Youth Swim Lessons
Classes Offered through Appalachian State UREC Include:
Infant/Toddler Swim with Parent - This class is designed for infants and small children who are not ready to be in the pool without a parent or guardian (generally 6 months to 2 years old). The focus of this class is to get the participants comfortable in the water with both the parent and the instructor. Participants will play and be given a safe environment to explore different toys and flotation devices. the goal of this class is to prepare participants to eventually take classes without a parent or guardian in the pool. This program encompasses many of the American Red Cross Level I sentiments.
Preschool Swim - This is designed to be the first class taken without an adult. Participants will be ecouraged to become comfortable in the water, as well as begin to learn skills such as blowing bubbles, floating on their back, exit and enter the pool safely, and swim with assistance. Typically, these participants are 3-5 years old. This program works to build a strong base of American Red Cross Preschool Level I skills.
Beginner Swim - This class is designed to suit participants who have experience with skills from Preschool Swim and are ready to practice these skills with more independence. These participants will begin learning to swim and complete other skills with less help from instructors and flotation devices. Some new skills introduced in this class include freestyle/front crawl, backstroke, kicking with a kickboard, and gliding off the wall. These participants are generally ages 6-9. This program strengthens many of the American Red Cross Preschool Level II skills.
Intermediate Swim - This class is designed for participants who can swim independently and are working toward being able to swim the length of the pool (25 yards). The four formal swim strokes will be introduced as well as an introduction to streamline and turns. This is a more rigorous class that will involve building endurance and will include elements from American Red Cross Levels III and IV. This class is best suited for participants ages 7-11.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a more detailed listing of the American Red Cross Skills.
Every swim class offered through Appalachian State UREC will cover a series of water safety modules to promote safe swimming among kids.
When choosing a class for your child: It is more important to match the class description to your child's ability rather than matching the age. At the beginning of each class, a skill assessment will be performed and participants will be advised to switch classes if the instructor feels like a different level would better suit them. If you are in a situation where you are trying to determine the class and the age and ability are not lining up, feel free to contact us.
Youth swim lessons are limited to small instructor to participant ratios.
Swim lessons are NON REFUNDABLE once classes have started.
(except for extenuating circumstances considered on an individual basis).
The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program focuses on building skills one step at a time. By giving them the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, our kids' swim classes make it easy to build confidence in the water.
During their swim lessons, children will spend time on the following six levels:
- Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills: Students will learn how to feel comfortable in the water and safely enjoy it.
- Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills: Children will learn basic swimming skills.
- Level 3: Stroke Development: Additional guided practice will help students improve their skills.
- Level 4: Stroke Improvement: Kids will gain confidence during swim lessons, improve their stroke and gain additional aquatic skills.
- Level 5: Stroke Refinement: Guidance allows kids to refine their strokes and become more efficient swimmers.
- Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency: Students will learn to swim with ease and efficiency, and gain the ability to swim smoothly over greater distances. Swimmers will also have the option to participate in more advanced courses.
Red Cross Swim, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, can help children and adults learn to be safer in and around water. Knowing how to swim is exciting and opens the door to many opportunities, but water is not without risk. Learning to enjoy the water safely should be the first step for anyone who will be around water. Have fun learning water safety in an engaging way with video and activities for kids and families. Track your kids’ progress with this FREE app as they learn to swim.