Red Cross Swim Lessons

The Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program has been re-designed to move participants systematically through stroke development and safety skills. Revisions include which skills are taught on which level and puts a higher focus on safety in and around the water. Parents should read the descriptions carefully during the registration process. Parents are not allowed in the water or on the deck with the students during any of these classes. Recommended minimum age for the Red Cross Program is six years old. During the first day of class all students will be evaluated to ensure they are enrolled in the best class for them. Based on the instructor’s judgment and class availability, students may be moved from the level they were originally enrolled.

Questions: If you would like to speak to your student’s instructor before or after class they will be available. If a question arises during class, please speak to the Site Coordinators or the Swimming Program Coordinator.

To download the newest Community Center brochure as PDF, click the brochure thumbnail.

Learn-To-Swim Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills

Objectives of this class are basic personal water safety information and skills to help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Elementary aquatic skills are learned. Most skills are performed with support. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Enter independently, travel 5 yards, bob three times, then exit the water.
2) Glide on front at least two body lengths, roll on the back and float for three seconds, recover to a vertical position.

Learn-To-Swim Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Objectives of this class are to learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Students further
develop simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on both the front and back. To enroll in this level , RC1 should have been completed. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Step from side into chest deep water, move into a front float for five seconds, roll to back and float for five seconds, then return to a vertical position.
2) Move into a back float for five seconds, roll to front then recover to vertical position.
3) Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions for five body lengths, roll to back, float for fifteen seconds, roll to front and continue swimming for five body lengths.

Learn-To-Swim Level 3: Stroke Development

Objectives of this class are to learn survival float, swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke. The scissors and dolphin kicks are introduced to build on the fundamentals of treading water. To enroll in this level, RC2 should have been completed. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Jump into deep water, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading water or floating for thirty seconds, and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.

Learn-To-Swim Level 4: Stroke Improvement

Objectives of this class are to improve skills and increase endurance by swimming front crawl and elementary
backstroke for greater distances. Arm movements will be added for sidestroke. Introduction to back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and basic turns. To enroll in this level, RC3 should have been completed. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Perform a feet first entry into deep water, swim front crawl 25 yards, change direction and position and swim elementary backstroke 25 yards.
2) Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and
position and swim back crawl 15 yards.

Learn-To-Swim Level 5: Stroke Refinement

Objectives of this class are to coordinate and refine all strokes; front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke while increasing distances. Flip turns are introduced. To enroll in this level, RC4 should have been completed. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl 50 yards, change direction and position of travel and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards.
2) Swim breaststroke 25 yards, change direction and position of travel and swim back crawl 25 yards.

Learn-To-Swim Level 6: Personal Water Safety

Objectives of this class are to refine strokes so students swim with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Practice of treading water, surface diving, and safety in various aquatic settings are included. To enroll in this level, RC5 should have been completed. The final exit test for this level is:
1) Swim 500 yards using any three strokes of your choice, swimming at least 50 yards of each stroke.
2) Jump into deep water, perform survival float for five
minutes, roll onto back and perform back float for five minutes.
3) Perform a feet first surface dive, retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool, return to surface and return to starting point.

Swim Lesson Refund Policy: The following applies to all lessons, including private: Full Refunds: Given prior to the first class or if the program is canceled by the Recreation Department. No Refunds: Given once class session has begun. Address questions to management.