Swimming Registration
Rice Recreation Aquatic Center Policies, Procedures, and Release of Liability
It is critical that you understand the Policies, Procedures, and Release of Liability of our program to ensure each student has a fun, rewarding and safe experience when learning to swim.
Registration
The registration deadline for group lessons is the day of the week prior to that start of the session.
To register for group lessons, please visit our webpage, https://recreation.rice.edu/swimming-safety, selecting the appropriate level, and clicking the “Register Now!” hyperlink.
For private and semi-private lessons, fill out a request form and our staff will reach out to you in regards to organization lesson dates and times.
Payments and Fees
Payments for your number of classes can be made over the phone (713-348-4058) or in person to our administration office, located on the second floor of the Recreation Center. Visa, Master Card, and American Express are all acceptable methods of payment.
Price for the appropriate classes registered for are available on our website provided below.
If you are a member of the Recreation Center, please provide your card and/or card number for verification.
Class Times
Each group, semi-private or private lesson is 35 minutes in length. There are no extensions, only class additions for more time. A class is held at the same time and day of the week, each week.
Please arrive early enough so that the student(s) has/have time to use the restroom, get changed and prepare for the start of class.
Parking
Parking is available on campus.The North Annex lot at Entrance 20 is most convenient for parking for our programs if you do not have a Rice parking permit. This lot is $1.00 per 12 minutes with a $12.00 maximum per day. Access is granted by inserting a credit card and then inserting that same card to pay when you are exiting.
First Day
Non-members must present a printed copy of their registration receipt at the Operations Desk to enter the Recreation Center. Members should have their membership ID ready to present on entry.
Please be aware that events may be held on campus during our programs and this can cause traffic and parking issues. We apologize for the inconvenience and urge you to plan ahead. For maps and more information, please visit this website: http://parking.rice.edu/
Attendance
You are responsible for being on time to all class sessions. If your student is late, the instructor(s) will not schedule a makeup session.
Parent/Guardian Attendance
Participants’ parent/guardian must remain at the facility or on the pool deck during the entire duration of each lesson.
Leveling
Rice Recreation uses the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Curriculum, composed of levels 1 through 5 as well as a Parent & Me course for those between six months and 3 years old, AquaTots for the toddlers, and Adult lessons for participants over the age of 17.
Our Learn-to-Swim Program is structured to promote water familiarization, safety, correct stroke technique and personal development within an enjoyable and safe environment. All of our instructors are Red Cross certified or trained by certified instructors to teach people of all ages and abilities.
Finding the appropriate level can be challenging, please use our webpage’s brief descriptions of each level as a guide. If there is still uncertainty about the levels, please feel free to contact our Aquatic Center office for further assistance.
Advancing to the Next Level
The last day of a session, or the amount of lessons purchased, the instructors will hold a final evaluation of all the skills reviewed and learned. During this time, the instructor will make comments on each student, suggesting their opinions on the promotion to the next level or repeating the same one.
It is not abnormal for a student to repeat the same level. There are a range of skills that need to be mastered within each level, before advancing to the next.
Comments of concerns regarding a student’s behavior or swimming abilities can be made on the sign in sheets located on the table near the lifeguard office. There is a column for parents and guardians to ask questions or leave comments. These points will be addressed by the instructor and available at the start of the following lesson. If it is urgent you can ask a staff member on duty, to avoid disrupting the classes the instructors are responsible for.
Refunds
We currently do not allow refunds, however, we will work with you to solve the issue and create a fun, rewarding and safe experience for the student.
Trial classes
Trial lessons are not allowed.
Withdrawing from Lessons
We do not allow withdraws unless the participant is physically unable to continue with lessons
Credits and Make Ups
In the case that a facility is closed due to inclement weather, maintenance, or an issue with our staff, we will reserve Fridays ONLY for rescheduling the lesson(s) missed. If the make-up class is also rained out we will hold still hold class, conducting safety training and other swimming related instruction indoors instead of the typical in-water class
There will be ONLY one Friday make-up class for each week of lessons that you are registered for.
If you are unable to attend a class, please contact for instructor or the Aquatic Center. These make-up lessons are ONLY to be done within the six months of the first day of the lesson package. Lessons are non- transferable after this period has lapsed.
Instructor and Class Changes
We do our best to accommodate specific instructor requests. However, specific requests for instructors are not guaranteed. Instructor substitutions, modifications and changes can occur at the sole discretion of the R.edu/swimiiiiiiimice Aquatics Director. If classes are not booked to capacity, we reserve the right to combine classes to fill the class. We reserve the right to cancel, change your lesson day, time, or level at any time at our sole discretion.
If you feel a swim instructor or other Rec Center staff does not provide a sufficient level of
customer service, please contact Courtney Hill, the Aquatics Director at djm18@rice.edu . All patrons are encouraged to fill out an evaluation form on our website at the completion of the session.
Healthy swimming
We ask all parents to help us keep our pools healthy and safe for all users. In order to do this, we ask that all patrons with kids:
• Change garments and diapers in a bathroom, never on deck.
• Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming.
• Never swim or allow your child to swim with diarrhea.
• Any bodily-fluids dispersed into the swimming pool will require the pool to be closed for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Sun block
For summer classes we STRONGLY encourage sun block. Please apply sun block at home, so it will absorb and be more effective.
Restrooms and Locker Rooms
Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in a restroom or locker room.
These designated areas are the only places changing can take place. If this rule is not abided by, Rice Recreation staff reserves the right to ask you to leave and not return.
We have a family bathroom located next to the men’s locker room for added convenience.
Everyone entering the water is required to wear appropriate swim wear, street wear is not allowed.
The showers located in the locker rooms are available for you.
We recommend that everyone bring their own towel, however, if it is forgotten, the Operations Desk of the Recreation Center has towels for rent. We just ask that you please return them, in one of the blue binds located in the locker rooms and front desk, at the end of your stay.
Personal Items
Please properly label all toys, goggles, towels, and other items brought onto the deck, as we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. No food or outside footwear is permitted near the pool, drinks are allowed in plastic bottles with re-sealable tops.
Goggles are not required, but recommended for the comfort of the student and efficiency of the skills. We DO NOT offer loaner goggles.
Pool Rules
1. Non-Service Animals Prohibited
2. Changing diapers within 6 feet of water feature is prohibited
3. Use of water feature if ill with a contagious disease is prohibited
4. Do not drink water from water feature
5. Appropriate swim-wear required
6. Shower with water before entering pool
7. No diving permitted
8. Walk; don’t run, in and around the pool
9. No rowdy, reckless, or objectionable behavior permitted
10. No smoking, eating, or drinking, except in designated areas
11. No beverages or alcohol in glass containers permitted
12. No on deck changing is permitted, if caught you will be asked to leave
13. No profanity, vulgar remarks, or abusive language permitted
14. Only USA Coast Guard-approved life preserve wear is permitted
15. No flotation devices, such as floaties and inflatables, are permitted
16. Non-swimmers should be within an arm’s length of a parent or guardian
17. No group activities allowed for day camps, private lessons, or swim teams without prior approval
18. Aquatic Center is not responsible for lost, misplaced, or personal items
19. Pool closes immediately at first sign of thunder or lightning
20. No excessively loud music permitted
21. No open swimming in deep end
22. Swim lanes are recommended for circle lap swimming
23. Lifeguards have the final say
If rules are broken you will be asked to leave and potentially not allowed back.
