Aquatics and Swimming

Learn the skills and techniques required to become a lifeguard in this American Red Cross certifying class. Must attend every class to receive a passing grade (if taking as for-credit). Must pass the swim skills test as well as the written test to earn and receive your official certification card. 

• This course will require participants to be able to demonstrate varied swim skills including:
  • Swim 300 yards continuously of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and stabilization, propellant kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed either by breathing to the side or front. 
  • Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
  • Tread water without use of arms for 2-minutes
• This is a hand-on course guided by a certified Lifeguard Instructor that will involve in-pool sessions as well as classroom based sessions.

Additional fees for the book and/or CPR supplies might apply. 

*Offered varied semesters only.

This program is designed for intermediate to advanced swimmers who are looking for a non-competitive way to stay in shape and refine skills. Class is held in the USD Sports Center pool. Workouts range from 1500-3200 yards but can also be individually tailored with the help of an experienced coach. Program is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Options available:

• For-Credit Class (available for undergraduate students only, 0.5 credits): take class 2 days a week (either the M/W set or the T/Th set) (entire semester); $65 for days a week
• Non-Credit Program (open to any community member with a Torero ID card or Facilities Use Pass): take class 2 days a week ($65) or up to all 4 days a week ($100)
  • Program also includes a monthly ($35) fee option
  • Individuals without a Torero ID card must also have a Facilities Use Pass in order to take this program (fee applies)

*To get into this class, you must be able to swim a minimum of 500 continuous yards (front stroke/free style). Beginners should not take this class as it is not designed to teach people how to swim. 

• Fall semester: M/W 6-7pm and T/Th 5-6pm
• Spring semester: M/T/W/Th 6-7pm
  • Dates of program fall in line with the semester start and end dates

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center(MBAC) is the world's largest instructional waterfront facility, featuring wakeboarding, sailing, surfing, waterskiing, kayaking, windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding. USD students can earn  credit in the watersports classes offered at the MBAC, can take advantage of low cost equipment rentals, or take a class just for fun!

Process to register for a MBAC class as for-credit:

1. Register using your MySanDiego portal for the class you want (credit options include Sailing, Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Wakeboarding, and Wind Surfing)
2. Review MBAC course listings on the MBAC website to select a section with class time/dates
3. Call the MBAC or visit the MBAC website to register for the particular section you want (there a lot of sections to choose from). You will then pay the MBAC directly.
4. Attend your classes and then you will receive a passing grade at the end fo the semester
5. It is up to you to pick a section and class date/time in accordance to the MBAC course catalogue

Process to register for a MBAC class as non-credit:

1. Review MBAC course listings on the MBAC website to select a section with class time/dates
2. Call the MBAC or register on the MBAC website to register for the particular section you want (there a lot of sections to choose from). You will then pay the MBAC directly.
   1. You will not be graded on this class if you elect to take it as non-credit

*Transportation is not provided. All fees are collected at MBAC upon first class visit. No fees will be deducted from your student account if you sign up for a for-credit MBAC class.

For a list of possible courses and for more information, visit the USD Mission Bay Aquatic Center (MBAC) class website. 

MBAC: (858) 488-1000

Experience the beauty of the underwater world first hand. This class will fully prepare you for the experience of SCUBA diving.

Included in the program:

• Five combination video presentations and discussion sessions, on the knowledge, judgment and technical aspects of diving (classes held on campus)
• Four pool sessions to acquire the watermanship skills necessary to be a safe diver (held in the USD SC Pool)
• One ocean orientation lecture dealing with water conditions, marine plants, and animals found in this area
  • Ocean dives are held off campus- transportation is not provided. 
• Four open water dives for practical experience in an ocean environment on Saturdays
  • Ocean dives are held off campus- transportation is not provided. 
• An internationally recognized certification card is earned upon completion of this course

Transportation is not provided to the ocean dives.

Fee: $180 for approximately. 6-8 week class (course length is dependent on holiday schedule and the weather for the ocean dives).

*Extra fees are required for you to purchase or rent a snorkel, mask, booties, fins and gloves. All USD students enrolled get a discount on products from Ocean Enterprises.

Questions: Contact Curt Thompson (thompson.curt@gmail.com) 

The advanced SCUBA course is an opportunity for the certified SCUBA diver to obtain additional training in specialized areas of diving. The class will present four topics. Each topic will include one lecture session and two ocean dives. The lectures are held on campus while the ocean dives are held of campus. Transportation is ot provided to the ocean dives. 

1. Underwater navigation
2. Limiting visibility and night diving
3. Stress and rescue
4. Deep diving

Students may choose two or four of the specialties that interest them. In this way, the advanced course may be tailored to the individual student's interests and abilities. Upon completing twenty-four logged dives (including the eight dives of the four specialty classes), the diver is eligible for the PADI Advanced Divers certification card.

Transportation is not provided to the ocean dives.

Fee: $180 for approximately. 3-6 week course (course length is dependent on holiday schedule and the weather for the ocean dives).

*Extra fees are required for you to purchase or rent a snorkel, mask, booties, fins and gloves. All USD students enrolled get a discount on products from Ocean Enterprises.

Questions: Contact Curt Thompson (thompson.curt@gmail.com) 

This class teaches you the proper techniques required to teach young children through adults how to swim following the American Red Cross WSI standards.

This course will require participants to be able to demonstrate varied swim skills including:

• Front Crawl - 25 yards
• Back Crawl - 25 yards
• Breaststroke - 25 yards
• Elementary backstroke - 25 yards
• Sidestroke - 25 yards
• Butterfly - 15 yards
• Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
• Tread water for 1 minute

The class meets the 40 hour WSI Red Cross requirement. When you have completed the requirements and passed the tests, you will receive the American Res Cross WSI certification card.

Additional fees for the book and/or certification card might apply. 

*Offered varied semesters only.