Swimming Level Classifications

Swimming lessons are available throughout the year for those 1-99+ years old. Schedules and fees may vary according to class length and size. Parents, please feel free to watch lessons from behind railing. Since some children learn better without parents present, please ask the instructor after the first class what (s)he prefers. Instructors will move the students to the proper level if you sign up for the wrong class level. If you would like to speak to an instructor prior to signing up, please call and ask to speak with one. Leave your name and phone number so the instructor may return your call.

NOTE: If your child has never taken swimming lesson’s before and are 6 or 7 years old, you may sign them up for level 1 or in a private lesson to be tested out to the appropriate level.

LEVEL A
Plastic pants or swim diapers (no disposable diapers) required on all participants who are not potty trained.
Prerequisites: Children 1 year and up who have limited swimming experience.
Skills: Parents will learn how to properly hold their child in the water. The child will play and have fun while learning to blow bubbles, kick and relax in the water.

LEVEL B
Prerequisites: Children who have passed Level A, are 3 years old and comfortable in the water.
Skills: Parents will learn the proper swimming techniques so you can work with your child outside of the lesson setting. The child will learn front and back float, front and back kick, assisted jumps in the water, beginner stroke and finning while still having fun in the water.

LEVEL 1 Introduction to Water Skills
Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives:
-Enter and exit the water safely using a ladder, steps or side of the pool.
-Submerge mouth, nose and eyes
-Exhale underwater (blow bubbles) through mouth and nose (3 seconds)
-Open eyes underwater, pick up a submerged object held at arms length (2 times)
-Show comfort maintaining a front float position, while supported; face may be in or out of the water (5 seconds)
-Recover from a front float to a standing position while supported
-Show comfort maintaining a back float position while supported (5 seconds)
-Recover from a back float to a standing position while supported
-Change direction of travel while walking or paddling
-Roll over from front to back while supported
-Roll over from back to front while supported
-Explore arm and hand movements while treading in chest-deep water with support
-Swim on front using any combination of arm and leg actions while supported (5 feet)
-Swim on back using any combination of arm and leg actions while supported (5 feet)
-Discuss water safety rules
-Discuss how to use a life jacket
-Demonstrate wearing a life jacket in the water
-Discuss how to recognize a swimmer in distress
-Demonstrate how to get help

LEVEL 2 Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Prerequisites: Passed Level 1 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 1

Learning Objectives:
-Enter water independently by jumping or stepping from the side.
-Exit water independently using a ladder or side
-Submerge entire head (5 seconds)
-Blow bubbles, submerging head in a rhythmic pattern (bobbing) (5 times)
-Open eyes underwater, pick up a submerged object in shallow water (3 times)
-Show comfort maintaining a front float position with face in the water (5 seconds)
-Recover from a front float to a standing position
-Demonstrate a front glide (2 body lengths)
-Float in a face-down position (jellyfish float) (5 seconds)
-Show comfort maintaining a back float position (5 seconds)
-Recover from a back float to a standing position while unsupported
-Demonstrate a back glide (2 body lengths)
-Change direction of travel while paddling on front or back
-Roll over from front to back
-Roll over from back to front
-Tread water, using arm and leg motions, in chest-deep water
-Swim on front using any combination of arm and leg actions while unsupported (15 feet)
-Swim on back using any combination of arm and leg actions (15 feet)
-Swim on side using an alternating or simultaneous leg action (5 feet)
-Discuss water safety rules
-Discuss how to use a life jacket
-Move in the water while wearing a life jacket
-Discuss how to recognize a swimmer in distress
-Demonstrate how to get help

Certification Requirements:
1. Step from pool side into chest-deep water, move into a front
float for 5 seconds, roll over to a back float, return to
standing position, then move into a back float for 5 seconds
and return to a standing position.
2. Push off and swim using a combination of arm and leg
movements for15 feet on the front, push off and swim using
a combination of arm movement for 15 feet on the back.

LEVEL 3 Stroke Development
Prerequisites: Passes Level 2 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 2

Learning Objectives:
-Jump into deep water from the side
-Demonstrate a head-first entry from the side in a sitting or kneeling position
-Submerge and retrieve an object (independently) from chest-deep water (3 seconds)
-Bob with head fully submerged, in chest-deep water (5 times)
-Demonstrate rotary breathing with body in a horizontal position (5 times)
-Demonstrate a front glide using 2 different kicks (2 body lengths)
-Demonstrate a survival float in deep water (30 seconds)
-Demonstrate a back glide using 2 different kicks (2 body lengths)
-Demonstrate a back float in deep water (30 seconds)
-Change from a vertical to a horizontal position on front
-Change from a vertical to a horizontal position back
-Tread in deep water, using hand and leg movements (30 seconds)
-Demonstrate each stroke for the following distance:
• Front crawl (15 yards)
• Back crawl (15 yards)
• Butterfly—kick and body motion (15 feet)
-Discuss general water safety rules
-Discuss rules for safe diving
-Enter the water independently using ladder, steps or side while wearing a life jacket
-Demonstrate the H.E.L.P. position (1 minute)
-Demonstrate the huddle position (1 minute)
-Demonstrate a reaching assist
-Discuss Check-Call-Care

Certification Requirements:
Jump into chest-deep water from the side, swim front Health and crawl for 15 yards with face in the water and rhythmic breathing pattern (to front or side), maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim back crawl for 15 yards.

LEVEL 4 Stroke Development
Prerequisites: Passed Level 3 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 3.

Learning Objectives:
-Demonstrate a dive from a compact or stride or stride position on the side of the pool
-Swim underwater (3 body lengths)
-Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive and submerge completely
-Demonstrate a survival float in deep water (1 minute)
-Demonstrate a back float in deep water (1 minute)
-Demonstrate an open turn using any stroke on front and push off in a streamlined position
-Demonstrate an open turn using any stroke on back and push off in a streamlined position
-Tread water using a modified scissors, breaststroke or rotary kick and sculling arm motions (1 minute)
-Demonstrate each stroke for the following distances:
• Front crawl–25 yards
• Back crawl–25 yards
• Butterfly– 15 yards
• Breaststroke–15 yards
• Elementary backstroke–15 yards
-Swim on side using scissor-like kick–15 yards
-Discuss rules for safe diving
-Demonstrate a compact jump from a height while wearing a life jacket
-Demonstrate a throwing assist
-Demonstrate how to care for a conscious choking victim

Certification Requirements:
1. Perform a feet-first entry into chest-deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, maintain position on back 1 minute in deep water (float or sculling), and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards
2. Swim breaststroke 15 yards, tread water for 1 minute, swim back crawl 25 yards.

LEVEL 5 Stroke Refinement
Prerequisites: Passed Level 4 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 4

Learning Objectives:
-Demonstrate a shallow dive from the side
-Demonstrate a shallow dive, glide two body lengths and begin any front stroke
-Swim underwater (15 yards)
-Demonstrate a tuck and pike surface dive, submerging completely
-Demonstrate a survival float (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate a back float (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate a flip turn while swimming on front
-Demonstrate a flip turn while swimming on back
-Tread water using two different kicks (scissors, modified breast, or rotary kick) (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate the following strokes
• Front crawl–50 yards
• Back Crawl–50 yards
• Butterfly–25 yards
• Breaststroke–25 yards
• Elementary backstroke–25 yards
• Sidestroke–25 yards
-Demonstrate survival swimming (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate rescue breathing

Certification Requirements:
1. Perform a shallow dive into deep water, swim front crawl 50 yards, maintain a back float position for 2 minutes in deep water (float or scull) and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
2. Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, tread water for 2 minutes and swim back crawl for 50 yards.
GO TO SWIMMING LESSONS

LEVEL 6 Fitness Swimmer
Prerequisites: Passed Level 5 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 5.

Learning Objectives:
-Increase endurance while swimming the following strokes:
• Front crawl–100 yards;
• Back crawl–100 yards;
• Butterfly–50 yards;
• Elementary backstroke–50 yards;
• Breaststroke–50 yards; and
• Sidestroke–50 yards
-Demonstrate the following turns while swimming:
• Front crawl open turn;
• Backstroke open turn;
• Sidestroke open turn;
• Front flip turn;
• Backstroke flip turn;
• Breaststroke turn; and
• Butterfly turn
-Demonstrate etiquette in fitness swimming
-Discuss and demonstrate how to use the following while swimming:
• Pull buoy;
• Fins;
• Pace clock; and
• Paddles.
-Describe the principles of setting up a fitness program
-Demonstrate various training techniques
-Calculate target heart rate
-Apply the principles of water exercise

Certification Requirements:
1. Swim 500 yards continuously using strokes in the following order: front crawl, 100 yards; back crawl 100 yards; breaststroke, 50 yards, elementary backstroke, 50 yards; sidestroke, 50 yards; butterfly, 50 yards; and choice of stroke, 100 yards
2. Perform the Cooper 12-minute swim test and compare with pre-assessment results.

LEVEL 6 Lifeguard Readiness
Prerequisites: Passed Level 5 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 5

Learning Objectives:
-Increase endurance while performing the following strokes:
• Front crawl–100 yards
• Back crawl–100 yards
• Butterfly –50 yards
• Elementary backstroke–50 yards
• Breaststroke–50 yards
• Sidestroke–50 yards
-Demonstrate the following turns while swimming:
• Front crawl open turn
• Backstroke open turn
• Sidestroke open turn
• Front flip turn
• Backstroke flip
• Butterfly Turn
• Breaststroke Turn
-Submerge to a minimum depth of 7 feet using the following techniques:
• Feet-first surface dive
• Pike surface dive
• Tuck surface dive
-Tread water (5 minutes)
-Tread water, kicking only in deep water (2 minutes)
-Compact jump into the water from a height with rescue tube
-Swim using a front crawl stroke with the rescue tube trailing (25 yards)
-Swim using a breaststroke with the rescue tube trailing (25 yards)
-Perform a feet-first surface dive and retrieve and object from a depth of 7 to 10 feet
-Swim on back holding an object and keeping face out of the water
-Demonstrate the following rescue techniques
• Wading assists with equipment
• Walking assist
• Beach drag
• Hip and shoulder support
• Head splint
• Using a backboard
• Two person removal from the water.

Certification Requirements:
1. Swim 500 yards continuously using strokes in the following
order: front crawl, 100 yards; back crawl 100 yards;
breaststroke, 50 yards, elementary backstroke, 50 yards;
sidestroke, 50 yards; butterfly, 50 yards; and choice of stroke,
100 yards .
2. Swim 20 yards using a front crawl or breaststroke to a depth
of 7 to 10 feet, retrieve a 10 –pound object, return to the
surface and swim 20 yards on the back or side to the starting
point with the object. (Students must hold object with both
hands and keep his or her face out of the water.)

LEVEL 6 Personal Safety
Prerequisites: Passed Level 5 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 5

Learning Objectives:
-Increase endurance while performing the following strokes:
• Front crawl–100 yards
• Back crawl–100 yards
• Butterfly–50 yards
• Elementary backstroke–50 yards
• Breaststroke–50 yards
• Sidestroke–50 yards
-Demonstrate the following turns while swimming:
• Front crawl open turn
• Backstroke open turn
• Sidestroke open turn
• Front flip turn
• Backstroke flip
• Butterfly Turn
• Breaststroke Turn
-Tread water with hands , in deep water (5 minutes)
-Tread water, kicking only, in deep water (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive and retrieve and object
from a depth of 7 feet
-Demonstrate the H.E.L.P. position (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate the huddle position (2 minutes)
-Demonstrate a survival float in deep water (5 minutes)
-Demonstrate a back float in deep water (5 minutes)
-Demonstrate survival swimming (10 minutes) Swim while clothed, using any type of stroke (50 yards) Demonstrate self-self-rescue techniques while clothed Discuss basic safety rules for open water environment Discuss basic safety rules for boating.

Certification Requirements:
1. Swim 500 yards continuously using strokes in the following order:
front crawl, 100 yards; back crawl 100 yards; breaststroke, 50
yards, elementary backstroke, 50 yards; sidestroke, 50 yards;
butterfly, 50 yards; and choice of stroke, 100 yards
2. Jump into deep water, Demonstrate a survival float for 5 minutes,
roll onto back and Demonstrate a back float for 5 minutes
3. Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive and retrieve and object from
a depth of 7 feet, return to the surface and return to the starting
point.

LEVEL 6 Fundamentals of Diving
Prerequisites: Passed Level 5 or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 5.

Learning Objectives:
-Increase endurance while performing the following strokes:
• Front crawl–100 yards
• Back crawl–100 yards
• Butterfly–50 yards
• Elementary backstroke–50 yards
• Breaststroke–50 yards
• Sidestroke–50 yards
-Demonstrate the following turns while swimming:
• Front crawl open turn
• Backstroke open turn
• Sidestroke open turn
• Front flip turn
• Backstroke flip turn
• Butterfly Turn
• Breaststroke Turn
-Discuss basic stretching exercises for diving
-Demonstrate a standing, front jump from the edge of the diving board
-Demonstrate a front, line-up entry from the edge of the diving board
-Demonstrate a front approach with hurdle

Certification Requirements:
1. Swim 500 yards continuously using strokes in the following order:
front crawl, 100 yards; back crawl 100 yards; breaststroke, 50
yards, elementary backstroke, 50 yards; sidestroke, 50 yards;
butterfly, 50 yards; and choice of stroke, 100 yards
2. Perform a front approach and hurdle with a feet-first entry from a
1 meter springboard.
3. Perform a front approach and hurdle with a head-first entry from a
1-meter springboard.

Beginner Adult Lessons
Prerequisites: Adults who have limited swimming skills and/or are fearful of the water.
Skills: Level 1-3 skills are covered accordingly plus a few extras for adults.

Intermediate Adult Lessons
Prerequisites: Adults who have never had formal lessons, but can swim laps and want to improve their stroke technique.
Skills: Level 2-4 skills are covered accordingly.

Advanced Adult Lessons
Prerequisites: Adults who want to fine-tune their strokes to be efficient and effective and if you want to learn all strokes.
Skills: Level 4 and above are covered accordingly.