Office of Student Life
Recreational Sports

Learn to Swim Class Selection Guide

This guide will help you to determine the most appropriate level for your student.
Each level has both age and skill expectations that must be met prior to participation in the course. When reviewing skills keep in mind:

  • Children may perform the skills listed for Parent-Child and Preschool Levels with assistance and do not need to complete the skill independently except as noted.
  • Entry requirements listed for Learn to Swim Levels 1-6 and Adult Levels must be performed independently (without the assistance of an adult or instructor).
  • Once lessons begin, we reserve the right to move students to a more appropriate level based on instructor skill assessments.
  • Preschool and Learn to Swim Levels 1-2 are taught in two feet of water.
  • Learn to Swim Levels 3-6 and Adults are taught in four feet of water.

Learn to Swim Courses

Level Age and Skill Expectations for Enrollment

Parent and Child

Child should be between the ages of 6-36 months

  • Must have a parent or guardian participate in the water
  • Swim diaper under swimsuit required for children who are not toilet trained
  • No swimming experience necessary

Preschool Level 1

For children ages 3-5 years old

  • May be afraid of water
  • Has little to no swimming experience
  • Ability to be in the water without a parent/guardian
  • Swim diaper under swimsuit for children who are not toilet trained

Preschool Level 2

For children ages 3-5 years old and able to perform the following skills with assistance

  • Enter the water independently
  • Move five yards then submerge to mouth and blow bubbles for three seconds then safely exit the water
  • Glide on front two body lengths then roll to back and float on back for three seconds then recover to a verticle position
  • Swim diaper under swimsuit for children who are not toilet trained

Preschool Level 3

For children ages 3-5 years old and able to perform the following skills with assistance

  • Glide on front two body lengths then roll to back and float on back for five seconds then recover to a verticle position
  • Glide on back two body lengths then roll to front and float on front for five seconds then recover to a verticle position
  • Swim using combined arm and leg action on front for three body lengths then roll to back and float for five seconds then roll to front and swim on front for three body lengths
  • Swim diaper under swimsuit for children who are not toilet trained

Students who are 5 years old and pass Preschool Level 3 will be promoted to Learn-to-Swim Level 2

Learn to Swim Level 1

For children ages 5 and above

  • May be afraid of water
  • Has little to no swimming experience
  • Needs assistance to perform beginner skills

Turned 6 years old but did not pass Preschool Level 3

Learn to Swim Level 2

For children ages 6 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Enter the water unassisted
  • Move five yards then bob five times to chin level then safely exit the water
  • Glide on front with support for three seconds then recover to vertical position

Starting level for students who have passed Preschool Level 3

Learn to Swim Level 3

For children ages 6 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Step from the pool side into chest-deep water
  • Move into a front float for five seconds then roll over to back and float for five seconds then return to vertical position
  • Move into a back float for five seconds then roll to front and recover to vertical postion
  • Push off and swim using a combination of arm and leg action for five body lengths on the front then roll to back and float for 15 seconds then roll to front and swim for five body lengths

Learn to Swim Level 4

For children ages 6 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Jump into deep water from pool side and tread water for one minute
  • Swim front crawl for 15 yards then maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds then swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards

Learn to Swim Level 5

For children ages 6 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Perform a feet-first entry into chest-deep water
  • Swim front crawl for 25 yards then change direction and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards
  • Swim breaststroke for 15 yards then change direction and swim back crawl for 15 yards

Learn to Swim Level 6

For children ages 6 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water
  • Swim front crawl for 50 yards then change direction and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards
  • Swim breaststroke for 25 yards then change direction and swim back crawl for 25 yards

Adult Beginner

Ages 14 and above

  • May be afraid of water
  • Has little to no swimming experience

Adult Intermediate

Ages 14 and above and able to perform all the following skills independently

  • Perform a feet-first entry into chest-deep water then swim front crawl for 25 yards then maintain position on back for one minute in deep water (float or sculling) then swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards
  • Swim breaststroke for 15 yards then tread water for a minute then swim back crawl for 25 yards