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2008 Swim Lesson Information
Instructional Swim Program (I.S.P.) | Swim Lesson class listing (available April 3rd) | Pool Schedule and Location Maps | Registration Information | Fees | Barton Springs Pool | Employment | Special Events

Registration begins April 1st so do not delay.

For questions or concerns e-mail us at the Aquatics Office or call 974-9331.


Swim Lessons are offered at 22 sites throughout the city for infants through adults. Classes are designed in progressive levels. New skills are introduced and previously learned skills are reviewed. At each step more endurance and stroke ability is expected. The prerequisites for each class is successful completion of the preceding class or instructor approval. (A child's age is a limiting factor for registration for all classes). Classes will be held Monday through Thursday in two week sessions for either 30 or 40 minute blocks. Fee: $50.00 (8 classes for a 2 week session)

Swim Lesson Brochure: a complete listing of lessons and registration information is provided in the Swim Lesson brochure. The brochure is available at any City of Austin Public Library, Recreation Center, the Parks and Recreation Department Administrative Office at 200 S. Lamar or the Aquatics Office 400 Deep Eddy Ave. or download a copy of the swim brochure in english or in spanish . Acrobat Reader is needed to view the documents in Portable Document Format (PDF).

Unfortunately, registration is NOT available on line and is NOT available by telephone. A complete listing of classes is available at http://coawebparks.ci.austin.tx.us/registrationmain.sdi. Please note the number in the open column, that is the number of spaces available at the time you are viewing the web page.

Sessions
Spring Session 1- May 5th – May 15th
Spring Session 2- May 19th – May 30th
Sat. Session 1- June14, 21, 28, July 5, 12
Sat. Session 2- July26, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23
Session 1- June 9th – June 19th
Session 2- June 23rd – July 3rd
Session 3- July 7th – July 17th
Session 4- July 21st – July 31st
Session 5- August 4th-August 14th
Session 6- August 18th – August 28th
Session 7- September 2nd – September 11th
Session 8- September 15th – September 25th
Session 9- September 29th – October 9th
Session 10- October 13th – October 23rd

Weekday Sessions: Each regular weekday session runs for 2 weeks Monday - Thursday unless otherwise noted.

Classes will be held Monday through Thursday in two week sessions for either 30 or 40 minute blocks.
Fee: $50.00 (8 classes for a 2 week session)

Class Levels
Infant level - Starfish 1 (SF1) | Toddler level - Starfish 2 (SF2) | Preschool 1 - Turtle (T) | Preschool 2 - Angelfish (AF) |
Preschool 3 - Frog (F) | Preschool - Octopus (OCT) | Level One - Guppy (GU)) | Level Two - Goldfish (GF) |
Level Three - Penguin (P) | Level Four - Seahorse (SH) | Level Five - Seal (S) | Level Six - Dolphin | Adult Beginner (AB) |
Water Aerobics | Guard Start


To the Parents of IPAP (Infant and Preschool Aquatic Program) participants: The purpose of the American Red Cross IPAP is to provide a nationally standardized aquatic program for infants and pre-schoolers (6 months through 5 years) that will promote water safety knowledge practices, aquatic adjustment and swimming readiness skills as well as fun and enjoyment in the water, participant socialization and parental involvement. The program is intended to develop a comfort level in and around the water as well as a readiness for learning to swim. IPAP is not designed to teach children to become accomplished swimmers or even to survive in the water on their own. It will, however, provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to orient your child to the water and to safely supervise all water activities. The key to the program is its emphasis on having fun. Since enjoyment is essential to learning, especially for young children, an environment is created that is active, stimulating, play oriented and safe. The emphasis is on the development of a warm and trusting relationship between parents, children, and your Water Safety Instructor. This relationship serves as the basis for learning.

Infant level - Starfish 1 (SF1)
(All class days require parent or guardian participation)
For beginners 6 - 18 months.
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (30 min.)
    The goals of Starfish 1are to provide experiences and activities for parents and children to:
  1. Learn how to enter and exit the water safely
  2. Feel comfortable in the water
  3. Explore buoyancy in affront and back position
  4. Change body position in the water

Toddler level - Starfish 2 (SF2)
(All class days require parent or guardian participation) For beginners 18 months to 3 years.
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (30 min.)
    The goals for Starfish 2 are to build upon the skills learned in Starfish 1 and to provide experiences and activities for parents and children to:
  1. Learn how to enter and exit the water safely
  2. Feel comfortable in the water
  3. Submerge in a rhythmic pattern
  4. Change body position in the water
  5. Explore buoyancy in a front and back position
  6. Perform combined stroke on front and back


Preschool 1 - Turtle (T)
Ages 3 - 5
Class size: 4-5 (30 Min.)
Introduction to water skills: The objective of this class is to help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Students will learn elementary aquatic skills which students will build on as they progress through the levels

Preschool 2 - Angelfish (AF)
Ages 3 - 5
Class size: min 4- max 5 (30 Minutes)
Fundamental Aquatic Skills: The objective of this class is to give students success with fundamental skills. Students learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. Students learn to explore simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back

Preschool 3 - Frog (F)
Ages 3 - 5
Class size: min 4- max 5 (30 Minutes)
Stroke Development: The objective of this class is to build on the skills learned in previous levels by providing additional guided practice. Students learn to coordinate the front crawl and back crawl. Students are also introduced to elements of the butterfly and the fundamentals of treading water.

Preschool - Octopus (OCT)
Ages 3 - 5
Class size: min 4- max 5 (30 Minutes)
Stroke Improvement: The objective of this class is to build on the skills learned in previous levels by developing confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to improve other aquatic skills. Students improve their skills and increase their endurance by swimming strokes such as front crawl and back crawl for greater distances. Students continue to build on butterfly and are introduced to elementary backstroke, breaststroke and elements of the side stroke.

Level One - Guppy (GU)
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 5, Max. 6 (40 minutes)
Introduction to Water Skills: The objective of this class is to help students feel comfortable in the water and enjoy the water safely. Students will learn elementary aquatic skills which students will build on as they progress through the levels.

Level Two - Goldfish (GF)
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 5, Max. 6 (40 minutes)
Fundamental Aquatic Skills: The objective of this class is to give students success with fundamental skills. Students learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. Students learn to explore simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back. Students learn self help practices and basic rescue skills.

Level Three - Penguin (P)
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 5, Max. 6 (40 minutes)
Stroke Development: The objective of this Class is to build on the skills learned in previous levels by providing additional guided practice. Students learn to coordinate the front crawl and back crawl. Students are also introduced to elements of the butterfly and the fundamentals of treading water. Additional safety skills are introduced.

Level Four - Seahorse (SH)
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (40 minutes)
Stroke Improvement: The objective of this class is to build on the skills learned in previous levels by developing confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to improve other aquatic skills. Students improve their skills and increase their endurance by swimming stokes such as front crawl and back crawl for greater distances. Students continue to build on butterfly and are introduced to elementary backstroke, breaststroke and elements of the side stroke. Basic wall turns are introduced, along with additional safety skills.

Level Five - Seal (S)
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (40 minutes)
Stroke Refinement: The objective of this class is to coordinate and refine strokes learned in previous levels. Students will refine their performance in all strokes: front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke. Students will increase distance and flip turns on the front and back will be introduced.

Level Six - Dolphin
Ages 6 - 12
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (40 minutes)
Swimming and skill proficiency: The objective of this class is to refine strokes so students swim them with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. This class will have emphasis on personal water safety and fitness components.

Snorkeling
Ages: 8 and up
Class size: min: 4 max: 10
Location: Barton Springs Pool
Time: 10:00 am to 10:40 am
Days: Wednesdays and Fridays
Dates: June 11th - 27th, July 9th - 25th, August 6th - 22nd
Snorkeling (Skin Diving) classes will meet Wednesdays and Fridays, for three weeks. Learn to use a mask, fins, and snorkel properly. Students must have no fear of water and can swim at least 25 yards.

Adult Beginner (AB)
Ages 16 and up
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8 (40 minutes)
This class is designed for individuals that do not feel completely comfortable in the water and anyone that would like to learn the basic swimming strokes.
Fee: $50.00 (8 classes for each 2 week session)

Fitness Swimmer (FS)
Ages 16 and up
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 8
This class is designed for individuals who would like to improve their swimming strokes and are comfortable in the water.
Fee: $50.00 (8 classes for each 2 week session)

Water Fitness:
Ages 16 and up
Class size: Min. 6, Max. 10
Classes will be conducted in both mid-chest and deep water with high, medium and low intensity, and are 30 minutes in length (equal to 1 hour of land aerobics workouts). The water is a great place to work out, and these types of workouts help to relieve weight-bearing stress from muscles, enhance muscular and cardiovascular conditioning, along with strengthening joints and bones.
Classes will be offered Monday through Thursday for 2 weeks.
Fee: $50.00 (9 classes for each 3 week session)

Balcones - MWF, 6pm - 6:40pm
June 9th - June 27th July 7th - July 25th August 4th - 22nd
Dick Nichols - MWF, 12:00pm - 12:40pm
June 9th - June 27th July 7th - July 25th August 4th - 22nd

Advanced Fitness Swimmer (AFS) Program
Age 18 and up
Class size: Min., Max.
The City of Austin will be offering a top notch swimming program for adults ages 18 and older. The class will be coached by Sandy Neilson-Bell, 1972 Olympic triple medallist, and Dr. Keith Bell, former University of Texas swim coach. This program is designed for competitive swimmers, tri-athletes and fitness swimmers alike. Minimal swimming skills are required along with some equipment.
The practices will take place at: Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave.
The program will begin May 29th
Practice times and dates will be:
Tuesdays and Thursdays - 7:30am-8:30am
Saturdays - 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Fee(s): $50.00 (per 2 week session) (This program is contracted out.) A one time ASA membership fee of $15 is required.

Junior Lifeguard
Ages 11 to 14
Class size: Min. 5, Max. 15
This exciting new program is designed to provide participants with a basic introduction to lifeguarding and fitness. Specialized training will include swimming, running and classroom activities. Activities are individualized for participants fitness level. Each week will conclude with games based on materials learned during the course. All classes will meet at Deep Eddy Pool, and will take place at Deep Eddy Pool, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Barton Springs Pool, or the Aquatics Office. Training sessions are progressive and each participant is encouraged to attend all four sessions for maximum benefit. Fee 50.00 per session (3 classes)
Meeting Location: Deep Eddy Pool
Session Dates
Days Time
Session 1 June 9th-13th MWF 2:00pm-4:00
Session 2 June 16th-20th MWF 2:00pm-4:00
Session 3 June 23rd-27th MWF 2:00pm-4:00
Session 4 June 30th-July 3rd MWTh 2:00pm-4:00

Swim Safe Logo
Statesman Swim Safe for Austin Kids is a non-profit program addressing the critical need for accessible swimming instruction. Through a partnership of public, private and corporate entities, the Swim-Safe Program works toward a safer community by teaching its youngest citizens the lifesaving skill of swimming. Enrollments is limited and primarily open to east Austin children (kindergarten - 3rd grade) with limited resources. Please contact one of the Recreation Centers listed below to determine if you meet eligibility requirements. The Swim-Safe lessons are provided by resources from the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Austin American Statesman. Registration will be available through participating City of Austin Recreation Centers listed below and the Aquatic Office.

Recreation Center -Lesson Location - Phone Number
Alamo- Bartholomew Pool- 474-2806
Dottie Jordan - Dottie Jordan Pool- 926-3491
Dove Springs - Dove Springs Pool- 444-6136
Givens - Givens Pool- 928-1982
Metz - Metz Pool 478-8716
Montopolis - Montopolis Pool 385-5931
Rosewood - Rosewood Pool 472-6838

If you are interested in donating to the Statesman Swim-Safe for Austin Kids program, please call 512/416-4700, category 7946 for a donation form to be faxed to you.

Fees/Payment:
$50 Swim Lessons (8 classes for 2 week session)
$65 Swim Team ($60 youth swim team + $5 TAAF fee)
$10 Swim Team t-shirt (Optional)
$50 Water Fitness (9 classes for 3 week session)
$50 Junior Guard (8 classes for 2 week session)

Call 974-9333 for more Swim Lesson information.

Register for ANY Session by completing the following steps:
  1. Complete one registration form per session, per class and per individual. Swim Lesson registration form. (For example, if you want to sign up your child for both Swim Team and Guard Start you will need to fill out two separate forms.)
  2. Fill out all personal information. Registration forms that are not legible take extra time to process. (Please print the information)
  3. Indicate choice of class. Please indicate alternative classes for a faster, more efficient process (in case your first choice is not available). Every registration is on a first come first serve basis.
  4. Sign the bottom of the registration form. (The registration form will be mailed back to you if the "Release of liability" portion/waiver is not signed).
  5. Fax, mail or drop off early registration form(s) with payment:
    Fax: 974-9344 or 476-3048
    Mail: Austin Parks & Recreation Department
    Aquatics Office-ISP
    400 Deep Eddy Ave.
    Austin, TX 78703
    No phone registrations will be accepted!

Registration Options:
Early Registration: Registration forms may be faxed, mailed or dropped off on or before the Normal Registration deadline (we will not accept registration forms before April 1st). Confirmation receipts will be mailed to the address written on the registration form. If you do not receive a confirmation receipt within 5 business days, please contact the Aquatic Office at 974-9333 to confirm receipt. Incomplete registration forms will be sent back.

Walk In/Late Registration: If you miss the early registration period, you may register in person at the Aquatic Office located at 400 Deep Eddy Avenue. During late registration, registration must be in person to ensure that each participant receives their receipt prior to the first day of class. Registration forms that are received via fax or mail during late registration will not be processed. This is because the customer may not receive confirmation on time.

Alternative Choices: Attach a separate sheet of paper listing alternate choices. Please remember that each registration form is one request. A separate registration form should be used for each participant and/or when registering for multiple sessions or classes. You will receive a confirmation letter once you have been registered for a class. Confirmation letters may take up to two weeks to be sent out.

Payment Options: Please make checks or money orders payable to the "City of Austin" or charge by using Mastercard or Visa. Credit card payments may be faxed to (512) 974-9344 or (512) 476-3048. Separate checks are recommended for each participant and session to avoid any delay. All returned checks will charged a $25 service fee. Scholarships are available for qualified applicants, contact Aquatics Office at (512) 974-9333 for more information. No phone registrations will be accepted.

Problem Registrations: Incomplete registration forms will not be processed. You will be notified by a phone call to correct the problems. i.e., No signature at bottom of registration form, no payment or incorrect class information. If contact cannot be made, the registration will be mailed back.

Class Minimum Requirements: All class must meet the must meet the minimum number of participant’s requirement. If your class selection does not meet the minimum participant requirement you will be notified by phone one prior to the scheduled start date. All classes that do not have the minimum number of participants will a) be combined with to meet the minimum requirements b) be cancelled. You may also choose an alternative class.

Bad Weather: Classes will NOT be cancelled due to rainy weather. In the event of thunder or lightning, class will be cancelled for safety reasons. Safety lessons will be conducted if necessary. If bad weather continues for a second day, the instructors will add 5 minutes to the end of the remaining classes to make up missed time. If there is a 3rd bad weather day class will be held on Friday. For cancellation information, call the pool where your lessons are being held.

Class Cancellation and Refund Policy: If you cancel your class PRIOR to the FIRST DAY of your scheduled class you will receive a refund minus a $10.00 cancellation fee. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for a check refund. If you need to transfer your child out of one class/session into another class/session PRIOR to the FIRST DAY of class you will be charged a $5.00 transfer fee.

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