Learn to Swim Level Descriptions

Learn to Swim Levels

See the table for level descriptions. If you are unsure of what level you should register your child, give us a call, 414-371-3073. Our Park and Recreation Supervisor is happy to help find what class best fits your child!

LevelPrerequisitesSkills
Parent / ChildChildren 6 months to 4 years oldParents will be in the water with their child to work on building a foundation for basic skills and to increase comfortability in and around water.
Preschool Level 1Children 3 to 5 years oldThis class is for first time participants or those who need a water adjustment.
Enter/exit water, blow bubbles, front and back glides with recovery to a vertical position, front and back floats, roll from back to front and from front to back, alternating and simultaneous leg and arm actions on front and back
Preschool Level 2Successful Completion of Preschool Level 1
(3 to 5 years old)		Students will continue to build upon the skills learned in Preschool 1.
Enter/exit the water, blow bubbles, submerge mouth, nose, and eyes, bobbing, front and back floats, front and back glides with recovery to a vertical position, roll from back to front and front to back, tread water, combined arm and leg actions on the front, finning arm action on back
Preschool Level 3Successful Completion of Preschool Level 2
(3 to 5 years old)		Children will start to gain basic swimming propulsive skills to be comfortable in and around water.
Enter/exit water, submerge and hold breath, front, jellyfish, tuck, and back float, back and front glide with recovery to a vertical position, tread water, combined arm and leg actions on front and back, finning arm action on back
Level 1Children 6 years old and upHelps students feel comfortable in the water.
Enter/Exit water, blow bubbles, bobbing, front and back float, front and back glide with recovery to a vertical position, roll from front to back and back to front, alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front and back
Level 2Successful Completion of Level 1 or Preschool 2Gives students independent success with fundamental skills. Step or jump in, fully submerge and hold breath, bobbing, rotary breathing, front, jellyfish, tuck, and back floats, front and back glide with recovery to a vertical position, roll from front to back and back to front, tread water, combined arm and leg actions on front and back
Level 3Successful Completion of Level 2Builds on skills learned in Level 2. Jump into deep water, headfirst entry in a seated position, bobbing, rotary breathing, survival float, tread water, streamline position on front and back, front crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and dolphin kick
Level 4Successful Completion of Level 3Develops the confidence and strength to improve skills learned and introduces new skills. Headfirst entry in compact and stride positions, feet first surface dive, tread water, front crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, back crawl, butterfly, sidestroke, front and back open turns, streamline position on front and back
Level 5Successful Completion of Level 4Provides further coordination and refinement of strokes, swimming further distances. Shallow angle dive, tuck and pike surface dive, tread water, sculling, front crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, back crawl, butterfly, sidestroke, front and backflip turn
Level 6Successful Completion of Level 5Refines strokes so students swim them with ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances.
front crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, back crawl, butterfly, sidestroke, open turn, flip turn, 500-yard swimming