Swim Lessons

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Where do we go? 

• Swim lessons are held at the City of Sumter Aquatics Center. Address: 1115 South Lafayette Drive. 
• The AC is directly to the left of the South Hope Center. Program participants can check in at our Admissions Window (you will see it as soon as you walk in our front doors). 
• You will check in at the Admissions Window for your first swim lesson. For lessons 2-7, you will enter the AC and take a right after the Admissions Window to sit under our covered pavillion area. Instructors will call for swimmers under the pavillion area when it is time to start swim lessons.  

Where can I watch my participant swim? 

PRESCHOOL & YOUTH/TEEN LESSONS: 

• You can sit under our covered pavilion area or in the parking lot. All participants under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian check their child in for lessons and stay for the entire lesson (whether under our pavilion area or in parking lot). 
• Being on any other area of the pool deck during lessons distracts not only your participant’s progress, but the progress of the entire class. If parents interrupt or distractions occur, you may be asked to wait for your participant in the parking lot. 

PARENT/CHILD LESSONS: 

• Each infant needs one adult minimum in the water with them to participate in Parent/Child swim lessons. If you have multiple children registered for swim lessons at the same time, please plan for multiple adults to attend (reminder again that any child ages 6 months to 3 years registered to take Parent/Child swim lessons must have at least one parent present in the water with them).
•  Infants must wear swim diapers. Disposable diapers are not allowed in the pool. Stop by the admissions window and we will give you a swim diaper at no charge if you do not have one. 

WEATHER POLICY: 

Will there be make-up classes if the Aquatics Center must cancel one of our lessons? 

• Yes, at the discretion of our Aquatics Director. We will contact you via email with cancellation details and the date and time of make-up lessons. We will contact you via the email that you provided during online swim lesson registration. 
• In the case of inclement weather that results in a pool closure and cancellation of swim lessons, we do our best to send out an email to notify parents 30-45 minutes before lessons are schedule to start. On iffy-weather days please check the email that you registered for swim lessons with as this is how we will contact you. 
• We are committed to rescheduling all swim lessons cancelled due to inclement weather, etc. 

What time should we arrive for swim lessons? 

• Please arrive 5-10 minutes early, but no more than 10 minutes. This helps lower distractions and ensures that your participant is ready to go on time. 
• Please sit with your participant under our covered pavilion area once checking in -- your instructor will provide further instructions.  

When do my swim lessons start?  What is the class schedule? 

• Please check your account statement or email receipts if you are unsure which session you registered for. You will have an email receipt from the email that you used to register for swim lessons with.
• If additional help is needed, please email us at: [email protected].   

What should I bring to swim lessons? 

• If your child needs goggles, ear wax, or nose plugs for swim lessons please bring your own. We will provide all other assisting materials. 
• If your child is not potty trained, please bring a cloth swim diaper to be used when in the pool. Disposable diapers are NOT allowed in the pool. We are happy to provide a swim diaper at no charge at our Admissions window prior to the start of swim lessons.  
• *Link to affordable reusable vinyl diapers on Amazon: https://a.co/d/29ewgda (opens in a new tab)

What will my swimmer learn during their 8 lessons? 

• Go to our website under swim lessons and select your group tab (ex: Parent & Child Group Curriculum) to read about the American Red Cross curriculum overview and specific skills taught during swim lessons.

Can we swim before or after swim lessons? 

• We welcome all patrons to enjoy our public open swim during the designated hours. Only registered swim lesson participants will be allowed in the pool during lesson time.  
• We ask parents to please assist instructors with getting your child out of the pool when class ends.  

Can I request a make-up lesson if my child needs to be absent for one or more classes? 

• We allow make-up swim lessons only if the Aquatics Center cancels lessons (inclement weather, chemical/mechanical repairs, etc). We do not allow make-up swim lessons should a participant need to cancel for personal reasons (sick, vacation, etc).  

Can we choose or switch swim instructors? 

• You cannot switch instructors due to gender preference or favoritism. Each instructor is assigned to their specialty level and age to provide the best possible swim lessons. 

Can I take photos? 

• You are more than welcome to take photos of your participant, but be mindful of other children, their parents, and AC staff. You may not interrupt class to take pictures. 
• Do not tag anyone you do not personally know and do not tag AC staff members.  
• We have photo props at the AC! Please ask a swim instructor or staff member to bring it to you anytime! 

What to eat before swim lessons? 

• For the safety and comfort of each participant please refrain from eating 1 hour prior to lesson time. Children should avoid dairy 1-2 hours prior to their lesson time so please plan accordingly. You are welcome to bring a snack for after lessons. 

How many lessons do we need to take before my child/participant can swim?  

• Every participant learns at a different rate. Our trained professionals will work with you to ensure success for your aquatic goals. 
• Consistency is key with swim lessons! We highly recommend continuing aquatic education by signing up for more lessons and/or practicing your skills outside of lessons. 
• Please talk with your Instructor for skills and drills that your swimmers can practice outside of swim lessons at the AC. 

Want to know more about the Instructors that lead swim lessons? 

• Swim Lesson Instructors have been certified through the American Red Cross as Water Safety Instructors, which is an extremely difficult 28 hour course. Water Safety Instructors (WSI) are trained to teach individuals of different ages and abilities to swim, as well as to teach water safety concepts and progressions. 

• They are responsible for planning, preparing, and teaching Red Cross Learn-To-Swim and Water Safety programs. Their training includes lesson planning and management strategies, best-practice teaching methods, and techniques for communicating with families. 

• WSI are also trained to examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary. WSI are always accompanied by additional lifeguards on deck during swim lessons. 

Follow us on social media! 

• Facebook: City of Sumter Aquatics Center 

• Instagram: @sumterswim  

Click here (PDF, 326.34 KB)(opens in a new tab) for printable version of 2026 Swim Lesson FAQs

parent & child swim lesson Curriculum Overview

**Reminder that each infant needs a minimum of one parent in the water with them during swim lessons. Infants must wear waterproof diapers- if you cannot afford one please come 10 minutes early to lessons and notify the admissions window staff so that we can provide you with one.

Developed for children 6 months to 3 years old, Parent & Child swim lessons help young children get ready to swim by emphasizing fun in the water. An adult, it could be a parent, guardian or caregiver, is required to accompany each child in the water and participate in every class. The adult participants learn too! Adults learn how to safely handle their infants or toddlers in and around the water, as well as how to become water smart. Adults and children engage in water exploration activities with the objective of having fun and becoming comfortable in, on and around the water. Routines introduced in both levels of Parent/Child are extremely important to consistently follow in this age group. Each class uses toys, songs, fun and games to keep the children engaged and enjoying the water experience, all the while teaching them basic aquatic skills. This lesson group is divided into two skill levels:

Level 1: Children learn to enter and exit the water safely, feel comfortable in the water, submerge and explore breath control, explore floating on the back and front, change body positions in the water, experience wearing a lifejacket, and much more. 

Level 2: Children learn more ways to enter and exit the water safely, submerge in a rhythmic pattern, glide on the front and back with assistance, perform combined stroke on front and back with assistance, change body position in the water, experience wearing a lifejacket, and much more.

Parents, you also learn how to hold and support your child in the water, how to select and fit a lifejacket for your child, and valuable water safety information to make your family safer in and around the water.

The participant to instructor ratio for Parent/Child Learn-to-Swim is 16:3.

Preschool swim lesson Curriculum Overview

Children ages 4 years to 6 years old learn water safety, survival skills and foundational swimming concepts in a safe and fun environment. Parents or guardians of children up to 5 years of age will actively participate in their children's swim lessons. This not only helps increase the child's comfort level in the water but can help parents understand the process and practice skills with their children between classes. Preschool lesson aims to promote the developmentally appropriate learning of fundamental water safety and aquatic skills by young children. Red Cross Preschool Learn-to-Swim teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression through three levels of skill courses:

Level 1: Children are introduced to basic skills. These skills lay the foundation for developing water competency and the future skill development of swimming strokes. In addition, children start to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around the water.

Level 2: Continue to build skills necessary for water competency, learn how to float with assistance, learn to recover to a vertical position, explore combined arm and leg actions on the front and back, and much more. 

Level 3: Children will learn to coordinate combined simultaneous arm and leg actions and alternating arm and leg actions, as well as stepping from the slide into chest-deep water, push off the bottom and move into a treading or floating position, and many other additional safety skills. All Preschool Level 3 skills are performed independently.

The participant to instructor ratio for Preschool Learn-to-Swim is 7:2 or 3-4:1.

Youth & Teen swim lesson Curriculum Overview

The Youth & Teen Learn-to-Swim program consists of six comprehensive levels that teach people of ages 7 years to young adults, all varying abilities, how to swim skillfully and safely. Each level includes training in basic water safety in addition to aquatic and safety skills taught in a logical progression. The objective is to teach people to swim and to be safe in, on and around the water.  The program is designed for participants to progress through the levels at their own pace, mastering the skills in one level before advancing to the next. Certain milestones that are taught and are necessary for successful completion before advancing to the next level are:

Level 1- Introduction to Water Skills: Students will learn how to feel comfortable in the water and safely enjoy it.

Level 2- Fundamental Aquatic Skills: Children will learn basic swimming skills.

Level 3- Stroke Development: Additional guided practice will help students improve their skills in basic swimming skills.

Level 4- Stroke Improvement: Students will gain confidence during swim lessons, improving in the 6 basic strokes and gain additional aquatic skills. Participants at this level are encouraged and invited to try out for our Summer Swim Team!

Level 5- Stroke Refinement: Guidance allows kids to refine their strokes and become more efficient swimmers, in addition to learning how to dive. Participants at this level are encouraged and invited to try out for our Summer Swim Team!

Level 6- Swimming and Skill Proficiency: Students will learn to swim with ease and efficiency, and gain the ability to swim smoothly over great distances. Swimmers will also have the option to participate in more advanced courses - such as, our Summer Swim Team!

The participant to instructor ratio for Youth/Teen Learn-to-Swim is 12:3 or 4:1.

Adult swim lesson Curriculum Overview

The Adult Learn-to-Swim course is intended for teens and adults with differing levels of swimming ability. Adult lessons are scheduled in the pool with no other programs or lessons scheduled at the same time to encourage confidence in adults in a quiet, low pressure environment - and under the guidance of a trained instructor. It is NOT necessary for adults to know how to swim prior to attending Adult Learn-to-Swim lessons (our instructors are very patient and trained to instruct at all levels). The following skill levels are available:

Level 1- Learning the Basics: earn basic swimming strokes and skills needed to stay safe, and help keep others safe in and around the water. It is not necessary for adults to have had water experience or know how to swim prior to attending lesson #1.

Level 2- Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes: participants will gain proficiency in basic aquatic skills and the six basic swimming strokes. 

Level 3- Swimming for Fitness: participants will learn to refine their front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and turns to build endurance.

The participant to instructor ratio for Adult Learn-to-Swim is 4:1.

Want to know more about the instructors that lead swim lessons?

• Swim Lesson Instructors have been certified through the American Red Cross as Water Safety Instructors, which is an extremely difficult 28 hour course.
• Water Safety Instructors (WSI) are trained to teach individuals of different ages and abilities to swim, as well as to teach water safety concepts and progressions. They are responsible for planning, preparing, and teaching Red Cross Learn-To-Swim and Water Safety programs.
• Their training includes lesson planning and management strategies, best-practice teaching methods, and techniques for communicating with families.
• WSI are also trained to examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary.
• WSI are always accompanied by additional lifeguards on deck during swim lessons.
• Have questions about the certified Water Safety Instructors? Contact Aquatics Director Grayce Howard, who is also an American Red Cross Instructor and Instructor Trainer that actually certified the Aquatics Center WSI. Contact Grayce by emailing [email protected].