Swim Lesson Descriptions
Red Cross Swim Preschool Lessons
6 months-5 yrs
Red Cross Swim Preschool has replaced our past Aquatot and Toddler programs. Designed for a smaller class size so preschoolers can fully enjoy their time with their instructor and classmates.
| Starfish 6-18 months with an adult |
This introductory class is for babies and their parent or caregiver. To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their heads up. The goal of this orientation |
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| Duck 18-30 months with an adult |
This series of classes is for toddlers or older babies and their parent or caregiver. Students build confidence while enjoying the water through games, songs and active water play. |
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| Sea Turtle Beginner 30 months with an adult-5 yrs |
These transitional classes are for preschoolers and their parents. Parents can gradually transfer their preschoolers to the care of the instructor. Students build confidence while enjoying the water through active water play and are introduced to floating, gliding and bubbles. |
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| Sea Turtle Advanced 3-5 yrs |
Children build confidence while enjoying the water through active water play and are introduced to floating, gliding, bubbles and swimming skills. |
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| Salamander 3-5 yrs |
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Children actively learn new swimming skills including floats and glides through games and songs. The fun includes learning to jump into chest-deep water. |
Red Cross Swim Kids Lessons
6-14 yrs
Red Cross Swim Kids has replaced our past AquaQuest program. With a with a fresh approach to swimming and water safety education, this program challenges those who previously passed a Red Cross Swim Preschool program and is also a starting point for children with limited swimming experience.
| Swim Kids 1 Beginner |
This entry level provides children with an orientation to the water and the pool area and introduces floats and glides with kick. Swim Kids 1 (Advanced) This level builds on a child’s previous swim introduction to floats and glides with kick. Children build their endurance by improving distance. |
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| Swim Kids 2 |
This level builds skills in front and back swims. Children are introduced to deep water activities and proper use of a personal flotation device. Endurance is built on flutter kick and glides. |
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| Swim Kids 3 |
This level introduces proper front crawl and develops a foundation for making wise choices on where and when to swim. Diving is introduced and students work on floats, changing direction and a 15-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 4 |
In this level, children further develop the front crawl, back glide and shoulder roll for back crawl. They work on dives, surface support and endurance with a 25-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 5 |
In this level, the back crawl is introduced, along with sculling skills and whip kick on the back. There is an introduction to safe boating skills and endurance is developed through dolphin kick and a 50-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 6 |
This level continues to refine front and back crawl and elementary backstroke is introduced. Children are also introduced to rescue of others with throwing assists. Dives and treading water are improved and endurance is developed through a 75-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 7 |
This level continues to build skills and endurance for front crawl and elementary backstroke and introduces whip kick on the front. Students learn about airway and breathing |
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| Swim Kids 8 |
This level introduces the breaststroke, foot-first surface dives and rescue entries. Students learn about the dangers of open water, hypothermia and the performance of rescue breathing. Endurance is built on the dolphin kick and 300-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 9 |
Front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke continue to be refined in this level. Children are encouraged to combine different strokes and kicks for fitness. Work on shallow and standing dives continues along with learning about wise choices, peer influences and self-rescue from ice. Endurance is built through a 400-metre swim. |
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| Swim Kids 10 |
Further refinement of strokes, with an introduction to butterfly and scissor kick highlight this level. Children learn about sun safety and head- and feet-first surface dives. Endurance is built using butterfly drills and a 500-metre swim. |
