We are a SUMMER ONLY POOL and offer swim lessons from late June-mid August (lessons start when seattle public schools is out for the summer).
Swim Class Descriptions
Below you will find descriptions and qualifications for each swim class. Please DO NOT register your child for a class without ensuring it is the correct level, we have very limited availability to move students if they are in the wrong class!
If you are unsure of what level your child should enroll in, go to our swim placement page for more info: Swim Placement Questionnaire. We are happy to help with swim placement decisions!
Preschool 1-3 Classes: Our preschool classes are for beginners who are between the ages of 3 and 5.
Preschool 1 (ages 3-5):
Preschool 1 is a great place to start for preschool age children who are new to swimming and are not yet comfortable putting their face in the water. The focus is on developing comfort in the water through games, and having fun! Preschool 1 is taught primarily in the shallow end (0.5-2foot) area of the pool.
Preschool 2 (ages 3-5)
Preschool 2 is for preschool age children (3-5yrs) who are comfortable in the water, willing to join a group and are able to do bobs under the water (fully submerge their head under the water). The focus is on developing beginning swimming skills, including kicking on their stomach and back, and beginning crawl stroke, while still learning through games. Preschool 2 is taught partially in the shallow end (0.5-2foot) area of the pool, with some trips to the 3-4 foot area of the pool to practice skills, including bobs, sit dives, and occasional visits to the 12ft area for deep end exposure (with careful supervision from the instructor).
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Preschool 2, a child needs to be able to do 5 head bobs (ie, fully submerging their head under the water) in shallow water, be comfortable getting in the water with a teacher, and able to kick on their front and back with assistance from an adult.
Preschool 3 (ages 3-5)
Preschool 3 is for preschool age children who are ready to work on crawl stroke with side breathing and beginning backstroke. Preschool 3 is taught in the 3-4 foot area of the pool, and is structured similarly to an upper level class where students take turns practicing each skill with the teacher, and focuses less on learning through games.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Preschool 3, a child needs to be able to do 5 head bobs (ie, fully submerging their head under the water) in 3-4ft of water, and swim beginning crawl stroke (this does not need to be perfect form, the child needs to be able to make forward progress in the water using beginning crawl stroke with their head down. They do need to know how to do side breathing).
Floater 1-2 Classes: Our floater classes are for beginners who are ages 6 and up.
Floater 1 (Ages 6 & up)
Floater 1 is for children ages 6 and up who are new to swimming and are not yet comfortable in the water and/or putting their face in the water. Floater 1 is taught in the 4-6 foot area of the pool. The focus is water comfort, learning to do head bobs (fully submerging their head under the water), floating on their stomach and back (with assistance) and beginning crawl stroke. (Floater 1 is the equivalent of a combination of Preschool 1 and 2 for children ages 6 and up)
Floater 2 (Ages 6 & up)
Floater 2 is for children ages 6 and up who are comfortable in the water and are able to fully submerge their head under the water. Floater 2 is taught in the 4-6 foot area of the pool, with visits to the 12ft area of the water. The focus is on learning to swim crawl stroke and introducing backstroke. (Floater 2 is the equivalent of Preschool 3 for children ages 6 and up)
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Floater 2, a child needs to be comfortable in the water, able to do 5 head bobs (ie, fully submerging their head under the water) in 3-4ft of water, and swim beginning crawl stroke (this does not need to be perfect form, the child needs to be able to make forward progress in the water using beginning crawl stroke with their head down. They do need to know how to do side breathing).
Beginner 1-3 Classes: Our beginner classes are for swimmers who are ready to work on stroke technique, focusing primarily on crawl stroke and back stroke.
Beginner 1
Beginner 1 focuses on learning crawl stroke with side breathing and good form, and swimming backstroke for 25 ft. Children also learn winging and kicking on their back and beginning diving. Beginner 1 is usually taught in the 4-6 ft area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Beginner 1, a swimmer needs to be able to to swim crawl stroke for 10ft with good form with some side breathing, swim back stroke for 10 ft, float on their back for 15 seconds (without assistance), and kick with a kickboard for 25ft. Beginner 2 is usually taught in the 6-8 ft area of the pool.
Beginner 2
This class focuses on increased distance of crawl stroke with side breathing and back stroke, swimming the width of the pool. Children also learn to dive into deep water and treading water. Beginner 2 is usually taught in the 6-12 ft area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Beginner 2, a swimmer needs to be able to swim crawl stroke with good form and some side breathing for 25ft, swim backstroke with good form for 25 ft., do a back float independently for 30 seconds and kick the width of WW pool (about 35 ft) with a kickboard.
Beginner 3
This class includes a significant increase in distance, swimming crawl stroke and backstroke for 25 yards. New skills include elementary backstroke and beginning breaststroke. Beginner 3 is usually taught in the 8-12 ft area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Beginner 3, a swimmer needs to be able to swim crawl stroke with good form and side breathing for the width of WW pool (about 35ft), swim backstroke with good form for the width of WW pool (about 35ft), wing and kick on their back for 25 yards, and do a back float independently for 45 seconds, kick for 25 yards with a kickboard, dive into deep water, and tread water with proper coordination.
Intermediate 1-3 Classes: Our intermediate classes are for swimmers who have strong swimming skills, and are ready to work on refining their crawl stroke and backstroke technique, learning breastroke and butterfly, and increasing their swimming endurance.
Intermediate 1
In Intermediate 1, the distance children swims increases from 25 yards to 50 yards, for backstroke, crawl stroke, and elementary backstroke. Children continue to work on proper technique for swimming breast stroke and diving with good form. Intermediate 1 is usually taught in the deep end (12 ft) area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Intermediate 1, a swimmer needs to be able to swim crawl stroke with side breathing and good form for 25 yards, swim backstroke with good form for 25 yards, swim elementary back stroke for 25 yards, swim beginning breastroke, float on their back independently for 1 minute, tread water for 1 minute, and dive with good form.
Intermediate 2
In Intermediate 2, the distance increases to swimming crawl stroke for 75 yards. Children also learn to swim breaststroke with good form for 25 yards and are introduced to side stroke, butterfly, and swimming turns. Intermediate 2 is usually taught in the deep end (12 ft) area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Intermediate 2, a swimmer needs to be able to swim crawl stroke with side breathing and good form for 50 yards, swim backstroke with good form for 50 yards, swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards, swim breastroke with proper coordination, float on their back independently for 2 minutes, tread water for 2 minutes, dive with good form.
Intermediate 3
Intermediate 3 is for advanced swimmers who are ready to increase distance across all strokes, and learn to swim butterfly and sidestroke with proper coordination, dive from the board or swim block, and learn turns with proper coordination. Intermediate 3 is usually taught in the deep end (12 ft) area of the pool.
Qualifications: In order to qualify for Intermediate 3, a swimmer needs to be able to swim crawl stroke with side breathing and good form for 75 yards, swim backstroke with good form for 50 yards, swim breastroke with good form for 25 yards, float on their back independently for 5 minutes, tread water for 3 minutes, and dive with good form from a diving board or swim block. The swimmer should also have an introduction to sidestroke and butterfly, but they do not need to be proficient at these skills as these will be taught thoroughly in intermediate 3.
For a list of class goals: WW Swim Class Goals
Questions?
Email Julie Lockhart, Lesson Coordinator at [email protected] with any other questions regarding private lessons!
