Swimming lessons

First swim class for children 3-12 months old

Caregiver 12 years or older must be in the water, actively participating.

Class focus will be on increasing the caregivers’ comfort level for safe support of their child in the water through playful interaction in all aquatic environments such as the bathtub, pool, beach, boat.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Movement Exploration – Explore various ways to move through the water in a safe and comforting way
• Holds & Supports – Safely and comfortably hold their child while entering and exiting the pool, as well as various holds within the water
• Face and Head Wet – Child is comfortable getting their face and head wet through play

Next level: Adult & Tot

First swim class for children 9-18 months old

Caregiver 12 years or older must be in the water, actively participating.

Class focus will be on building the child’s comfort in water and introducing safe play with a caregiver.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Face and Head Wet – Child voluntarily puts face in water and is working towards a full submersion
• Lifejackets – Child is comfortable wearing a lifejacket in and out of the water
• Safe Entry – Caregiver assists child into and out of the pool safely. Child slips into the water feet first

Next level: Adult & Tot Advanced

For children 12-30 months old that have successfully completed Adult & Tot

Caregiver 12 years or older must be in the water, actively participating.

This class will build foundational swimming skills in the water with the child’s parent through playful discovery. Skills will include push-offs, vertical movement exploration, and submersion.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Vertical movement exploration – Child will move vertically through the water with assistance
• Push-off – Starting in water, child falls off ledge and pushes forward
• Submersion – Child submerges comfortably and happily with parent support

Next level: Tots & Sometimes Me

For children 2-4 years old. Child's first swim class, or following Adult and Tot Advanced

Caregiver 12 years or older must be in the water, actively participating.

Class focuses on establishing progressive separation from parent to instructor/facility while building foundational swimming skills in water through playful discovery. Skills taught will include front and back tows, and safe entries and exits.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Comfort in Class – Child is comfortable in water without a parent
• Front and Back Tow – Child is comfortable in water and maintains a horizontal body position
• Safe Entries & Exits – Child enters and exits the pool safely with assistance from instructor

Next level: Supertots

For children 2-4 years old that have successfully completed Tots and Sometimes Me

Class focuses on developing swimmer independence with instructor/facility while building foundational swimming skills through in water discovery play. Skills will focus on unassisted vertical movement exploration, unassisted bubbles, and assisted floats.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Bubbles – Child voluntarily puts their mouth in the water and safely blows bubbles
• Front Float – Child holds a float on their front with face in the water for 3 seconds with instructor assistance
• Back Float – Child holds a float on their back in a horizontal position with instructor assistance

Next level: Level B

For children 3-5 years old, either new to lessons or coming from Super-Tots

Introduces swimmers to foundational skills to establish and build their comfort in and around water. The class will focus on horizontal movement, floats, and comfort with putting their head underwater voluntarily.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Horizontal Movement – Move through the water in a streamlined position with instructor assistance
• Front Float – Completes a front float with their face in water for 3 seconds
• Back Float – Completes a back float for 3 seconds with horizontal positioning
• Submersion – Child voluntarily puts their head underwater and safely blows bubbles

Next level: Level C

For children 3-5 years old that have successfully completed Level B

Class focuses on building additional comfort in the water and progresses towards doing skills without instructional assistance. Skills taught will include unassisted horizontal movement with equipment, unassisted front floats and back floats, jumps into shallow water and return to edge.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Horizontal Movement Exploration – Swimmers will move in a horizontal position with quiet, relaxed kicking below the surface while using equipment
• Front Float – Child completed their front float fully unassisted start to finish
• Back Float – Child completes their back float fully unassisted start to finish
• Jump Into Shallow Water – Child safely jumps into chest deep water unassisted and returns to pool edge

Next level: Level D

For children 3-5 years old that have successfully completed Level C

Class focuses on building forward momentum with the introduction of flutter kick, horizontal movement without equipment, and introduction to glides.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Flutter Kick – Swimmer has quiet relaxed kicking below the surface
• Horizontal Movement Exploration – Swimmer is able to move through water unassisted in a horizontal position on their front and back
• Front Glide – 2 metres completed unassisted
• Back Glide – 2 metres completed unassisted
• Rollover Glide – Completes a rollover glide front to back, and back to front unassisted with a distance of 2 metres

Next level: Level E

Level E

For children 4-7 years that have successfully completed Level D

Class focuses on building comfort in deeper water and adding additional components to front and back swims. Swimmers will experiment with forward underwater propulsive arms while on their front and back and increase the distance swam up to 3 to 5 metres.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Swim – 3 metres completed with face and eyes in the water, kicks are relaxed and below the surface, continuous movement throughout
• Back Swim – 3 metres completed with relaxed kicking below the surface and face out of the water, continuous movement throughout
• Distance Swim – 5 metres completed with a recognizable stroke without stopping
• Eggbeater – Swimmers have alternate leg action with knees apart

Next level: Level F

For children 4-7 years that have successfully completed Level E

Class focuses on continuing to increase distances swam up to 10 metres and introduces an above water arm recovery for front and back crawl. Whip kick introduced to swimmers while on their front. Distance swim increased to 10 metres.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 5 metres completed with face and eyes in water, windmill arms, and a flutter kick below surface
• Back Crawl – 5 metres completed with face our of water, windmill arms, and flutter kick below surface
• Whipkick – Body remains in a near horizontal position with legs below surface
• Distance Swim – Continuous swim of 10 meters completed with a recognizable stroke

Next level: Level G

For children 6 years and older that have successfully completed Level F

Class focuses on developing confidence and independence in the water. Swimmers will increase their distance swam to 15 metres, complete whip kick on their front and back, and becomes comfortable with a variety of safe, foot first entries.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 10 metres completed while remaining horizontal in water, kicking from the hip, strong windmill arm with a pull past the hip
• Back Crawl – 10 metres completed while hips remain at or near the surface, straight leg kicks, and a visible shoulder roll
• Whip kick – Completes a continuous 10 metres with a horizontal body position, legs end at the same time
• Distance Swim – 15 metres completed with a recognizable stroke, without stopping
• Foot First Entries – Swimmer understands where to safely entre the water and experiments with entries that allows a full submersion with confidence

Next level: Level H

For children 6 years and older that have successfully completed Level G

Class focuses on increasing swimmers’ distance and comfort within deep water. Safe and appropriate deep-water entries, breaststroke, and headfirst sculling will be taught.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 15 metres completed while swimmer remains in a horizontal position with side breathing
• Back Crawl – 15 metres completed with continuous alternating arms, horizontal positioning with hips and feet at surface, visible shoulder roll
• Breaststroke – 15 metres completed with a horizontal body positioning, semicircular leg pattern, face in the water
• Distance Swim – 25 metres completed with a single, continuous, recognizable stroke
• Deep Water Entries – Sitting dives and stride entries completed

Next level: Level I

For children 7 years and older that have successfully completed Level H

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Swimmers will continue to develop stroke fundamentals and be introduced to elementary backstroke. Various stroke drills will be taught and used to build the swimmers comfort and ability with performing an increased distance up to 50 metres. Initial steps to the rescue process will be taught and practiced throughout.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 25 metres completed with horizontal body positioning, continuous alternating arms, and breathing to the side
• Back Crawl – 25 metres completed with continuous alternating arms with visible shoulder roll, horizontal body positioning with continuous flutter kick from hip
• Elementary Backstroke – 25 metres completed with horizontal body positioning, arms and legs are symmetrical and end at the same time
• Distance Swim – Completes a continuous 50 metres swim with a recognizable stroke

Next level: Level J

Level J

For children 7 years and older that have successfully completed Level I

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Swimmers continue to develop their understanding of the rescue process and build endurance throughout their strokes. Distances increase up to 75 metres. Swimmers will complete the Swim to Survive standard in clothes and PFD.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Swim to Survive – Swimmers complete a forward roll into water, tread water for 1 minute, and complete a swim of 50 metres while wearing clothes and PFD
• Side Stroke – 50 metres completed while body is on its side in a horizontal position, scissor kick utilized with top leg forward, face out of the water looking up
• Distance Swim – Continuous 75 metres completed with a recognizable stroke
• Dive – Safe and appropriate knowledge of where and how to dive, arms remain extended above head throughout, push off wall to gain forward momentum

Next level: Level K

For children 8 years and older that have successfully completed Level J

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Swimmers will continue to develop their strokes for lifelong training. Additional lifesaving skills will be taught including rescue breathing, introduction to barrier devices and AED. Swimmers will perform first aid treatments through roleplay. Distances increase to 75 metres with a timed swim of 150 metres.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Breaststroke – 75 metres completed in a horizontal body position with eyes forward, water between hairline and eyebrows, strong symmetrical whip kick
• Butterfly – 25 metres completed with streamlined body, unison kick, and a sequence of kick pull kick breathe
• Timed Distance Swim – 150 metres completed within 6 minutes

Next level: Level L

For children 9 years and older that have successfully completed Level K

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Swimmers will continue their lifesaving journey with the introduction of additional rescue skill items including victim removals, care for victims in shock, and learning the various lifesaving kicks. Swim distances will increase to 100 metres for most strokes. An endurance swim of 250 metres and timed sprint of 25 metres in 40 seconds.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Eggbeater – Support a 5lb brick for 1 minute while maintaining their head out of the water
• Timed Distance Swim – 250 metres completed within 8 minutes with a recognizable stroke
• Timed Sprint Challenge – 25 metre swim completed with a recognizable stroke within 40 seconds

Next level: Level M

For children 9 years and older that have successfully completed Level L

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Continuing to further develop their endurance and lifesaving skills, swimmers will perform most strokes at a distance of 200 metres with a distance swim of 400 metres and a timed distance swim of 300 metres in 9 minutes. Emphasis on victim care through rescue drill scenarios.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Rescue Drill – Complete a safe entry with aid and conduct a 25 metre head up approach, reverse and ready to victim
• Eggbeater – Support and carry a 10lb brick for 25 metres without arm assistance and maintaining their head above water
• Distance Swim – 400 metres completed with a recognizable stroke
• Timed Distance Swim – 300 metres completed within 9 minutes with a recognizable stroke
• Timed Sprint Challenge – 50 metres completed with a recognizable stroke within 60 seconds

Next level: Level N

For children 10 years and older that have successfully completed Level M

*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*

Class focuses on building swimmers’ endurance and preparing them for the next steps of their leadership journey. Most strokes will be at a distance of 250 metres with a distance swim of 600 metres, and a timed distance of 350 metres in 10 minutes. Practice first aid scenarios will include Adult and Child CPR, as well as treatment of an obstructed airway of a conscious and unconscious victim.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Eggbeater – Support a 10lb object for 2 minutes without the use of hands while keeping their head above water
• Distance Swim – Continuous swim of 600 metres completed with a recognizable stroke
• Timed Distance Swim – Continuous swim of 350 metres completed in 10 minutes with a recognizable stroke
• Timed Sprint Challenge – 50 metre swim completed with a recognizable stroke within 50 seconds

Next level: Bronze Star (if 12yrs or younger) or Bronze Medallion (Once 13yrs)

This level covers the skills in levels B, C, D

Swimmers will learn introductory skills to begin their swimming journey. Focusing on establishing comfort in and around water, swimmers will work on breath control and submersion, floats, and glides. As comfort builds, skills will move from assisted to unassisted with an increase in duration.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Breath Control – Safely exhale under water up to 5 seconds
• Floats – Complete floats on their front and back unassisted
• Glides – Complete glides with a distance of 2 metres

Next level: Level 2

Age:

• Child 6-8 years
• Pre-Teen 9-12 years
• Teen 13-17 years
• Adult 18 years and older

This level covers the skills in levels E, F

Swimmers will continue to build their comfort level in and around water while increasing their ability to move forward in the water in a horizontal position. Swim distances will increase up to 10 metres. Above water arm recovery will be taught for both front crawl and back crawl.

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 5 metres completed with windmill arms and face in water
• Back Crawl – 5 metres completed with windmill arms
• 10m Distance Swim – 10 metres completed without stopping with a recognizable stroke
• Deep Water – Jump into deep water and return to the edge without assistance
• Eggbeater – Complete 15 seconds of eggbeater with alternating leg action

Next level: Level G

Age:

• Child 6-8 years
• Pre-Teen 9-12 years
• Teen 13-17 years
• Adult 18 years and older

This level covers skills in levels G, H

Swimmers will continue to develop confidence and independence in shallow and deep water. Class focus will be on increasing swim distances up to 25 metres. Introduction to dives and deep-water entries. Swimmers will learn whip kick on their back as well as breaststroke

Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:

• Front Crawl – 15 metres completed with straight windmill arms, horizontal body position with side breathing
• Back Crawl – 15 metres completed with continuous windmill arms and shoulder roll, body positioned horizontally with hips and feet up
• Breaststroke – 15 metres completed with body near horizontal body position and legs finish at same time om a semicircular pattern
• 25m Distance Swim – 25 metres completed with a recognizable stroke
• Deep-water Entries – Swimmers will complete stride entries and sitting dives
• Eggbeater – Complete 45 seconds of eggbeater with alternating leg action, head above the water, body remains in a vertical position

Next level: Level I

Age:

• Pre-Teen 9-12 years
• Teen 13-17 years
• Adult 18 years and older

Adapted Aquatics - Beginner is for children and youth with special needs, with little or no swim experience. Program will take place in our warm water pool. Ratio is 1-1 with a volunteer. Each 40 minute class includes transition time to get in/out of the pool. Inclusion Membership is required to register.

Age: 4+

Adapted Aquatics - Intermediate/Advanced is for children and youth with special needs, with any level of swim experience. Program will take place in our 25 metre pool. Ratio is 1-1 with a volunteer. Each 40 minute class includes transition time to get in/out of the pool. Inclusion Membership is required to register.

Age: 4+

Adapted Aquatics Fit Swim is for swimmers with special needs. Swimmers are encouraged to develop strokes for fitness or competition. Fun way to keep active. Must be able to swim 25m and be comfortable in deep water without assistance. 1-1 support from a volunteer may not be available for all swimmers at this timeslot. Inclusion Membership is required to register.

Age: 13+