Learn to Swim
This program helps participants progress from beginner to advanced swimming skills. Fundamental body positions, breath control, stroke drills, and age-appropriate safety skills will be taught. Basic swimming strokes including competitive and resting strokes will be emphasized to develop participants’ proficiency, stamina, and skill in each area.
Level 1 – This level focuses on the fundamentals of swimming including water independence, coordinated arm and leg movements, and proper body position. Floating with minimal support as well as kicking with support bars are practiced. Basic coordinated arm and leg movements on front and back will also be a part of this class.
Level 2 – Arm and leg movements will become more defined in this level as coordinated breathing is introduced. Swimming on the back, basic water survival skills, and an introduction to deep water will also be highlighted.
Level 3 – Increasing strength and endurance is the primary focus at this level as the participants are prepared to swim lengths of the pool. Elementary backstroke is introduced.
Level 4 – Swimming distance will be increased significantly in this level as proper turns are introduced and swimming and diving skills are further refined. Breaststroke is introduced.
Level 5 – Swimming distances of 100 yards becomes a requirement in this level as endurance and technique are further developed. Butterfly is introduced.
Level 6 – Reinforcement of previously learned skills is emphasized as swimming endurance and technique are further challenged. Front Crawl flip turns, Sidestroke and advanced safety skills are introduced in this level.
Level 7 – Lifetime fitness philosophy is used to motivate fine tuning of stroke techniques. Basic competitive swimming concepts, advanced survival skills and advanced First-Aid skills are also taught.
Skills at Each Level:
Learn To Swim 1: 17 skills
Required Skills
1.Enter and exit pool independently
2.Wall walk – 5 yards
3.Blow bubbles
4.Submerge face – 3 seconds
5.Bob 5 times on wall
6.Flutter kick on front on stroke bar
7.Flutter kick on back on stroke bar
8.Float with stroke bar under arms (unsupported) – 10 seconds
9.Front float (unsupported)
10.Back float (unsupported)
11.Push off wall on front (unsupported)
12.Push off wall on back (unsupported)
Supplemental Skills
13.Front crawl on stroke bar
14.Back crawl on stroke bar
15.Swim underwater – 2 body lengths
16.Jump and recover (supported)
Safety Skills
17.Safety: Lifeguard, pool rules, 911
Learn To Swim 2: 15 skills
Required Skills
1.Submerge face – 5 seconds
2.Bob 10 times with rhythmic breathing
3.Push off wall on front with glide – swim 5 yards
4.Push off wall on back with glide – swim 5 yards
5.Front crawl with rhythmic breathing on bar
6.Front crawl with rhythmic breathing (unsupported) – 10 yards
7.Back crawl on bar
8.Back crawl (unsupported) – 10 yards
9.Retrieve object from bottom of pool in shallow water
Supplemental Skills
10.Swim underwater – 5 yards
11.Deep water orientation
12.Jump and recover (unsupported)
13.Tread water – 10 seconds
Safety Skills
14.Bob to safety
15.Safety Talk: Lifeguard, pool rules, 911
Learn To Swim 3: 10 skills
Required Skills
1.Bob 10 times in deep water with rhythmic breathing
2.Tread water – 30 seconds
3.Elementary backstroke kick on bar – 10 yards
4.Front crawl with rotary breathing – 25 yards
5.Back crawl – 25 yards
Supplemental Skills
6.Sitting Dive
7.Elementary backstroke
Safety Skills
8.Life jacket orientation
9.Jump from diving board and recover
Learn To Swim 4: 14 skills
Required Skills
1.Open turn on front
2.Open turn on back
3.Front crawl with rotary breathing – 50 yards
4.Back crawl – 50 yards
5.Elementary backstroke – 25 yards
6.Breaststroke kick – 25 yards
7.Breaststroke – 15 yards
Supplemental Skills
8.Kneeling dive
9.Standing dive
10.Streamline position
Safety Skills
11.Tread water – 1 minute
12.Release cramp
13.Reaching assist
14.Safety Talk: 911
Learn To Swim 5: 13 skills
Required Skills
1.Front crawl – 100 yards
2.Back crawl – 100 yards
3.Elementary backstroke – 50 yards
4.Breaststroke – 25 yards
5.Dolphin kick – 15 yards
Supplemental Skills
6.Alternate breathing
7.Long shallow dive
8.Dive from diving board
9.Feet first surface dive
10.Head first surface dive
11.Butterfly – 10 yards
Safety Skills
12.Tread water – 2 minutes
13.Throwing assist
Learn To Swim 6: 11 skills
Required Skills
1.Front crawl with alternate breathing – 150 yards
2.Back crawl – 150 yards
3.Breaststroke – 50 yards
4.Sidestroke kick – 25 yards
5.Butterfly – 25 yards
6.Continuous swim – 200 yards
Supplemental Skills
7.Front crawl flip turn
8.Retrieve object in deep water
9.Sidestroke – 25 yards
Safety Skills
10.Tread water – 3 minutes
11.Introduce Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Learn To Swim 7: 11 skills
Required Skills
1.Front crawl – 200 yards
2.Back crawl – 200 yards
3.Breaststroke – 100 yards
4.Sidestroke – 50 yards
5.Butterfly – 50 yards
6.Continuous swim – 500 yards
Supplemental Skills
7.Back crawl flip turn
Safety Skills
8.Tread water – 5 minutes
9.First Aid Demonstration
10.Swim with clothing – 25 yards
11.Jump off diving board in clothing and recover
