Guidelines for Placement in Classes

Help us get you into the right class:
Park Authority’s swim class prerequisites are designed to assist in finding the appropriate level. Please note that in the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program, diving board skills are introduced at Level V. Those individuals who wish to focus on developing diving board skills rather than swimming proficiency should consider taking Springboard Diving-beginning. Finding the right match is the best way to guarantee your progress, safety and enjoyment.

Repetition can be the key to learning
Each student progresses at a different speed in learning aquatic skills. This is dependent on a number of factors including class attendance, coordination development, water familiarity and outside practice. A child’s stage of development may influence his or her ability to learn aquatic skills. Students often repeat a level several times before mastering the skills required for advancement. It is important to understand that repeating a level does not constitute failure. Mastering skills takes time, practice and patience.

Combining course levels
When enrollment is low, course levels may be combined to avoid class cancellations. If you have any questions about your progress or your child’s, please ask the instructor.

Find the class that is right for you or your child!

Guidelines to Swim Classes for Ages 6-months to Adult
To enroll in: If participants: Course objective:
Baby & Me

Check Availability:
(6-18 mths)
Have a child ages 6-18 mo.
Want to join a class and have fun bonding with their babies in the water
Comfort, water acclimation skills and water safety skills
Toddler & Me

Check Availability:
(19 mths-3 yrs)
Have a child ages 19mo.-3 yrs 11 mo.
Want to join a class and have fun bonding with their children in the water
Comfort and safety in the water
Elementary aquatic readiness skills
Preschooler & Me

Check Availability:
(4-5 yrs)
Have a child 4 or 5 years old
Want to join a class and have fun bonding with their children in the water
Comfort and safety in the water
Elementary swim skills
Pee Wee I

Check Availability:
(3-5 yrs)
Can leave parents willingly
Are comfortable in water
Can follow directions
Functions well in a group
Comfort and safety in the water
Elementary swim skills
Emphasis on water adjustment
Pee Wee II

Check Availability:
(3-5 yrs)
Can leave parents willingly
Are comfortable in water
Follow directions and function well in groups
Can swim with swimmies or flotation belt eight yards on stomach without help
Can fully submerge face for 5 seconds
Development of locomotion skills
Add to self-help and basic rescue skills
Learn to swim three yards on front and back without flotation
Swimming Pee Wee

Check Availability:
(4-6 yrs)
Swim three yards on stomach and back without flotation Front and back crawl, diving and treading
Competitive Swimming for Advanced Pee Wees

Check Availability:
(4-6 yrs)
Swims 5 yards on stomach and back without flotation while breathing Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, starts and finishes
Level I
Intro to Water Skills

Check Availability:
(6-12 yrs) (13-adult)
Function well in a group setting Comfort and safety in the water Elementary aquatic skills
Level II
Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Check Availability:
(6-12 yrs) (13-adult)
Enter and exit water unassisted
Fully submerge face for 3 seconds
Demonstrate supported kick on front and back
Add to self-help and basic rescue skills
Begin to develop locomotion skills
Level III
Stroke Improvement

Check Availability:
(6-12 yrs) (13-adult)
Step into chest deep water
Move into front float for 5 seconds and return to standing position
Move into back float for 5 seconds and return to standing position
Swim combined stroke on front, 5 yards
Swim combined stroke on back, 5 yards
Coordinate front and back crawl
Introduce butterfly kick and body motion
Work on treading water and basic water safety skills
Level IV
Stroke Development

Check Availability:
(6-12 yrs) (13-adult)
Jump into chest deep water
Swim front crawl, 15 yards with face in water and rhythmic breathing
Maintain body position by treading water or floating, 30 seconds
Swim back crawl, 15 yards
Swim underwater
Surface diving
Tread water and back float one minute
Open turn on front and back
Front and back crawl, 25 yards
Breaststroke, butterfly and elementary backstroke, 15 yards
Level V
Stroke Refinement

Check Availability:
(6-12 yrs) (13-adult)
Perform feet first entry into chest deep water
Swim front and back crawl for 25 yards
Swim breaststroke and elementary backstroke, 15 yards
Maintain position on back in deep water, 1 minute
Tread water, 1 minute
Dive from side of pool
Flip turns
Improve key strokes and distances

Download the placement guide*

For safety reasons and to ensure that customers get the maximum benefits from aquatic programs, the Park Authority reserves the right to remove students from an inappropriate class and place them, when possible, in a class that better matches their ability level. If you have questions on which class is right for you or your child, PLEASE check with the aquatic staff at any RECenter.

* Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or greater is required to view and print this file.

 

 

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[ 12055 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035 ]  [ 703-324-8702 ]
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