Level 1- Introduction to Water Skills, your child is introduced to basic skills as the foundation for future skills. And the development of water competency (the basic minimum skills needed for water safety.) Certain milestones are necessary for successful completion of Level 1 including: Assisted skills of floats, glides, bobs, alternating arms and legs on front and back.

Level 2- Fundamental Aquatic Skills builds on the skills learned in level 1. Your child beginning to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begins gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and the back. this level marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills. To complete Level 2 skills must be done independently: floating for 15 seconds on front and back, swimming on front and back with alternating arms and legs for 5 body lengths, rolling from front to back and gliding for 3ft.

Level 3- Stroke Development builds on the skills learned in level 2. Your child learns to swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary levels, is introduced to the scissor kick and dolphin kicks, learns the survival float and increases the time duration for treading water. Your child also learns the rules for headfirst entries and begins to learn to enter the water headfirst from a seated position.

Level 4- Stroke Improvement builds on the skills learned in level 3. Your child will improve the swimming stroke proficiency and swimming for longer distances. The introduction of the breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke and open turns on front and back. Two headfirst entries of the stride dive and compact dive complete this level. There is a lot to learn in this level and repeating this level is very common.

Level 5- Stroke Refinement Level 5 is all about refining all six swimming strokes including swimming for longer distances, introduce new water safety skills while building on ones previously learned and perform flip turns on front and back. The expectations are higher now in regards to distance and quality.

Level 6- Fitness Swimmer refine swimming, physical fitness in the water and water safety skills that were taught though out the levels. The expectations are higher now in regards to distance and technique.

Dates & Times:

2026

Session 6

September 8 - October 1

Days: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: Level 1-3 4:00pm-4:30pm, Level 4-6 4:35pm-5:05pm

Age: participants must be at least 4 years of age

Location: Rough Rider Center Aquatics Center

Fee: $55

Registration Open: August 13, 2026

Session 7

October 6 - October 29

Days: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: Level 1-3 4:00pm-4:30pm, Level 4-6 4:35pm-5:05pm

Age: participants must be at least 4 years of age

Location: Rough Rider Center Aquatics Center

Fee: $55

Registration Open: September 15, 2026

Sessions subject to change due to staffing

Aquatics Center
2209 Wolves Den Parkway
Watford City, ND 58854

For more information, please contact Tiffany at  or 701-609-4153

Scholarships Available for all programs! For more information email Sara at

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Class

Looking to give back to your community and build your leadership skills? Then Lifeguarding is for you! Through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn teamwork, rescue and surveillance skills. This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. Completing the course results in a 2-year certification in Lifeguarding/CPR/AED/First Aid, all in one certificate.

Candidates must meet these requirements for class:

• Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course.
• Complete the online learning portion of the course BEFORE class begins.
• To participate in the course, you must be able to pass a prerequisite swimming skills evaluation, which includes two parts and takes place during the first class session.
•  Prerequisite 1: Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes, and then swim 50 more yards. While swimming, you must keep your face in the water and demonstrate good breath control. You may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed. When treading, you must use only your legs.
• Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive (head-first or feet-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted. Exit the water without using a ladder or the steps.  Swim goggles are not allowed.

If the candidate is not able to pass the Prerequisite Skills, they will be asked to leave and try again.

Males must wear boxer style swimming suit and females must wear a one piece swimming suit.

Fees and Registration:

• To register for class, please fill out an employment application AND contact Tiffany at the Rough Rider Center to get registered for course. Must have an application filled out and registered for course at least one week prior to in-person class. Employment Application
• Includes online fee to the Red Cross for the online learning materials.
• Participants must purchase Hip Pack, Adult and Infant CPR masks for $20. Participant may bring $20 to the first day of class and they will be given a hip pack.
• All Class times and dates are MANDATORY
• Once registered, participants will receive instructions via e-mail for the Red Cross Online Learning. The online material must be fully completed before the first day of class. Proof of completion will be required before class begins.

Dates & Times:

2026

Session 1

May 26-28  8:00am-6:00pm

Location:
All classes will be held at the Rough Rider Center- Aquatics Center
2209 Wolves Den Parkway
Watford City, ND 58854

Lifeguard Recertification Class

Lifeguard certificate about to expire and need to recertify? This class is for you. Must be able to meet the requirements for the lifeguarding course listed above.

* Must show proof of American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. Can not re-certify other agencies.

Please bring swimsuit , towel, hip pack and a lunch.

Fee: $150 Please call or email Tiffany to register 701-842-3665 or

Date: TBD

Time: 9:00am-7:00pm

Location: All classes will be held at the Rough Rider Center-

Aquatics Center
2209 Wolves Den Parkway
Watford City, ND 58854

For more information, please contact Tiffany at  or 701-609-4153

2026

Session 4

September 8 - October 1
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 1-4 years old 5:30-6:00pm, 0-12 months old 6:00-6:20pm
Age: 0-4 years 
Location: Rough Rider Center Aquatics 
Fee: $50

Registration Open: August 18, 2026 
Registration Deadline: September 7, 2026

Session 5

October 6 - October 29

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 1-4 years old 5:30-6:00pm, 0-12 months old 6:00-6:20pm

Age: 0-4 years

Location: Rough Rider Center Aquatics

Fee: $50

Registration Open: August 18

Registration Deadline: October 5

What to Expect: This class is designed for your little one to get comfortable in the water as well as learn some basic skills. Parents are required to be in the water with participant. If your child is not potty trained, swim diapers must be warn. If you do not have any swim diapers, they are available for purchase at the Rough Rider Center. 

For any questions, please contact Tiffany text 701-609-4153 or