Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation offers indoor swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. Not only does learning to swim allow you to be safe in and around the water, but it also has many other added benefits. Learning to swim provides a lifelong skill that can provide fitness opportunities, improve your health, provide strength and coordination, and provide confidence in the water and motivation to continue to improve skill proficiencies.
You also have the opportunity to sign up on the first day of swimming lessons if we have openings available.
Indoor swimming lessons are held at the pools located inside the Midco Aquatic Center and the Westside Recreation Center.
2026 Indoor Summer Session 1 - Nights only at Midco Aquatic Center
Sign Up Opens: Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m.
Sign Up Closes: Tuesday, June 2 at 6 p.m.
Lessons: Monday, June 8 - Thursday, June 18
2026 Indoor Summer Session 2 - Nights only at Midco Aquatic Center
Sign Up Opens: Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m.
Sign Up Closes: Tuesday, July 7 at 6 p.m.
Lessons: Monday, July 13 - Thursday, July 23
Did you know? We offer morning lessons at the Midco Aquatic Center from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Our evening lessons will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. All lesson sessions run Monday-Friday.
Orients young children ages six months to three years to the water. Parents and children practice various skills to prepare children for Toddler classes. This class is designed for children ages 6 months to 3 year of age with the aid of an adult.
REGISTER FOR LESSONS
This class is designed for children 3 to 4 years of age. They will be introduced to the water and begin working on the fundamental skills.
All skills are performed with instructor assistance.
This class is designed for children 4 to 5 years of age. They will be introduced to the water and begin working on the fundamental skills.
Participants must be at least 5 years of age by the first class date in order to take Level 1 or above American Red Cross certified swimming lessons.
INTRO TO WATER SKILLS — Helps participants feel comfortable in the water.
FUNDAMENTAL AQUATIC SKILLS — Gives participants success with fundamental skills.
STROKE DEVELOPMENT — This class is designed for children 7 years of age or older. Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper waters.
STROKE IMPROVEMENT — Develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.
STROKE REFINEMENT — Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes
SWIMMING AND SKILL PROFICIENCY — Refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances.
Note: Additional exit assessments are required, depending on the course option selected.
The adult classes provide participants with a safe and comfortable environment to feel safe in and around the water and to learn the fundamentals of swimming.