschool Aquatics

Ages 6 months-5 years
Both parent and child learn to be comfortable in and around water.
Learn how to:

  • Become comfortable in the water
  • Enter and exit water safely
  • Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
  • Parents learn how to hold and support child in water
  • Front/back glide (with parent's support)
  • Front/back float (with parent's support)

Cost:

  • Non-Members: $45/person/session
  • Members: $35/person/session (Members are those persons having a paid  membership to the Beimdiek Recreation Center or MSSU Aquatic & Racquetball Center.)

Level Descriptions

  • Level 1 (Introduction to Water Skills)

Recommended minimum age for this class 6 years old.
Learn how to:

  • Enter and exit water safely
  • Blowing bubbles through mouth an nose
  • Open eyes underwater
  • Glide on front/back (with support)
  • Float on back (with support)
  • Simultaneous & alternating arm/leg action

  • Level 2 (Fundamental Aquatic Skills)

Must pass level 1 &/ be able to demonstrate exit skills for level 1.
Learn how to:

  • Jumping from side of pool
  • Bobbing
  • Jellyfish/tuck float
  • Glide on front/back
  • Float on front/back
  • Front/back crawl
  • Tread
  • Combined arm/leg action

  • Level 3 (Stroke Development)

Must pass level 2 &/ be able to demonstrate exit skills for level 2.
Learn how to:

  • Headfirst entry (kneeling)
  • Rotary breathing
  • Survival float
  • Streamline
  • Elementary backstroke
  • Scissor & breaststroke kick

  • Level 4 (Stroke Improvement)

Must pass level 3 &/ be able to demonstrate exit skills for level 3.
Learn how to:

  • Enter headfirst from compact/Stride position
  • Swim underwater
  • Survival swim
  • Front/back crawl with open turn
  • Breaststroke
  • Butterfly

  • Level 5 (Stroke Refinement)

Must pass level 4 &/ be able to demonstrate exit skills for level 4.
Learn how to:

  • Sidestroke
  • Shallow-angle dive
  • Tuck/pike dive
  • Front/back flip turn
  • Sculling
  • Improve all strokes & distance

  • Level 6 (Ideal for future guards, triathletes, competitive swimmers, and fitness swimmers)

Must pass level 5 &/ be able to demonstrate exit skills for level 5.

  • Fitness Swimmer
    This course will refine student’s strokes to enable more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances. Students will also learn the use of swimming aids and the etiquette of fitness swimming. Discussions will include principles of setting up a fitness program, calculating heart rate, and training techniques.
  • Personal Safety
    In this class students will learn how to prevent aquatic emergencies in various aquatic environments. Several self-rescue techniques will be introduced and taught. Students will also refine strokes in order to swim with greater efficiency and effectiveness over long distances. Upon completion of this class students will have gained valuable knowledge on water emergencies.