Learn to swim, kick, turn, and flip! Whether you’re looking to become a recreational lap swimmer or the next Michael Phelps, you’ll gain essential skills in our private and group lessons. Our instructors will help you develop your technique, endurance, and confidence in the pool. Private and group lessons are available to Students, Campus Affiliated Members, and Community Members.
Questions? Reach out to us at lessons@recwell.wisc.edu.
SWIM LESSONS
We are now offering in-person private and group swim lessons at the Nicholas Recreation Center.
Learn MorePRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are built for swimmers looking for individualized attention and direction. Designed with the swimmer’s individual goals in mind, each package includes three 30-minute lessons.
Instructor availability is currently limited due to upcoming finals and winter break. There may be a delay in scheduling your lesson and we cannot guarantee completion of your package prior to the new year. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Members: $90
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Prerequisites:
- All fitness levels are welcome
Class components:
- Focus on the specific skills and techniques that will improve your swimming experience, regardless of your current ability
GROUP LESSONS
Level 1
At the beginner level, you’ll be introduced to the basics of swimming and become comfortable in the water. With the help of an instructor, you’ll learn to float and glide, and swim freestyle and backstroke.
UW-Madison Students: $75
Members: $90
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Designed for:
- Swimmers with little or no swimming experience
Prerequisites:
- No experience required
Class components:
- Safe water entry and exit
- Basic breath control
- Body balance (float on your front and back)
- Glide on front and back
- Flutter kicking with a kickboard
- Introduction to front crawl (freestyle) and back crawl (backstroke)
Level 2
At this level, you’ll expand your knowledge of what you learned in Level 1, further developing your freestyle technique and endurance while learning new skills. Increasing endurance, gaining confidence in deep water, and open turns are all skills that you’ll learn at this level.
UW-Madison Students: $75
Members: $90
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Designed for:
- Swimmers who can comfortably swim freestyle independently in shallow water
- Swimmers who are comfortable in shallow water and have been introduced to deep water
Prerequisites:
- All skills from level 1 or, the ability to:
- Float for 30 seconds on front and back
- Swim independently for 15 yards
- Demonstrate freestyle stroke technique
Class components:
- Improve technique and increase endurance for freestyle and backstroke
- Rotary breathing
- Open turns
- Treading water and deep water safety
- Introduction to breaststroke kick
Level 3
At our highest level of group lessons, you’ll begin learning advanced strokes and lap swimming skills, including butterfly, sidestroke, streamline positioning, and flip turns. Upon completion of this level, you’ll be ready to move into our Swim for Fitness program, lap swim on your own, or work with one of our instructors in private lessons.
UW-Madison Students: $75
Members: $90
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Designed for:
- Swimmers who have experience swimming freestyle, backstroke, and have been introduced to breaststroke
- Swimmers who are comfortable swimming in deep water
- Swimmers who are comfortable swimming the length of the pool
Prerequisites:
- All skills from level 2 or, the ability to:
- Float on back for one minute in deep water
- Swim at least 25 yards of front crawl and back crawl
Class Components:
- Streamline positioning
- Flip turns
- Improve breaststroke technique
- Introduce butterfly and sidestroke
SWIM CLINICS
Swim clinics are free, single day instructional programs focused on specific swimming skills and techniques. Clinics are perfect for any swimmer looking to improve their swimming experience or build new skills.
MASTERS SWIMMING
Enjoy the benefits of swimming with the support of a coach and a welcoming community. The Masters program meets twice per week for programmed workouts led by an experienced swim coach. Master Swim Pass holders have access to a third weekly workout to complete on their own. Programmed workouts will take place on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:30am.
Masters Swimming Passes are on sale now. Pass holders are encouraged to reserve their spot online. Reservations open 7 days in advance. Fall semester Masters Swimming will run from December 5 through December 21.
Masters Swimming Passes must be purchased each semester.
MEET THE MASTERS SWIMMING COACH
Petra Kilian
Petra Kilian is a dynamic endurance coaching professional, currently a masters swim certified instructor, certified USAT Level One triathlon coach as well as Revolution Running coach. Petra’s endurance coaching style centers on building tight, trusted relationships with athletes using charismatic, honest communication and leveraging her vast personal experience as an endurance athlete. Originally from Germany, Petra is an active member of the tri- and running communities in Madison, and a regular volunteer at local Ironman and marathon events. Petra loves coaching Masters swim sessions, water aerobics and anything pool related as well as teaches strength classes and cycling and has been teaching fitness classes for over 20 years
SWIM TESTS
Swim lesson instructors are able to facilitate swim tests for study abroad trips or other programs requiring swim tests. Please fill out the swim test request form below and we will do our best to get your swim test scheduled with an instructor. There is a $25 charge for administering a swim test.