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Class Descriptions
& Levels

*Ages provided are a guideline

Parent/Tot

(10 months-3 years)

 

Our focus is water safety using highly practiced and researched techniques including:

   •  Jump In, Turn Around (grab the wall and climb out) – oursignature    

      technique

   •  Back Float

   •  “Swimming” to the wall and hanging on

   •  Holding the breath, using arms and kicks; and introduction to swimming

   •  Safety Day (to include “street clothing”)

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

   •  Should be able to go underwater from instructor to parent a few feet.

   •  Should be able to perform “Jump In, Turn Around” with little or no  

      assistance.

   •  Should be able to climb out of the pool with little or no assistance.

   •  Should be able to sit on the step without parent being involved.

 

Note: Next level is “no” parent, therefore advancing to the next level requires the swimmer to be comfortable without parent in the water with them.

Beginner 

4:1 ratio (ages 3-5)

This class is for the child who has had no water introduction. Children in this class may have never submerged their faces. Children may or may not be anxious about the water.

Focus on water introduction and safety and

skills such as:

   •  Blowing bubbles

   •  Holding the breath and going underwater

   •  back float

   •  Spiderman climbing

   •  Modified jump in turn around (working from no submersion to full submersion)

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Getting comfortable in the water

   •  Learning to submerge face for bubbles and bobs

   •  Reducing fear when floating on the back; relaxing

   •  Learning to submerge for the “Jump In, Turn Around” technique.

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

   •  Should be comfortable submerging face and pushing off the step (and going back) to the instructor, Spiderman climb, and display little to no fear of the water.

Beginner 

4:1 ratio  (ages 3-5 years)

This class is for the child who is not yet able to swim independently. Some children in this class may be able to submerge their face, but it is not a requirement. Children may or may not be anxious about the water. 

 

Focus on water safety and skills such as:
   •  Jump In, Turn Around (grab the wall and climb out)

   •  Big arms, kicks

   •  Back float

   •  Holding the breath and introduction to swimming

  • Safety Day (to include “street clothing”)

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Getting comfortable in the water.

   •  Learning to “swim” using arms and kicks (at least a few feet).

   •  Learning to float on the back.

   •  Learning to master the “Jump In, Turn Around” technique.

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

   •  Should be able to swim three feet or more on his/her front.

Advanced Beginner

4:1 ratio  (ages 4-6 years)

This class is for the child that is able to swim independently 3-4 feet on their tummy with their face in the water. Focus is on continued endurance, back float/stroke, mastery of our jump in turn around technique.

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Being completely comfortable in the water.

   •  Swimming from the step to the instructor and back, several times per

      class.

   •  Working to master the back float in preparation for the backstroke.

   •  Learning to use a kickboard properly (later in the session).

   •  Working on taking a breath.

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

  •  Should be able to swim freestyle and working up to a backstroke for the entire width of the pool (approximately five yards).

 

Intermediate

4:1 ratio  (ages 5-7 years)

This class is for the child that can swim on their stomach with face submerged, and on their back for the width of the pool(approximately 5yds.). Focus on swimming correctly on the front and on the back, as well as mastery of rhythmic breathing, and water safety to include “street clothing” days.

 

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Working on endurance and technique.

   •  Working on mastering the backstroke.

   •  Learning side-breathing.

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

   •  Should be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for half the length of the

      pool (approximately 15 yards).

 

Swim Skills

5:1 ratio  (ages 6-8 years)

This class is for children who can swim freestyle and backstroke for half the pool length (approximately 15yds.). Focus on technical swim skills like breathing and good form while swimming freestyle and backstroke, learning basic breaststroke, increasing endurance, and water safety. Treading water (with and without “street clothing”) will also be included.

 

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Working on increased endurance.

   •  Working on fine-tuning freestyle and backstroke.

   •  Continuing to work on the breaststroke.

   •  Learning to tread water.

 

To Advance to the Next Level:

  •  Should be able to swim freestyle the length of the pool  (using side-

     breathing), backstroke, and at least most of the way with the breaststroke.

 •   Should have been exposed to treading water and exhibited ability to

     master this skill.

Competitive Swimming

5:1 ratio  (ages 7 and up)

This class is for the child that can swim freestyle and backstroke for the entire pool length (approximately 25yds.). This class will ready your child for a competitive program, if desired.

 

Focus on technical swim skills such as:

   •  Improving breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle techniques

   •  Learning butterfly

   •  Increasing endurance and treading water

 

Lesson Objectives:

   •  Building endurance and polishing technique (freestyle, backstroke,    

      breaststroke).

   •  Working on treading water.

   •  Learning the butterfly.

 

Parent-Tot

DSS believes in making the parent/tot class a ..... Although we are not an aggressive program, we do want to see progress in regards to swimming and water safety

 

We will encourage your child to learn how to hold his/her breath. Without being able to hold your breath and comfortably go under water, one can not learn to swim or be water safe. Therefore there is a lot of focus on this, although it is not forced upon. 

Repetition is key and your child will improve on each skill with practice and repetition. Do not compare with other children as everyone learns at a different pace based on age, experience in the water, and cognitive as well as emotional factors. See skills listed on opposite page for more details.

 

Note: Desert Swim School bases where to place a child according to ability first, and age second, in most cases. Below you may see estimate ages, which are only estimated! 

 

Following the Leader
“Jump In
Turn Around”
Perfecting the backstroke
Working on the backstroke arms

Desert Swim School believes in working with children on a very individual basis. We will assess and evaluate each child based on his/her skill displayed at the first lesson, and may make changes as needed. Your input when registering with regard to your child’s swim ability and comfort level is key. Please feel free to contact us at

(480) 461-3888

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