WaterKids

3 Years – 12 Years

We use a child-centered teaching approach focused on water adjustment, personal safety, basic survival skills, and basic through advanced swim techniques. Our highly-trained instructors work with students to develop a harmonious relationship with the water. They build a strong foundation for the strokes by introducing breathing exercises, correct body alignment, building core body strength, and propulsion. As our students progress, we add developmentally appropriate strokes. The WaterKids learn-to-swim program helps build confidence, self-esteem, and independence in students. Kids have fun while learning to respect the water.

The Waterbabies philosophy, combined with ‘Swimplicity – Learn to Swim’ technology, forms the foundation of our WaterKids program. Swimplicity was developed by Bill Boomer and Milt Nelms (Olympic swim coaches) and adapted for a Learn To Swim program by Edie Flood of “Wings Over Water” swim Schools in New York.

*** Due to COVID-19, all group classes and workshops are on hold until further notice. Modified lessons NOW OPEN! ***

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Monthly Classes
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Class
Description
Age
Length
Prerequisites
WaterKids 1
This class is for first time swimmers and/or children who are fearful or uncomfortable in the water.Read More
3+ years
30 min
No previous experience necessary.
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 1

Description

This class is for first time swimmers and/or children who are fearful or uncomfortable in the water. This class focuses on becoming comfortable in and under the water and transitioning smoothly to an instructor led class. Safety skills and floating skills (back & front) are introduced. Parent participation required if needed by the student the first few weeks of class.

Age
3+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

No previous experience necessary

WaterKids 2
These students are water adjusted (comfortable in and under the water) and happy to swim with an instructor.Read More
3+ years
30 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 2

Description

These students are water adjusted (comfortable in and under the water) and happy to swim with an instructor. This class focuses on continued water adjustment, independent floating skills (back & front), independent basic safety skills, and introduction of propulsion.

Age
3+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 1 skills:

  •         * Comfortable working with an instructor
  •         * Blows bubbles at & below the interface
  •         * Breath control for 3-5 counts
  •         * Elevator with assistance
  •         * Backfloat with assistance 
  •         * Swims independently 3-5 feet
  •         * Humpty Dumpty with assistance
  •         * Has been introduced to:
    •               * Consecutive Bobs
    •               * Front Floats
WaterKids 3
This class focuses on independence, developing breath control and rhythmic breathing while swimming independently and advanced safety skills.Read More
3+ years
30 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 3

Description

This class focuses on independence, developing breath control and rhythmic breathing, and advanced safety skills like rolling over for a breath and jumping in to an unassisted backfloat.

Age
3+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 2 skills:

  •         * Blow to Hello - Frog posture
  •         * Bobs with assistance 5-10 times
  •         * Elevator unassisted
  •         * Backfloat unassisted for 10 counts
  •         * 'X' Front Float unassisted for 5 counts
  •         * Front Glide with correct alignment
  •         * Roll back to front & swim to wall/ platform
  •         * Safety Jump with assistance
  •         * Retrieves objects from pool floor with assistance
  •         * Has been introduced to Pop-up Breathing
WaterKids 4
This class focuses on independent swimming skillsRead More
3+ years
30 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 4

Description

This class focuses on independent swimming skills like consecutively rolling for breaths with correct body alignment, pop-up breathing, and continued advanced safety skills.

Age
3+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 3 skills:

  •         * Bridge while anchored on steps/ platform
  •         * Safety Jump unassisted
  •         * Bobs with assistance, 10 times
  •         * Blows bubbles down to a sit, with assistance
  •         * Vertical Hang
  •         * Backfloat in body shapes unassisted for 20 counts
  •         * Roll once for breath while in propulsion
  •         * Pop-up breath while in propulsion 1 time
  •         * Jump in, pop-up to 'X' Backfloat unassisted for 10 counts
  •         * Has been introduced to:
  •                 * 'Y' shape
  •                 * Flutter Kicks     
WaterKids 5
This class focuses on maintaining correct alignment while in propulsionRead More
4+ years
30 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 5

Description

This class focuses on maintaining correct alignment while in propulsion. Students will swim laps for first time in a 25-yard pool, gaining confidence and independence while learning advanced propulsion skills like flutter kicks.

Age
4+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 4 or WaterYouth 2 skills:

  •         * Vertical Hang, walk up to Pencil Backfloat for 5 counts
  •         * Backfloat unassisted for 30 counts
  •         * Body rolling from Prone 'I' to back Pencil  for 30 feet
  •         * Pop-up breathing with correct alignment for 30 feet
  •         * Elementary Backstroke
  •         * Flutter kicks on back
  •         * Has been introduced to Backset position from wall
WaterKids 6
This class focuses on axial alignment and core body strengthRead More
5+ years
45 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 6

Description

This class focuses on core body strength, axial alignment and freestyle and backstroke foundations. Additionally, students will execute dolphin kick with pop-up breathing. Students swim for approximately 45 minutes in a 25-yard pool, averaging 14-20 laps and building endurance as they progress.

Age
5+ years
Length
45 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 5 skills:

  •         * Elementary Backstroke, 1 lap
  •         * Flutter kicks on back, 2 laps in quiet propulsion
  •         * Refine Body Rolling with quiet propulsion
  •         * Has been introduced to:
    •               * Vertical Pencil breathing
    •               * 'L' body rolling sequence
    •               * Dolphin Kick
    •               * Treading water
    •               * Rock and Roll on back
WaterKids 7
This class focuses on teaching freestyle and backstroke with correct formRead More
5.5+ years
45 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids 7

Description

This class focuses on teaching freestyle and backstroke now that correct rhythmic breathing, axial alignment, and core body strength are in place. Additionally, further stroke development and techniques like Breaststroke kick are introduced when ready.

Age
5.5+ years
Length
45 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 6 skills:

  •         * Bridge with breath exchanges
  •         * Underwater Freestyle
  •         * 'L' Body Rolling sequence unassisted
  •         * Rock and Roll - Back Pencil
  •         * Rock and Roll - Front Pencil
  •         * Proficiency in 'L' drills, front & back
  •         * Dolphin with Pop-up breathing for 1 lap
  •         * Treading water for 30 seconds
  •         * Has been introduced to:
    •               * Circle Swimming
    •               * Streamline
    •               * Whip Kick
WaterKids Grads
This class focuses on refining freestyle and backstroke and learning breaststroke and butterflyRead More
6+ years
45 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterKids Grads

Description

This class focuses on further refining freestyle and backstroke, learning breaststroke and butterfly, and building endurance for each stroke. FINA (International Swimming Federation) standard turns introduced at this level.

Age
6+ years
Length
45 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterKids 7 skills:

  •         * Rhythmic breath exchanges
  •         * Build and increase endurance
  •         * Maintain proficiency in 'L' drills
  •         * Freestyle - 4 laps with correct form
  •         * Backstroke - 4 laps with correct form
  •         * Breaststroke kicks on kickboard with breath exchange
  •         * Treading water for 1 minute
  •         * Has been introduced to Butterfly Arms
WaterYouth 1
This class is for first time swimmersRead More
6+ years
30 min
No previous experience necessary.
Schedule
Schedule

WaterYouth 1

Description

This class is a gentle introduction to swimming for students who are new and/or uncomfortable in the water. The focus of this level is water adjustment. Instructors will help students become happy and relaxed in the water by introducing swim skills such as breath control, floating, and basic safety techniques.

Age
6+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

No previous experience necessary

WaterYouth 2
This class is for advanced Youth studentsRead More
6+ years
30 min
Skills requiredRead More
Schedule
Schedule

WaterYouth 2

Description

This class is for advanced Youth students who are still working on water adjustment but are ready to combine breathing and propulsion. This class focuses on managing aquatic forces, consecutive rolling and pop-up breathing, and an introduction to elementary backstroke and flutter kicks.

Age
6+ years
Length
30 min
Prerequisites

Students must consistently and comfortably demonstrate the following WaterYouth 1 skills:

  •         * Breath control for 10 counts
  •         * Elevator unassisted
  •         * Backfloat unassisted for 10-30 counts  
  •         * Retrieves objects from pool floor
  •         * Consecutive Bobs with assistance 5-10 times
  •         * Front glide with correct alignment for 5-10 feet
  •         * Front Float in'X' shape unassisted
  •         * Roll from back to front & swim to wall
  •         * Safety Jump with assistance
  •         * Has been introduced to:
    •               * Pop-up breathing
    •               * Roll-over breathing