Swim Lesson Level Descriptions

Class Descriptions

A variety of swim classes are offered. The class descriptions below are intended to be a guide to parents. If you have more specific questions, feel free to call the Recreation Department.

Parent with Child:

• Suggested Ages 18 months - 3
• For parents and children working together in preparation for preschool lessons. This class is designed to develop a level of comfort in the water between parent and child. Basic skills are introduced with an emphasis on an enjoyable experience that keeps them wanting more! Kicking while sitting on the side of the pool, cuddle floating, blowing bubbles with face in the water, rolling front to back, reaching and pulling. 
• Children not fully potty trained must wear a swim diaper.

Preschool/Pre-Lessons:

• Suggested Ages 3 -  5
• Preschool aged children develop early swimming skills through song, games and play. The emphasis of this course is to get children comfortable in the water and an introduction to our swim lesson program.
• Skills learned in this level include; use of floatation, entering and exiting the water safely and independently, water safety, blowing bubbles, submerge mouth/nose/eyes, comfort on front and back, flutter kick, front crawl arm motion.

Beginner Level 1:

• Suggested Ages 5+
• This class starts at the beginning and is a great introduction to swim lessons for new swimmers.
• Skills learned in this level include; use of floatation, entering and exiting the water safely and independently, water safety, blowing bubbles, submerging mouth/nose and eyes, front and back float and glide, flutter kick on front and back, front crawl arm motion with an introduction to rotary breathing (rhythmic breathing), elementary backstroke.

Beginner Level 2:

• Suggested for swimmers ages 5+ who are able to swim 10 yards independently on their front and back.
• This class is a continuation of the skills learned in Beginner Level 1. Children will have greater opportunity to swim independently and begin to work on stroke development.
• Skills learned in this level include; underwater exploration, introduction to deep water, flutter kick on front and back, front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke. In addition to reviewing and refining skills learned in level 1.

Intermediate Level 3:

• Suggested for swimmers who are able to swim 15 yards each of front crawl and back crawl.
• This class is a continuation of the skill learned in Beginner Level 2. Children will be swimming independently and working on stroke development.
• Skills learned in this level include; underwater exploration including retrieving object from various depths, front crawl with rotary breathing, elementary backstroke, introduction to diving including sitting, kneeling and standing dives, introduction to breaststroke kick, water safety.
  

Intermediate Level 4:

• Suggested for swimmers who are able to swim 25 yards each of front crawl and back crawl. Swimmers should be comfortable swimming in deep water.
• Swimmers will continue stroke development and begin to build endurance.
• Skills learned in this level include; refinement of front crawl with rotary breathing, breaststroke, standing dive, underwater exploration including retrieving objects from deep water and swimming underwater, treading water, open turns, sidestroke kick, water safety.

Advanced Level 5:

• Suggested for swimmers who are able to swim 50 yards front crawl with rotary breathing, 25 yards back crawl, 25 yards breaststroke.
• Swimmers will gain endurance over greater distances while continuing to develop proper stroke mechanics.
• Skills learned in this level include; refinement of breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly, standing dive off blocks, open turns and introduction to flip turns, tuck and pike surface dives, water safety.

Pre - Swim Team:

• Suggested for swimmers who have completed the skills taught in Levels 1 - 5. Swimmers should know all 4 strokes; front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and butterfly.
• Swimmers will refine stroke technique and gain endurance with the goal of getting them ready for swim team in the future.
• Skills learned in this level include; racing dive from block, ability to read and follow a ‘set’, ability to read pool clock, front and back flip turns, refinement of the four competitive strokes; freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Adult Swim Lessons

• Suggested Ages - 18+
• Suggested for adults (older teens) who wish to gain confidence and expand their swimming skills. The skills covered in this class will be tailored to the individual needs of the participants.