Register online or sign up at the Welcome Desk
THE W: AQUATICS
CERTIFICATIONS
The primary purpose of the courses in the American Red Cross Lifeguarding program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to:
- Prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies.
- Provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) professionals take over.
This class includes training in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and is valid for two years. Participants must be at least 15 years of age before the end of the course to enroll. This training is a blended learning course. Blended learning combines online sessions with in-person sessions conducted by a Red Cross certified lifeguarding instructor. Total course instruction time is 27 hours, 30 minutes:
- The online session for the Lifeguarding course has 16 modules and takes approximately 6 hours to complete all modules of the online session. Each individual module takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete.
- The total instruction time for the in-person sessions, including the precourse session, is 21 hours, 30 minutes.
Resources: American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual version R.24 (print or ebook)
Lifeguarding course participants must have access to their own manual throughout the course. The ebook is included with your registration and the instructor of the course will provide access to obtain the ebook prior to the start of class. When using an ebook, the file should be downloaded prior to class and a tablet or laptop should be used during class to ensure proper viewing, as it is not compatible with mobile devices. Print materials are not provided and can be purchased on the Red Cross website.
Register online or at the Welcome Desk. The deadline to register is two weeks prior to the first day of each class.
Dates/Times: None scheduled at this time
Max Enrollment: 10
Min Enrollment: 4
Location: The W indoor pool and classroom
Cost: $200
Course Requirements: Participants must complete the online sessions prior to the start of in-person sessions and provide proof of completion. Participants must also attend and participate in all in-person sessions, including classroom discussions and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must also satisfactorily demonstrate all Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR skills, and pass the course’s written exam with at least a score of 80%.
No refunds will be given after deadline: In fairness to all participants, each withdrawal from a program will be assessed a $5 processing fee. If a medical problem arises during the activity/class, a physician’s written excuse must be presented stating that participation is restricted. In the case of a medical excuse, a percentage of whatever class time remains will be refunded. If the program/activity is canceled by The W, you will get the choice of having a full refund issued to your account or a refund check issued to the person who paid for the enrollment. No refunds will be given to persons who fail any part of this course or fail to show proof of previous certification.
The primary purpose of a recertification course is to give participants who are currently certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting to maintain their American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) certification. This Lifeguard Recertification course is taught in-person, no online prerequisites are required.
Prerequisites:
Hold a current certification, or expired by no more than 30 days, in American Red Cross Lifeguarding that included training in deep water 7 feet or deeper. Proof of current valid American Red Cross issued Lifeguard certification is required to participate in the course.
Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations.
Register online or at the Welcome Desk. The deadline to register is two weeks prior to the first day of each class.
Resources: American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual version R.24 (print or ebook)Lifeguarding course participants must have access to their own manual throughout the course. The ebook is included with your registration and the instructor of the course will provide access to obtain the ebook prior to the start of class. When using an ebook, the file should be downloaded prior to class and a tablet or laptop should be used during class to ensure proper viewing, as it is not compatible with mobile devices. Print materials are not provided and can be purchased on the Red Cross website.
Date/Time
Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fee: $125
Course Requirements: Participants must attend and participate in all subsequent sessions including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR skills, and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.
No refunds will be given after deadline: In fairness to all participants, each withdrawal from a program will be assessed a $5 processing fee. If a medical problem arises during the activity/class, a physician’s written excuse must be presented stating that participation is restricted. In the case of a medical excuse, a percentage of whatever class time remains will be refunded. If the program/activity is canceled by The W, you will get the choice of having a full refund issued to your account or a refund check issued to the person who paid for the enrollment. No refunds will be given to persons who fail any part of this course or fail to show proof of previous certification.
The purpose of the Lifeguard Crossover courses for lifeguarding is to provide participants with a current lifeguarding certification from an approved equivalent training organization the opportunity to participate in an abbreviated course to obtain an American Red Cross Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding Certification.
Crossover courses are delivered as a blended learning course only. Blended learning combines online sessions with in-person sessions conducted by a Red Cross-certified Lifeguarding instructor. Completion of the online sessions is required prior to starting the in-person sessions.
Prerequisites:
Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the Lifeguarding course.
Possess a basic-level Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) certification or Shallow Water Lifeguarding certification from one of the following organizations:
Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard
YMCA
Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program™
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
StarGuard ELITE
United States Lifesaving Association (USLA)
Successfully complete the online course content in the Lifeguarding blended learning course in advance of the crossover course.
Successfully complete the two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations.
Date/Time:
Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fee: $135
Register online or at the Welcome Desk. The deadline to register is two weeks prior to the first day of each class.
Course Requirements: Participants must attend and participate in all subsequent sessions including class room work and skills practice. To receive the associated certification, participants must satisfactorily demonstrate all Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR skills, and pass the course written exam with at least a score of 80%.
No refunds will be given after deadline: In fairness to all participants, each withdrawal from a program will be assessed a $5 processing fee. If a medical problem arises during the activity/class, a physician’s written excuse must be presented stating that participation is restricted. In the case of a medical excuse, a percentage of whatever class time remains will be refunded. If the program/activity is canceled by The W, you will get the choice of having a full refund issued to your account or a refund check issued to the person who paid for the enrollment. No refunds will be given to persons who fail any part of this course or fail to show proof of previous certification.
Resources: American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual version R.24 (print or ebook)Lifeguarding course participants must have access to their own manual throughout the course. The ebook is included with your registration and the instructor of the course will provide access to obtain the ebook prior to the start of class. When using an ebook, the file should be downloaded prior to class and a tablet or laptop should be used during class to ensure proper viewing, as it is not compatible with mobile devices. Print materials are not provided and can be purchased on the Red Cross website.
The WSI class is a class that provides knowledge and skills necessary to teach swimming lessons and other water safety classes through understanding how to use course materials, how to conduct training sessions, and how to evaluate participant progress. Students must attend all classes to receive certification. Must be at least 16 years of age before the end of the course.All participants must complete and pass a quiz, which is an additional $35 payable to the Red Cross. Candidates then must complete the full WSI course and pass the WSI exam to obtain certification. No refunds will be given to persons who fail any part of this course.
Location: The W indoor pool
Fee: $265
Max. Enrollment: 12
Min. enrolment: 3
Deadline: TBD No refunds will be given after the deadline. In fairness to all participants, each withdrawal from a program will be assessed a $5 processing fee. If a medical problem arises during the activity/class, a physician’s written excuse must be presented stating that participation is restricted. In the case of a medical excuse, a percentage of whatever class time remains will be refunded. If the program/activity is canceled by the department, you will get the choice of having a full refund issued to your account or a refund check issued to the person who paid for the enrollment.
The LGI class trains instructor candidates to teach basic-level Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Attendant, Lifeguard Management, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Candidates must attend all classes to receive certification. Must be at least 17 years of age before the end of the course. At the completion of the course, LGI candidates will need to pass the LGI exam to obtain certification.
Register online or at the Welcome Desk.
Dates/Times: May 16, 3:30-10 p.m.; May 17, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; May 18, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Code: LGI 5
Max Enrollment: 9
Min Enrollment: 5
Enrollment Deadline: Friday, April 18
Location: The W indoor pool. Class schedules will be handed out of the first day.
Fee: $300
If a medical problem arises during the activity/class, a physician’s written excuse must be presented stating that participation is restricted. In the case of a medical excuse, a percentage of whatever class time remains will be refunded. If the program/activity is canceled by the department, you will get the choice of having a full refund issued to your account or a refund check issued to the person who paid for the enrollment.
The American Red Cross Community CPR Class teaches the skills necessary to prevent, recognize, and provide basic care for breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants until advanced medical personnel arrive. The American Red Cross First Aid course gives individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic first aid care for injuries and sudden illness until advanced medical personnel arrive. Certifications are valid for two years.
Community businesses and organizations can request training with one of our certified instructors. Call the Welcome desk for more information. There is a minimum charge for this training.
Register online or at the Welcome Desk.
Session 1 (CPR12)
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 4-9:30 p.m.
Session 2 (CPR13)
Friday, Sept. 12, 4-9:30 p.m.
Our in-person Red Cross babysitter training gives youth ages 11 to 16 access to best-in-class instructors who will share the latest information on childcare, offer tips, and answer all of your questions so you’re ready to care for children safely and confidently. The course includes hands-on activities, videos, and discussions to develop essential, real-life readiness babysitting skills.
What You’ll Learn
Although every situation is unique, there are some universal babysitting skills and techniques that every babysitter should have. This course was designed with this principle in mind and can help you deliver the care that families need and expect. Below are a few of the topics the course covers:
- Basic care for infants and children
- Basic first aid
- Child behavior management
- Age-appropriate activities
- Emergency response
- Feeding, diapering and picking up children
First aid and CPR/AED certification courses will accompany the babysitter training class. Upon successful completion, you will earn a two-year certification and access to refresher materials so you can keep your skills sharp between certifications.
Date/ Time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $95
Min. Enrollment: 6
Max. Enrollment: 12
No refunds will be given to persons who fail any part of this course.
SWIM LESSONS
Register online or sign up at the Welcome Desk
Swim lessons include all levels of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program. Lessons are taught by American Red Cross certified water safety instructors. Learn-to-Swim teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression. The objective is to teach people of all ages to swim and to be safe in, on, and around the water and give students a positive learning experience. Click below for a detailed description of the skills taught at each level.
Guests should bring their own towels for the pool and/or shower as one will not be provided.
If you have questions about our swim lesson options, please call 319-352-8311.
Parents and children learn together to increase a child’s comfort level in the water and build a foundation of basic skills, such as arm and leg movements and breath control. The two levels are fun-filled and help introduce water safety concepts, encouraging a healthy recreational habit that your entire family can enjoy.
Parent/Infant:
Provides experiences and activities for children to:
• Learn to ask for permission before entering the water.
• Learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner.
• Feel comfortable in the water.
• Explore submerging to the mouth, nose and eyes and fully submerging.
• Explore buoyancy on the front and back position.
• Change body position in the water.
• Learn how to play safely.
• Experience wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics.
Parent/Toddler
Builds upon the skills learned in Parent/Infant and provides experiences and activities for children to:
• Establish expectation for adult supervision.
• Learn more ways to enter and exit the water in a safe manner.
• Explore submerging 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 U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in the water.
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics.
Throughout the three levels, preschool-age children are taught basic aquatic safety and swimming skills, all the while increasing their comfort level in and around the water. Skills are age-appropriate, helping children achieve success on a regular basis and enjoy social interactions with other children. As in all Swimming and Water Safety courses, your child will always know that it’s safety first.
Preschool Level A — Orients children to the aquatic environment and helps them gain basic aquatic skills. Minimum age: 4 years old, up to 5 years old
• Enter water using ramp, steps or side
• Exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
• Submerge mouth, nose and eyes
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front glide and recover to a vertical position
• Back glide and recover to a vertical position
• Back float
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread with arm and hand actions
• Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front
• Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on back
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Preschool Level B — Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around water. Recommended ages: 4 and 5 year olds
• Enter water by stepping in from a deck or low height
• Exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Bobbing
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front float
• Back glide and float and recover to a vertical position
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread water using arm and leg actions
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Finning arm action on back
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Preschool Level C — Helps children start to gain basic swimming propulsive skills to be comfortable in and around water. Recommended ages: 5 & 6 year olds
• Enter water by jumping in
• Fully submerge and hold breath
• Bobbing
• Rotary breathing
• Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
• Front and back float or glide and recover to a vertical position
• Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
• Tread water using arm and leg actions
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Finning arm action on back
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Designed to help participants achieve maximum success, Learn-to-Swim courses are based on a logical, six-level progression that helps swimmers of varying ages and abilities develop their water safety, survival and swim skills.
Level 1—Introduction to Water Skills. Minimum age: 6 (must be 6 years old at the start of class, no exceptions)
Helps participants feel comfortable in the water.
• Enter water using ramp, steps or side
• Exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
• Bobbing
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front and back glides and recover to a vertical position
• Back float
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread water using arm and hand actions
• Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front
• Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on back
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Level 2—Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Gives participants success with fundamental skills.
• Enter water by stepping or jumping from the side
• Exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Fully submerge and hold breath
• Bobbing
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Rotary breathing
• Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
• Back glide and recover to a vertical position
• Front glide and recover to vertical position
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread water using arm and leg actions
• Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Finning arm action
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Level 3—Stroke Development
Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water.
• Enter water by jumping from the side, fully submerge then recover to the surface and return to the side
• Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions
• Bobbing while moving toward safety
• Rotary breathing
• Back float
• Survival float
• Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back
• Tread water
• Flutter and dolphin kicks on front
• Scissors and breaststroke kicks
• Front crawl and elementary backstroke
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Level 4—Stroke Improvement
Develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.
• Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions
• Swim under water
• Feet first surface dive
• Survival swimming
• Open turns on front and back
• Tread water using 2 different kicks
• Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
• Flutter and dolphin kicks on back
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Level 5—Stroke Refinement
Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.
• Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke
• Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely
• Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming
• Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
• Sculling
• Plus age-appropriate water safety topics
Level 6—Swimming and Skill Proficiency
Refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with “menu” options that focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses, including the Water Safety instructor course, or other aquatic activities, such as competitive swimming or diving. Each option also includes applicable water safety topics. The level 6 class will be taught in the summer and will be held at the Waverly Outdoor Pool.
Adult Arranged Private Swim Lessons (NEW)
Lessons will be available in October, November, January, February, March, and April. Register online or at the Welcome Desk.
Cost: $70 for 4 25-minute lessons
Private/Arranged Lessons
Private lessons may be taken at any skill level. These lessons aretaught at a one participant to one instructor ratio for 25 minutes. Lessons do not need to be completed by session end date. Lessons will not start before the start date of each session. Requests submitted after ending date will be honored during the next private lesson session. After you register an instructor will call you to line up a lesson time. Please submit a current phone number and allow 5-10 business days to schedule lessons.
SWIM CLUBS
SWIM CLUB
The W Swim Club provides a high-quality fall/winter/spring swimming program. The program is for the competitive swimmer and the child new to a swim team. Please contact Anne Duncan at anne.duncan@wartburg.edu with questions.
Requirements: Participants must be at least 6 years old at the start of the session, have completed Level 2 of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program, and be able to swim one lap of The W pool without stopping, using the front crawl in one direction and back crawl to return.
Expectations: Swim Club allows swimmers regular pool access to develop their skills and endurance. Most of the time coaches are on deck, not in the water. We will instruct on stroke improvements but not in the same way swim lessons do. If you seek swim instruction please utilize private lessons or upper-level swim lessons until your swimmer is ready.
Levels: Swimmers and practices are separated into two levels based following the American Development Model (ADM) adapted to USA Swimming. Groups are divided based on swimming competence levels under this model and details can be found at the previous link, but here is a summary.
- Level 1: Expectations are in line with the ADM Competence Level 1 Physical expectations. The swimmer exhibits competence in front crawl and back stroke, can control body position in the water, and begin to develop the butterfly and breaststroke kicks.
- Level 2: Expectations are in line with the ADM Competence Level 2 and above Physical expectations. The swimmer exhibits competence in all four legal strokes, including streamline, starts, turns, and finishes, and is building endurance for long swims.
Schedule: The year is divided into four sessions.
- Session 1: Sept. 15-Oct. 25, 2025
- Session 2: Nov. 3- Dec. 20, 2025
- Session 3: Jan. 12-Feb. 12, 2026 (weather make-up days Feb. 23, 25, 28)
- Session 4: April 6-May 16, 2026
Evaluations: If you aren’t sure what level is best for your swimmer, join the team for the first practice of each month for an evaluation with the coaches.
Competitions: Participation in competitions is encouraged, but not required. Participants compete as members of our local USA Swimming-sanctioned team, Big Six Swim Club. Participation in competitions will require a USA Swimming and Big Six Swim Club membership.All levels of the swim program will follow USA Swimming methods and practices. Participants will not be allowed to make up sessions due to scheduling conflicts. It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure they can attend the session times.
Level 1 (Blue/Indigo): The swimmer exhibits competence in front crawl and back stroke, can control body position in the water, and begin to develop the butterfly and breaststroke kicks.
Dates: Sept. 15-Oct. 25, 2025
Time: Mondays 4-5 p.m., Wednesdays 4-5 p.m., Saturdays 9-10 a.m.
Fee: $108
Level 2 (Indigo/Aqua): The swimmer exhibits competence in all four legal strokes, including streamline, starts, turns, and finishes, and is building endurance for long swims.
Dates: Sept. 15-Oct. 25
Time: Mondays 4-5 p.m., Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m., Saturdays 9-10:30 a.m.
Fee: $120
Practices will not be held if W-SR cancels school or dismisses early due to inclimate weather. Must wear a swim cap and provide your own goggles.