Aquatic Programming

All swimmers must wear a swim cap (for hair longer than 1 inch.) One can purchase a swim cap at Recreation Member Services, local sporting goods stores, and online at websites like amazon.com.

• Wondering why you need to wear a swim cap? Read our Wear a Swim Cap article for more information.

All swimming attire that allows you to freely move in the water. There are all sorts of great options out there that promote inclusivity in the water.

• Here are a few options that you can order online from Amazon.

Find the style that makes you feel the most comfortable and confident.

Locker rooms are available near the entrance of the pool deck in both Alumni Arena and Clark Hall.

• Locker rooms are equipped with lockers, bathrooms, and showers.
• You will need to bring your own lock to secure your belongings.
• Please be aware that we do not provide a family changing room.
  

Upon entering the pool, body products like sweat, deodorant, and makeup are released into the water. To reduce pool maintenance, showering before entering the pool helps remove these products, preventing the need for frequent draining and refilling.

Yes. We do offer make-up lessons for Private Swim Lessons on a session by session basis.
*If your session allows for make-up lessons, a link to an online form will be available to submit a make-up lesson request.

No. We do not offer make-up lessons for Group Swim Lessons.

Any lessons that are canceled by UB Aquatics will be rescheduled.

We want to hear from you about your experience with us. Please fill out our Instructor Evaluation Form at your leisure so we can address any pressing issues and reward distinguished instructors.

We are currently offering swim lessons for adults (18+) only.

For suggestions on local child-friendly swim lessons, please contact us at aquatics@buffalo.edu.

The UB Aquatics program is introducing the American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguarding Program. This course combines online knowledge acquisition and in-person water, first aid and CPR/AED skills training. Building on the same knowledge and skills as our traditional in-person only training, the course trains lifeguards to act with speed and confidence in emergency situations both in and out of the water.

Prerequisites

• The session to run, we need a minimum of 4 lifeguard candidates and no more than 10.
• Participants must be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
• Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
• Retrieve a 10 pound object from a depth of 7 feet within 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Requirements

• Success Candidates must be present for all listed classes within each scheduled course.
• Must receive an 80% on both multiple choice exams.
• All participants must successfully complete all physical requirements with respect to lifeguarding skills.
• All participants must exhibit professionalism at all times during the course.

The UB Aquatics program is introducing the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Recertification Course. This course combines classroom and practical in-person water, first aid and CPR/AED skills training. Building on the same knowledge and skills as our traditional training, the course trains lifeguards to act with speed and confidence in emergency situations both in and out of the water.

Full Waterfront Lifeguard classes

This is the FULL Waterfront lifeguard class

The purpose of the Waterfront Skills module is to teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in nonsurf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds.

Note: A valid American Red Cross lifeguard certification is required for enrollment. Verify your certification here: Red Cross Certificate Lookup. Elevate your lifeguarding prowess and join us in creating safer aquatic environments.

• Candidates must have a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED.
• Be at least 15 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
• Swim 550 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles are allowed.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under their armpits.
• Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
  • Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance underwater.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
• Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings places 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence.

Requirements

• All participants must attend every class. (Any participant that misses a class will not receive certification. No exceptions, no refunds.)
• All participants must achieve 80% or better on all written exams.
• All participants must successfully complete all physical requirements with respect to lifeguarding skills.
• All participants must exhibit professionalism at all times during the course. (Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal of the course. No exceptions, no refunds.)
• Participants will need an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual. It is available in e-bookDownload pdf and print formats. Participants need to bring the physical textbook or e-book to class.

Waterfront Skills Recertification Course R. 2024

This is a REVIEW course (3 hours). 

Full Waterfront lifeguard classes in the revised 2024 curriculum are 8 hours in length. 

The primary purpose of a recertification course is to give participants who are currently certified American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) and Waterfront Skills the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting to maintain their American Red Cross Waterfront Skills certification.

Note: A valid American Red Cross lifeguard certification is required for enrollment. Verify your certification here: Red Cross Certificate Lookup. Elevate your lifeguarding prowess and join us in creating safer aquatic environments.

• To participate in the Waterfront Skills Recertification course, participants must:
  ▪ Have a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (that included training in deep water 7 feet or deeper).
  ▪ Be at least 16 years old (anticipating that you took the initial course at age 15 or older)on or before the final scheduled session of the Waterfront Skills Recertification course
  ▪ Successfully complete the three prerequisite swimming skills evaluations:
  

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest.

•  Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 350 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed).
• Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
•  Swim 200 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

•  Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed).
• Submerge to a depth of 7 - 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Prerequisite 3: Complete an underwater swim.

• Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 – 7 feet of water.
•  Resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards

Certification

The Lifeguard Instructor Course aims to equip candidates with the skills to effectively teach a range of essential courses and modules, including Red Cross Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Waterfront Skills, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Preventing Disease Transmission. Additionally, candidates will gain proficiency in subjects such as Junior Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Management, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and Basic Water Rescue.

Prerequisites

• Be at least 17 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
• Possess one of the following:
• A current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED
• A current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid and either an American Red Cross certificate for CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or an American Red Cross certificate for CPR/AED for Lifeguards
• An equivalent certificate from another organization
• Successfully complete the In-Water Pre-course Session
• Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Red Cross
• Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Lifeguarding course
• Successfully complete the online Lifeguarding Instructor Pre-course Exam (80% or better)

Requirements

• All participants must attend every class. (Any participant that misses a class will not receive certification. No exceptions, no refunds.)
• All participants must achieve 80% or better on all written exams.
• All participants must successfully complete all physical requirements with respect to lifeguarding skills.
• All participants must exhibit professionalism at all times during the course. (Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal of the course. No exceptions, no refunds.)

The Instructor Review Course is designed to comprehensively review instructional materials for courses such as Red Cross Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Waterfront Skills, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training. It also covers content related to Junior Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Management, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and Basic Water Rescue. Instructors have the option to recertify their basic lifeguard skills as well.

Prerequisites

• Be at least 19 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
• Possess a current American Red Cross certificate as a Lifeguard Instructor.
• Successfully complete the In-Water Skills polish session
• Optional: Complete the skills required for the basic lifeguard certification course and written tests.

Requirements

• All participants must attend the entire class.
• All participants must achieve 80% or better on all written exams.
• All participants must successfully complete all physical requirements with respect to lifeguarding skills.
• All participants must exhibit professionalism at all times during the course. (Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal of the course. No exceptions, no refunds.)

The Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Course, a recognized Red Cross certification, trains swimming and diving instructors. It imparts the expertise needed to teach American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program courses, encompassing material use, training session management, and participant evaluation. This blended course involves online, classroom, and poolside instruction.

Prerequisites

• Be at least 16 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
• Successfully complete the In-Water Pre-course Session, which includes being able to swim at least at the American Red Cross Level 5 proficiency.
• Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Red Cross.
• Successfully complete the online Orientation to the Water Safety Instructor Program.

Requirements

• All participants must attend every class. (Any participant that misses a class will not receive certification. No exceptions, no refunds.)
• All participants must achieve 80% or better on all written exams.
• All participants must successfully complete all physical requirements with respect to lifeguarding skills.
• All participants must exhibit professionalism at all times during the course. (Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal of the course. No exceptions, no refunds.)