Little to no experience with water, Possible fear of the water, Those who have never taken a lesson
Submerging face for minimum 3 seconds
Blowing bubbles in the water
Bobs: Minimum of 8 bounces up and down while holding the side of the pool
Floating on front and back for 5 seconds
Kicking with assistance on front and back
Doggy paddle with assistance
Finning on back with assistance
Those who are not necessarily new to the water, but simply need work on the skills, or need to build up the strength for them.
As well as safety day, this group will focus on becoming independent in the water
Being able to move alone from one point to another will little to no assistance
Freestyle will be introduced but the swimmers will not be expected to master it in order to pass.
Submerging face for minimum 5 seconds
Bobs: Minimum of 12 bounces up and down while holding the side of the pool
Treading water
Front glide and recover
Back glide and recover
Kicking with kickboard, no (or very little) instructor assistance on front and back
Doggy paddle with little to no assistance
Finning on back with little to no assistance
Introduction of freestyle (coordinated movement of arms above water and legs)
At this level the swimmer should have considerable experience with water and feel comfortable in the water. Mastery of the skills required to pass all previous levels is a requirement for this group.
As well as safety day, this group will focus mainly on developing freestyle using the independence learned in Beginning 1 and 2.
Backstroke will be introduced.
Bobs: Minimum of 16 bounces up and down while holding the side of the pool
Jump into deep water and recover
Coordinate arm stroke and kick on front for 12.5 meters, breathing to front or side as needed.
Coordinate arm stroke and kick on back for 10 meters
Swim technically proficient freestyle with little or no assistance from a floatation device or instructor
Very experienced with water; Comfortable in the water; no fear. Mastery of the skills required to pass all previous levels is a requirement for this group.
As well as safety day, this group will focus mainly on refining freestyle and developing a basic ability to swim backstroke.
Breaststroke kick and arms will be introduced.
Bobs: Minimum of 16 bounces up and down without holding the side of the pool
Dive into deep water and recover
Freestyle with side breathing for 12.5 meters
Swim technically proficient backstroke with little assistance from a floatation device or instructor
Separate introduction of breaststroke kick and arms
Self sufficient in water. Mastery of the skills required to pass all previous levels is a requirement for this group.
As well as safety day, this group will focus mainly on developing a rudimentary breaststroke and an understanding of butterfly kick and arms.
Backstroke will be refined; freestyle will be maintained.
Dive into deep water and swim freestyle to the wall
Freestyle with side breathing for 25 meters
Proficient backstroke arms and kick for at least 12.5 meters
Development of coordinated breaststroke kick and arms
Dolphin dives
Butterfly kick with a board or on back
Self sufficient in water. Mastery of the skills required to pass all previous levels is a requirement for this group
As well as safety day, this group will focus mainly on developing butterfly, while refining breaststroke and strengthening freestyle and backstroke.
Dive into deep water and swim freestyle to the wall
Freestyle with side breathing for 50 meters
Backstroke arms and kick for 25 meters
Proficient breaststroke for 12.5 meters
Coordinated butterfly pull and kick
Work on swimming a 100 Individual Medley (One lap of all 4 strokes without stopping)
Strengthening and refining skills for all strokes