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

• Use the level descriptions below to choose the best level in which to register the student.
• If you are unsure as to what level to place the student, you may have them take a free level assessment. Please contact us to set up an assessment prior to registration.
• Students will be evaluated in the first class to ensure they have been registered in the most appropriate level. Instructors reserve the right to move students into the proper class, though it is not guaranteed because the correct level may be full. Also note, due to participation rates, many of our classes are combined levels where students are grouped with others who may not have the same abilities.
• It is common for children to spend more than one session at the same level to master skills. Our program is based on skill progression; the skills at one level must be mastered before moving to the next level.

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: Child must be at least 6 months by the first day of class. Infants must have Tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants.

Preschool (3 - 5 yrs)
Uptown location. Preschool age children can sign up for level 1 at Downtown or Midtown locations.

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: All children must be potty-trained before entering this preschool program.

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 potty-trained to enter this class. Children must be at least 3 years of age by the first day of class.

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: To enter the class, students must be comfortable in the water and be able to safely enter and exit the water, bob to their chins, and float with support.

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: A mastery of level 2 skills or equivalent including independent floating and swimming 5 yards on their front and back.

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: Students must be able to jump into deep water, tread water, and swim 15 yards of front and back crawl.

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: Students must be able to tread water, swim breaststroke and elementary backstroke for 15 yards, and front and back crawl for 25 yards before entering this level.

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: Students must be able to treading water using multiple kicks, swimming breaststroke and elementary backstroke for 25 yards and front and back crawl for 50 yards.

Adult Lessons

Adult classes are designed for people age 13 and older. Adult lessons are available in a group s etting for beginners and also available in private or semi-private lessons. We can accommodate many common swimming needs from comfort in the water to advanced technique skills. Give us a call and we will find a solution to your swimming needs.

Adult Lessons - Beginner (Downtown and Uptown)
Learn how to float, submerge completely, propel themselves through the water on both the front and the back, and the beginnings of basic strokes. Limit 6 per class. Class legnth: 40 minutes.

Adult Lessons All Levels (Midtown)
Learn how to float, submerge completely, propel themselves through the water on both the front and the back, and the beginnings of basic strokes and beyond. Limit 6 per class. Class legnth: 30 minutes.

Adult Lessons - Intermediate/Advanced (Uptown)
This class is designed to go beyond the beginner class. Refine stroke basics and introduce other strokes. Class legnth: 40 minutes.

Prerequisites: Must be comfortable in water and have completed adult beginner skills or equivalent.

Adult Lessons - Individual/Private Lessons
Class legnth: 30-60 minutes depending on your goals. Please see Private Swim Lessons for more information.

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