Swim Lessons

Description

• Designed for children over the age of 3 with very little to no experience in the water
• Objective to acclimate swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
• Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• One safety lesson devoted to life jackets
• Occasionally this class may go to the deep end

Prerequisites

• Participants MUST be over the age of three (as of the first day of classes)
• Participants MUST be 100% potty trained
• Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
• Should be comfortable interacting with other children
• Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
• Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water

Curriculum

• Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Introduction of Arm Movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water

Description

• Designed for children with slight familiarity & experience in the water
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
• Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• One safety lesson devoted to life jackets
• This class may go to the deep end
• Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor

Prerequisites

• Comfortable floating on back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable floating on stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Arm movement (i.e. ‘scooping’ the water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable blowing bubbles w/ face in water

Curriculum

• Introduction to Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
• Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Movement through Water – Achieved by kicking & scooping water independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Jumping into Water (Independently)

Description

• Designed for children comfortable in the water. Introduction to comfortably submerging & elementary swimming without assistance.
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment through the use of games, songs, and learning aids
• Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• One safety lesson devoted to life jackets
• This class may go to the deep end
• Swimmers will be encouraged to do actions independently with close monitoring of instructor

Prerequisites

• Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers submerge their entire head and resurface
• Comfortable Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Comfortable Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still with instructor help or flotation help
• Comfortable Moving through Water – Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Comfortable Jumping into Water (Independently)

Curriculum

• Independently Floating on Back (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
• Independently Floating on Stomach (ears submerged) with good body position, completely still
• Forward Movement on Stomach w/ Arm & Leg action independent of Instructor
• Kicking on Back – Independently
• Submerging Head & Retrieving Objects from the Bottom of the Pool (Independently)
• Independently Jumping In & Swimming to Side of Pool

Description

• Designed for swimmers over the age of six with NO swimming abilities and/or discomfort/distrust of the water.
• Modifications can be made depending on the severity of swimmer’s discomfort in water.
• Pacing & structure of the class dependent on swimmers enrolled & will be determined by instructor based upon lesson of the day.
• Activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• First few lessons dedicated to acclimating to the water & assessing current skills.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Equipment will be used regularly

Prerequisites

• Should be comfortable working with an instructor(s)
• Should be comfortable interacting with other children
• Participants should be able to take instructions and implement them (huge for safety)
• Participants should demonstrate the willingness to enter the water

Curriculum

• Water Entry – Using steps/ladder/side of pool/feet first entry
• Floating on Back (ears in water) with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Floating on Stomach with assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Blowing Bubbles w/ face in water
• Kicking on stomach & back with assistance via instructor or flotation device
• If class is advanced, other skills may be introduced & progressed

Description

• Designed for children over the age of six who have either 1) passed through the PS Levels or 2) are considered beginner swimmers.
• Objective to continue acclimating swimmers to aquatic environment, while beginning to focus on building swimming skills & independence in the water.
• Swimmers will be encouraged to perform learning skills with flotation devices independently under instructor supervision.
• Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
• Some activities will take place 1-on-1 with instructor. When not their turn, swimmers MUST be able to sit still & take instructions.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites

• Comfortable Bobbing – Swimmers will submerge their entire head and resurface
• Comfortable Floating on Back (ears in water) completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable Floating on Stomach completely still with little assistance of instructor or flotation device
• Comfortable Moving through Water – Achieved independent of instructor with assistance of flotation device
• Comfortable Entering Water (Independently)

Curriculum

• Introduction to Freestyle – Kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
• Introduction to Backstroke – Kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
• Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
• Front Glide & Back Glide (i.e. Streamline Push-offs)
• Gaining Confidence in Independent Aquatic Movements

Description

• Designed for children who have either 1) passed through Levels 1-2 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
• Objective to focus on building beginner swimming skills into coordinated swimming strokes.
• Swimmers will be expected to begin performing learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
• Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
• Activities will take place in a group setting.
• Swimmers will begin swimming longer distances.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites

• Freestyle – Basic kicking on stomach w/ face in water & arm movement
• Backstroke – Basic kicking on back w/ ears in the water & arm movements
• Treading Water – Swimmers demonstrate ability of staying vertical & maintaining the head above the surface while in deep water
• Completely comfortable & confident with submerging & swimming independently w/ the face in the water

Curriculum

• Freestyle – Refinement of coordination and basic breathing techniques
• Backstroke – Refinement of coordination & body position
• Introduction to Breaststroke – Frog kicking on stomach & simultaneous arm movement with submerged face
• Dolphin Kicking – The beginning of Butterfly
• Beginner level diving from the side of the pool

Description

• Designed for children who have either 1) passed through Level 3 or 2) possess the necessary prerequisite skills.
• Objective to refine current swim skills in Freestyle & Backstroke, introduce two new strokes (Butterfly & Breaststroke) while building endurance.
• Swimmers will be expected to perform all learning skills without instructor/flotation device assistance under supervision.
• Equipment will be used regularly in classes as learning aids (provided).
• ALL activities will take place in a group setting.
• Swimmers will begin swimming longer distances (multiple laps) with shorter breaks to build endurance.
• Portion of class time may be dedicated to learning turns and/or diving skills, if applicable.
• Known skills to be reviewed & refined at the beginning of the class instruction.
• Beginning of each class will be dedicated to safety topics & attendance
• Class WILL take place in deep end of pool

Prerequisites

• Backstroke – Coordinated kick & arm movements
• Freestyle – Continuous kicking with coordinated arm movements; knowledge of rotary breathing
• Breaststroke – Coordinated & simultaneous arm/leg movement
• Scissor/Flutter Kicking (i.e. Freestyle & Backstroke)
• Dolphin Kicking (i.e. Butterfly)
• Basic Diving Techniques

Curriculum

• Introduction to Butterfly – Dolphin kick w/ simultaneous arm movement above water
• Stroke Refinement of Backstroke, Freestyle, and Breaststroke
• Introduction to Dive Starts (Side of Pool)
• Introduction to Flip Turns (Freestyle & Backstroke)

Description

• Designed for swimmers eager to focus on stroke technique refinement of all four competitive strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle), as well as starts, turns, and finishes.
• Classes will break down each stroke in order to build the good habits of a competitive swimmer
• Swimmers should prepare & expect to build strength & endurance by swimming longer distances similar to a 45-minute swim practice (500 – 1500 yards)

Prerequisites

• Backstroke – Completion of at least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
• Breaststroke – Completion of at least 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion
• Butterfly – Completion of at least ½ of a continuous lap with arms completely exiting the water
• Freestyle – Completion of 2 continuous laps in a coordinated motion with bilateral/rotary breathing

Curriculum

• Flip Turns (Backstroke & Freestyle)
• Open Turns (Butterfly & Breaststroke)
• Technique Refinement of ALL four competitive strokes (i.e. butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
• Dive Starts (Starting Blocks)
• Strength Endurance Development (ALL Four Strokes)
• Introduction of Strength & Cardiovascular Training
  • i.e. Water Jogging, Water Aerobics, Dryland Training, etc.

• Parents/guardians must wear masks and practice social distancing while viewing lessons and escorting your child to/from the pool, and while on campus.
• If you have an older child of the opposite gender you wish to escort into the restroom/locker room, please ask the staff, and they will direct you to private restrooms.
• On deck, you may see some instructors who walk around/assist with different classes. These are instructor aides or gatekeepers whose job is to assist walking kids to the bathroom and help teach difficult skills as well as clean and sanitize our equipment and facilities.

Class Cancellations

Should two or more classes be canceled due to any of the following: Covid-19, inclement weather, bathroom accidents in the pool, chemical imbalance, etc., a partial monetary refund shall be given to the family.

Refund Policy

If any Covid-19 symptoms, Covid-19 positive test result, or Covid-19 exposure inhibits your child from participating in your registered session (all 5 classes) and you notify the FSC Hollis Wellness Center no fewer than 72 hours prior to day one of your registered session, you will be eligible for a full monetary refund ($100 or FSC faculty/staff $80).

Refunds will be considered for cases such as death in the family, injuries, or emergencies. Refunds may be pro-rated depending on the situation. Please contact the swim lesson coordinator for more details.

If you signed up and your plans have changed, we can offer a discount! If we can fill your spot with someone from the waiting list, you will be eligible for a monetary refund of $85 (FSC faculty/staff $70), minus website surcharges. If we can’t fill your spot with someone from the waiting list, you will only be eligible for up to a 50% refund. Please contact the swim lesson coordinator for more details.

• The pool will be cleared of all participants for thunder and lightning and will remain clear for 30 minutes after each additional occurrence.
• The pool will be cleared of all participants for precipitation, wind, or other inclement weather that occurs that causes the lifeguard or instructors to not be able to see the bottom of the pool at its deepest point.
• Swim lesson participants will be informed by EMAIL as soon as possible if an upcoming lesson is being canceled.
• In situations where the pool has to be cleared due to downpour, which hinders instructors’ and lifeguards’ vision, lessons may recommence if deemed safe by the swim lesson coordinator. If students are out of the water for longer than 15 minutes, the remaining class will be canceled.

This will also be the case in situations such as fecal accidents, vomiting in the pool, or other situations deemed necessary for pool evacuation. All pool closures are made with participants’ safety in mind and adhere to city and state aquatic regulations as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Department.

• Parent Letter (PDF)

Our levels run from first-time swimmers through swim-team prep. Use the summaries below to find where your child fits, and download the full skill guidelines for detailed prerequisites and goals.

Preschool Levels (Ages 3–5)

• PS Level 1 - For children new to the water. Comfort through games and songs: floating with support, kicking, blowing bubbles.
• PS Level 2 - For children with little water experience. Bobbing, independent floating, moving through the water with a flotation aid.
• PS Level 3 - For children comfortable in the water. Independent floating, forward movement, retrieving objects, jumping in, and swimming to the side.

Levels 1 and Up (Ages 6+)

• Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills - Little or no experience. Water entry, floating, bubbles, kicking with support.
• Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills - Freestyle and backstroke basics, treading water, glides. Takes place in the deep end.
• Level 3: Stroke Development - Refines freestyle and backstroke; introduces breaststroke, dolphin kick, and beginner diving.
• Level 4: Stroke Improvement - Introduces butterfly, refines all strokes, adds dive starts and flip turns while building endurance.
• Level 5/6: Swim Team Prep - Refines all four competitive strokes plus starts, turns, and finishes, with strength and endurance training.