Swim Lesson Program

Level 1: Water Exploration

Minimum age for Level 1: 4 years old

(Child must be able to follow instructions and enter/ exit the water independently) 

Suggested age range: 4-7

Purpose: To help students feel comfortable in the water

and to enjoy water safely.

Topics Covered:

• Understand the basic water safety rules

• Know how to get help

• Enter and exit water independently

• Fully submerge face for 3 seconds

• Blow bubbles through the mouth and nose

• Bounce in chest-deep water (bob) to chin level 10 times

• Walk 5 yards in chest-deep water, maintaining balance

• Float, while supported, on front & back

• Kick, while supported, on front & back

• Practice basic alternating arm action

Final Assessment:

1. Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps, or side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 3 times then safely exit the water. (Participants can walk or “swim.”)

2. Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position. (This part of the assessment can be performed with support.) 

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Suggested age range: 5-8

Purpose: Expand on fundamental aquatic locomotion and safety skills.

Topics Covered:

• Enter the water by jumping into shoulder deep water

• Hold breath and fully submerge head for 5 seconds

• Explore deep water, with floatation support

• Submerge to retrieve object in chest-deep water

• Float or glide on front, unsupported, for 5 seconds

• Float or glide on back, unsupported, for 15 seconds

• Perform flutter kick on front & back (support optional)

• Turn over from front to back and back to front

• Float on back while finning with hands

• Practice back crawl arm action

• Perform combined (kick & arms) stroke front, 5 yards

• Perform combined (kick & arms) stroke back, 5 yards)

• Review water safety topics

Final Assessment:

1. Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position.

2. Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position.

3. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to the front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. (You can assist the participant when taking a breath.) 

Level 3: Stroke Development

Suggested age range: 7-14

Purpose: Increase swimming skill competency

by building on skills from Level

Topics Covered:

• Enter water by jumping into deep water

• Practice entering water headfirst (in water at least 9 ft deep)

• Bob in water slightly over head to travel to safe area

• Perform 15 bobs in chest-deep water

• Do Front Crawl, 15 yards

• Do back crawl, 10 yards

• Do elementary backstroke kick, 15 yards

• Tread water for 30 seconds

• Reverse direction while swimming on back

• Coordinate arm stroke for front crawl while breathing to the front or side, 10 yards

• Perform front glide with push-off, 2 body lengths

• Perform back glide with push-off, 2 body lengths

• Reverse direction while swimming on front

Final Assessment:

1. Jump into deep water from the dock, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.