Learn to Swim

Registration for Spring 2024 Learn to Swim is now closed. All levels in all time slots are full.

Want your children to learn to swim or perfect their skills before the summer swim season? Sign up for one of our 8 different Swim Levels where classes are taught by Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructors.

What age do swimmers need to be to participate?
Children must be a minimum of 3 years old at the time classes begin and potty trained for our Preschool Level and 6 years old at the time classes begin for our Regular Levels 1 – 6. Parents of swimmers in the Preschool Level  are required to physically be on the benches on the deck at Riley High School during the lesson.

When are classes held?
Classes are held Saturday Mornings starting March 2nd. Our Regular Levels 1 – 6 classes are 45 minutes long and our Preschool Level is 20 minutes long. You will also select a Skill Level for your swimmer when registering. Please note that Levels 4 – 6 will be combined during all lesson times.

What are Skill Levels and which should you choose for your child?
(click on level title for more detailed description)

Preschool Level: Introduction to the Water
Your child will be introduced to basic stills. These skills lay the foundation for water competency and the future skill development of  swimming strokes. We will work on entering and exiting the water independently, blowing bubbles gliding on front, rolling to back and floating.  We will also go over safety topics such as recognizing an emergency, wearing a lifejacket and recognizing the lifeguards. It is common for students to participate in several sessions before they demonstrate each skill successfully. THAT IS OKAY! It’s not important how quick they move through the levels, but that they acquire and master the skills in each level.
Level 1: Introduction to Aquatic Skills
In Level 1, your child is introduced to basic skills as the foundation for future skills and the development of water competency. The minimum age is 6 years old.
Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills
In Level 2, your child builds on skills learned in Level 1. Your child begins to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begins to gain rudimentary propulsive skills on the front and the back.
Level 3: Stroke Development
In Level 3 you child will be introduced to new swimming and water safety skills and will build on previously learned skills such as front crawl and elementary backstroke. They will be introduced to scissors and dolphin kicks and will also learn the rules for headfirst entries.
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
In Level 4 your child will again continue to build upon skills that have been taught in previous levels and work on improving stroke proficiency and swimming longer distances. Your child will learn the arm movements for those kicks and work on putting it all together.
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
In Level 5 your child will work on refining all six swimming strokes and going longer distances. Your child will be introduced to doing flip turns on the front and back and continue to build on skills learned in previous levels.
Level 6: Personal Water Safety and Fitness Swimming
In Level 6 your child will work with our Water Safety Instructor to perfect their Personal Water Safety and/or Fitness Swimming skills.
Adult Learn to Swim Class: (ages 16+)
For those looking to gain more confidence in the water that are 16+ years old. We will work on a range of skills from basic to more advanced, depending on your preference and skill/comfort level.

PLEASE NOTE: Swim Instructors have the final decision on which Swim Level the swimmer should participate. 

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