Summer Swim Lessons

PS Level 1

Description:

• Designed for children over the age of 3 with very little to no experience in the water
• Objective to acclimate swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
  • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
• Occasionally this class may go to the deep end

Prerequisites:

• Participants MUST be over the age of three (as of the first day of classes)
• Participants MUST be 100% potty trained
• Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
• Should be comfortable interacting with other children
• Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
• Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water

Curriculum:

• Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Introduction of Arm Movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water

PS Level 2

Description:

• Designed for children with slight familiarity & experience in the water
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
  • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
• This class may go to the deep end
• Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor

Prerequisites:

• Comfortable floating on back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable floating on stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Arm movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable blowing bubbles w/ face in water

Curriculum:

• Introduction to Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
• Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Movement through Water – Achieved by kicking & scooping water independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Jumping into Water (Independently)

PS Level 3

Description:

• Designed for children comfortable in the water. Introduction to comfortably submerging & elementary swimming without assistance.
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
  • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
  • One safety lesson devoted to lifejackets
• This class may go to the deep end
• Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor

Prerequisites:

• Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers submerge their entire head and resurface
• Comfortable Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Comfortable Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Comfortable Moving through Water – Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Comfortable Jumping into Water (Independently)

Curriculum:

• Independently Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
• Independently Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
• Forward Movement on Stomach w/ Arm & Leg action independent of Instructor
• Kicking on Back – Independently
• Submerging Head & Retrieving Objects from the Bottom of the Pool (Independently)
• Independently Jumping In & Swimming to Side of Pool

Level 1 - Introduction to Water Skills

Description:

• Designed for swimmers over the age of six with NO swimming abilities and/or discomfort/distrust of the water.
• • Modifications can be made depending on the severity of swimmer’s discomfort in water.
  • Pacing & structure of the class dependent on swimmers enrolled & will be determined by instructor based upon lesson of the day.
  • Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
  First few lessons dedicated to acclimating to the water & assessing current skills.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Equipment will be used regularly

Prerequisites:

• Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
• Should be comfortable interacting with other children
• Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
• Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water

Curriculum:

• Water Entry – Using steps/ladder/side of pool/feet first entry
• Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water
• Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• If class is advanced, other skills may be introduced & progressed

Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Description:

• Designed for children over the age of six who have either 1) passed through the PS Levels or 2) are considered beginner swimmers.
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment, while beginning to focus on building swimming skills & independence in the water.
  • Swimmers will be encouraged to perform learning skills with floatation devices independently under instructor supervision.
  • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
  • Some activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites:

• Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
• Comfortable Floating on Back (ears in water) completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable Floating on Stomach completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable Moving through Water – Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Comfortable Entering Water (Independently)

Curriculum:

• Introduction to Freestyle – Kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
• Introduction to Backstroke – Kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
• Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
• Front Glide & Back Glide (i.e. Streamline Push-offs)
• Gaining Confidence in Independent Aquatic Movements

Level 3 - Stroke Development

Description:

• Designed for children have either 1) passed through the Levels 1 – 2 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
• Objective to focus on building beginner swimming skills into coordinated swimming strokes.
  • Swimmers will be expected to begin performing learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
  • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
  • Activities will take in a group setting.
  • Swimmers will begin swimming longer distances.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites:

• Freestyle – Basic kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
• Backstroke – Basic kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
• Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
• Completely comfortable & confident with submerging & swimming independently w/ the face in the water

Curriculum:

• Freestyle – Refinement of coordination and basic breathing techniques
• Backstroke – Refinement of coordination & body position
• Introduction to Breaststroke – Frog kicking on stomach & simultaneous arm movement with submerged face
• Dolphin Kicking – The beginning of Butterfly
• Beginner level diving from the side of the pool

Level 4 - Stroke Improvement

Description:

• Designed for children have either 1) passed through the Level 3 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
• Objective to refine current swim skills in Freestyle & Backstroke, introduce two new strokes (Butterfly & Breaststroke) while building endurance.
  • Swimmers will be expected perform all learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
  • Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
  • ALL activities will take in a group setting.
  • Swimmers will begin swimmer longer distances (multiple laps) with shorter breaks to build endurance.
  • Portion of class time may be dedicated to learning turns and/or diving skills, if applicable.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites:

• Backstroke – Coordinated kick & arm movements
• Freestyle – Continuous kicking with coordinated arm movements; knowledge of rotary breathing
• Breaststroke – Coordinated & simultaneous arm/leg movement
• Scissor/Flutter Kicking (i.e. Freestyle & Backstroke)
• Dolphin Kicking (i.e. Butterfly)
• Basic Diving Techniques

Curriculum:

• Introduction to Butterfly – Dolphin kick w/ simultaneous arm movement above water
• Stroke Refinement of Backstroke, Freestyle, and Breaststroke
• Introduction to Dive Starts (Side of Pool)
• Introduction to Flip Turns (Freestyle & Backstroke)

Level 5/6 - Swim Team Prep:

Description:

• Designed for swimmers eager to focus on stroke technique refinement of all four 4 competitive strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle), as well as starts, turns, and finishes.
  • Classes will break down each stroke in order to build the good habits of a competitive swimmer
• Swimmers should prepare & expect to build strength & endurance by swimming longer distances similar to a 45-minute swim practice (500 – 1500 yards)

Prerequisites:

• Backstroke – Completion of least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
• Breaststroke – Completion of least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
• Butterfly – Completion of least ½ of a continuous lap with arms completely exiting the water
• Freestyle – Completion of 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion with bilateral/rotary breathing

Curriculum:

• Flip Turns (Backstroke & Freestyle)
• Open Turns (Butterfly & Breaststroke)
• Technique Refinement of ALL four competitive strokes (i.e. butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
• Dive Starts (Starting Blocks)
• Strength Endurance Development (ALL Four Stroke)
• Introduction of Strength & Cardiovascular Training
• i.e. Water Jogging, Water Aerobics, Dryland Training, etc.

The following is some additional information and tips to help make your swim lesson experience more enjoyable:

• Although we encourage parents/guardians to be active and knowledgeable about their swimmer’s learning experience, parents/guardians are not allowed to be on the deck during lessons so the instructors can have the participant’s full attention.
• Furthermore, parents/guardians must wear masks and practice social distancing while viewing lessons and escorting your child to/from the pool, and while on campus.
• A Parent/Guardian must be present for each lesson (no matter the age of the participant) to escort children safely to and from the restroom when needed or to be available in cases of emergencies, inclement weather, or questions.
• If you have an older child of the opposite gender you wish to escort into the restroom / locker room, please ask the staff, and they will direct you to private restrooms.
• Each child should bring his/her own towel and a pair of sandals to class. Goggles are encouraged for levels 3 and up. Pool staff will not provide goggles.
• Before entering the pool area, please have your child/children do the following things:
  • Remove gum or candy from mouth
  • Remove all adhesive bandages
  • Use the restroom

On deck, you may see some instructors who walk around/assist with different classes. These are instructor aids or gatekeepers whose job is to assist walking kids to the bathroom and help teach difficult skills as well as clean and sanitize our equipment and facilities.

Thank you for being part of the FSC Summer Swim Program. Please feel free to ask any questions by contacting Maddie Samples at 863.680.5040 or Msamples@flsouthern.edu. 

Documents

• Parent Letter 
• Waiver for Swimming Lessons 

Inclement Weather Policies Summer Swim Lessons

• The pool will be cleared of all participants for thunder and lightning and will remain clear for 30 minutes after each additional occurrence.
• The pool will be cleared of all participants for precipitation, wind, or other inclement weather that occurs that causes the lifeguard or instructors to not be able to see that bottom of the pool at its deepest point.
• Swim lesson participants will be informed by EMAIL as soon as possible if an upcoming lesson is being cancelled.
• In situations where the pool has to be cleared due to downpour, which hinders instructor and lifeguard’s vision, lessons may recommence if deemed safe by the Swim Lesson Coordinator. If students are out of the water for longer than 15 minutes, the remaining class will be cancelled. 
• We will not make up full days canceled due to inclement weather/etc. If we can we will do our best to add time on certain days if time permits. Any questions, please contact the swim lesson coordinator.