Please use the swimming lessons placement criteria to determine the best class for your swimmers prior to registering for swimming lessons. 

All Information described below is available here. 

For the safety of participants and instructors, swimmers will not be permitted to participate in a class that does not match their swimming ability.

WCSD Aquatic Center Swim Lessons Level Placement Criteria

Updated: 11/02/21

Preschool Level 1

Requirements: 3-5 years old. NOT in 5-Year Old Kindergarten. Minimum Skills: No minimum skills required to enroll.

• Swimmers are introduced to basic aquatic skills, which children continue to build on as they progress through the program. In addition, children start developing positive attitudes and safe practices around the water in Preschool Aquatics Level 1. All skills are performed with support.  

Preschool Level 2

Requirements: 3-5 years old. NOT in 5-Year Old Kindergarten. Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Independently enter and exit water  

• Open eyes under the water to retrieve submerged objects  

• Submerge mouth, nose and eyes  

• Blow bubbles for 3 seconds  

• Float on back 5 seconds with ears in the water (can be supported)  

• Front & back glide 2 body lengths and recovery (can be supported)  

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE (can be supported):  

1. Enter independently, using either the ramp, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, submerge to your mouth and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds, then safely exit the water. (Children can walk, move along the gutter or "swim.")  

2. Front glide at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position.

Preschool Level 3

Requirements: 3-5 years old. NOT in 5-Year Old Kindergarten. Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Independently enter and exit water  

• Bobbing 5X must be done independently demonstrating breath control  

• Open eyes under the water to retrieve submerged objects  

• Float on back 5 seconds with ears in the water (demonstrate with assistance)  

• Front & back glide 2 body lengths and recovery (demonstrate with assistance)  

• Recover front & back float/glide to vertical position in chest deep water (demonstrate with assistance)  

• Roll from front to back and back to front (demonstrate with assistance)  

• Treading water using arm and leg action ~ 15 seconds (demonstrate with assistance)  

• Combined arm and leg action on the front & back for 3 body lengths (demonstrate with assistance)  

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE (with assistance):  

1. Glide on front for at least 2 body lengths, roll to back, float on back for 15 seconds, then recover to a vertical position.  

2. Glide on back for at least 2 body lengths, roll to front, then recover to a vertical position.  

3. Swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 3 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming on front for at least 3 body lengths.  

Level 1

Requirements: MUST BE IN 5-YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN! Minimum Skills: No minimum skills required to enroll.

• Will work on comfort in the water, breath control and floating. All skills are supported and swimmers will work towards independence.

Level 2

Requirements: MUST BE IN 5-YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN! Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Independently enter and exit water

• Open eyes under the water

• Bobbing (breathing control) 5X

• Float on back 5 seconds

• Front glide 2 body lengths

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE:

1. Front glide at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 5 seconds and recover to a vertical position.

Level 3

Requirements: MUST BE IN 5-YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN! Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Fully submerge and hold breath for 10 seconds  

• Open eyes under the water  

• Bobbing (breathing control) 10X  

• Rotary Breathing (side breathing) 5X  

• Front floats ~ 10 seconds  

• Back Float ~ 15 seconds  

• Treading Water ~ 15 seconds  

• Front & Back glide ~ 2 body lengths  

• Front & Back swimming ~ 5 body lengths  

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE:  

1. Step from the side into chest-deep water, push off the bottom, move into a treading or floating position for at least 15 seconds, swim on front and/or back for 5 body lengths, then exit the water.  

2. Move into a back float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then recover to a vertical position.  

3. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming for at least 5 body lengths.  

Level 4

Requirements: MUST BE IN 5-YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN! Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Bobbing (breathing control) 15X  

• Rotary Breathing (side breathing) 15X  

• Front Float 1 Minute  

• Back Float ~ 1 Minute  

• Treading Water ~ 1 Minute  

• Streamline Flutter & Dolphin Kicks ~ 3-5 Body Lengths  

• Breaststroke & Scissor Kicks ~ 15 Yards  

• Front Crawl & Elementary Backstroke ~ 15 Yards  

• 25 yards (FULL LENGTH OF HS POOL) REQUIRED in Exit Skill Sequence for Level 3

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE:

1. Jump into deep water from the side, recover to the surface, maintain position by treading or floating for 1 minute, rotate one full turn then turn as necessary to orient to the exit point, level off, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards, then exit the water.  

2. Push off in a streamlined position, then swim front crawl for 15 yards, change position and direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards, then exit the water.

Level 5

Requirements: MUST BE IN 5-YEAR OLD KINDERGARTEN! Proficiency Required to Enroll:

• Swim Underwater ~ 3-5 Body Lengths  

• Surface Dive (feet first) ~ Completely Submerge  

• Survival Swimming ~ 1 Minute  

• Back Float ~ 1 Minute  

• Treading Water (2 kicks) ~ 2 Minute  

• Streamline Flutter & Dolphin Kicks ON BACK ~ 3-5 Body Lengths  

• Front Crawl & Back Crawl Open Turns

• Front Crawl & Elementary Backstroke ~ 25 Yards

• Butterfly, Breaststroke, Sidestroke, Backstroke ~ 15 Yards

EXIT SKILL SEQUENCE:

1. Perform feet first entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.

2. Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction & position as necessary & swim back crawl for 15 yards.

3. Submerge and swim a distance of 3 to 5 body lengths underwater without hyperventilating, return to the surface, then exit the water.

(Note: The original document also includes these criteria in Spanish, beginning on page 3 of the PDF).

The Waunakee Aquatic Center offers American Red Cross swimming lessons. All of our lead instructors are certified Water Safety Instructors through the American Red Cross.For the safety of participants and instructors, swimmers will not be permitted to participate in a class that does not match their swimming ability.

FALL 2026: 
* Online Registration: Thursday,  September 10, 2026 at 6:00 pm
    - Sunday Course Offerings
    - Course offerings listed below

Block 1 (10:00-10:30/40 am)
Preschool Level 1, Preschool Level 2, Preschool Level 3, Level 3
Block 2 (10:45-11:15/25 am)
Preschool Level 1, Preschool Level 2, Preschool Level 3, Level 2
Block 3 (11:30-12:00/10 pm)
Preschool Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4
Block 4 (12:45-1:25 pm)
Level 1, Level 2, Level 4
Block 5 (1:30-2:10 pm)
Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 5

WINTER 2027: 
Tentatively January 17-March 7, 2027

SPRING 2027: 
Tentatively April -May 23, 2027

Please click here for more information on what to expect when you register for swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center.  

Below is a list of 'what to expect'
Important Reminders
● Online registration is required. No walk-in sign-ups will be accepted.
● Payment is required at the time of registration.
● Classes fill very fast! Plan to sign up when registration opens.
● You can only register each child for ONE class per session.
● You will not receive a communication confirming you are registered for a class. o Your receipt from RevTrack is your confirmation.
● Staff will utilize the waiting list to add swimmers or additional classes if staffing levels support doing so.
● Please enter the building no earlier than five (5) minutes prior to the start of your lesson.
● The water temperature is approximately 83 degrees. This is a ‘happy medium’ for our various users and programs. o Many young and beginner swimmers find this temperature to be a bit on the chilly side. o Swim shirts help keep beginner swimmers a bit warmer.
● If a swimmer is registered for a class that does not match their swimming ability they will be moved to an appropriate class if there is space.
     o Most moves will result in a different swim block or a refund 
         due to limited space and instructors.
● LEVEL 1 - LEVEL 5 o Participants must be school-aged students (5-year-old kindergarten and up).
     o Swimmers will be spaced out as much as possible but in most cases, swimmers will NOT be 6’ apart.
● PRESCHOOL LEVEL 1 - 3 o Participants must be at least 3 years of age and NOT yet 5-year-old kindergarten.
     o Swimmers will stand on a teaching platform (tot dock). This platform is 5’X3’. Physical distancing is NOT possible for this class.
● No food or drink will be allowed in the pool area per the State of Wisconsin Swimming Pool Code. Safety Procedures
● It’s very important to use the swim placement criteria when registering. o If children are placed in a class that does not match their swimming ability, they will be moved or dropped from the class.
     o In most cases, moves will result in a different time, session, or
          refund.
● All spectators must remain seated on the purple bleachers for the duration of the lesson.
● In the event of anticipated severe inclement weather going into the weekend, staff will make a decision about lessons by 6 p.m. the Friday prior.
● If there is an unforeseen winter weather event that would warrant a cancelation, staff will attempt to communicate via email the morning of.
● We do not swim during active thunder/lightning. Swimmers must be out of the water until 30 minutes have passed without thunder/lightning.
● We will monitor public health regulations and adjust our program delivery as needed.

Winter Related Closures

❖ IF WCSD cancels school due to inclement weather, ALL Aquatic Center activities are also CANCELLED for that day.
❖ IF there is an early release due to inclement weather, ALL Aquatic Center activities following the early release are CANCELLED.
❖ IF there is a late start due to inclement weather, ALL Aquatic Center Activities prior to the late start are CANCELLED.
❖ IF there is unexpected inclement weather over the weekend staff will attempt to maintain information on the website.

Thunderstorm/Lightning Procedures/Closures❖ Waunakee Aquatic Center recognizes the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Sports Medical Advisory Committee and National
Lightning Safety Institutes recommendations.
❖ Swimming is NOT permitted during active lightning.
❖ During active storms, all water activities are suspended for 30 minutes after lightning is sighted or thunder is heard.
     ➢ Swimmers should move off the pool deck and out of the locker rooms.
❖ Water activities may resume after 30 minutes have passed without lightning/thunder.
❖ During WCSD programs or events, staff will monitor the weather.
     ➢ Decisions about canceling programs or lessons cannot be made until near the start of the activity as the weather changes rapidly.
❖ Waunakee Wave families should contact their coaches regarding cancelations.