Aquatics

Introduction to water skills focusing on water acclimation. This course is for children who cannot be in the water independently without using a flotation device. Children are in the water with the instructor, parents may watch from the deck.

Skills needed to pass Level 1 include:

• Entering the water in steps or jumping in independently
• Opening eyes underwater and retrieving submerged objects
• Front gliding 2 body lengths, and back floating for 3 seconds
• Exiting the water independently

This course continues to teach fundamental aquatic skills. To enroll in Level 2 swimmers must be able to enter the water using steps or jump in independently; open their eyes underwater and retrieve a submerged object.

Skills required to pass Level 2 include:

• Bobbing
• Front glide
• Using some combined arm action for two body lengths
• Floating on back for 15 seconds
• Exiting water independently.

Level 3 builds on the skills taught in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water. To enroll in Level 3, swimmers must be able to:

• Enter water by jumping in
• Use rotary breathing
• Back float for 30 seconds
• Treading water for 30 seconds

Skills needed to pass Level 3 include:

• Entering water by jumping from the side
• Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions
• Bobbing while moving toward safety
• Rotary breathing
• Survival float
• Flutter, scissor, dolphin, and breaststroke kicks on front
• Elementary backstroke
• Front crawl for 15 yards

Level 4 further develops the skills swimmers learned in Levels 1-3, and improves other aquatic skills. To enroll in Level 4, swimmers must be able to:

• Enter water by jumping from the side
• Enter water headfirst from the side in sitting and kneeling positions
• Moving towards safety while bobbing
• Use rotary breathing and survival float
• Use flutter, scissor, dolphin, and breaststroke kicks on front
• Use the elementary backstroke
• Front crawl for 15 yards

Skills needed to pass Level 4 include:

• Making a compact dive and stride dive, head first
• Treading water with two kicks
• Front crawl the length of the pool
• Elementary backstroke, length of the pool
• Breaststroke, Butterfly and Sidestroke for 15 yards

Parent and child learn together in the water in this introductory water class that uses a gentle, low-key approach with techniques to aid in teaching the child’s progress. Using verbal cues and body language, children will be introduced to basic swim skills including back float, kicking, and reaching, with assistance from the parent. Songs and games are incorporated.

Parent and child learn together in the water in this class that introduces basic swimming skills such as back float, kicking, reaching, and blowing bubbles. Parents will assist their child with each technique. The skills learned will prepare children for entry into Level 1.