Youth Group Swim Lessons Level Guide
Shallow Water Classes
Beginner 1: (Ages 3-6 years old)
New swimmers with little experience or are not yet comfortable in the water.
4:1 Child to Instructor Ratio
Skills to Pass:
Listen & Follow Instructions
5 Head Bobs - fully submerged
Exhale underwater - nose bubbles
Front Float - 5 seconds
Back Float - 5 seconds
Forward Kick with Kickboard
Front Streamline - 5 yards
Back Streamline - 5 yards
Beginner 2: (Ages 3-9 years old)
Swimmers who’ve completed Beginner 1 skills, are comfortable in the water, and are working towards independence.
4:1 Child to Instructor Ratio
Skills to Pass:
Listen & Follow Instruction
10 Head Bobs - fully submerged
Exhale underwater - nose bubbles
Front Float - 10 seconds
Back Float - 10 seconds
Safety Rotation Front-to-Back
Front Streamline - 8 yards
Back Streamline - 8 yards
Side Kick with Side Breath
Basic Freestyle Swim - 10 yards
Backstroke Swim - 10 yards
Deep Water Classes
Intermediate 1: (Ages 3-12 years old)
Swimmers who’ve completed Beginner 2 skills and are independent in the water. This is a DEEP WATER class; swimmers must be able to get themselves to the pool wall.
5:1 Child to Instructor Ratio
Skills to Pass:
Listen & Follow Instruction
Tread Water - 30 seconds
Exhale Underwater - nose bubbles
Side Kick with Side Breath
Freestyle Swim - 12.5 yards
Backstroke Swim - 12.5 yards
“Chicken Airplane Rocket” - 12.5 yards
Kneeling Dive into Streamline
Intermediate 2: (Ages 3-12 years old)
Swimmers who’ve completed Intermediate 1 skills and are independent in the water. This is a DEEP WATER class; swimmers must be able to get themselves to the pool wall.
5:1 Child to Instructor Ratio
Skills to Pass:
Tread water - 45 seconds
Exhale Underwater - nose bubbles
Side Kick with Side Breath
Freestyle Swim - 20 yards
Backstroke Swim 20 yards
Breaststroke Kick - 20 yards
Standing Dive into Streamline
Advanced: (Ages 3-12 years old)
Swimmers who’ve completed Intermediate 2 skills and are independent in the water. This is a DEEP WATER class and swimmers must be able to get themselves to the pool wall.
6:1 Child to Instructor Ratio
Skills to Pass:
Tread Water - 60 seconds
Side Kick with Side Breath
Freestyle Swim - 40 yards
Backstroke Swim - 40 yards
Breaststroke Kick - 20 yards
Breaststroke Swim - 20 yards
Butterfly / Dolphin Kick - 20 yards
Racing Dive into Streamline
What comes after Advanced Level?
After completing WEST’s Learn-to-Swim Program swimmers will be ready for our Recreation Swim Team. Our Recreation program offers swimmers an opportunity to improve their technique and conditioning while learning the fundamental skills of competitive swimming. Recreation Team swimmers have the option to compete and the flexibility to progress at their own pace.
During the Summer, we invite swimmers who have successfully completed Intermediate 2 level to join our Summer Team!
