The City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Department is a Gold Level Provider of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program, delivering swim instruction that emphasizes water safety, skill progression and confidence in the water.
During the first class, instructors ensure participants are placed in the appropriate level. Each level requires a minimum of three participants, and classes may be combined. If minimum enrollment is not met and combining classes is not possible, canceled classes receive a full refund or participants may transfer to another session at no additional cost. Eight of 10 lessons are guaranteed, even in the event of inclement weather or circumstances beyond program control.
Parents receive a handbook upon registration.
Swim Levels
Review the descriptions below to help choose the appropriate level. Instructors will confirm placement during the first class.
Water Babies (ages 6 months – 36 months)
Water Babies introduces parents and children to the water in a safe, supportive environment. Parents learn how to hold and support their child while guiding them through basic skills. Children develop foundational water comfort and skills, laying the groundwork for swimming. Parents are also introduced to key water safety topics.
Preschool Level 1 (ages 3 to 5):
Level 1 introduces basic aquatic skills that participants build on as they progress through Levels 2 and 3 of Preschool Aquatics, then onto Learn-to-Swim. Participants also begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water.
Preschool Level 2 (ages 3 to 5):
Level 2 focuses on further developing basic aquatic skills. Participants begin to perform these skills at a more advanced level, such as for longer distances or in deeper water. Many skills from Level 1 are performed with assistance, but Level 2 marks the start of independent aquatic locomotion. Participants improve proficiency in arm and leg actions on the front and back in preparation for strokes. Water safety topics from Level 1 are reinforced.
Preschool Level 3 (ages 3 to 5):
Level 3 aims to increase proficiency in previously learned skills through guided practice and more repetitions. Skills are performed independently, and participants improve coordination and control of combined arm and leg actions. New water safety topics are introduced, and previously learned water safety skills are reinforced.
Youth Level 1 (ages 6 to 17):
Level 1 introduces basic aquatic skills that participants build on as they progress through Levels 2 and 3 of Learn-to-Swim. Participants also begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water.
Youth Level 2 (ages 6 to 17):
Level 2 focuses on further developing basic aquatic skills. Participants begin to perform these skills at a more advanced level, such as for longer distances or in deeper water. Many skills from Level 1 are performed with assistance, but Level 2 marks the start of independent aquatic locomotion. Participants improve proficiency in arm and leg actions on the front and back in preparation for strokes. Water safety topics from Level 1 are reinforced.
Youth Level 3 (ages 6 to 17):
Level 3 aims to increase proficiency in previously learned skills through guided practice and more repetitions. Skills are performed independently, and participants improve coordination and control of combined arm and leg actions. New water safety topics are introduced, and previously learned water safety skills are reinforced.
Youth Level 4 (ages 6 to 17)
Level 4 builds on the skills from Level 3 by improving proficiency in the strokes learned. Participants refine their skimming strokes, increasing distance, and begin learning the arm actions for the scissors kick and breaststroke kick, leading to rudimentary proficiency in sidestroke and breaststroke. New strokes such as back crawl and butterfly are introduced, along with basic open turns at the wall.
Youth Level 5 (ages 6 to 17)
Level 5 focuses on refining all six swimming strokes—front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke—while increasing proficiency and swimming distance. Participants also learn to perform flip turns for both front and back strokes.
Youth Level 6 (ages 6 to 17)
Level 6 works on refining strokes, turns, and building endurance. Participants choose from three options: Personal Water Safety, Fundamentals of Diving, or Fitness Swimmer, each focusing on specific aquatic skills and knowledge.
Adult (ages 16 and up)
Adult swim lessons are tailored to individual needs, whether starting from the basics, focusing on specific skills, or refining strokes. Participants improve comfort and proficiency in the water at their own pace.
Spring Lessons
- Ages: 3 – 17
- Fees: Resident: $40 | Non-Resident: $50
- Location: Bryan Aquatic Center, 3101 Oak Ridge Drive
- Registration: Jan. 2 – April 24
- Contact: 979-209-5222
Register for Spring Swim Lessons
Sessions
Session 1 | April 6 – 17
Monday – Friday
Preschool levels: 5:30 p.m.
Youth levels: 6:30 p.m.
Session 2 | April 27 – May 8
Monday – Friday
Preschool levels: 5:30 p.m.
Youth levels: 6:30 p.m.
Summer Lessons
- Ages: 6 months +
- Fees: Resident: $50 | Non-Resident: $60
- Location: Varies
- Registration: March 1 - July 12 (Registration ends day before session starts)
- Contact: 979-209-5222
Register for Summer Swim Lessons
Sessions
Session 1 | June 1 – 12
Monday – Friday
Session 2 | June 15 – 26
Monday – Friday
Session 3 | June 29 – July 10
Monday – Friday (no lessons July 4)
Session 4 | July 13 - 24
Monday – Friday
Class Times & Locations
Waterbabies and Preschool classes meet for 30 minutes, while Youth and Adult Levels meet for 45 minutes each day.
Waterbabies, Preschool 1 – 3 & Youth 1 – 6
8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m. – Bryan Aquatic Center
Adult
Noon and 6:30 p.m. – Bryan Aquatic Center
Waterbabies, Preschool 1 – 3 & Youth 1 – 3
5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. – Sadie Thomas Pool
Youth 4 – 6
6:30 p.m. – Bryan Aquatic Center
