American Red Cross Swim Program Levels
Guppies w/ Parent Ages 18 months – 3 years (P/C)
Parent or other adult in water with child to start, but encourage independence towards end of session. Comfort in water is the goal.
Guppies w/o Parent Level I Ages 2 – 3 years (PSA 2)
Child without parent. A specialized class working on locomotion in shallow and deep water. Must be comfortable in the water without parent, able to put face in the water and blow bubbles, and go under water.
Turtle Level II Ages 4 – 5 years (PSA 3)
Learn to hold breath and submerge and swim underwater, retrieve objects off bottom and explore deep water. Swim on front, back and side unsupported. Can immediately take PORPOISE if successful in passing, regardless of age.
Turtle 6+ Level II Ages 6 and older (LTS 2)
Same as above, but a special class for the older child who has no swimming experience, is not comfortable with face in the water, or swimming unsupported.
**“Porpoise” and higher are open to any who can perform the skills, regardless of age or enrollment in previous courses.**
Porpoise Level III (LTS 3)
Learn to swim 15 yards front crawl with face in the water and rhythmic breathing, and 15 yards of back crawl. Learn butterfly kick. Float and tread water for 30 sec.
Whale Level IV (LTS 4)
Learn to swim front and back crawls for 25 yards, and 15 yards each of elementary backstroke, butterfly, sidestroke and breaststroke. Survival float and back float 1 min each, open turns, and dive from the side.
Shark Level V (LTS 5)
Learn to do front and back crawl 50 yards each; butterfly, elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke 25 yards each. Front and back flip turns and 3 types of surface dives.
Lifeguard Readiness Level VI
Includes Level 6 of Learn-to-Swim program and also includes skills needed to take the Lifeguard Training class when age 15. Must have passed or possess skills of level 5-Shark
Stroke School $40 per child, per class
Aimed at the competitive swimmer, or those wishing to brush up on the four competitive strokes. Each day will focus on one stroke, and Friday will be spent working on starts and turns. At 10am, children should be 7 and able to swim 15yds on front and on back without stopping. At 11am – children should be able to swim 25yds on front and back without stopping and have basic knowledge of all 4 competitive strokes.
Diving $55 per child, per class
You must be able to swim 25 yards. You will learn the proper approach and simple dives from the 1 meter board. Do not sign up for this course if you are only interested in learning to dive off the edge of the pool. This course is to help those interested in competition type diving. ADVANCED DIVING will be taught on an individual basis in these diving classes.