Aquatics

UB Aquatics strives to provide safe, comfortable, and professional aquatic programming for the State University of New York at Buffalo students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

Swimming and Water Safety are important skills for the members of the Buffalo community. UB Aquatics is determined to ensure that those who live in and around the Buffalo community have the knowledge and skill to enjoy aquatic environments safely.

If you have any questions, please click here to email Nate Bourke, Assistant Director for Aquatics.

Effective 3/5/22, UB has made masks optional for all individuals on campus regardless of vaccination status.

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Waterfront Lifeguard Course

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.

You must also have valid American Red Cross lifeguard certification to enroll in this course.  

 

Look up your certificate here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/digital-certificate


COST:  $65

LOCATION: Alumni Arena or Clark Hall

COURSE TEXTBOOK:

http://www.redcross.org/participantmaterials

PARTICIPANT LIMIT: 6-10 MAX


Prerequisites

  • 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.

      If you have any questions please Click here​ our Aquatics Program.
$65.00

Small Group Swim Lessons

For those who are building upon their skills with an Instructor to Swimmer ratio of 1:6.

The UB Aquatics program we will be offering small group lessons for UB student and adults only: adult beginner and adult intermediate.

These lessons will take place at the Alumni Arena Pool on North Campus.

**These small group swim lessons are for UB students and adults only.**


PLEASE NOTE: We do not have a family changing room. Alumni Arena, built as a Division 1 athletics training facility in 1983, and was not designed for children.  The pool water is kept at 77 degrees which is ideal training temperature for Division 1 athletics swimming. Our swim lessons generally cater to our adult UB student population. Most pediatricians would probably recommend pools kept between 83 and 86 degrees.


Make up lessons are not available this session.

If you have any questions please Click here​ to email the UB Learn to Swim Program
$75.00