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About class formats

About Class Formats

Online

  • Self-paced, interactive instruction from your laptop or tablet
  • Demonstration of skill proficiency is NOT available
  • Start your course immediately
  • 2-year Red Cross Certificate of Completion may not meet workplace requirements

In-Person + Online (Blended)

  • Combines in-person sessions with self-paced, interactive online instruction
  • Complete online course, then demonstrate competencies with a certified instructor
  • 2-year Red Cross Certification meets professional licensing compliance
  • Satisfies OSHA workplace requirements

In-Person

  • Combines lecture with hands-on skills sessions
  • Experienced instructors in classroom setting
  • Convenient locations and times
  • 2-year Red Cross Certification meets professional licensing compliance
  • Satisfies OSHA workplace requirements

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A group of kids sitting at the edge of a pool and one student jumping into the water with a Red Cross Swimming Instructor.

Take a Swim Class

Whether you're spending time in, on, or around the water during the summer, live near the beach, have a backyard pool, or simply enjoy swimming for fitness or fun — the Red Cross offers swim classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Our comprehensive programs are designed to help swimmers build confidence, develop safe habits around water, improve technique, and become stronger, safer swimmers. If you're just starting out or looking to refine your strokes, there's a class for you.
A group of people holding kickboards during swimming lessons.

Swim Lessons

Red Cross swim lessons are available for infants, children, teens, and adults. And regardless of where you take your swim lessons, you can expect caring, patient, and safe instruction from trained, professional instructors who can help even the most timid of swimmers learn to enjoy the water. Every beginner class starts with the basics, like becoming comfortable in the water and learning safety and basic strokes, then moves on to stroke development, refinement and improvement, then developing ease and efficiency in the water. In addition to Red Cross swim lessons, we also have a free app that can help you stay motivated between classes and progress to the next level.

A Red Cross Swimming Instructor teaching a student swimming techniques.

Learn-to-Swim Providers

The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program is available at aquatic facilities across the country. Developed by experts in the industry and taught by trained, professional instructors, our swimming and water safety classes are administered locally at pools nationwide. To find an American Red Cross swim class near you, visit our Learn-to-Swim providers page.

A Red Cross Swimming Instructor showing students an infographic of water safety tips.

Water Safety for Children

Water Habits Are Learned Early is the theme of our Longfellow’s WHALE Tales program. This water safety education program is a drowning prevention initiative composed of nine unique water safety lessons designed to educate young children in a dryland/classroom environment.

Explore our complimentary resources including easy to follow lesson plans, entertaining videos, engaging activity sheets, helpful visuals and so much more. Whether you’re a teacher, parent or youth leader, Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children provides you with the tools to help children in kindergarten through grade 5 recognize and understand risks of water safety.

A person using a computer to access online water safety content from the American Red Cross.

Online Water Safety for Adults

The American Red Cross offers free online training on a variety of water safety topics. These courses are 30 minutes or less and cover essential information and skills needed to help keep yourself and others safe in, on and around water.

Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers

Orientation to Swim Lessons for Parents and Caregivers