Shakopee Aquatics | City of Shakopee

Shakopee Aquatics is dedicated to providing opportunities for all to enjoy many aquatic activities, as well as learn to be safe in and around the water.

For weather related cancelations please call our Parks and Recreation weather hotline 952-233-9502.

Learn to Swim

We utilize the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program; class descriptions and lesson schedules are available in the latest activities brochure. If you have questions on level placement, please call 952-233-9528.

Practice outside of class time is essential for improved skill acquisition.
Attendance is very important. New skills will build upon those learned in previous classes.
Make-ups for missed classes are not allowed.
Please arrive 5 minutes before your class to change into swimming attire and shower. Showers are mandatory.
Please register your child for the recommended level. Do not register for a higher class than recommended. Shakopee Parks and Recreation reserves the right to move children to the appropriate level if they are not registered in the correct level or remove them from lessons if there is not space to move them to the correct class.
Classes are held at the Shakopee Community Center and SandVenture Aquatic Park.
Register early as space is limited. All swim lesson registration closes one week prior to the first day of class.

Parent and Child Levels

Levels	Prerequisites	Skills to Develop	Teacher-student ratio
Parent Child Combined Ages 6 months - 5 years	No prerequisites Children not fully potty trained should wear a swim diaper to class. This class combines skills taught in both tadpole and turtle and offers another option for a parent child swim lesson	Entering and exiting the water Explore submersion of eyes, nose and mouth Floating on front and back Additional ways to enter and exit the water safely Glide on front and back with assistance Perform combined strokes on front and back with assistance Change body positions in the water	1:10

Levels

Prerequisites

Skills to Develop

Teacher-student ratio

Parent Child Combined

Ages 6 months - 5 years

No prerequisites

Children not fully potty trained should wear a swim diaper to class.
This class combines skills taught in both tadpole and turtle and offers another option for a parent child swim lesson

Entering and exiting the water
Explore submersion of eyes, nose and mouth
Floating on front and back
Additional ways to enter and exit the water safely
Glide on front and back with assistance
Perform combined strokes on front and back with assistance
Change body positions in the water

1:10

Preschool Levels (Ages 3-5 without parent)

Levels	Prerequisites	Skills to Develop	Teacher-student ratio
Crayfish Preschool 1	No prerequisites	Enter the water without a parent for the first time Appreciation for the water, good attitudes and safe practices around the water Water adjustment, including water entry and exit, breath control, buoyancy and basic swimming skills	1:5
Frog Preschool 2	Enter and exit the water safely and submerge their mouth to blow bubbles for 3 seconds. Comfortable gliding on their front for at least 2 body lengths and floating on their back with minimal assistance for at least 3 seconds.	Simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on front and back Perform aquatic skills independently	1:5
Otter Preschool 3	Ability to glide at least 2 body lengths unsupported on their front and back. Float independently on their front and back. Swim using a combined leg and arm action unsupported.	Coordination of combined simultaneous arm and leg actions	1:5

Levels

Prerequisites

Skills to Develop

Teacher-student ratio

Crayfish

Preschool 1

No prerequisites

Enter the water without a parent for the first time
Appreciation for the water, good attitudes and safe practices around the water
Water adjustment, including water entry and exit, breath control, buoyancy and basic swimming skills

1:5

Frog

Preschool 2

Enter and exit the water safely and submerge their mouth to blow bubbles for 3 seconds.
Comfortable gliding on their front for at least 2 body lengths and floating on their back with minimal assistance for at least 3 seconds.

Simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on front and back
Perform aquatic skills independently

1:5

Otter

Preschool 3

Ability to glide at least 2 body lengths unsupported on their front and back.
Float independently on their front and back.
Swim using a combined leg and arm action unsupported.

Coordination of combined simultaneous arm and leg actions

1:5

Progressive Levels (Ages 6 & Up)

Levels	Prerequisites	Skills to Develop	Teacher-Student Ratio
Sunfish Level 1	No prerequisites If your child has mastered the skills in Otter, they should go directly to Bluegill when they turn 6 years of age.	Basic personal water safety information Elementary aquatic skills, including floating on one’s own without support	1:6
Bluegill Level 2	Enter the water independently, complete a glide on their front for 2 body lengths and back float for 10 seconds. Comfortable submerging their face.	Front and back crawl Arm action for elementary backstroke	1:6
Trout Level 3	Move into a front float for 15 seconds, roll to back and float for 10 seconds, swim front crawl and back crawl for at least 10 yards.	Font and back crawl Leg action to the elementary backstroke Introduction to dolphin kick and scissors kick Treading water Diving from the kneeling position	1:8
Walleye Level 4	Show stroke proficiency in the front crawl, back crawl and elementary backstroke. Swim independently for 15 yards on front and back. Float unassisted for 1 minute.	Confidence in the strokes Endurance and refining strokes Sidestroke Introduction to breaststroke and butterfly	1:8
Salmon Level 5	Swim front crawl and elementary backstroke for 25 yards and back crawl, breaststroke and sidestroke for 15 yards. Tread water for 2 minutes.	Coordination of strokes Performance of all the strokes, including front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke Introduction to flip turns	1:10
Muskie Level 6	Efficiently swim with proper technique 50 yards of front crawl and elementary backstroke and back crawl and 25 yards of breaststroke and sidestroke. Tread water for 5 minutes.	Refines the strokes so students swim them with ease, efficiency and power over greater distances Focus on fitness swimming and developing lifelong water skills, increasing endurance and preparing individuals for advanced aquatic activities as lifeguard training and swim team	1:10
Adult Ages 16 & Up	No prerequisites	Curriculum will be based on participant interests and goals	1:5

Water Fitness Classes

We offer a variety of water fitness classes. See the current fitness schedule for dates and times.

Lifeguard & Water Safety Instructor Training

Lifeguard Certification Course

This course trains swimmers to become a professional lifeguard. Students must attend all classes to obtain an LGT certificate. Students must be 15 years of age, demonstrate Level 5 swimming ability and possess a mature and dependable character. Certification includes CPR and basic first aid.

Water Safety Instructor Course

This course is designed for those individuals who would like to teach swimming lessons and share their love of swimming with others. Students must be at least 15 years old, demonstrate Level 5 or higher swim skill and possess a desire to help others learn to swim.

Certification Reimbursement

Lifeguards and WSIs who pass their certification class may be refunded their fee (up to $250) after working for the city and teaching four seasons of lessons or lifeguarding for one year. Contact the Aquatics Supervisor Katelyn Meyer at kmeyer@ShakopeeMN.gov, for more information about our reimbursement program.

See our activities brochure for information about current classes.