Skip to Main Content

Swim Lesson Levels

Swim lesson levels are determined by current skill level. Swimmers will advance to the next level when criteria in the current level have been met.

Level 1

1. Fully submerge face-3 seconds    
2. Bob 10 times-chest deep
3. Supported front and back float    
4. Bubble blowing
5. Enter/exit pool independently    
6. Supported front and back kick
7. Demonstrate alternating arms    
8. Reaching assists without equipment
9. Basic water safety rules

Level 2

1. Hold breath and fully submerge head-3 seconds
2. Explore deep water with support
3. Submerge and retrieve objects underwater    
4. Back and front float-5 seconds each
5. Rhythmic breathing-10 bobs    
6. Leveling off from vertical position
7. Enter chest-deep water    
8. Get out at side of pool
9. Fluter kick on front    
10. Flutter kick on back
11. Finning on back    
12. Back crawl arm action
13. 5 yards front stroke    
14. 5 yards back stroke
15. Turn over front to back    
16. Turn over back to front
17. Perform reaching and extension assist from deck

Level 3

1. Retrieve object with no support    
2. Bob, submerging head completely
3. Bob in water over head to travel to safe area    
4. Jump into deep water
5. Kneeling dive    
6. Compact dive
7. Prone glide with push-off    
8. Supine glide with push-off
9. Front crawl with breathing and proper arms    
10. Back crawl-10 yards
11. Elementary backstroke kick-10 yards    
12. Reverse direction while swimming-front to back/back to front
13. Tread water

Level 4

1. Deep water bobbing    
2. Front float
3. Back float    
4. Rotary breathing
5. Stride dive    
6. Standing dive
7. Elementary backstroke-10 yards    
8. Sculling on back-5 yards
9. Front crawl with rotary breathing-25 yards    
10. Back crawl-25 yards
11. Breaststroke kick-10 yards    
12. Side stroke kick-10 yards
13. Demonstrate wall turn    
14. Tread water

Level 5

1. Alternate breathing    
2. Long shallow dive
3. Breaststroke-10 yards    
4. Side stroke-10 yards
5. Swimming underwater-3 body lengths    
6. Elementary backstroke-25 yards
7. Dolphin kick    
8. Front crawl-50 yards
9. Back crawl-50 yards    
10. Open turn on front
11. Open turn on back    
12. Rules for safe diving
13. Recognition of spinal injury    
14. Hip/shoulder support
15. Feet-first surface dive    
16. Tread water-2 minutes

Level 6

1. Front crawl-100 yards    
2. Front crawl flip turn
3. Back crawl-100 yards    
4. Back crawl turn
5. Breaststroke-25 yards    
6. Side stroke-25 yards
7. Butterfly-10 yards    
8. Breaststroke turn
9. Side stroke turn    
10. Speed turn and pull-out for breaststroke
11. Pike surface dive    
12. Tuck surface dive
13. Throwing assists    
14. Alternative kicks for treading water 

Questions? We're here to help.

Abby Durkin
Director of Aquatics

  1. Email Abby
  2. Call: (978) 867 4329