Swim Lessons
Let's make a splash this Summer! Bourne Recreation Swim Lessons, led by a waterfront safety instructor, follow a progressive, skill-based approach designed to help participants develop water safety knowledge and swimming skills at their own pace. Through a combination of guided instruction, skill practice, and age appropriate activities, swimmers will build confidence and competence in the water while learning essential safety concepts. Lessons focus on fundamental swimming skills, including water acclimation, floating, gliding, breath control, stroke development, treading water, and water safety.
We encourage parents and guardians to carefully review the swim lesson level descriptions before registering. Selecting the level that best matches your child's current abilities helps create a positive learning experience and allows instructors to focus on skill development appropriate for each participants needs.
Level 1: Introduction Designed for children ages 4 and up who are not yet comfortable swimming independently but are willing to participate in the water with an instructor.
Skills include: Safe water entry and exit, blowing bubbles, back floating, front and back glides, rolling front-to-back and back-to-front, recovering to a standing position, basic arm and leg coordination Goal: Build water confidence and develop foundational swimming and water safety skills.
Requirement:
Active adult participation (18+) required to be in the water with the child.
A United States Coast Guard Approved Lifejacket - Waterwings and other air filled floating devices are not allowed.
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Recommended starting point for children ages 6–8. Skills include: Stepping or jumping into shoulder-deep water, full submersion and bobbing, rotary breathing, treading water, front and back floats (15 seconds), rolling over and changing direction while swimming Goal: Develop independence and confidence swimming in shallow water. Depending on skill level, an active adult (18+) may be required to be in the water with the child.
Level 3: Stroke Development
Recommended for children ages 9–12. Must have completed Level 2 or can demonstrate the required entry skills. Skills include: Front crawl and elementary backstroke (up to 25 yards), scissors kick and dolphin kick, survival floating, treading water for up to 1 minute, headfirst entry and diving safety Goal: Improve stroke proficiency, endurance, and overall water competency while preparing for advanced swim skills.
Level 4/5: Stroke Improvement
For swimmers who have completed Level 3 or can demonstrate the required entry skills. Skills include: Refinement of front crawl and elementary backstroke, increased swimming distances and endurance, introduction to butterfly and sidestroke, open turns and advanced stroke techniques Goal: Improve stroke efficiency, endurance, and overall swimming proficiency while preparing for more advanced aquatic activities.
If you have questions or are unsure which level is the best fit for your child, please contact the Recreation Department prior to registration. Our staff will be happy to assist you in selecting the most appropriate level based on your child's current swimming abilities and experience.
Class size is limited in accordance with American Red Cross training standards. To ensure each participant has the best possible learning experience, instructors may recommend or place a swimmer in a different level if it is determined that another level would be a better match for their current skills and abilities.
Weather Cancellation: Classes will be canceled on site if there is thunder or lightning within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time of the class. In the event of inclement weather arising during class, the class will end, and students will be advised to seek shelter. No make-up classes will be offered for missed or cancelled classes. Classes will be held in the rain.
Registration will close the Friday before the program start date. All registrations are taken through our registration portal, staff are unable to take registrations and/or handle money at the beaches. All transactions must take place online or in the Rec Office.
What to Bring to Swim Lessons:
LEVEL 1: USCG Approved Lifejacket
Swimsuit: A properly fitting swimsuit that stays securely in place while swimming.
Goggles: Recommended to help children see underwater comfortably and build confidence in the water.
Swim Cap or Hair Tie: For swimmers with long hair, to help keep hair out of their face.
Swim Diaper: Required for any child who is not fully potty trained.
Towel: A towel for drying off and staying warm after lessons.
Water Bottle: Swimming is great exercise, so staying hydrated is important.
Change of Clothes (Optional): May be helpful to change in the bathrooms after lessons.
Please label all personal belongings with your child's name whenever possible.
A beach sticker is required to park at Monument Beach. Stickers can be purchased through the Department of Natural Resources: https://www.bourne-ma.gov/1224/Natural-Resources
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Activity |
Ages |
Grades |
Days |
Date/Time |
Fees |
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Log In
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Level 1: Session 1
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/06/2026 - 07/16/2026
12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
4 seat(s) available
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This Activity Full
Log In
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Level 2: Session 1
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/06/2026 - 07/16/2026
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
0 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 3: Session 1
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/06/2026 - 07/16/2026
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 4/5: Session 1
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/06/2026 - 07/16/2026
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 1: Session 2
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/20/2026 - 07/30/2026
12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 2: Session 2
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/20/2026 - 07/30/2026
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 3: Session 2
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/20/2026 - 07/30/2026
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 4/5: Session 2
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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07/20/2026 - 07/30/2026
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 1: Session 3
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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08/03/2026 - 08/13/2026
12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 2: Session 3
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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08/03/2026 - 08/13/2026
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 3: Session 3
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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08/03/2026 - 08/13/2026
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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Log In
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Level 4/5: Session 3
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4y - 14y
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N/A
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MTuWTh
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08/03/2026 - 08/13/2026
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Monument Beach, 22 Emmons Road
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$50.00 Res, $75.00 Non-Res
6 seat(s) available
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