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UAB University Recreation makes water safety a priority in our community. We invite you to join us in our Swim School designed and made just for you!

Our Swim School curriculum is designed for participants from 6 months old to adult. UAB Swim School is designed to teach proper technique while providing an easy transition to lifelong swimming. Each session of group lessons consists of six 30-minute classes.

Swim School Participants should read the class descriptions below to determine the appropriate class they think they would fit into! University Recreation may replace participants based on skill level and age.

Please contact Zach Till, our Coordinator of Aquatics and Operations, for more information or if you have any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

  • Current Schedule

    Spring 2025 Learn to Swim

    Session 1 Dates - January 27 - March 3

    Class A (Level 1 - Parent/Child) : Mondays - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    Class A1 (Level 1 - Preschool Aquatics) : Mondays - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    Class B (Level 1 - Parent/Child) : Mondays - 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm
    Class B1 (Level 1 - Learn to Swim) : Mondays - 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm
    Class C (Level 2 - Learn to Swim) : Mondays - 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
    Class C1 (Level 1 - Adult) : Mondays - 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm am
    Class D (Level 2 - Adult) : Mondays - 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm am


    Session 2 Dates - March 17 - April 21

    Class A (Level 1 - Parent/Child) : Mondays - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    Class A1 (Level 1 - Preschool Aquatics) : Mondays - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
    Class B (Level 2 - Preschool Aquatics) : Mondays - 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm
    Class B1 (Level 1 - Learn to Swim) : Mondays - 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm
    Class C (Level 2 - Learn to Swim) : Mondays - 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
    Class C1 (Level 1 - Adult) : Mondays - 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm am
    Class D (Level 2 - Adult) : Mondays - 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm am


    *Minimum requirement for a class to run is 3 individuals. Maximum is 8 participants
    **Individuals may sign up for multiple sessions if that is what they desire.
  • Enrollment Forms & Register

    How to Register

    1. Download the Enrollment Form

    2. Completely fill out and sign the Enrollment Form

    3. Return competed form to the Program Assistant of Aquatic Trainings and Programs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    4. Wait for confirmation from University Recreation

    5. Once confirmation has been recieved, complete payment for your sessions by:
    - Calling Membership Services (205-934-8224)
    - Stopping by Membership Services


    Enrollment Documents

    FORM Printable (Completed by pen)Fillable (Completed on a computer)
    Enrollment Form Session 1
    (One per family)
    Fillable Form Printable Form
    Enrollment Form Session 2
    (One per family)
    Fillable Form Printable Form

    More Registration Details

    • A minimum of 3 registered participants in each class is required.
    • In the event the minimum is not met, lessons may be rescheduled for another scheduled session or canceled.
    • Pre-registration is required to allow for class preparation and instructor assignments. Registration closes 3 days before a session begins.
    • Late registrations are subject to class availability and are not guaranteed. Late registration is not prorated.
    • Waitlists: If you are placed on waitlist, you will be contacted in chronological order in the event any spaces come available.
  • Pricing
    Type Description Session Cost
    UREC Member
    • Active and enrolled UAB Students
    • UAB employee, faculty, or staff with active membership
    • Children between the ages of 5-12 with active membership
    • Children between the ages of 0-4 who are non-members due to membership ineligibility* and the parent/guardian is a current member.
      Minor memberships only available to children between the ages of 5-18.
    $100
    Non-UREC Member
    • Children between the ages of 5-12 who are non-members and the parent/guardian has neither an affiliation with UAB nor a current UAB UREC membership
    • Community member with no UAB affiliation
    • UAB employee, faculty, or staff with no active membership
    $110

    *Payment must be recieved by registration deadline

  • Refund & Transfer Policy

    Refund & Transfer Policy

    • Refunds are not issued for Rec Swim School.
    • Refunds are only granted in cases where there is a documented medical condition that precludes completion of the program. If a refund is warranted, it is pro-rated based upon the program start date.
    • Programs are transferable, for the full amount, within the same academic semester it is purchased and if there is space available.
    • Full refunds are only issued if UAB University Recreation cancels a program, class, or activity.
  • Class Descriptions

    Parent Child (6 months - 3 years)

    This class is designed to help young children become comfortable in the water so they will be ready when it is time for them to learn how to swim. This class will be fun for the parent and the child, as it is designed to teach the parents about water safety and how to handle their child in and around water. This class requires the same adult to accompany their child in the water for the entire class.

    In Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1, great experiences and fun activities are provided to teach infants and young children to:

    - Feel comfortable in the water.
    - Enter and exit the water safely.
    - Explore breath control and submerging.
    - Explore floating on the front and back.
    - Change body position in the water.
    - Play safely in the water.
    - Experience wearing a life jacket. Parents, you also learn:
    - How to properly supervise children and maintain safe behavior in, on and around the water.
    - How to hold and support your child in the water.
    - How to select and fit a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for your child.
    - Valuable water safety information to make your family safer in, on and around the water.
    ***if child is not potty trained, they must have a swim diaper in order to participate

    Preschool Aquatics (4yr-5yrs)

    Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills: 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: Swimmers should already be able to float on front and back and put their 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.

    Learn to Swim (6yrs-12yrs)

    Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills: 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: Swimmers should already be able to float on front and back and put their 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.

    Adult (13+)

    Level 1 - Learning the Basics: This level is designed to introduce the inexperienced or fearful adult to the water so that they become more comfortable in the water and learn to enjoy the water safely. Adults will learn how to enter and exit the pool safely and control their breathing. As they build their confidence, students will learn proper body position on both their front and back with proper flutter kick. Basic paddle stroke, Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Backstroke, and basic water safety skills are covered.

    Level 2 - Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes: This level is designed to introduce swimming strokes to adults so that they develop confidence and endurance as novice swimmers. Adults master the swimming strokes in the Learning the Basics level, Freestyle, and Backstroke. Breaststroke, Sidestroke, Butterfly, and basic flip turns and turning at the wall are introduced. Treading water and recovery to a swimming position is mastered.

  • Disability Accommodations

    Disability Accommodations

    For disability accommodation requests, please complete the form below.

    Programming Disability Accommodation Request