Parent and Tot - Ages 6 months to 3 years

This class is designed for parent-child interaction and focuses on acquainting a child with the water through play and song. Emphasis is placed on teaching parents techniques to stimulate development of their child's fundamental introductory skills such as bubble blowing, floating, kicking and beginning arm motions. Additionally, emphasis is also placed on overall comfortability in the water.

Swim diapers are required for participants who are not potty-trained.

Seahorse (Preschool Aquatics 1 & 2) - Ages 3 to 5 years 

This class is a combination of preschool aquatics levels 1 and 2 and is a transition between our Parent and Tot class and our Learn to Swim program. Participants will develop safe water practices and confidence in and around the water. Participants will work on bubble blowing, floating, kicking and the ability to retrieve a submerged object. All skills are practiced with the support of an instructor.

Upon successful completion of Seahorse participants are eligible to enter Seadragon or Guppy depending on their age.

Seadragon (Preschool Aquatics 3) - Ages 3 to 5 years

Before entering this level, children must feel comfortable submerging their face underwater as well as floating on their stomach and back with the help of an instructor. In this level, participants will build on skills learned in Seahorse with an emphasis on independence and coordination of arm and leg movements to develop water competency.

Guppy (Level 1 Water Exploration) - Ages 5 years and up

This introductory level is the first level in our Learn-to Swim program. Instructors focus on building students' comfort and independence in the water. Skills taught include: bubble blowing, retrieving submerged objects, front and back glides, front and back kicks, and front and back floats.

All skills are practiced with the support of an instructor.

Polliwog (Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills) - Ages 5 years and up

Before entering this level, children must feel comfortable submerging their face underwater as well as floating on their stomach and back with the help of an instructor. Students will learn to perform skills independently such as recovering to a standing position from a float position, glides, front and back arm motions, front and back flutter kicks and an introduction to rhythmic breathing.

Minnow (Level 3: Stroke Development)

To enter this level participants must be capable of independently floating and swimming 5 body lengths on their front and back with arm and leg coordination. Instructors will mainly focus on front crawl with side breathing, elementary backstroke, dolphin kick and scissor kick. Additional skills that will be introduced will include treading water and diving in water 9'-13' deep.

Fish (Level 4: Stroke Improvement)

To enter this level participants must be able to swim a minimum of 15 yards of the pool with coordinated front crawl and elementary backstroke. Skills that will be taught include back crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and butterfly. Continued refinement of front crawl and elementary backstroke will also be emphasized. New skills that will be introduced include head first entries and open turns.

Tigershark (Level 5/6 - Stroke Refinement and Fitness)

Barracuda and Tiger Shark are a combined course that will still implement and focus on the core characteristics of each level while continuing to improve overall endurance and fitness.

This class is taught entirely in deep water ranging from 6'-13'. Participants must be able to complete 25-50 yards of both front crawl and elementary backstroke without stopping. Students will work on refining breaststroke, butterfly and sidestroke as well as learn to read a pace clock and using flip turns while swimming. New skills will include shallow angle dives and surface dives. Upon completion of this course participants will be ready for other aquatic programs such as the Marlin Swim Team.

Adult Beginning: Learning the Basics Ages 14 and Up

This course is designed to help participants develop basic aquatic skills and learn key swim strokes, including front crawl, breaststroke and elementary backstroke. Our goal is to help participants feel comfortable in the water while building confidence and improving swimming abilities. 

Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40-6:10pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:4 0 pm Polliwog

6:20 - 7:05 pm Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

6:50 - 7:20 pm Seahorse

 Session 7 Registration Code: AQSLWS7

Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40-6:10pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:4 0 pm Polliwog

Session 8 Registration Code: AQSLWS8

Classes meet on Monday - Thursday mornings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:00 - 9:30 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:00 - 9:45 am Minnow

9:40 - 10:10 am Seadragon, Guppy

9:55 - 10:40 pm Polliwog

10:20 - 11:05 am Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

10:50 - 11:20 am Seahorse

 Session 1 Registration Code: AQSLSS1

Classes meet on Monday - Thursday mornings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:00 - 9:30 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:00 - 9:45 am Minnow

9:40 - 10:10 am Seadragon, Guppy

9:55 - 10:4 0 pm Polliwog

10:20 - 11:05 am Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

10:50 - 11:20 am Seahorse

 Session 2 Registration Code: AQSLSS2

Classes meet on Monday - Thursday mornings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:00 - 9:30 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:00 - 9:45 am Minnow

9:40 - 10:10 am Seadragon, Guppy

9:55 - 10:40 pm Polliwog

10:20 - 11:05 am Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

10:50 - 11:20 am Seahorse

 Session 3  Registration Code: AQSLSS3

Classes meet on Monday - Thursday mornings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:00 - 9:30 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:00 - 9:45 am Minnow

9:40 - 10:10 am Seadragon, Guppy

9:55 - 10:4 0 pm Polliwog

10:20 - 11:05 am Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

10:50 - 11:20 am Seahorse

 Session 4 Registration Code: AQSLSS4

Classes meet on Monday - Thursday mornings for one-half hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:00 - 9:30 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:00 - 9:45 am Minnow

9:40 - 10:10 am Seadragon, Guppy

9:55 - 10:40 pm Polliwog

10:20 - 11:05 am Adult Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

10:50 - 11:20 am Seahorse

 Session 5 Registration Code: AQSLSS5

Classes meet on Monday & Wednesday evenings for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40 - 6:10 pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:4 0 pm Polliwog

6:20 - 7:05 pm Adult, Fish/Tigershark

6:50 -7:20 pm Seahorse

Evening Session 1 Registration Code: AQSLSE1

Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40 - 6:10 pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:40 pm Polliwog

6:20 - 7:05 pm Adult, Fish/Tigershark

6:50 -7:20 pm Seahorse

Evening Session 2 Registration Code: AQSLSE2

Classes meet on Monday & Wednesday evenings for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40 - 6:10 pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:40 pm Polliwog

6:20 - 7:05 pm Adult, Fish/Tigershark

6:50 -7:20 pm Seahorse

Evening Session 3 Registration Code: AQSLSE3

Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

5:00 - 5:30 pm Parent & Tot, Seahorse

5:00 - 5:45 pm Minnow

5:40 - 6:10 pm Seadragon, Guppy

5:55 - 6:40 pm Polliwog

6:20 - 7:05 pm Adult, Fish/Tigershark

6:50 -7:20 pm Seahorse

Eveing Session 4 Registration Code: AQSLSE4

Classes meet on Saturdays for one-half  hour for beginner levels and forty-five minutes for intermediate/advanced levels:

9:15 - 9:45 am Parent & Tot, Seahorse

9:15 - 10:00 am Minnow

9:55 - 10:25 am Seadragon, Guppy

10:10 - 10:55 am Polliwog

10:35 - 11:20 am Adult Swim Lessons, Fish/Tigershark

11:05 - 11:35 Seahorse

No Classes July 4

Saturday Session 1 Registration Code: AQSLSSAT

Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Take your swimming to the next level with personalized instruction at the Montrose Recreation District. We offer 30-minute private and semi-private lessons for both children and adults, all taught according to the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program specifications. These sessions are held during our scheduled family and open swim times to provide a flexible environment for learning.

Scheduling and Booking

Our lessons are available for convenient online booking up to 60 days in advance. Please note that all reservations must be paid for in full at the time of booking, and registration for specific slots closes 48 hours before the lesson begins. While you are welcome to enjoy the pool before or after your scheduled session, please remember that family/open swim access requires a separate check-in with your membership or payment of the daily admission rate.

Lesson Options and Pricing

We recommend a minimum of three lessons to see the best results in skill development. You can choose from the following formats:

• Private Lessons ($30 per session): These offer a one-to-one instructor-to-student ratio, perfect for those seeking focused, individualized attention.
• Semi-Private Lessons ($21 per participant): These offer a one-to-two instructor-to-student ratio. Please note that students must enroll in pairs; we do not match individual students to fill semi-private slots.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans can change. To cancel a lesson, you must contact your instructor, the Montrose Recreation Front Desk at 970-249-7705, or email our Aquatics Coordinator at amy@montroserec.com. Please be aware of the following fee structures:

• Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the lesson begins will incur a $5 administrative fee.
• Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the lesson begins will be charged the full lesson fee.

Private & Semi Private Lesson Registration