Level↓ Age →

3 years old –

5 years old

6 years old – 11 years old

Beginner / Non-Swimmer

Pikes – This class is for beginners who have little or no previous experience in the water. Children work on water adjustment and basic skills including blowing bubbles, and the front and back float with support, jumping in with support, and paddling on the front. Personal floatation devices (PFDs) will, in most cases, be used.

Polliwogs – This class is for beginners who have little or no previous experience in the water. It gets children acquainted with the pool, the use of floatation devices, and front and back floating. By the end of this level, they should know the front paddle stroke, sidestroke and back paddle stroke.

Advanced Beginner Swimmer

Eels – This class is for beginners who are comfortable in the water, who can float on their back and move throughout the water independently for very short distances. Children will continue to develop skills learned at the PIKE level, and will begin submerging themselves underwater, floating, jumping in and paddling on front and back without support. PFDs in most cases will be used.

Guppies – The children continue to practice and build upon basic skills, now performing more skills without the aid of floatation devices. They are introduced to lead-up strokes to front and back crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke. More synchronized swimming as well as some diving skills is learned.

Intermediate Swimmer

Rays – This classis for intermediates that are moving through the water independently, and who are ready to be introduced at a rudimentary level to the front crawl stroke, sidestroke, breast stroke, and the elementary backstroke. Rhythmic breathing, kneeling dives and somersaults are also introduced. PFDs may be used to help build endurance.

Minnows – The children further refine the lead up strokes they have learned at the guppy level, continuing the development of these strokes. They also progress with their diving skills.

*Child should be able to swim 25 meters without assistance

Intermediate / Advanced Swimmer

Starfish – This class is for intermediate who have been introduced to the four basic strokes taught at the ray level, and who are ready to continue to develop those strokes. Standing dives are introduced. PFDs may be used to learn new skills, but typically are not needed.

Fish – At this level students work to perform the crawl stroke, elementary backstroke, back crawl stroke and sidestroke with turns. They are still learning more diving skills and are introduced to the butterfly.

*Child should be able to swim 25 meters continuously without assistance