Swim Program Descriptions

Swim Preschool Parented (18 - 36 months)

A mother rubber duck followed by two baby rubber ducks.

Starfish

An introductory class for caregivers and infants who are 3 months to 18 months. Babies experiment with entering and exiting the water, getting wet, buoyancy and experience movement in the water. Caregivers sing songs, learn about coking prevention and how to choose a proper PFD for their infant.

Pre-requisite: 18-36 months

Duck

Toddlers between the age of 18 and 36 months learn how to blow bubbles, float on front, float on back and experiment with movement in water. Toddlers build confidence while enjoying the water through games, songs and active water play.

Pre-requisite: 18-36 months

Swim Preschool Unparented (3 - 5 years)

Sea Turtle

Children increase their level of confidence and awareness in the water. Children are expected to kick on front with buoyant object for 2 meters, jump into chest-deep water, perform a submersion for 3 seconds, and get wet. Children attempt front and back floats and glide with the assistance of an instructor.

Prerequisite: 3-5 years

Sea Otter

Children will work on a 1 meter distance swim, as well as safe entries and exits and assisted activities in a PFD/Lifejacket. Other skills include opening eyes underwater (attempted), rhythmic breathing 3 times, front float and recovery for 3 seconds (assisted), back float and recovery for 3 seconds (assisted), front glide for 3 seconds, back glide for 3 seconds (assisted) and an assisted front swim of 1 meter.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Sea Turtle

Salamander

Children work on a distance swim of 2 meters, jumping into chest-deep water, weight transfer in shallow water and assisted surface support for 5 seconds. Other skills include opening eyes underwater (attempted without goggles), front float and recovery (without goggles), back float and recovery (without goggles), front glide with kick of 2 meters and back glide with kick of 2 meters, all unassisted skills. They will also work on roll-over glides and a 2 meter front swim.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Sea Otter

Sunfish

Children work on a distance swim of 5 meters, as well as surface support in chest-deep water for 5 seconds, front float and recovery in deep water for 5 seconds, and back float and recovery in deep water for 5 seconds. Other skills include front glide with kick for 5 meters, back glide with kick for 5 meter, roll-over glides with kick for 5 meters and side glide with kick for 2 meters (assisted). A 5 meter front swim is also practiced at this level.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Salamander

Crocodile

Children work on a distance swim of 10 meters, as well as surface support for 10 seconds. Other skills include front glide with kick for 7 meters, back glide with kick for 7 meters, side glide with kick for 5 meters (unassisted). A 5 meter front swim and 5 meter back swim is also practiced at this level.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Sunfish

Whale

Children work on a distance swim of 15 meters, learn a sitting dive, and surface support for 20 seconds. Other skills include a jump into deep water, swim 5 meters and surface support for 20 seconds as one complete item. Front to side glide with kick is repeated 10 times with rhythmic breathing. Front, back, side glides with kicks are practiced for 10 meters each, as well as front and back swim for 10 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Crocodile

Swim Kids (6-14 Years)

Swim Kids 1

Children work on a distance swim of 5 meters, shallow water entries and exits, submersion of head and exhaling through moth and/or nose. Other skills include front float and recovery for 3 seconds (without goggles), front glide for 5 seconds, front glide with kick for 5 meters, back float and recovery for 3 seconds (without goggles), back glide for 5 seconds, roll-over glides for 5 seconds (assisted) and a 5 meter front swim.

Pre-requisite: Minimum 6 years of age, Incomplete or Complete Sea Otter, Salamander, Incomplete Sunfish

Swim Kids 2

Children work on flutter kick for 10 meters (assisted) and a distance swim of 10 meters. Other skills include assisted deep water activities, front glide with flutter kick for 10 meters (unassisted), back glide with flutter kick 5 meters (unassisted), side glide with flutter kick 5 meters (assisted), roll-over glide with flutter kick for 5 meters and a 5 meter front swim.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids, Complete Sunfish or Incomplete Crocodile

Swim Kids 3

Children work on flutter kick for 15 meters and a distance swim of 15 meters. Other skills include deep water floats for 5 seconds, surface support in deep water for 20 seconds, sitting dives, front glide with flutter kick for 15 meters, back glide with flutter kick for 10 meters, side glide with flutter kick for 10 meters (unassisted), as well as front glide/side glide combination for 10 meters (assisted) and a 10 meter front swim.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 2, Complete Crocodile or Incomplete Whale

Swim Kids 4

Participants work on flutter kick on back for 15 meters and a distance swim of 25 meters. Other skills include introduction to sculling, kneeling dives, surface support of 45 seconds in deep water, front glide/side glide combination for 15 meters, back swim with shoulder roll for 15 meters and front crawl for 10 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 3 or Completion of Whale

Swim Kids 5

Participants work on flutter kick for 25 meters and a distance swim of 50 meters. Other skills include disorienting entries, treading water for 1 minute, stride dives, head-first sculling on back for 5 meters, as well as front crawl for 15 meters, back crawl for 15 meters and introduction to whip kick on back for 10 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 4

Swim Kids 6

Participants work on dolphin kick for 10 meters and a distance swim of 75 meters. Other skills include treading deep water for 90 seconds, front dives, front crawl for 25 meters, back crawl for 25 meters and elementary back stroke for 15 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 5

Swim Kids 7

Participants work on a distance swim of 150 meters. Other skills include stride entry, front crawl for 50 meters, back crawl for 50 meters, elementary back stroke for 25 meters, front scull for 15 meters and whip kick on front for 15 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 6

Swim Kids 8

Participants work on eggbeater/treading water for 3 minutes and a distance swim of 300 meters. Other skills include feet-first surface dives, standing shallow dives, front crawl for 75 meters, back crawl for 75 meters, elementary back stroke for 25 meters and breast stroke for 15 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 7

Swim Kids 9

Participants work on travelling, legs only for 3 minutes and a distance swim of 400 meters. Other skills include head-first surface dives, front crawl for 100 meters, back crawl for 100 meters, elementary back stroke for 50 meters, breast stroke for 25 meters and sidestroke kick for 15 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 8

Swim Kids 10

Candidates will work on a distance swim of 500 meters. Other swimming skills include front crawl for 100 meters, back crawl for 100 meters, elementary back stroke for 50 meters, breast stroke for 50 meters and sidestroke for 25 meters.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Swim Kids 9

Leadership, Specialty and Elite programs

Bronze Star

(10 hours) An excellent preparation course for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. Includes a 400m timed swim.
Prerequisites: Swim Kids 10 or equivalent, minimum 11 years of age. 
Please visit the Lifesaving Society website for more information.

Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid/CPR-B

(20 hours) Teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the 4 components of water-rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill & fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defense methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500m timed swim.
Prerequisites: 13 years of age OR Bronze Star award
Please visit the Lifesaving Society website for more information.

Bronze Cross

(20 hours) Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced lifesaving training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic settings. Bronze Cross is the prerequisite for all advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard Service certification. Includes a 600m timed swim.
Prerequisites: Current Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid/CPR B
Please visit the Lifesaving Society website for more information.

Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor (AWSI)

(40 hours+ 8 hours teaching experience)
Covers the foundation of instructional skills including teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback. Candidates are evaluated during 8 hours of assistant teaching and through individual study assignments. Successful candidates are given a 12 hour teaching experience to complete before registering for the Water Safety Instructor course.
Prerequisites: 15 years of age

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

(40 hours + 12 hours teaching experience)
The Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Course prepares candidates to instruct the Red Cross Swim programs. Candidates focus on strategies to introduce and develop fitness activities, skills and water safety, and swimming skills in the Red Cross Swim Preschool, Red Cross Swim Kids, Red Cross Swim @ School, Red Cross Swim @ Camp, Red Cross Swim for Adults & Teens, and Red Cross Swim Adapted programs.
For more information, visit the Red Cross website.

Standard First Aid with CPR-C

(16 hours) Provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. Standard First Aid incorporates all of Emergency First Aid and is designed for those requiring a more in depth understanding of first aid including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat & cold injuries, bone & joint injuries, abdominal & chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies.
Prerequisites: None

National Lifeguard Service (NLS)

(40 hours) The NLS program is designed to prepare lifeguards for the role of preventing emergency situations as professional facilitators in a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment. NLS is the national standard for all lifeguards. Must be recertified every 2 years to remain valid.
Prerequisites: 16 years old, Standard First Aid with CPR-C

Competitive Swimming

Swim Team is designed for participants at Swim Kids 4 and upwards to age 17. All swimmers must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim at least 4 lengths of the pool continuously. Trained coaches will take participants through the art of competitive swim strokes, flip turns, drills and endurance building. An excellent complement to regular lessons. Swim Team is offered at both our Winona and Palmerston locations. Participants will compete in a Swim Meet at the completion of each session.

All new participants must be prescreened by the Program Coordinator before registering for Swim Team. Prep Team minimum – 6 years old and Swim Kids 4+. Senior Team must have a strong whip kick.

Youth Swim Basics

This is a beginner class for youth that focuses on skills from Swim Kids 1-3.

Youth Swim Intermediate

This class is for youth who have learned basic swimming skills and focuses on skills from Swim Kids 4-6.

Adult Swim Basics

Adult Swim Basics is a beginner swim class for adults that focuses on developing comfort in the water through basic flotation, gliding, movement and breathing skills for shallow water.

Adult Swim Intermediate

Adult Swim Intermediate is a class for intermediate swimmers who would like to work on stroke improvement. The class moves at the pace of the swimmers and focuses on further development of skills and increasing comfort in deep water.

Adult Swim Advanced (Masters Swimming)

Adult Swim Advanced (Masters Swimming) is designed to promote fitness, develop endurance and learn competitive stroke techniques. This program is designed for swimmers 18 years and older with advanced swim skills.