Red Cross Preschool Swim Program (4-36 months)

In the first three levels, Starfish, Duck, and Sea Turtle, parents and infants focus on water orientation and water safety.

Children ages 3 to 6 years progress through the next five levels, Sea Turtle, Salamander, Sunfish, Crocodile and Whale, building swimming skills and learning age-specific water safety. These programs appeal to children as they use songs, games and themes making lessons fun.

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  LEVEL 1 - Starfish ( 4-12 months )

  In this assisted level, babies and their caregivers work on getting wet, buoyancy and movement, front, back and vertical position in the water, and shallow water entries and exits.

• LEVEL 2 - Duck (12-24 months)

  Duck is an assisted level where babies and their caregivers work on rhythmic breathing, moving forward and backward, front and back float with recovery, and shallow water entries and exits.

  
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  LEVEL 3 - Sea Turtle (24-36 months)

  For Sea Turtle the focus is on submersion, front and back floats and glides, jumping into chest-deep water with assistance, kicking on front and front swim.

• LEVEL 4 - Sea Otter (3-5 years)

  Swimmers work on front and back floats and glides, kicking on front with a buoyant object, and will be able to swim 1 metre upon completion of this level.

  
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  LEVEL 5 - Salamander 3-5 years (with successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Preschool Sea Otter)

  Swimmers work on improving their front and back float and jumping into chest-deep water unassisted. Kicking is added to the front and back glide and swimmers will be able to swim 2 metres upon completion.

• LEVEL 6 - Sunfish (3-6 years with successful completion of the skills in Red Cross SwimPreschool Salamander)

  Swimmers work on kicking and can perform glides (front and back), enter deep water safely, float in deep water, swim with a PFD, and swim 5 metres continuously.

  
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  LEVEL 7 - Crocodile ( 3-6 years with successful completion of the skills in Red Cross SwimPreschool Sunfish)

  Swimmers further develop the front and back glide with kick, front and back swim, jump into deep water, swim with a PFD in deep water, and swim 10 metres continuously.

• LEVEL 8 - Whale (3-6 years with successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Preschool Crocodile)

  Swimmers will increase their distance on front and back glide with kick, increase distance on front and back swim, learn the sitting dive, and will be able to swim 15 metres continuously upon completion of the level.