Alert:
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!
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Baby & Me Swim |
Students must meet the age requirement One (or two) adult(s) must participate in the water with each student (one adult may not bring two students) Babies must wear tight fitting plastic pants under their bathing suit Baby should not eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes prior to getting into the water |
Learn water adjustment and water safety skills in a fun environment Learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner Focus on comfort in the water, explore submerging the face, floating and kicking on front and back with assistance Water Safety |
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Toddler & Me Swim |
Students must meet the age requirement One (or two) adult(s) must participate in the water with the student (one adult may not bring two students) Students not toilet trained, or who are subject to having ‘accidents’ must wear tight fitting plastic pants under their bathing suit Students should not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes prior to class |
Learn water adjustment and water safety skills in a fun environment Learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe manner Focus on comfort in the water, explore submerging the face, floating on front and back with assistance Also learn arm and leg action for swimming on front and back, changing body position, use of lifejacket |
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Preschooler & Me Swim |
Students must meet the age requirement This is a great class for the student not yet ready to participate in a group class by themselves One (or two) adult(s) must participate in the water with the student (one adult may not bring two students) Students who are not toilet trained or who are subject to having ‘accidents’ should wear tight fitting plastic pants under their bathing suit Students should not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes prior to class |
Help student become comfortable in the water and gain basic aquatic skills Note: the same skills are taught in both the Preschooler and Me class and the Pee Wee Paddler I class Preschooler skills include:
Floatation devices may be used in the class to help provide assistance and encourage independent movement, however, emphasis will be on transitioning the student to perform skills independently without the support of floatation devices or assistance |
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Pee Wee Paddler I |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must leave parent willingly, be comfortable in the water, follow directions of the instructor and function well in a group Students who are not toilet trained or who are subject to having ‘accidents’ should wear tight fitting plastic pants under their bathing suits Students should not eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes prior to the class |
Help student become comfortable in the water and gain basic aquatic skills. Pee Wee Paddler I skills include:
Floatation devices may be used in the class to help provide assistance and encourage independent movement, however, emphasis will be on transitioning the student to perform skills independently without the support of floatation devices or assistance |
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Pee Wee Paddler II |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to perform the following Pee Wee Paddler I skills:
Students must leave parent willingly, be comfortable in the water , follow directions of the instructor and function well in a group Use of assistance or support is allowed when performing the prerequisite skills, but independent skill performance is required to pass the Pee Wee Paddler II class. Therefore, students enrolling in Pee Wee Paddler II class must be willing to start doing skills without support or assistance Students who are not toilet trained or who are subject to having ‘accidents’ should wear tight fitting plastic pants under their bathing suits Students should not eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes prior to the class |
Help student gain greater comfort and independence so that they demonstrate skills without assistance Pee Wee Paddler II skills include:
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Pee Wee Paddler III |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to perform the following Pee Wee Paddler II skills:
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Help children gain basic swimming propulsive skills and increase endurance and distance swimming without assistance or use of floatation devices Pee Wee Paddler III skills include:
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Pee Wee Paddler IV |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to perform the following Pee Wee Paddler III skills:
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This class focuses on improving technical performance and distance of swimming strokes, introduction to Breaststroke and diving from the side This class is typically taught in a lap lane and deep water Pee Wee Paddler IV skills include:
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Pee Wee Paddler V |
Students must meet the age requirement. Students must be able to perform the following Pee Wee Paddler IV skills:
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This class is designed to help the student continue to improve their technical performance of the swim strokes, introduce new skills and increase their swimming endurance Pee Wee Paddler V skills include:
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Pee Wee Paddler VI |
Students must meet the age requirement. Students must be able to perform the following Pee Wee Paddler V skills:
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This class is designed to help the student continue to improve their technical performance of the swim strokes, introduce new skills and increase their swimming endurance Pee Wee Paddler VI skills include:
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NOTE TO PARENTS:
Children who are too old to continue taking the Pee Wee Paddler classes should transition into the 6-12 year old Learn To Swim classes by enrolling in the class appropriate for their skill level. The Learn to Swim chart provides a suggested transition to the 6-12 year old classes, but parents should use the required skill list as the ultimate guide as to which class is appropriate for your child. If you still have questions after reviewing the chart does not help you find the appropriate class to take, please contact the Aquatic Staff for assistance. |
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Swimming for Children I or
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Students must meet the age requirement Students must leave parent willingly and be able follow directions of the instructor and function well in a group
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To help the student gain basic aquatic skills All skills in the Swimming I class may be done with assistance or support
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Swimming for Children II or
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Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to perform the following Swimming I or Pee Wee Paddler I:
Use of assistance or support is allowed when performing the prerequisite skills, but independent skill performance is required to pass the Swimming II class. Therefore, students enrolling in Swimming for Children II or Swimming for Teens and Adults II class must be willing to start doing skills without support or assistance |
To increase student’s confidence and ability to perform without assistance. Swimming II skills include:
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Swimming for Children III or |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following Swimming II or Pee Wee Paddler II and Pee Wee Paddler III:
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To increase endurance, swimming distance and proficiency Swimming III skills include:
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Swimming for Children IV or |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following Swimming III or Pee Wee Paddler IV skills:
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To improve technical performance of swimming strokes, increase distance and endurance; and introduce the Breaststroke and diving from the side of the pool into deep water Swimming IV skills include:
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Swimming for Children V or |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following Swimming IV or Pee Wee Paddler V or Pee Wee Paddler VI skills:
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To improve technical performance of swimming strokes previously introduced, increase distance to 50 yards for each stroke; introduce the dolphin kick, racing dive, open turns and learn basic competitive swimming skills Swimming V skills include:
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Swimming for Children VI or |
Students must meet the age requirement Students must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following Swimming V skills:
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This class is for the advanced swimmer who wants to continue to refine and improve their swimming strokes and increase endurance and distance; introduce Sidestroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley, and flip turns. Swimming VI skills include:
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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.