The American Red Cross, after much feedback from instructors and new research, has updated the Learn to Swim Program.  Starting with our May 2009 Swim Session, we will be teaching to these new standards. 

In most cases your child will progress at the same rate as before. 

Question:    With the new descriptions, what class should I enroll my child?

Answer:    For school age classes you would continue as though nothing has changed.  There are some changes in these classes but for the most part your child should progress as though there was no change. 

For the Preschool and Infant Toddler programs the old class name are in ( ) and you can sign your child up based on the old class names. 

As we move forward we may once again return to our old names. 

For now we want everyone to be aware of the changes.

Over the next month or so all our instructors will go through a retraining so the instructors will be familiar with the new class descriptions and  can continue to improve their teaching skills and knowledge.

We look forward to seeing you children in swim lessons over the coming months.

Session Dates and Program Cost                                                                                      Go to Registration

Parent and Child Aquatics (6 - 18 months old)

PreSchool Aquatics (3-5 years old)

School Age Aquatics (5 - 12 years old)

GuardStart

Lifeguard Training

Water Safety Instruction

Swim Team

Swim Team Clinic

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Parent and Child Aquatics

American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics is designed to orient young children (from age 6 months to about 3 years) to the water and prepare them to learn to swim in the American Red Cross Preschool Aquatics or Learn-to-Swim courses. It is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers or even to survive in the water on their own. Parent and Child Aquatics gives parents safety information and teaches techniques to help them orient their children to the water. It also provides direction regarding how to supervise water activities in a responsible manner. This program is a bonding experience that will fill instructors, parents and children with wonderful lifelong memories.

There is no minimum or maximum course length. Generally, Parent and Child Aquatics works well in sessions of 7 to 10 lessons, with each lasting no more than 30 minutes, and meeting at least twice a week.

Parent and Child Aquatics Level 1 (Water Babies)

Level 1 introduces basic skills to parents and children. Parents are taught to safely work with their child in the water, including how to appropriately support and hold their child in the water and how to prepare and encourage their child to participate fully and try the skills. Several water safety topics are also introduced and directed to parents. Children are introduced to basic skills that lay a foundation to help them learn to swim in the future.

Level 1 Exit Skills Assessment

None

Parent and Child Aquatics Level 2 (Parent Toddler)

Level 2 builds on the skills introduced in Level 1. Participants improve on these skills and learn more advanced skills in Level 2.

Level 2 Exit Skills Assessment

                        None

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Preschool Aquatics

American Red Cross Preschool Aquatics teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression. It is composed of three levels. The objective is to start teaching fundamental water safety and aquatic skills to children about 4 and 5 years of age. The Red Cross Preschool Aquatics program is designed to give participants a positive learning experience. Preschool Aquatics Level 1 orients participants to the aquatic environment and helps them to gain some basic swimming and water safety skills. At later levels, participants build on their basic skills to improve propulsive movements on both the front and back. They learn different strokes and then refine them as they progress. Personal safety and rescue skills are included to help participants meet safety goals.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1 helps children develop comfort in and around water. Preschool Aquatics Level 2 helps children gain independence in the skills and develop more comfort in and around water. Preschool Aquatics Level 3 helps children gain the swimming skills to be comfortable in and around water. Upon successful completion all three levels of Preschool Aquatics, children should enter Learn-to-Swim at Level 3.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1 (Beginner)

There are no prerequisites for this course. The objective of Level 1 is to help children feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. In Level 1, elementary aquatic skills are taught, which children build on as they progress through the Preschool Aquatics and Learn-to-Swim levels. At this level, children also start developing good attitudes and safe practices around the water.

Level 1 Exit Skills Assessment

• All Preschool Aquatics Level 1 skills can be performed with support.

• Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, submerge to mouth and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds then safely exit the water. (Children can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”)

• While in shallow water, glide on front at least 2 body lengths, then roll to back and float on back for 3 seconds then recover to a vertical position.

Preschool Aquatics Level 2 (Advanced Beginner)

Children entering this course must have a Preschool Aquatics Level 1 certificate or be able to demonstrate all of the completion requirements from Level 1. The objectives of Level 2 are to build upon the skills learned in Level 1 and give children success with fundamental skills. Children learn to float on the back without support and to recover to a vertical position. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Children continue to explore simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on front and back to lay the foundation for future strokes. Level 2 adds to the self-help and basic rescue skills begun in Level 1.

Level 2 Exit Skills Assessment

• All Preschool Aquatics Level 2 skills can be performed with assistance.

• Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to back, float on back for 5 seconds then recover to a vertical position.

• Glide on back for at least 2 body lengths, roll to front, float for 5 seconds then recover to a vertical position.

• Swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 3 body lengths, roll to back, float for 5 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming on front for 3 body lengths. 

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Preschool Aquatics Level 3 (Intermediate)

Children entering this course must have a Preschool Aquatics Level 2 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements from Level 2. The objective of Level 3 is to build on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice. Children learn to effectively coordinate combined simultaneous arm and leg actions and alternating arm and leg actions. As in all levels, additional safety skills are learned.

Level 3 Exit Skills Assessment

•  All Preschool Aquatics Level 3 skills are done independently.

• Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds and then return to a vertical position.

• Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front, and then recover to a vertical position.

• Push off and swim using a combination of arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. (You can assist the child when taking a breath.)

Learn-to-Swim – School Age Lessons

The six levels of Learn-to-Swim instruction help swimmers of all ages and varying abilities develop their swimming and water safety skills. It is designed to give students a positive learning experience. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression.

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Level 1—Introduction to Water Skills

There are no prerequisites for this level. The objectives of Level 1 are to learn basic personal water safety information and skills, to help participants feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. In Level 1, participants learn elementary aquatic skills, which they will build on as they progress through the six Learn-to-Swim levels. At this level, participants begin developing good attitudes about swimming and water safety, good swimming habits and safe practices in and around the water.

Level 1 Exit Skills Assessment

• Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 3 times then safely exit the water. (Participants can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”)

• Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position. (This part of the assessment can be performed with support.)

Level 2—Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Participants entering this course must have a Level 1 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements of Level 1. The objective of Level 2 is to give participants success with fundamental skills. Participants learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. This level marks the beginning of true locomotion skills. Participants continue to explore simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back to lay the foundation for future strokes.

Level 2 Exit Skills Assessment

• Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position.

• Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position.

• Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. (You can assist the participant when taking a breath.)

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Level 3—Stroke Development

Participants entering this course must have a Level 2 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements in Level 2. The objectives of Level 3 are for participants to learn the survival float, the elementary backstroke and to coordinate the front crawl. They are introduced to the scissors kick and the dolphin kick and build on the fundamentals of treading water. Participants also learn rules for headfirst entries and begin to learn to enter the water headfirst from the side of the pool (if the water is 9 feet deep or deeper).

Level 3 Exit Skills Assessment

• Jump into deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.

 Level 4—Stroke Improvement

Participants entering this course must have a Level 3 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the completion requirements in Level 3. The objectives of Level 4 are to develop confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to improve other aquatic skills. Participants improve their skills and increase their endurance by swimming familiar strokes (front crawl, elementary backstroke) for greater distances. Students also continue to build upon the scissors kick and dolphin kick by adding the arms for sidestroke and butterfly. The back crawl and the breaststroke are introduced in Level 4, as well as the basics of turning at a wall.

Level 4 Exit Skills Assessment

• Perform a feet-first entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.

• Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim back crawl for 15 yards.

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Level 5—Stroke Refinement

Participants entering this course must have a Level 4 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the course requirements in Level 4. The objectives of Level 5 are to coordinate and refine strokes. Participants refine their performance of all the strokes (front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke) and increase their distances. Flip turns on the front and back are also introduced.

Level 5 Exit Skills Assessment

• Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl for 50 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards.

• Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim back crawl for 25 yards.

Level 6—Swimming and Skill Proficiency

Participants entering this course must have a Level 5 certificate or must be able to demonstrate all the skills required to complete Level 5. The objectives of Level 6 are to refine strokes so students swim them with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with “menu” options—Personal Water Safety, Fundamentals of Diving and Fitness Swimmer. These options focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses, such as Water Safety Instructor, or other aquatic activities, such as competitive swimming or diving.

This level should be customized to meet the objectives of the participants. For instance, the course may be promoted for participants who want to enter competition or for those who want to achieve a higher level of fitness. It is also possible to structure this level around a different aquatic sport each time it is offered. Participants who want to enter the Water Safety Instructor course or courses in the Lifeguarding program can use this level to practice the prerequisites for those courses. Because of the variety this level offers, participants can repeat it to focus on different goals each time.

Level 6 Exit Skills Assessment

• Personal Water Safety

  • Swim 500 yards continuously using any 3 strokes of your choice, swimming at least 50 yards of each stroke.

  • Jump into deep water, perform a survival float for 5 minutes, roll onto back and perform a back float for 5 minutes.

  • Perform a feet-first surface dive, retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool at a depth of 7–10 feet, return to surface and return to starting point.

• Fundamentals of Diving

  • Swim 500 yards continuously using any 3 strokes of your choice, swimming at least 50 yards of each stroke.

  • Perform a two-part takeoff with a feet-first entry from a 1-meter diving board.

  • Perform a two-part takeoff with a head-first entry from a 1-meter diving board.

• Fitness Swimmer

  • Swim 500 yards continuously using any 3 strokes of your choice, swimming at least 50 yards of each stroke.

  • Perform the Cooper 12-minute swim test and compare results with the pre-assessment results.

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GuardStart

American Red Cross GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow is designed to prepare 11- to 14-year olds to take Red Cross Lifeguarding certification programs and for future work as lifeguards. The GuardStart program helps participants build a foundation of knowledge, attitudes and skills that they will need to be responsible lifeguards. Lessons are grouped into five main areas: prevention, fitness, response, leadership and professionalism.

Lifeguarding

American Red Cross training makes learning fun and easy. Through classroom learning and hands-on practice, you'll learn:

• Surveillance skills to help you recognize and prevent injuries.

• Rescue skills - in the water and on land.

• First aid training and professional rescuer CPR - to help you prepare for any emergency.

• Professional lifeguard responsibilities like interacting with the public.

Water Safety Instructor Course

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course provides instructor candidates the training needed to teach courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Program by developing their understanding of how to use the course materials, how to conduct training sessions and how to evaluate participants' progress.

Concepts and features of the Water Safety Instructor course include:

Clearly described and applied teaching strategies, including:

• Explain, demonstrate and practice;

• Task setting;

• Station teaching; and

• Guided Discovery

Instructor manual provides tools and information needed to plan and conduct courses.

Learning activities, games and drills are built in throughout the course; some are led by the instructor trainer while others are led by instructor candidates. This helps instructor candidates improve their strokes and understand how to integrate activities, games and drills effectively into their teaching.

Instructor candidates will practice their teaching skills through formal practice teaching assignments as well as leading mini-lessons.

Whether you want to splash around with kids and teach them to swim, help children or adults refine their strokes or teach diving safety techniques, you can do it as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.

Swim Team

Waysides Recreational Swim Team is for swimmer 5 – 18 years old.  Practices are held 3 days a week and swimmer are encouraged to participate in at least 2 of these practices.  Coaches will create a fun and challenging environment so your swimmer can increase their endurance and improve on their swimming skills. 

If you have ever thought of being on a team, our summer team is a great place to start.  Our team is a little more “low key” then our winter team and the season is over by the beginning of August.

The team’s season is from May 27^th – the beginning of August.  Competitions are held throughout the season with other area teams.

Practices are Monday and Wednesday from 4-5pm for swimmers 11 and older and 5-5:45pm for swimmers 10 and younger. Practice on Fridays will be at the same time.  Starting June 26th Friday practices will be from 9-10am for 11 and older and 10-11am for 10 and younger.

Swim Team Clinic

This is a week-long clinic held at the end of the summer (Session 6).  It is a great way to try a team without the commitment of an entire season, get ready for your fall season or just improve your strokes and skills.  Each day will be split between drills and workouts as well as land work and games. (this program will meet Monday - Friday from 9-12pm)

We offer 6 sessions during the summer                                                           Go to Registration

Session 1 is a one-week session 6/22 – 6/26*

Session 2 is a two-week session 6/29 – 7/10

Session 3 is a two-week session 7/13 – 7/24

Session 4 is a two-week session 7/27 – 8/7

Session 5 is a two-week session 8/10 – 8/21

Session 6 is a one-week session  8/24 – 8/28*

There are no group swim lessons during session 1 and session 6

Swimming Registration Form

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