Poseidon Swim School’s mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability,
has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer.
Choosing the Correct Class for my Child
The following is an outline of the skills at each level. Please use the entire skills checklist to determine the appropriate level for your child. Preschool levels are for swimmers ages 3 - 5 years old. Levels 1 - 5 are for swimmers 5 years and older.
Pre-School Levels ages 3-5: Must be potty trained. Goggles are not advised as comfort with getting their face wet is essential for skill advancement. Students in the Preschool Class will work independently in the water with an instructor. This is most often the first swim lesson for swimmers. Students will work on the following objectives and may move to Advanced Beginner when they can achieve these skills independently.
Group size is a minimum of 2 and is capped at 4 for safety and to maximize instruction time. Five 30-minute lessons are included in most sessions. Classes are determined by ability. The skills taught are individualized with a focus on safety.
*The instructors may recommend a different level after the start of the class.
Preschool Beginner Skills, ages 3-5 Register Now!
Skills achieved to move to Preschool Advanced (5 & under) or Level 1 (over 5):
- Sits on side of pool / steps feet in water
- Gets face/eyes wet unassisted
- Blows bubbles
- Submerges head completely under water willingly and blows bubbles without instructor
- Floats on back with instructor's help
- Floats on back unassisted
- Pushes from wall to instructor and instructor to wall
- Kicks on kick board with instructor help
- Kicks on back with help
- Jumps from the side to the instructor
Preschool Advanced Beginner Skills, ages 3-5 Register Now!
Skills achieved to move to Level 1 or Level 2 (over 5; depending on instructor evaluation):
- Repetitive bubble blowing 5 consecutive times with head submerged under water
- 25 yards – freestyle kicking on a kick board without instructor assistance.
- 25 yards – backstroke kick with arms at side without instructor assistance.
- Streamline kick to and from the wall unassisted
- Retrieves object underwater with bubbles
- Jumps from pool side unassisted
Levels 1-5, ages 5 years and older Register Now!
Group size is a minimum of 2 and is capped at 4, to allow a focus on safety and maximize instruction time. Six 30-minute lessons are included in most sessions. Classes are determined by ability. The skills taught are individualized with a focus on safety.
Level 1 (Beginner): This is for swimmers who are 5 years and older who have never had lessons or are not comfortable doing the skills listed below. Goggles are not advised but can be used if they provide comfortability.
Skills achieved to move to Level 2:
- Sits on side of pool / steps feet in water
- Gets face/eyes wet unassisted
- Blows bubbles – 5 times in a row
- Submerges head completely under water willingly and blows bubbles without instructor
- Floats on back with instructor's help
- Floats on back unassisted
- Pushes from wall to instructor and instructor to wall
- Kicks on kick board with instructor help
- Kicks on back with help
- Jumps from the side to the instructor
Level 2 (Advanced Beginner): This level is for swimmers who are 5 years and older that are able to pass Level 1 skills above.
Skills achieved to move to Level 3:
- Repetitive bubble blowing 5 consecutive times with head submerged under water
- 25 yards – entire length of pool – proper freestyle kicking on a kick board without an instructor
- 25 yards – entire length of pool – proper backstroke kick with arms at side without an instructor
- Streamline to and from the wall unassisted
- Retrieves object from bottom of pool with assistance
- Jumps from pool side unassisted
- Kicks on back unassisted
- Must be able to swim 3/4 length of the pool (freestyle or backstroke)
- Freestyle - face in the water; proper breathing to the side
Level 3 (Intermediate): This is for swimmers who are 5 years and older that are able to pass Level 2 skills.
Skills achieved to move to Level 4:
- 25 yards backstroke drill with a single arm
- 25 yards backstroke swim with both arms
- 25 yards each kicking on Left and Right side with an extended arm (freestyle breathing position) unassisted
- Retrieves object from pool bottom
- Introduction to blowing bubbles through nose
- Jumps from starting block unassisted
- Proficient in freestyle and backstroke
- Introduction to breaststroke, butterfly, treading water and dives
Level 4 (Advanced Intermediate): This is for swimmers 5 years and older that are able to pass Levels 3 skills.
Skills achieved to move to Level 5:
- Repetitive bubble blowing, exhaling through nose
- Introduction to various stroke drills (backstroke rifle, freestyle catch up, etc)
- Introduction to flip turns
- 25 yards streamline kicking on back
- Dives from side of pool/introduction to block diving
- Retrieves multiple objects from pool bottom
- Proficient in breaststroke and buttefly
- Lap swimming
- Continued improvement on Level 2-3 skills
Level 5 (Advanced): This is for swimmers 5 years and older that are able to pass Level 3 and 4 skills.
Skills achieved to move to Poseidon Team Prep or Poseidon Team (depending on coach evaluation):
- Continue to work on stroke drills and technique
- Backstroke count using flags
- Flip turns
- Streamline diving from block
- Lap swimming
- Continued improvement on Level 2-4 skills
*Levels 4/5 - Must be able to complete the duration of the class
Poseidon Summer Team Prep
Poseidon Summer Team Prep is 45-minute classes that meet 2x/week on Tuesdays and Thursdays or 1x/week on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday. It is designed for swimmers ages 6+ who have been on a summer swim team before and want to get ready or the next season by building endurance and working on technique. Although breaks will be incorporated, swimmers must be able to swim 25-yard laps unassisted for 45 minute timeframe.
*Please note that if a swimmer is placed in the incorrect level we will do our best to find a slot in that session for them in the correct level, but we cannot guarantee it. Placing a swimmer in a level that they are not ready for is not appropriate and will not accelerate progression in our program. Swimmers that have not been in the water for several months will lose skills they may have mastered before, so enrolling in a level below is usually appropriate.
Questions? Email [email protected]
