Indoor Swimming Lessons

We offer youth swim lessons for various ages and skill levels.

Pre-Level 1: Pre-Level 1 is an introduction swimming lessons for 3 to 5 year olds. Water adjustment and skills involving movement in the water will be taught along with skills for basic forms of swimming and appropriate water safety skills.

Level 1: Level 1 is designed for the non-swimmer ages 5 years and older. Participants orient themselves with the aquatics environment and create a strong foundation to aquatics and safety skills.

Level 2: Level 2 is designed for students to expand on fundamental swimming and safety skills.

Level 3: Level 3 is designed to increase swimming skills and practice non-swimming rescue skills.

Level 4: Level 4 is designed to develop confidence in strokes and safety skills beyond the preceding levels.

Location

Call 612-230-6495 or email aquatics@minneapolisparks.org for more information.

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Logo for USA Swimming Foundation.

Summer Swimming Lessons

We offer youth swim lessons for various ages and skill levels.

Pre-Level 1: Pre-Level 1 is an introduction swimming lessons for 3 to 5 year olds. Water adjustment and skills involving movement in the water will be taught along with skills for basic forms of swimming and appropriate water safety skills.

Level 1: Level 1 is designed for the non-swimmer ages 5 years and older. Participants orient themselves with the aquatics environment and create a strong foundation to aquatics and safety skills.

Level 2: Level 2 is designed for students to expand on fundamental swimming and safety skills.

Level 3: Level 3 is designed to increase swimming skills and practice non-swimming rescue skills.

Level 4: Level 4 is designed to develop confidence in strokes and safety skills beyond the preceding levels.

Jr. Swim Club

The Jr. Swim Club will offer 6 training pods for youth to experience swim team, learning stroke technique, foundations of water safety, discipline, while gaining strength and endurance. Pods practice once a week for 6 weeks. Participants must be able to jump from side of pool, submerge, orientate, and stand in 3.5 ft. of water unassisted.

Scholarships are available to Minneapolis residents who qualify. Please call (612) 230-6495 or email aquatics@minneapolisparks.org

Canoeing

Learn about Minneapolis lakes, the wildlife they support and the importance of water quality.

  • Canoes, paddles and life jackets provided
  • Firm limit of 12 people per canoe trip
  • Please bring your own drinking water
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Call 612-313-7725 for more information.

Log Rolling

Log rolling is a sport with strong historical roots in the Midwest, but is new and unique to many.

  • Get your heart pumping, improve balance, agility, footwork, core strength, and build mental toughness and concentration
  • Four-week sessions for youth and adults
  • Taught by experienced and elite-level log rollers

Open Swim Club

Lake Nokomis Main Beach

June 13 – August 24
Tuesday and Thursday: 5:30-7:30 pm
Friday and Sunday:
9:30-11:30 am

Cedar Lake Point Beach

June 19 – August 23
Monday and Wednesday: 5:30-7:30 pm

 

Register Online

On a pragmatic level, participants should expect/ plan on parking being an issue, arriving ready to swim, limited Biffs for bathrooms, and exit the water and keep moving until you can be in a place that honors social distancing.

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Locations

Check out our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information!

 

Cap Pickup Information:

Your swim cap is your ticket to swim!
Please pick up your cap before your first swim at Lake Nokomis Main beach during the following times:

Pre-Season

Saturday-Sunday: 1-7 pm
June 3/4 and 10/11

Regular Season

Daily: 1-7 pm
June 17-August 21

Open Water Swim Events

Sailing Lessons

Have fun learning the basics of sailing through our adult and youth sailing lessons.

  • Learn tacking, gybing, knots, wind, boat rigging, and docking
  • Skipper the boat and trim the sails of a Lido 14 foot sailboat equipped with both main and headsail
  • Lesson includes four classes and each sailboat will have one coach with up to three students
  • Life jackets provided
  • Lessons held regardless of weather conditions
  • Walk-on registrations permitted 20 minutes after the start of the first lesson if a registered sailor does not show

Youth Rowing

Learn to row for free on the Mississippi River in collaboration with the University of Minnesota women’s rowing team.

  • Minneapolis residents ages 10-16
  • Limited number of free registrations for a one-week rowing camp
  • Hosted by current athletes and coaches
  • Camps are NOT overnight and participants must have transportation to and from the site each day

You can practice on the boathouse rowing machines and train in the rowing tank before training in the water with the barge. Finish with the real thing: rowing an eight-person shell.

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Camp Location
East River Flats Park – University of Minnesota Boathouse

Lifeguard Class

This course provides the essential training necessary to work as a professional lifeguard. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive certifications in Lifeguarding/CPR for the Professional Rescuer/First Aid/AED.

Participants must attend all portions of the course to be eligible for certification. All participants must complete the pre-course swim test, which includes a 300-yard continuous swim and simulated water rescue requiring a surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet. The purpose of the pre-course test is to ensure that the participant demonstrates comfort in the water, along with enough speed, strength and endurance to perform a combination of basic skills that are required and built upon throughout the course. No refunds will be given to those who do not successfully complete course.

  • Participants are eligible for Lifeguard Training Scholarship Program*
  • 15+ years of age are eligible to register.
  • Must successfully complete the pre-course swim skills.

*The Lifeguard Training Scholarship Program covers the full fee of the course. In order to qualify for the scholarship, the participant must agree to work for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a full-time lifeguard during the entire summer. The class will initially be paid in full by the participant at the cost of $200.00. The employee will sign a form that will tie them to the agreement to work 4 – 5 days per week/32 – 48 hours per week (less if inclement weather). Upon successful employment with the MPRB, the participant will receive a full reimbursement.

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Location

Phillips Aquatics Center
2323 11th Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55404


Recreation Fee Assistance

Minneapolis residents who cannot afford instructional fees because of economic need may apply for fee assistance through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Fee Assistance Program.

More Information

Email: aquatics@minneapolisparks.org

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