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Swim Lesssons

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The Oak Lawn Park District Learn-To-Swim Program is designed to teach swimming skills to toddlers, children and adults in a positive, happy and safe environment. Splish Splash through Level 5 will follow the American Red Cross guidelines for all swim levels.

Skill Levels:

  • Shallow End: Participants in this class will learn the basics of water safety and swimming techniques
    in the shallow end of the pool. Shallow-end classes will consist of swim levels 1-3. Refer to class.
  • Deep End: Participants will work on advance swim strokes and water endurance. Deep end lessons
    will consist of Swim Level 4-5. Refer to the class descriptions on the Aquatics Skills Page.

Duke-Swim-suit

Class Offerings:

  • Splish Splash (age 6 months-3 years)
  • Tiny Tots (age 3-5 years)
  • Youth Swim Levels 1-5 (ages 5 & up)
  • Adult Swim Lessons (age 15 & up)
  • Diving Lessons (age 8 & up)
  • Junior Lifeguarding (age 11-15 years)
  • Private Lessons (ages 5 & up)

On the first day of class all participants will test and will be placed into their appropriate class level. Refer look at the program listing below for more information on specific class levels. Please review the description of the various levels to ensure a positive experience. If you feel that you or your child’s skills are between levels, please enroll in the shallow-end lessons. Do not enroll in Deep-end lessons if the shallow-end is full. Any child not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper at all times.

Please remember that people learn at-their-own-pace. Mastering swimming skills takes time, practice and patience! It is not unusual for students to repeat a level several times in order to master the skill required for a completion certification and advancement to the next level.

Important Weather Notes:

  • Lessons are instructed in cool and windy weather and are only cancelled due to severe weather.
  • The pool water is kept at 82 degrees, but may vary due to weather conditions.
  • If weather is questionable and you are unsure your lessons are being held, please call visit our Weather Updates page or call (708) 398-6313 no sooner than 30 minutes before your lesson is scheduled.

Swim Lesson Frequently Asked Questions

  • Depending on your swimmer’s ability you will sign up for either shallow-end lessons or deep-end lessons. If your swimmer is new to swimming or is unfamiliar in deep bodies of water you can register for shallow-end lessons. If your swimmer is an experienced swimmer and can swim for long period of time in deep bodies of water then deep-end lessons will be for you.

  • We follow the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Their swim lessons are categorized by Swim Levels 1-6. Shallow-end lessons will cover swim levels 1-3 and deep-end levels will cover 4-5. For more info on the criteria for swim lessons please visit www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons/kids-swim-lessons

  • On the first day of classes, everyone registered will take a swim test by trying to swim the length of the pool without failure. Once your swimmer completes this test they will be placed in an appropriate level with an instructor. Your swimmer will stay in that class for the remainder of the session unless moved otherwise by an instructor or the Swim Lesson Coordinator.

  • Yes, any swimmer can be moved up or down in level. Some swimmers learn faster than others and it takes time to understand and perform certain swimming skills. Moving swimmers up or down will be in the best interest of the swimmer for them to perform their best on their own when outside of lessons.

  • In the summer all of our swim lessons will be held at Centennial Pool located at 9401 S Nashville Ave. During our indoor season, all classes are held at Oak Lawn Community High School located at 9400 Southwest Hwy.

  • We recommend bringing a towel, a change of clothes, and a pair of goggles. However, there are a few things that are prohibited from our pool and swim lessons. Googles that cover the nose are not allowed in our pools as they can be a safety hazard. In addition, we ask that you do not bring any flotation devices as it could affect your swimmer’s progression in lessons. If your swimmer does need some extra assistance in the pool we have our own flotation devices that we use specifically for lessons.

  • Typically, there are 8 classes in each session of swim lessons but this can be changed from session to session.

  • Unfortunately, due to the schedule of our pools and mandatory lifeguard trainings we are unable to have make-up days in our summer sessions. Similarly, in our indoor season, there are limitations in the schedule as we host our lessons at the Oak Lawn Community High School and this is not our facility. If there were to be a class canceled for any reason, a credit for that class would be applied to your household for later use.

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