Learn TO SWIM with

Water AcclImation Lessons

Ages 6 months – 3 years

Gets kids comfortable in and around the water; prepares them to learn to swim

Aqua Learning: Shrimp • Ages 6–18 months

Parent or guardian participation in the water with the child is required. The instructor will demonstrate techniques as parents learn how to safely acclimate the child into the water.

Aqua Learning: Starfish • Ages 18–36 months

Toddlers will enjoy learning basics of water safety and participating in a swim class. Parent or guardian participation in the water with the child is required. Parents will learn how to safely guide their child and help them advance at their own pace. The class is for children who are not yet ready to be away from mom or dad but do enjoy the water. Min/Max: 3/8

Aqua Learning: Pufferfish • Ages 2–3

This transitional class is for children who have passed Starfish but are not yet ready to be away from mom or dad or are still adjusting to a group environment in the water. The Pufferfish class is designed to help swimmers gain confidence and independence as they master introductory skills and learn safe practices. Parents or guardians will participate in the water during the first four classes. Min/Max: 3/8

Prerequisites: At least 2 years old or completion of Starfish

Swimmers who successfully complete Pufferfish can: Swim underwater with assistance

• Following directions • Swim independently of parent/guardian • Bob underwater with assistance • Jump in without assistance

Intermediate Lessons

Ages 3–10 years

Progressive classes go from swimming with support to swimming independently; Student/teacher ratio = 6:1

Preschool: Turtle • Ages 3–4

This independent class is designed for children who have never had swimming lessons or are just starting to learn the fundamentals of swimming. Activities may seem repetitive, but students will gain confidence as they master basic introductory swimming and water safety skills. Min/Max: 3/6

Prerequisites: At least 3 years old (some exceptions may apply) or have completed the Pufferfish class • Must be able to follow instructions

Swimmers who successfully complete the Turtle level when they can: Jump in without assistance • Swim underwater comfortably unassisted • Self-propel five feet to the instructor

• Bob underwater without assistance • Know safety practices

• Retrieve an object from chest-deep water with assistance

Preschool Plus: Seahorse • Ages 3–5

This advanced class continues to build your child’s independence and confidence in the water to prepare them for Level 1: Jellyfish and teach water safety and precautions. Actives may seem repetitive, but students will master introductory skills and safe practices. Min/Max: 3/6

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Turtle class • Swim underwater comfortably without assistance • Self-propel 5 feet to the instructor • Bob underwater without assistance • Follow directions and have an understanding of water safety • Retrieve an object from chest-deep water with assistance

Swimmers who successfully complete the Seahorse can: Float independently on their front and back • Self-propel 10 feet to the instructor • Retrieve an object in chest-deep water without assistance • Jump in without assistance • Blow bubbles out of their nose

Find the right group lessons for your child

To ensure success in the O’Fallon Swim Academy, it’s important to register children for the appropriate level. Children who have participated in the swimming program should register according to the last class successfully completed, moving to the next class or skill level when all skills from the previous level are mastered. Some classes may seem repetitive, but we want swimmers to perfect their skills in order to advance safely, not quickly. Children learn at different paces and it is common to repeat a class.

Advanced Lessons

Ages 6–12 years

Independent swimmers learn and perfect the 4 swim strokes; Student/teacher ratio = 8:1

Level Four: Marlin • Ages 6+

Emphasizes distance, endurance and technique. Swimmers will learn how to perform an open turn on the wall and begin learning the basics of breaststroke and butterfly.

Level One: Jellyfish • Ages 4+

Builds on basic swimming skills, reinforces independent swimming and introduces the freestyle and backstroke. Min/Max: 3/6

Prerequisites: Age 4 or successfully completed Seahorse

Swimmers will complete Level 1: Jellyfish when they can: Swim freestyle eight feet independently

• Glide on front independently

• Retrieve an object from bottom of the pool with assistance

• Self-propel 15 feet to the instructor

Level Two: Sea Lion • Ages 5+

Emphasizes freestyle and backstroke skills while continuing to build endurance and independent swimming skills. Min/Max: 3/6

Prerequisites: 5 years old or successful completion of Level 1: Jellyfish • Swim freestyle eight feet independently

• Glide on front independently

• Retrieve an object from the pool bottom with assistance

• Self-propel 15 feet to the instructor

Swimmers will complete the Sea Lion level when they can: Swim freestyle 15 feet independently

• Swim underwater 10 feet without assistance

• Complete a backstroke for eight feet independently

Level

Three: Stingray

• Ages 5+

Emphasizes the techniques of freestyle and backstroke. Perfects the technique and skills to further build upon the swimmer’s endurance.

Prerequisites: At least 5 years old or have successfully completed Level 2: Sea Lion

• Swim freestyle 15 feet independently

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be at least 6 years old or have successfully completed Level 3: Stingray • Freestyle with rotary breathing for 25 yards • Backstroke with good form for 1 length of the pool • Tread water

Skills Taught: Open wall turns • Introduction to Breaststroke kick, breathing and arms • Breaststroke push off and pullout off the wall under water • Butterfly kick (dolphin kick)

Level Five: Dolphin • Ages 6+

Emphasizes distance and technique for all 4 strokes. Swimmers will work on perfecting their turns off the wall along with the overall stroke form.

Prerequisites: At least 6 years old or have successfully completed Level 4: Marlin • Basic knowledge of open wall turns • Swim 25 yards of freestyle with rotary breathing • Swim 25 yards Backstroke • Perform Breaststroke kick for 10 yards

Skills Taught: Swim 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke with a turn • Bilateral breathing • Flip turns • Tread water for 2 minutes • Introduction to arms and breathing for butterfly • Breaststroke with good form for 10 yards

Level Six: Shark • Ages 6+

Emphasizes technique, distance and endurance with all 4 strokes. Swimmers will fine-tune their technique with every stroke and open their opportunity to join a swim team.

• Float and swim on back

• Swim underwater 10 feet independently

• Backstroke eight feet independently

Skills Taught: Backstroke form

• Freestyle with rotary breathing

Prerequisites: Swim 50 yards freestyle with bilateral breathing with a flip turn • Swim 50 yards backstroke with a flip turn • Breaststroke for 10 yards • Open wall turns • Tread for 2 minutes

• Treading water

• Retrieving objects in deep water

• Jumping in water over their head and traveling to safety

Skills Taught: Swim 50 of freestyle with bilateral breathing and a flip turn off the wall • Swim 50 of backstroke with a flip turn off the wall • Swim butterfly with good form and technique for 25 yards • Swim breaststroke for 50 yards with an open turn off the wall • Demonstrate proficiency with all aquatic skills