Swim Lessons

Broomfield Recreation Learn-To-Swim Program

Aquatics Winter - Spring 2026 Program Guide

*Please note, we do not offer makeup classes, credits, or refunds for missed swim lessons, CARA, or other swim activities, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Broomfield Recreation Services American Red Cross Learn-To-Swim program provides a safe, fun environment for your child to learn the fundamentals of swimming as well as learn self-confidence. We promote personal development, water safety, and the learning of a lifetime skill that can enhance your child’s life.

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Classes We Offer

Swim Lessons ages 6 months to 3 years: Parent-Child

This class is designed to introduce both parent and child to the water in a fun and supportive environment while emphasizing water safety. Prerequisites: Children must be able to hold their head up independently. Class Benefits: Encourages parent-child interaction and socialization, promotes comfort and confidence in the water through play, supports physical development, coordination, and gross motor skills. Each child must be accompanied by an adult (one child per adult). Both parents may participate with one or two children. Swim diapers are required.

Swim Lessons ages 3 - 6 years:

Preschool Level 1 Swim Lessons

Prerequisites: None. Recommended for children with little to no experience in the water. Skills Introduced: Entering and exiting the water independently, building comfort and confidence in the water, blowing bubbles for at least 3 seconds, assisted front and back floats, jumping into shallow water with assistance, and water safety skills. Next Level: Successful completion of all skills advances the child to Preschool Level II.

Preschool Level II Swim Lessons

Prerequisites: Completion of Preschool Level I or the ability to: enter and exit the water independently, show comfort and confidence in the water, blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds, perform assisted front and back floats, jump into shallow water with assistance, demonstrate basic water safety skills. Skills Learned: Independent front and back floats, front arm strokes (3–5 strokes), Chicken-Airplane-Rocketship (3–5 strokes), jump into water and swim back to the wall with help, rolling from back to front and front to back. Next Level: Successful completion of all skills advances the child to Preschool Level III.

Preschool Level III Swim Lessons

Prerequisites: Completion of Level II or the ability to: Perform independent front and back floats, complete 3–5 front arm strokes, complete 3–5 “Chicken-Airplane-Rocketship” strokes, jump into the water and swim back to the wall with assistance, roll from back to front and front to back. Skills Learned: Semi-coordinated arm strokes (6+ strokes) with breathing, Chicken-Airplane-Rocketship, jumping into the water overhead, treading water, swimming back to the wall, backstroke. Next Level: Successful completion of all skills advances the child to Level II (Blue Whale) or Level III (Crab).

Swim Lessons Ages 6-12 years: School Age

Level I - Alligator Swim Lessons
Prerequisites: None. Recommended for children with little to no experience in the water. Skills learned: Opening eyes underwater and retrieving submerged objects, blowing bubbles, front and back floats with help, gliding on front and back with help, combined arm and leg actions on front and back with assistance, Intro to breathing to the side and elementary backstroke. Successful completion of all skills: Pass to Level II (Blue Whale)

Level II - Blue Whale Swim Lessons

Prerequisites: Pass Alligator or perform the following skills: Enter independently, travel at least five yards, bob five times, then safely exit the water. Swim on front at least two body lengths, roll to a back float for five seconds, and recover to a vertical position. Skills learned: Jumping in, breath control and side breathing. Treading water, floating on front and back without help, front and back glides with kicks for five body lengths. Swimming using combined arm and leg actions (freestyle and backstroke) rolling over front to back and changing directions while swimming. Intro to elementary backstroke kick. Successful completion of all skills: Pass to Level III (Crab)

Level III - Crab Swim Lessons
Prerequisites: Pass Level II Blue Whale or Preschool Level III or perform the following skills: Jump from 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 five body lengths, then exit the water. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions (freestyle) for five body lengths, roll to back, float or swim on back for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming for at least five body lengths. Skills learned: Jump into deep water and tread or float for 1 minute, swim to the side then exit the water. Side-to-side breathing, freestyle. Coordination and development of the freestyle, elementary backstroke, and backstroke. Intro to breaststroke and dolphin kicks. Successful completion of all skills: Pass to Level IV (Dolphin/Eel)

Level IV - Dolphin/Eel Swim Lessons
Prerequisites: Pass Level III Crab class or perform the following skills: Jump into deep water from the side, recover to the surface, maintain position by treading or floating for 1 minute, swim freestyle and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yards, then exit the water. Skills learned: Progression of skills, coordination and endurance of all skills and strokes. Swimming the freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke for 50 yards. Swimming the breaststroke for 15 yards. Swimming the butterfly for 15 yards. Introduction to sidestroke. Learning to dive in deep water. Open turns on the front and back and intro to flip turns. Successful completion of all skills: Cara Swim Team

Other Classes Offered:

Private Swim Lesson Classes

All lessons will be 25 minutes in length. Utilize the waitlist process whenever possible. Make-up classes/credits will not be available for classes missed. Private Lessons give individuals an opportunity to work in a one-on-one setting with an instructor that fits their needs. Semi-Private Lessons are available to families or friends who want more attention than a group setting, but still want the benefits that a group environment can provide. You must form your own group of two. One person will register and then email aquatics@broomfield.org so that we may add the other participant to the class.
Age: 3+

Kids Can Swim Lessons

This swim lesson class will focus on teaching and refining freestyle and backstroke, work on making strokes more efficient, learn advanced strokes, improve your endurance, and improve your overall health and physical fitness! Prerequisites: Kids should have basic swimming skills including floats, going underwater and basic arm and back strokes.
Age: 11-15

Diving Class

This class is designed for beginning through advanced levels of springboard diving. Beginning levels will teach the fundamentals of diving including body alignment, approach, and basic dives. Intermediate and Advanced divers will work on progressive techniques according to their readiness level. This class is goal-based and will work with each individual's level. Prerequisite: Pass Crab Level or pass swim test.
Age: 7-18

Adult/Teen Swim Lessons

This class is designed to help meet your specific needs. Whether you want to conquer your fear of the water, develop your strokes, or start training for a triathlon, the instructor will work with each participant to help meet your goals and help you feel more capable and confident in the water.
Age: 13+

Swim Teams - Rec programs

CARA Youth Swim Team - Ages 7-12 years old

The CARA swim team provides your child with a fun introduction to swim competition. Emphasis is placed on learning and improving competitive swim strokes, building endurance, and creating a fun and structured team atmosphere. Meets are yet to be determined. Parents will be required to volunteer during all home swim meets. Prerequisites: Previous CARA experience, completion of Dolphin Level or pass swim test (50 yards freestyle with side breathing) prior to registration.
Age: 7-12