You do not have to be a current member of Zena Recreation Park to take swim lessons!  Although, our Zena Rec members get priority lesson sign up and a reduced rate on lesson fees, all are welcome to participate!

The Red Cross has developed swimming lessons for kids and adults that allow everyone the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, at their own pace. Available at Zena Recreation Park, Red Cross Learn-to-Swim classes are taught by certified, knowledgeable and caring instructors who can help swimmers at every level feel comfortable in the water and progress to the next level.

What to Expect

At Zena Rec, our swimming classes for kids are tailored to the needs of each child, so that he or she can progress at a comfortable pace. Although some children may advance more quickly or slowly, our instructors ensure that everyone receives the instruction they need.

What They'll Learn

The Learn-to-Swim program focuses on building skills one step at a time. By giving them the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, our kids' swim classes make it easy to build confidence in the water.

Learn to Swim Levels Quick Reference:

Level Parent and Toddler- Intro to Water Skills – Age: 12 months - 3 years Parent are required to accompany swimmers into the pool

In this group, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. The goals of this stage include the following: Encouraging children to move purposefully in the water in response to visual and verbal cues and using toys and flotation devices. Emphasizing basic aquatic safety to parents. Building relationships among and between parents and children by providing opportunities for fun and interaction in the water.

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.. 

Level 1 – Introduction to Water Skills – Age: 3-4+ 

For the beginner who is comfortable in the water. Swimmers learn basics of swimming: bobbing, going under water,  supported front and back floating, supported rolling over from front to back and back to front, supported gliding ,  supported flutter kick, supported front crawl arms and jumping in. 

Level 2 – Fundamental Aquatic Skills – Age: 4-5+  

Swimmers should already be able to float on front and back and put head under water. Swimmers will work on:  independent front and back floating , independent rolling over from front to back and back to front, independent front  and back glides, front crawl arms and kicks, back crawl arms and kicks, retrieving underwater objects, and jumping into  water over their head. 

Level 3 – Stroke Development – Age: 5-6+ 

Swimmers should already be comfortable swimming front stroke and swimming on their back. Swimmers will work on:  gliding, freestyle with side breathing, backstroke, breast stroke and dolphin kicks, retrieving objects in deeper water,  treading water, jumping into deep water and compact dives. 

Level 4 – Stroke Improvement – Age: 7+ 

Swimmers should already be able to: swim front and back crawl 25 yards. Swimmers will work on: rotary breathing,  freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke, scissors kick and sidestroke, whip kick and breaststroke, intro to turning  at wall, treading water with modified scissors, and diving in kneeling position. 

Level 5 – Stroke Refinement – Age: 8+ 

Swimmers should already be able to: swim freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke 25 yards, scissors kick, whip kick,  treading water, and dive. 

Level 6 – Swimming & Skill Proficiency – Ages: 9-11+ 

Swimmers should already be able to: swim front and back crawl 50 yds, elementary backstroke 25 yards, breaststroke  25 yards, butterfly 25 yards, sidestroke 10 yards, tread water for 3 minutes, and dive.