- Alexandria Public Schools
- Swimming Lessons
- Swim Level Descriptions
Swim Level Descriptions
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Preschool Levels
Preschool Levels are for new, inexperienced, and/or beginning swimmers (ages 4 and 5). Preschool Levels introduce basic aquatic skills such as floating, gliding, bobbing and breath control. Instructors us fun activities and games to make the water an enjoyable place and to help children learn the fundamentals and gain confidence in and around the water. (Preschool levels are not required to enter Beginner 1, but are highly recommended!)
Preschool Levels are 35 minutes long and are conducted on elevated platforms (tot docks).
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Preschool 1 (PS1)
Prerequisites - Class is designed for 4 year olds who haveNO AQUATIC EXPERIENCE!Preschool 1 will help participants adapt to and feel comfortable in and around water. Students will learn to enjoy the water safely by incorporating basic water skills with play and games. In addition to learning basic aquatics skills, children will become familiarized with an organized swim class and be expected to interact with the instructor and classmates. All skills in this class are done with assistance - children should NOT be expected to swim independently after taking this course.Swimmers will learn the following:* Enter and exit water independently OR with assistance* Jump in from the side into chest-deep water (with a lifejacket)* Submerge mouth, nose and eyes and retrieve objects underwater* Blow bubbles through mouth and nose for 3 seconds* Front float, with face in or out of water, for 3 seconds* Front glide, with face in or out of water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Back float, with ears in water, for 3 seconds* Back glide, with ears in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Roll over from front-to-back and back-to-front* Flutter kick on front and back for 2 body lengths* Introduction to freestyle and backstroke (combined arms and flutter kicking) for 2 body lengths* Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions* Learn how to put on a lifejacket and what it is used for; experience wearing a lifejacket in the water* Explore treading hand and arm actions in chest-deep water (with lifejacket)* Orientation to deep water* Learn how to recognize an emergency and call for help; recognize the lifeguard* Learn to look carefully before entering the water -
Preschool 2 (PS2)
PRESCHOOL 2Prerequisites: This class is designed for children 4-5 years of age who have completed Preschool 1 and/or are comfortable in the water and are able to perform all Preschool 1 skills on the first day of class.Preschool 2 will prepare beginning swimmers for Beginner 1 lessons. Students will review and develop skills previously learned, build endurance, and continue developing safe practices around water. Most skills in this level are performed with assistance - children should NOT be expected to swim independently after taking this course.Swimmers will learn the following:* Enter and exit the water independently* Jump in from the side into chest-deep water (with or without a lifejacket)* Submerge entire head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 3 seconds* Bob 3 times while blowing bubbles and taking a breath* Front float, with face in water, for 5 seconds* Front glide, with face in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Back float, with ears in water, for 5 seconds* Back glide, with ears in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Roll over from front-to-back and back-to-front* Flutter kick on front and back for 2 body lengths* Introduction to freestyle and backstroke (combined arms and flutter kicking) for 2 body lengths* Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions* Learn how to put on a lifejacket and what it is used for; experience wearing a lifejacket in the water* Explore treading hand and arm actions in shoulder-deep water (with lifejacket)* Orientation to deep water* Learn how to recognize an emergency and call for help; recognize the lifeguard* Learn to look carefully before entering the water
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Beginner Levels
Beginner Levels are for new, inexperienced, and/or beginning swimmers (ages 5 and up). Beginning Levels reinforce basic aquatic skills such as floating, gliding, bobbing and breath control, as well as expand on kicking and stroke basics. Instructors use fun activities and games to make the water an enjoyable place and to hlep children learn the fundamentals and gain confidence in and around the water. Beginner Levels are 45 minutes long.
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Beginner 1 (B1)
BEGINNER 1Prerequisites: must be at least 5 years of age on or before the first day of class.(Although not a prerequisite, Preschool classes are recommended prior to taking Beginner 1).* Children who have passed Preschool 2 but are only 4 years old may be advanced to Beginner 1 at the discretion of the Aquatics Coordinator. Please contact the Aquatics Coordinator if this applies to you!This class is for those who have passed our Preschool levels OR for new, inexperience and/or cautious swimmers ages 5 and older. Beginner 1's will have the opportunity to experience basic water exploration and learn a variety of water adjustment skills that lead to assisted swimming. Students must be comfortable in the water without parents and should come prepared to learn to put their faces in the water for retrieving objects. The objective is to give swimmers success with fundamental skills, with only minimal assistance from the instructor. Swimmers will also receive orientation to deep water with support.Swimmers will learn the following:* Enter and exit water independently* Jump in from the side into chest-deep water* Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 5 seconds* Bob 5 times while blowing bubbles and taking a breath* Front float, with face in water, for 10 seconds* Front glide, with face in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Back float, with ears in water, for 10 seconds* Back glide, with ears in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical* Roll over from front-to-back and back-to-front* Flutter kick (on front and back) for 3 body lengths* Introduction to freestyle and backstroke (combined arms and flutter kicking) for 3 body lengths* Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions* Explore treading hand and arm actions in chest-deep water (no lifejacket)* Orientation to deep water* Learn how to recognize an emergency and call for help; recognize the lifeguard* Learn to look carefully before entering the water* Learn how to put on a lifejacket and what it is used for -
Beginner 2 (B2)
BEGINNER 2Prerequisites: Successful completion of Beginner 1 and/or demonstration of all Beginner 1 completion requirements on the first day of lessons.Beginner 2 will help swimmers successfully manage fundamental skills as they progress toward swimming unassisted. Swimmers must be comfortable on their own, and be able to fully submerge in an area where they can touch. Skills from Beginner 1 are progressed in this level. Rotary breathing, sitting dives, and treading are introduced. In order to pass Beginner 2, swimmers must be able to perform ALL skills unassisted by the instructor.Swimmers will learn the following:* Jump in from side in to chest-deep water and return to the edge* Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 5 seconds* Bob 10 times while blowing bubbles* Introduction to rotary breathing* Front float, face in water, for 15 seconds* Front glide, face in water, for 2 body lengths, turn and swim back to wall* Back float, ears in water, for 15 seconds* Back glide, ears in water, for 2 body lengths, roll over, turn and swim back to wall* Flutter kick on front with arms at sides OR in streamline position for 3 body lengths* Flutter kick on back with arms at sides OR in streamline position for 3 body lengths* Breaststroke and dolphin kicks; 5 yards of each kick* Freestyle for 10 yards* Backstroke for 10 yards* Elementary backstroke for 10 yards* Breaststroke arm and leg actions for 3 body lengths* Tread water for 15 seconds in shoulder-deep water* Sitting dive* Orientation to deep water* Learn how to perform simple, non-swimming assists (out of water)* Learn what to think about and do when exhausted or caught in a dangerous situation
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Intermediate Levels
Intermediate Levels build off of the basics taught in the Beginning Levels by coordinating strokes and increasing endurance. Rotary breathing is introduced, and diving and survival skills (floating and treading) are progressed. Intermediate Levels are 45 minutes long.
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Intermediate 3 (I3)
INTERMEDIATE 3
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Beginner 2 and/or demonstration of all Beginner 2 completion requirements on the first day of class.Intermediate 3 builds on skills from Beginner 1 and 2 by coordinating strokes and increasing endurance. Swimmers will focus on learning breaststroke as well as further developing their freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke and dolphin kick.Swimmers will learn the following:* Jump in from the side into deep water and return to the edge* Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 10 seconds* Rotary breathing* Front float (survival float), face in water, for 30 seconds* Back float, ears in water, for 30 seconds* Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 10 yards* Breaststroke kick for 10 yards* Dolphin kick for 10 yards* Scissors kick (on side) for 10 yards* Freestyle (with rotary breathing) for 15 yards* Backstroke for 15 yards* Elementary backstroke for 15 yards* Breaststroke (full stroke, with kick) for 10 yards* Treading water (in deep water) for 30 seconds* Kneeling dive* Learn how to perform simple, non-swimming assists (in water)* Learn to recognize, prevent and respond to cold water emergencies -
Intermediate 4 (I4)
INTERMEDIATE 4
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intermediate 3 and/or demonstration of all Intermediate 3 completion requirements on the first day of lessons.Intermediate 4 will be focusing on furthering backstroke and freestyle endurance as well as introducing the butterfly, sidestroke, and standing dives from the side of the pool.Swimmers will learn the following:* Swim underwater 5 yards to retrieve a submerged object* Rotary breathing* Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 15 yards* Breaststroke kick (on front) for 15 yards* Dolphin kick for 15 yards* Scissors kick (on side) for 15 yards* Freestyle (with rotary breathing) for 25 yards* Backstroke for 25 yards* Elementary backstroke for 25 yards* Breaststroke for 15 yards* Sidestroke for 15 yards* Butterfly (full stroke, with dolphin kick) for 10 yards* Freestyle and backstroke open turns* Treading water (in deep water) for 1 minute* Standing dive* Feet-first surface dive, submerging completely* Front float (survival float), face in water, for 1 minute* Back float, ears in water, for 1 minute* Learn about recreational water illnesses and how to prevent them
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Advanced Levels
Advanced Levels refine coordination of strokes, increase endurance and focus on technique to allow participants to swim with more ease, efficiency power and smoothness over greater distances. Competitive swimming skills are also introduced. Advanced Levels are 45 minutes long.
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Advanced 5 (A5)
ADVANCED 5Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intermediate 4 and/or demonstration of all Intermediate 4 completion requirements on the first day of lessons.Advanced 5 refines coordination of Intermediate 3 and 4 skills and increases endurance by treading water for longer as well as swimming farther distances.Swimmers will learn the following:* Rotary breathing* Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 25 yards* Breaststroke kick (on front) for 25 yards* Dolphin kick for 25 yards* Scissors kick on side for 25 yards* Freestyle (with rotary breathing) for 50 yards* Backstroke for 50 yards* Elementary backstroke for 50 yards* Breaststroke for 25 yards* Sidestroke for 25 yards* Butterfly for 15 yards* Freestyle and backstroke open turns* Treading water (in deep water) for 2 minutes* Shallow dive* Head-first surface dive to retrieve a submerged object in deep water (approx. 7 feet)* 4-minute swim utilizing any of the six strokes* Front float (survival float), face in water, for 2 minutes* Back float, ears in water, for 2 minutes* Learn how to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR* Learn basic safety guidelines/risks at pools, waterparks and waterfronts -
Advanced 6 (A6)
ADVANCED 6Prerequisites: Successful completion of Advanced 5 and/or demonstration of all Advanced 5 completion requirements on the first day of lessons.Advanced 6 polishes strokes to allow swimming with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Swimmers will be introduced to more advanced stroke technique and will be required to demonstrate proper and efficient body position and movement for each stroke, as well as competitive swimming skills such as flip turns, proper finishes, starts and utilizing a pace clock.Swimmers will learn the following:* Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 50 yards* Breaststroke kick (on front) for 50 yards* Dolphin kick for 50 yards* Scissors kick (on side) for 50 yards* Freestyle (with rotary breathing) for 100 yards* Backstroke for 100 yards* Elementary backstroke for 50 yards* Breaststroke for 50 yards* Sidestroke for 50 yards* Butterfly for 25 yards* Freestyle and backstroke flip turns* Dive from a starting block* Utilize competitive swim equipment including pull buoys, paddles, fins and reading a pace clock* 6-minute swim utilizing any of the six strokes* Tread water for 5 minutes* Demonstrate the HELP and Huddle positions for 2 minutes* Demonstrate a survival float in deep water for 5 minutes* Discuss basic safety rules for open water environments and boating
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Adult Swim Stroke Development
Prerequisites: Pass a swim test or have completed “Introduction to Swimming”
Adult Swimming Stroke Basics help participants learn strokes to allow swimming with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Swimmers will be introduced to more advanced stroke technique and will be required to demonstrate proper and efficient body position and movement for each stroke, as well as competitive swimming skills such as flip turns, proper finishes, starts and utilizing a pace clock.
Swimmers will learn the following:
* Rotary breathing
* Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 25 yards
* Breaststroke kick (on front) for 25 yards
* Dolphin kick for 25 yards
* Scissors kick on side for 25 yards
* Freestyle (with rotary breathing) for 50 yards
* Backstroke for 50 yards
* Elementary backstroke for 50 yards
* Breaststroke for 25 yards
* Sidestroke for 25 yards
* Butterfly for 15 yards
* Freestyle and backstroke open turns
* Treading water (in deep water) for 2 minutes
* Shallow dive
* Head-first surface dive to retrieve a submerged object in deep water (approx. 7 feet)
* 4-minute swim utilizing any of the six strokes
* Front float (survival float), face in water, for 2 minutes
* Back float, ears in water, for 2 minutes* Learn how to call for help and the importance of knowing first aid and CPR
* Learn basic safety guidelines/risks at pools, waterparks and waterfronts
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Adult Swimming Introduction
Adult Swimming Basics help participants adapt to and feel comfortable in and around water. Students will learn to enjoy the water safely by incorporating basic water skills to include breathing, buoyancy techniques, floating, gliding, kicking and other skills to prepare you to learn full swim strokes. All skills in this class are done with assistance - participants should NOT be expected to swim independently after taking this course.
Swimmers will learn the following:
* Enter and exit water independently OR with assistance
* Jump in from the side into chest-deep water
* Submerge mouth, nose and eyes and retrieve objects underwater
* Blow bubbles through mouth and nose for 5 seconds
* Front float, with face in or out of water, for 5 seconds
* Front glide, with face in or out of water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical
* Back float, with ears in water, for 5 seconds
* Back glide, with ears in water, for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical
* Roll over from front-to-back and back-to-front
* Flutter kick on front and back for 2 body lengths
* Introduction to freestyle and backstroke (combined arms and flutter kicking) for 2 body lengths
* Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions
* Explore treading hand and arm actions in chest-deep water
* Orientation to deep water
* Learn how to recognize an emergency and call for help; recognize the lifeguard
* Learn to look carefully before entering the water
