Swim lesson Handbook
- 2026 -
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration begins Monday, May 4. Register online 24/7 at rectrac.cstx.gov or in person at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Payment may be made by cash, credit card, or check payable to “City of College Station.” A fee will be assessed on all returned checks.
WAITLIST
If a program is full, participants may be placed on a waitlist. Placement does not guarantee enrollment. Families will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Programs are open to participants of all abilities. Accommodation requests should be directed to the aquatics supervisor. Programs follow Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PHOTOGRAPHY
City staff may photograph or record programs for promotional use. Participation grants permission for use of images of participants or minors without compensation.
SATISFACTION
Concerns should be reported to staff as soon as possible so issues can be addressed during the session.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Aquatics Supervisor
Jessica Scott
979.764.3540 | jscott@cstx.gov
Assistant Aquatics Supervisor
Nathan Oliver
979.764.3459 | npolivier@cstx.gov
Websites
Programs: cstx.gov/ParksGuide
Pools: cstx.gov/Pools
Swim Lessons: cstx.gov/SwimLessons
INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Swim lessons are offered for infants through adults at Adamson Lagoon and Cindy Hallaran. Curriculum is designed in progressive levels to build skills and confidence. Six of eight classes are guaranteed. No rain checks are issued for weather-related cancellations. Refunds are issued if three or more classes are canceled in a session, per policy.
Swim certificates do not prevent drowning. Panic is a leading cause of drowning. Always supervise children in and around water, even when lifeguards are present. Do not rely on flotation devices for safety.
• Provide a safe learning environment
OBJECTIVES
• Create a positive swim experience
• Teach water safety and swimming skills
• Students must meet level prerequisites
CLASS PLACEMENT
WHAT TO BRING
FIRST DAY
DURING CLASS
DISCIPLINE
HEALTH & HYGIENE
• Skills are assessed on the first day
• Staff may adjust placement based on ability
• Level repetition indicates progress and continued skill development
• Towels and extra clothes
• Extra towel for Water Babies and Tots
• Snack and drink
• Sunscreen SPF 30+
• Arrive 5 minutes early
• Bring registration receipt
• Accompany child and meet instructor if desired
• Parents must remain inside facility
• Sit back from pool edge during instruction
• Escort children ages 3 to 5 to restroom as needed
• Contact staff with concerns
• Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in removal from class.
• No participation with contagious conditions, open wounds, or rashes
• No swimming with active diarrhea; return requires two-week symptomfree period
• Swim diapers required for non-toilet trained children
• Changing must occur in restrooms only
• Pools close when contamination occurs
• Email swim@cstx.gov for illness-related refund or transfer requests
PARENT GUIDANCE
Programs follow American Red Cross guidelines and focus on safety and skill development. Children learn at different rates. Multiple sessions may be needed.
Parents are encouraged to:
• Provide positive reinforcement
• Practice outside of lessons when possible
• Delay use of goggles until comfortable underwater
• Avoid scuba or nose-covering goggles
• Remove water shoes during instruction
CRYING AND PARTICIPATION
REFUNDS & TRANSFERS
Children may experience fear or hesitation in water. Forcing participation is discouraged.
If a child refuses to participate, instructors will allow rest on the pool edge while continuing instruction when possible. No refunds are issued for nonparticipation.
• $21 fee applies to all changes
• Level changes recommended by staff are free
• No changes allowed within 7 days of start date
• Doctor’s note required for illness refunds
• Email swim@cstx.gov for assistance
Six of eight classes are guaranteed. No rain checks are issued for weather cancellations. Refunds apply when three or more classes are canceled per session.
CANCELED CLASSES
Weather decisions are typically made 15 minutes before class. Call the pool site for updates.
No refunds or makeups are issued for weather closures.
Classes require minimum enrollment and may be canceled if not met.
LEVELS AND DESCRIPTIONS
To determine the appropriate swim level, ask: “Can the swimmer complete all skills listed in this class?” If yes, move to the next level. If not, enroll in the appropriate level for current ability.
Private and adaptive lessons are available for individualized instruction. Email swim@cstx.gov for more information.
Ages: 6 to 36 months | Class length: 25 minutes | Ratio: 1:10
Parent or guardian participation required for all classes.
Focus: Water comfort, safety introduction, and parent-child bonding. This program is designed to help young children become comfortable in the water and learn basic water safety skills. It is not designed to teach independent swimming or survival skills.
WATER BABIES AND TOTS
Skills:
• Safe entry and exit from the water
• Comfort and exploration in the water
• Front and back buoyancy skills
• Changing body positions in the water
• Rhythmic submersion activities
• Introductory water safety concepts
Ages: 3 to 5.99 years | Class length: 25 minutes | Ratio: 1:4
No minimum skill requirement.
Focus: Introduction to basic swim skills and water comfort in a structured environment.
PRESCHOOL A
Skills:
• Safe entry and exit
• Breath control through blowing bubbles and bobbing underwater
• Submerging, floating, and gliding with instructor support
• Basic directional movement in water
• Water safety awareness and instruction
Ages: 3 to 5.99 years | Class length: 30 minutes | Ratio: 1:5
Prerequisites:
• Comfortable submerging face in water
• Ability to float on front and back
• Ability to move at least 10 feet from the wall
PRESCHOOL B
Focus: Continued development of early swim skills with increasing independence in the water.
Skills:
• Reinforcement of Preschool A skills
• Breath control through bubble blowing and underwater bobbing
• Submerging, floating, gliding, and directional changes with less assistance
• Introduction to independent movement in water
• Water safety instruction
PRESCHOOL C
Ages: 3 to 5.99 years | Class length: 30 minutes | Ratio: 1:5
Prerequisites:
• Same as Preschool B requirements
Focus: Development of foundational stroke skills and continued independence in the water.
Skills:
• Continued development of Preschool B skills
• Breath control through bubble blowing and underwater bobbing
• Independent submerging, floating, gliding, and directional changes
• Introduction to freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke fundamentals
• Water safety concepts and practice
Ages: 6 to 15.99 years | Class length: 35 minutes | Ratio: 1:5
No minimum skill requirement.
Focus: Introduction to swimming skills, water comfort, and basic coordination in the water.
Skills:
LEVEL 1
• Safe entry and exit
• Breath control through bubble blowing and underwater bobbing
• Submerging, floating, gliding, treading water, and directional changes with assistance
• Introduction to swim strokes and kicking techniques
• Water safety instruction
Ages: 6 to 15.99 years | Class length: 35 minutes | Ratio: 1:6
Prerequisites:
• Comfortable submerging face in water
• Ability to float on front and back
• Ability to move at least 10 feet from the wall
Focus: Development of stroke skills and increased independence in the water.
LEVEL 2
Skills:
• Continuation of Level 1 skills
• Breath control including bubble blowing and side breathing introduction
• Independent floating, gliding, and directional changes
• Freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke over at least 15 feet
• Water safety instruction
LEVEL 3
Ages: 6 to 15.99 years | Class length: 40 minutes | Ratio: 1:6
Prerequisites:
• Proficiency in freestyle and backstroke
• Ability to perform breaststroke
• Basic breath control
Focus: Refinement of strokes and introduction of advanced skills.
Skills:
• Continued refinement of Level 2 skills
• Improved breath control and treading water endurance
• Technique development in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke
• Introduction to butterfly kick
• Introduction to flip turns
• Water safety instruction
Ages: 6 to 15.99 years | Class length: 40 minutes | Ratio: 1:8
Prerequisites:
• Proficiency in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke
• Strong butterfly kick
• Proper breath control
SWIM TEAM PREP
Focus: Preparation for competitive swim team participation, including the College Station Tsunamis.
Skills:
• Continued refinement of Level 3 skills
• Technique, speed, and agility development for competitive swimming
• Starts, turns, and racing skills for all strokes
• Water safety instruction
Ages: 16+ | Class length: 40 minutes | Ratio: 1:10
No minimum skill requirement.
Focus: Entry-level swim instruction and individual goal development.
ADULT
Skills:
• Basic swimming skills
• Water comfort and safety
• Instructor-guided personal goal development
ADAPTIVE / PRIVATE
Ages: 3+ | Class length: 25 minutes | Ratio: 1:1
Focus: Individualized instruction tailored to participant needs and ability level.
SESSIONS
1
2
3
June 1-11 Mon.-Thu.
June 15-25 Mon.-Thu.
June 29-July 9 Mon.-Thu.
4 July 13-23 Mon.-Thu.
*Private lessons are held four days per session, depending on availability.
ADAMSON LAGOON
LEVELS
Water Babies & Tots 6–35 months 25 min.
Level 1 6–13 years 35 min.
Level 2 6–13 years 35 min.
Level 3 6–13 years 40 min.
Swim Team Prep 6–13 years 40 min.
Adult Beginner 13+ years 40 min.
$48/$60 8:45, 10:15 a.m.
$53/$66 8, 8:45, 9:30, 11, 11:45 a.m.; 8:15 p.m.
$53/$66 8, 8:45, 10:15, 11, 11:45 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.
$53/$66 8, 9:30, 10:15, 11, 11:45 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.
$53/$66 11, 11:45 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.
$53/$66 8:15 p.m.
Adaptive Varies 25 min. $55/$68 11, 11:45 a.m.
Private* Varies 25 min. $55/$68 8, 8:45, 9:30, 10:15, 11, 11:45 a.m.; 7:30, 8:15 p.m.
CINDY HALLARAN
Water Babies & Tots 6–35 months 25 min. $48/$60 6 p.m.
Preschool A 3–5.5 years 25 min. $48/$60 8, 9:30 a.m.; 4:30, 5:15, 6, 6:45, 7:30 p.m.
Preschool B 3–5.5 years 30 min. $48/$60 8:45, 9:30 a.m.; 4:30, 5:15, 6, 6:45, 7:30 p.m.
Preschool C 3–5.5 years 30 min. $48/$60 8, 8:45 a.m.; 5:15, 6:45, 7:30 p.m.
Level 1 6–13 years 35 min. $53/$66 5:15, 6, 7:30 p.m.
Level 2 6–13 years 35 min. $53/$66 5:15, 6:45, 8:15 p.m.
Level 3 6–13 years 40 min. $53/$66 6:45, 8:15 p.m.
Adaptive Varies 25 min. $55/$68 4:30, 5:15, 6, 6:45 p.m.
Private* Varies 25 min. $55/$68 4:30, 5:15, 6, 6:45 p.m.