Boston University Fitness & Recreation Center

Children & Family Classes

During the academic year, classes in swimming and diving are offered for children on weekday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday mornings. From Parent-tot and preschool swimming lessons to competitive diving for older children and teens, the Boston University Aquatic Center offers a multitude of experiences. During the summer, offerings vary from 2-day classes to full day camp programs.

Children's Swimming Lessons

We offer several classes for varying ages. Please check the age requirements for each category. Parent/Tot and Twos in Training classes are offered for children under 3 years old. Preschool lessons are avaialble for children from 3-5 years old and Levels 1-6 of the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program are offered for children ages 6-16.

Not sure what level your child is? Check the notes under each level heading to determine what level to sign up for.

Parent-Tot Swimming Lessons

An introduction to water for 6 months to 3 years. Classes are designated Level A for 6-18 months and Level B for 18 months-3 years. One parent or guardian must work in the water with the infant/toddler under the direction of the instructor. This class is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers or to survive in the water on their own. Following the American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatic Program, children are oriented to feeling comfortable in the water in a fun and safe environment. Information on safety and swimming techniques are given to parents.

Twos in Training

This class is for 2-3 year olds who have completed Parent-Tot level B and are ready to transition to group lessons, but are still too young or not ready for pre-school. Children will begin the lesson in the water with a parent, progress to the parent watching from the deck, to finally the parent away from the pool area the last two lessons. Ratios of instructor to child is 1:3.

Preschool Swimming Lessons

The Preschool classes available for 3-5 years old are introduction to water skills (Bubbles), fundamental water skills (Wave) and stroke development (Splash and Dolphin). Children begin to explore the water environment through floating, submerging, kicking skills, breath control and elementary skills and strokes. Following the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program, the primary goals for the classes are safety and comfort in the water. Children work in the water without a parent and should be ready to follow instructions in a small class environment. The class limits for Bubbles and Wave is 4 students to one instructor and for Splash and Dolphin is 5 students to one instructor.

What level is my preschooler?

Bubbles-Pre 1: No pre-requisite; cannot perform skills unsupported.

Wave-Pre 2: Has no trepidations and can voluntarily submerge nose, eyes and mouth. Floats, kicks and glides with support.

Splash-Pre 3: Comfortable in the water and submerging underwater voluntarily. Can swim independently with no support for short distances.

Dolphin- Pre 4: Can swim without support for 5 yards with face in the water and is comfortable in deep water.

School-Age Swimming Lessons

The school age swimming classes are designed for 6-16 year olds. Classes range from an introduction to water skills for beginners to a swimming skill proficiency class which works on developing strokes and endurance. Please note the descriptions and prerequisites for the classes below. Safety around an aquatic environment will be a focus throughout the classes.

Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills

An introduction to water, emphasizing comfort and safety. Elementary aquatic skills are introduced such as bubble blowing, kicking and floating.

Prerequisite: None; cannot do anything unsupported.

Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Builds on the fundamental skills from Level 1. Students learn to float and recover without support and explore swimming on the front and back. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills.

Prerequisite: Can do some skills unsupported, even if for only a few seconds. Can submerge mouth, nose and eyes and blow bubbles and is comfortable doing so.

Level 3 - Stroke Development

Builds on locomotion skills from Level 2. Students learn to coordinate the front crawl and back crawl. Head-first entries and elements of the butterfly are introduced.

Prerequisite: Can swim on front and back unsupported for at least 15 feet with alternating arm action and continuous kicking. Can float and glide unsupported and bob fully submerged at least 5 times continuously.

Level 4 - Stroke Improvement

Develops confidence, coordination and strength in front crawl and back crawl. Continue to build on butterfly and diving skills. Breaststroke, sidestroke and elementary backstroke are introduced.

Prerequisite: Can swim front crawl at least 15 yards, back crawl 15 yards and butterfly kick at least 15 feet. Can do a kneeling dive and tread water for at least 30 seconds.

Level 5 - Stroke Refinement

Builds on coordination and refinement of all six strokes (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, elementary backstroke and sidestroke). Flip turns on front and back are introduced. Swimming at greater distances is achieved.

Prerequisite: Can swim front crawl and back crawl at least 25 yards, and breaststroke, butterfly, elementary backstroke and sidestroke at least 15 yards. Strokes should have all elements and only need refinement. Can do a standing dive and tread water at least one minute.

Level 6 - Swimming and Skill Proficiency

Refines strokes to focus on efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Flip turns, treading water and head-first entries are practiced to achieve proficiency.

Prerequisite: Can swim front crawl and back crawl at least 50 yards and all other strokes at least 25 yards. Technique in all the strokes should be strong with good coordination and flow. Can do flip turns, shallow dives and tread water at least 2 minutes.

Youth Competitive Swimming

An introduction to competitive swimming for children ages 8-18. The program will meet three days a week and incorporate swimming along wtih dry land exercises to build strength. Through this fun program, swimmers will improve endurance, focus on the four competitive strokes, refine their starts and turns, learn good training techniques and good sportsmanship. Prerequisite: Swimmers must be at least a level 5 or above.

Children's Springboard Diving Beginning Diving

An introduction to springboard diving for the beginner. Learn basic dive skills (hurdle, straight, tuck, pike position) with emphasis on safety.

Pre-requisite: Must be able to demonstrate a standing dive from the side of the pool and swim using alternate breathing one length of the diving well. No experience on the board is required. Ages 6-12.

Intermediate Diving

A continuation of beginning springboard diving. Build on beginning dive skills (hurdle, straight, tuck, pike position) with emphasis on safety. Twisting and reverse dives will be introduced.

Pre-requisite: Passed Beginning Diving or equivalent. Ages 7-16.

Competitive Springboard Diving

Divers should meet the minimum dive requirements for FINA competition in their age group, and/or have the approval of the instructor. Training will reinforce the fundamentals of diving (strength and flexibility, boardwork, posture, body alignment, dive initiation mechanics and entry techniques), while focusing on learning new dives and meet preparation. Ages 8-19 and interested collegiate divers.