Swim Lesson Class Levels

Assessments are conducted at the beginning of a session to help ensure proper placement in classes. These assessments are based on water skills appropriate for each level. If you have questions about proper placement for your child, please contact us.

Picking the Right Level
Our program is based on skill progression. The skills at one level must be mastered before moving to the next level. It is common for children to spend more than one session at the same level to master skills.

• Students will be evaluated on the first day of class to ensure proper placement. Instructors reserve the right to move students into the proper class, though it is not guaranteed because the correct level may be full.
• If you are unsure as to what the level to place your child in, you may have them take a free level assessment.
• Please contact us to set up an assessment prior to registration.

Parent/Child (6 mo - 4 yrs)
The American Red Cross parent/child program is a great way to introduce aquatic safety skills and water enjoyment for both parent and child. Instructors guide parents in teaching their children fundamental skills.

Parents learn basic aquatic safety. The adult and child have fun through songs and games in the water. Goals in this level are to provide experiences and activities for parents and children to learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner, feel comfortable in the water, explore buoyancy and body positions, as well as safe ways to submerge. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Children must be at least 6 months by the first day of class.
• A swim diaper is required. Tight fitting rubber or plastic pants are preferred for those children who are not yet potty-trained.

Preschool (3 - 5 yrs)
The Preschool Program provides children their first water experience without parental assistance in a safe, fun and positive atmosphere. This class will encourages movement and confidence in kids to propel themselves with and without floatation on front and back. Skills covered include many from Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills, though are tailored to the Preschool age. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Children must be at least 3 years of age by the first day of class.
• Children must be potty-trained to enter this class.
• Children must be able to focus and follow basic instruction without parental presence.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
The purpose of this class is to help children feel comfortable in the water without a parent. Children will learn to submerge their face, open eyes underwater to pick up submerged objects, blow bubbles and float and swim with support. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Children must be at least 4 years of age by the first day of class.
• Children must be potty-trained to enter this class.
• Children must be able to focus and follow basic instruction without parental presence.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
This class teaches students primary swimming skills. Children will learn to submerge completely, bob, float, kick, swim independently, entry in the water by jumping, opening eyes underwater, front and back glides and introduction into rhythmic breathing. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Enter water safely, step from side into chest deep water unassisted, move out 5 yards, complete 5 bobs with head fully submerged, move back 5 yards, safely exit water.
• Float on front with support and face in water for 5 seconds, roll to back, float on back with support for 5 seconds.

Level 3: Stroke Development
This class develops swimming skills by introducing the front crawl, back crawl, and butterfly kick. Treading water, Rhythmic and rotary breathing and deep water floating are also explored. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Step from side into chest deep water, survival float for 10 seconds, roll to back, back float for 10 seconds, recover. Tread water for 10 seconds.
• Push off; swim 10 yards on front with over arm recovery. Return to side. Push off, swim 10 yards on back with over arm recovery. Return to side.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement
This class refines and develops confidence in the front and back crawl, while introducing elementary backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and work on treading water using multiple kicks. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Swim front crawl 25 yards, tread water 30 seconds, swim back crawl 25 yards.
• Swim 10 yards breaststroke, survival float 30 seconds, swim 15 yards sidestroke. Swim 10 yards elementary backstroke, turn and swim 15 yards butterfly.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement
This class further refines the competitive and non-competitive strokes over greater distances. Students also learn to head and feet first surface dives and perform open and flip turns. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Dive from a compact or stride position, swim 50 yards front crawl with open turn, tread water 1 minute using scissors, breaststroke or rotary kick, swim 50 yards back crawl with open turn.
• Swim 100 yards continuously using the following strokes in any order: butterfly 25 yards, breaststroke 25 yards, elementary backstroke 25 yards, sidestroke 25 yards.

Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
This class continues to refine strokes over even greater distances while educating students on principles of water fitness and designing workouts. This class also introduces basic lifesaving skills. Class length: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• Perform a shallow dive into deep water, swim front crawl for 75 yards, with flip turns, survival swim for 2 minutes, swim 75 yards back crawl with flip turns.
• Swim 200 yards of the following strokes in any order: butterfly 50 yards, breaststroke 50 yards, sidestroke 50 yards, elementary backstroke 50 yards. Tread water for 2 minutes after the first 100 yards.

Adult Group Lessons

Learn how to swim in positive small group learning environment. The focus of this class will be for participants that are beginners to a water/pool setting to those that are just ready to begin lap swimming. Comfort building and skill work will progress at your own pace. No pressure to move on to skills that you are not yet ready to try. This class is designed for those ages 13 and older. Class length: 30 minutes.

Prerequisites:

• A willingness to learn and try new skills at your own pace.
• Appropriate swim wear.

Note: We also offer private and semi-private swim lessons for those who prefer individual instruction or have special needs.

Note: Before your first lesson, please read our Swim Lesson Policies for rules and policies for students, parents and guests.