Skill Levels

Skill Levels and Water Aerobics

Ms. Sue Swimming offers six comprehensive course levels that teach you, your child or other family members how to swim skillfully and safely.  We offer up to level six. The prerequisite for each level is the successful demonstration of the skills from the preceding level, except for Level 1, which has no prerequisite.  Ms. Sue recommends that your children completes Level 3 to be safer in pools and Level 5 be safer in lakes, oceans, rivers, etc.  Each level includes training in basic water safety, in addition to the skills outlined below:

Parent and Child Aquatic Program (PAC)

Purpose:  A very special class that helps babies to adjust to water and teaches the parents a lot of ways to convince them that water really is fun while learning the skills in the PAC Level.  Enjoyable quality time without distractions for both parent and child in a warm saltwater pool and "yes" some do learn to swim. 

Preschool Level

Purpose – A much needed course to fill the gap between PAC and Level 1. About three to four year old students are adjusting to being in the pool without the parent figure. It helps students to be comfortable and safe when entering the water and putting their face in while blowing bubbles. Arm and leg movements, floating and turning over, and jumping from the ledge all come into play.  All skills will be taught with complete assistance, close supervision, and of course, toys.

Level 1 Introduction to Water Skills

Purpose:  Helps students feel comfortable in the water.  Level 1 Participants learn to:  Enter and exit water safely, submerge mouth, nose and eyes, exhale underwater, float on front and back with assistance, explore arm and hand movements, explore swimming on front and back with assistance, open eyes underwater, submerge to pick up object, use a life jacket, and follow basic water safety rules. Be able to move 5 yards.  All skills are taught with assistance.

Level 2 Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Purpose:  Gives students success with fundamental skills. Level 2 Participants learn to: Exit water using ladder or side, float 15 secs on front & back, enter water by stepping or jumping from the side, move in water while wearing life jacket, tread water, explore swimming on side, open eyes underwater, submerge head to retrieve object, perform beginning rhythmic breathing, glide on front and back, roll over from front to back, back to front, swim on front & back using combined strokes. Swim 5 yards, front & back beginner stroke.  All skills are taught with minimum assistance.  

Level 3-Stroke Development

Purpose:  Builds on the skills in Level 2 through additional guided practice. Level 3 participants learn to:  Jump into water from the side, dive from sitting or kneeling position, submerge fully and retrieve object, bob with head fully submerged, perform rotary breathing, survival float, swim front crawl, elementary back stoke, perform butterfly kick and body motion, perform HELP and huddle position, perform reaching assists, use Check-Call-Care in an emergency, change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back assistance only when necessary.   

Level 4-Stroke Improvement

Purpose: Develops confidence in the skills learned and improves other aquatic skills.  Learn-to-Swim Level 4 participants can purchase Waddles in the Deep full-color booklet that reinforces class instruction to help swimmers develop confidence in their strokes and improve other aquatic skills. Level 4 participants learn to:  Swim underwater, breaststroke, back crawl, scissors kick, coordinate butterfly, open turns on front and back, compact jump while wearing a life jacket, compact dive and safety, perform throwing assists, tread water, care for conscious choking victim.  Swim 25 yards., front crawl & 15 back crawl. Assistance only when necessary.

Level  5-Stroke Refinement

Purpose:  Provides further coordination, endurance & refinement of the following strokes. Front & back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke & butterfly.  Rescue breathing, safety, diving information & survival swimming. Swim 50 yds. front crawl & 25 yds. back crawl.  Assistance only when necessary.

Level  6-Swimming & Skill Proficiency 

Purpose:  Refines all six strokes so students swim them with ease, efficiency, power & smoothness over greater distances.  Level 6 is designed with “menu” options that focus on preparing students to participate in more advanced courses, including the Water Safety Instruction & Lifeguard Training courses, or other aquatic activities, such as competitive swimming.  The options include:  Personal water safety, boating safety, lifeguard readiness & fitness swimming.

Water Aerobics 

We offer water aerobics on Monday & Thursday evening from 8:00 till 9:00 pm during June & July.  In August from 7:00 till 8:00 pm

adults. (18 & over).  The aerobics class consists of a 15 minute warm up, a 30 minute work out, a 15 minute cool down.  We have steps & ladder for entering the pool.  The water is kept about 85 degrees for the comfort of people with arthritis & others.  Our classes are very relaxed & you work at your own pace & intensity.  Ms Sue will explain the difference between no impact, low impact & high impact aerobics.  You can even request an exercise for a specific area.

If only feel like enjoying the warm water or the seats by the jets, that is fine.  You do not have to be able to swim to participate in the class as long as you can walk around in the water up to your waist-armpit area. Wear whatever you find comfortable, a swimsuit or a shirt & shorts are fine.  Be sure & bring a towel or two.  We also have a hot tub if you wish to relax.