Swim Lessons & Lifeguarding Classes

Friendly House is the best place in Richland County for swim lessons. Our staff of experienced Water Safety Instructors are ready to give your child an enjoyable learning experience and a positive attitude toward water safety. Our classes are taught by American Red Cross trained instructors.

Lessons are quarterly (fall, winter, spring, and summer) and you must be pre-registered for all lessons.  To give individualized instruction, the classes are limited in size. All registrations are taken on a first come, first serve basis. No phone registrations will be accepted.  Class fee is $40.00 per child. 

Swim Lessons — REGISTRATION BEGINS March 10th, 2023 at 9:00 am.

Fridays – March 24, 31, April 14, 21, 28, May 5

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Minikins

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Adv. Minikins & Jr. Beginners

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Beginners & Advanced Beginners

6:45 pm – 7:15 pm: Intermediates & Swimmers

Saturdays – March 25, April 1, 15, 22, 29, May 6

9:00 am – 9:30 am:  Minikins

9:30 am – 10:00 am:  Advanced Minkins & Jr. Beginners

10:00 am – 10:30 am:  Beginners

10:45 am – 11:15 am: Advanced Beginners

11:15 am – 11:45 am:  Intermediates & Swimmers

11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Adult Beginners

Preschool Learn to Swim (ages 3-5)

  • Minikins:  The Minikins class is for ages 3 to 5 that cannot do the following: put face in water, blow bubbles, float on front and back, swim with Friendly House floaters, and jump and push off pool wall to instructor. Child MUST be 3 years of age before class begins.
  • Advanced Minikins: Child must not have any fear of the water and have all Minikins skills.
  • Jr. Beginners: Child must have all Minikins & Adv. Minikins skills. Child must be 4 or 5 years of age to enroll in the class. Child must be able to motivate in the water without the use of floaters. The basic skills of beginners are stressed.

School Age Learn to Swim (ages 6 and up)

  • Beginners: There are no swimming skills or requirements for entrance into this class. The objective of this class is to equip individuals with basic swimming skills and knowledge.
  • Advanced Beginners: An advanced beginner strives to further develop all the skills taught in beginner class and increase endurance as well as improving the ability of the child to care for themselves and others while in the water.
  • Intermediates: The Intermediates class demands coordination throughout distance swims in the crawl stroke, elementary backstroke, side stroke, backstroke, and breaststroke and the turns used with each stroke.
  • Swimmers: The Swimmers class strives to further develop all skills, surface diving and adaptations necessary for life saving and personal survival skills. Also focuses on building endurance with extending distance swims.

Adult Beginners (age 16 and up)

Adult Beginners:  This new class is for any non-swimmer over the age of 16 who would like to learn to swim.  This is a basic learn to swim class.  This class is not offered in the summer.

Private Lessons                                                                                                          

Private lessons for adults & children can be scheduled at your convenience.  Please call the office at 419.522.0521 for additional information. 

Lifeguarding Prep Course (age 14 and up)

Would you like to work as a Lifeguard this summer? Are you unsure of your swimming skills?

Our Lifeguarding Prep Course is a great way to teach those 14 and up responsibility while having fun! Participants will learn all the basics of what it takes to be an awesome lifeguard and will be ready to take the Lifeguarding program when they turn 15. Participants will work on the skills required to pass the Lifeguarding Pre-Test.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding – Class Fee $160.00 (10 student limit) — No Current Classes Scheduled

  • The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skill to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over.
  • Must pass Pre-test on Wednesday, March 29 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
  • Must be 15 years of age on or before April 1st, 2023.
  • Must be able to swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.
  • Must be able to tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
  • Must be able to complete a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds:
    • Swim 20 yards. Face may be in our out of the water.  Goggles are not allowed.
    • Surface dive five feet to retrieve a 10 pound object.
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath.  Candidates should not swim the distance under the water.  Exit the water with out using ladder or steps.
  • Must be able to attend all sessions and arrive on time ready to participate.
  • Class schedule: Saturdays – May 6, May 13, May 20
    • Required eLearning Modules will be assigned on March 29. You must have access to a computer or a table, and a printer to complete the courses – you may not use a phone to complete the course work. There are approximately 7 hours of eLearning course work that must be completed prior to the class on May 6th. You will be given the link during the pre-test on March 29th.

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification – Class Fee $90.00 — No Current Classes Scheduled

  • Students must have current Red cross Lifeguard Certification and current Professional CPR Certification.  Text book and CPR mask included in class fee.  Students MUST attend all classes.
  • Class schedule: May 6, May 13, May 20 – 9:30 am – 3:00 pm