Swim Class Descriptions
Water Tots (TOTS) – ages 1.5-2.5+
Advanced Water Tots – ages 2.5-3.5+
Swimmers in Water Tots will experience a gentle introduction to water confidence, buoyancy, and balance through songs and games. Swimmers learn the basics of body orientation, breath control, and basic propulsion, while building their love for swimming. This is a parent-assisted class. Key development objectives include:
optimal body orientation for buoyancy and balance
submerging, surfacing, and breath control (when appropriate)
changing directional movement on the surface and underwater
Beginner Swim (BegSw) – ages 4+
Swimmers in Beginner Swim are lacking confidence in the water or are new to swimming, but can follow teacher instructions and are willing to participate in the water without a parent’s help. Swimmers learn the basics of water safety, breath control, and forward propulsion, as well as increase their comfort in the water with controlled, calm movements. Key development objectives include:
optimal body orientation for buoyancy and balance
submerging, surfacing, and breath control
changing directional movement on the surface and underwater
Building Swimming Foundations –
Level 1 (BSF1) and Level 2 (BSF2)
Swimmers in Building Swimming Foundations are confident in the water, but still developing the foundations of strong swimming technique. Swimmers that can independently move on their front and back, and roll over to breathe with ease will be enrolled in BSF2. Other swimmers will start in BSF1. Key development objectives include:
optimal body orientation for buoyancy and balance
breath control and rolling to breathe
controlled, propulsive arm strokes and kick for basic freestyle and backstroke
Early Stroke Development (ESD)
In Early Stroke Development, swimmers master the basics of optimal buoyancy and balance necessary for freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. In combination with an easy, controlled roll to breathe, swimmers are working to sustain their freestyle stroke and kick for 25m or more. Key development objectives include:
continuous, propulsive freestyle arm strokes that clear the water
breathing to the side by rolling to the back (no forward head lift)
stable head, body, and leg positions for freestyle and backstroke
Intermediate Stroke Development (ISD)
In Intermediate Stroke Development, swimmers master freestyle and backstroke. They’ll also continue to build the basic foundations for breaststroke. Key development objectives include:
increasing endurance, speed, and efficiency in freestyle
stable head, body position, and arm strokes/kick in backstroke over 25m+
basic arm pulls and leg movement for breaststroke
Advanced Stroke Development (ASD)
Swimmers in Advanced Stroke Development work toward swimming 50m freestyle, backstroke, and legal breaststroke with the correct body position, propulsive movements, and rhythm for continuous forward movement. Key development objectives include:
breaststroke with legal arm pull, kick, and stroke timing
increasing stroke power and speed in freestyle and backstroke
mastery of underwater technique off of walls/diving blocks
Junior / Senior Stroke Correction (JSC)
In Stroke Correction, swimmers work toward swimming 400m+ continuously, while using a combination of all four swimming strokes (including a legal butterfly stroke). Key development objectives include:
develop a legal butterfly stroke
make adjustments to body orientation and stroke technique to reduce drag and increase propulsion
introduction of competitive starts, turns, and underwater technique off of walls/diving blocks
Junior / Senior Swim Fitness (JSF)
In Swim Fitness, swimmers focus on increasing their strength, speed, and efficiency across all four strokes in order to improve physical stamina and/or race competitiveness. Key development objectives include:
employ swimming techniques that will conserve energy without loss of speed
establish muscle memory for optimal technique
mastery of competitive starts, turns, and underwater technique off of walls/diving blocks
Development Squad (DevSq)
Competitive Squad (CompSq)
Only swimmers that are selected through a qualifying time trial may enroll in the squad program. Swimmers in both the Development and Competitive Squads will train more frequently, with a focus on race preparation for local and international meets. Key development objectives include:
develop fast-twitch muscles for sprints and starts
experience with racing in highly-competitive age group meets
master elite training strategies to increase endurance, power, and speed while maintaining efficient stroke technique