Learn to Swim

LEVEL 1 - INTRODUCTION TO WATER SKILLS

Level 1 helps participants feel comfortable in the water.

• Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side
• Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
• Bobbing
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front and back glides and floats
• Recover to vertical position
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Tread water using arm and hand actions
• Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
• Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back 

LEVEL 2 - FUNDAMENTAL AQUATIC SKILLS

Level 2 gives participants success with fundamental skills.

• Enter and exit water by stepping or jumping from the side
• Fully submerge and hold breath
• Bobbing
• Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
• Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
• Front and back glides and floats
• Recover to vertical position
• Roll from front to back and back to front
• Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
• Tread water using arm and leg actions
• Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
• Finning arm action 

LEVEL 3 - STROKE DEVELOPMENT

Level 3 builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice in deeper water.

• Enter 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
• Back float
• Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back
• Tread water
• Flutter, scissor, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front
• Front crawl and elementary backstroke 

LEVEL 4 - STROKE IMPROVEMENT

Level 4 develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.

• Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions
• Swim under water
• Feetfirst surface dive
• Survival swimming
• Front crawl and backstroke open turns
• Tread water using 2 different kicks
• Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
• Flutter and dolphin kicks on back 

LEVEL 5 - STROKE REFINEMENT

Level 5 provides further coordination and refinement of strokes.

• Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke
• Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely
• Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming
• Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
• Sculling 

LEVEL 6 - SWIMMING AND SKILL PROFICIENCY

Level 6 refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with “menu” options that focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses, including the Water Safety Instructor, or other aquatic activities, such as competitive swimming or diving.

Options include:

• Fitness Swimmer
• Personal Water Safety 
• Fundamentals of Diving