Level 1 – True Beginner

This swimmer has no experience in the water and is new to swimming. Emphasis will be placed on becoming comfortable in the water, blowing bubbles and putting their face in the water.

Skills to master to move to level 2:

• Completely submerging head
• Blow bubbles and breathe repetitively with face in water (breathe to side)
• Kicking on front with support
• Laying on back with support (head laid back comfortably)

Level 2 – New Swimmer

This swimmer is able to completely submerge their head, kick on their front and lay on their back with support. Emphasis will be placed on kicking with a board, front float and kicking on back with support. Students will practice “ice cream scoops” (dog paddle) with a noodle and independently.

Skills to master to move to level 3:

• Float independently on front
• Kick independently with a kickboard (minimum 15 yards)
• Dog paddle with a noodle or bubble 10 yards minimum
• Float comfortably on back with support minimum 20 seconds

Level 3 – Intermediate Swimmer

This swimmer is able to float independently and kick 15 yards with a kickboard and “dog paddle” 10 yards with support as well as float comfortably on back with support. Emphasis will be placed on increasing independence from floatation devices. Treading water will be introduced and practiced daily. Swimmers will practice rotary breathing with a dumbbell and kickboard as well as learn to float independently on their back. Introduction to freestyle and backstroke will occur and swimmers will be introduced to competitive swim technique in both strokes. Independent streamline glides will be introduced and practiced repetitively. Swimmers here will jump and attempt to dive into the deep end of the pool (from side and starting block)

Skills to master to move to level 4:

• Independently float on front and back (15 sec. minimum each)
• Front streamline glide from push off wall (5 yards)
• Complete 1 lap of pool independently (mostly freestyle)
• Complete at least 10 yards on back independently
• Tread water 30 seconds

Level 4 – Advanced Intermediate

This swimmer is able to swim at least one lap of the pool and float independently. Emphasis will be placed on refining freestyle and backstroke technique with emphasis placed on rotary breathing to prepare this swimmer for competition. Competitive flip turns will be introduced and practiced while reinforcing the concept of streamline. Swimmer will also be introduced to breaststroke and butterfly as well as diving off the side of the pool and the competitive starting blocks.

Skills to master to move to level 5:

• Complete one lap of pool freestyle with rotary breathing (face in water)
• Complete one lap of pool backstroke (competitive preferred but some elementary Ok)
• Dive from side and/or starting block
• Tread water in deep end- 1 minute

Level 5 – Pre-Team

Continued emphasis on stroke technique of all 4 competitive strokes including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers will also practice diving, gliding and turning.