Dublin Swim Lesson Placement Guide

Welcome to the City of Dublin’s newly enhanced swim lesson program. City of Dublin Recreation Services staff is committed to always evaluating and improving our programs so that we can guarantee the highest level of quality in all of our classes.
We have redesigned our swim lesson program to be consistent with the new 2009 guidelines set by the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program. In making this change, we will continue to offer quality swim lessons and to help participants be safe when they are in or around the water. With the new structure of the levels, we hope to have simplified the registration process, progression of levels, and the overall experience of taking swim lessons with the City of Dublin.

If you having a difficult time figuring out which level is right for your child you may bring your child in for a free swim assessment to see which level they should be registered for. The free swim assessments will take place on Tuesdays between 4-7pm. Stop at the Front Desk and ask to see Courtenay. If you have any additional questions about swim lessons please contact Courtenay at 614-410-4597 or cchaffin@dublin.oh.us

Parent and Child Swim Classes

(Children under 3 years old) Parents are in the water with the children. All children not toilet trained must wear a waterproof diaper (available at the Front Desk).

Parent and Child Level 1
Ages 3 months to 6 months
This class is designed allow parents and little ones to have a peaceful and relaxing first experience with the pool. Singing, games and some basic skills are taught, designed to help you and your child learn to love the pool.

Parent and Child Level 2
Ages 6 months to 1.5 years
This is a class for children who haven’t had lessons or experience with water. It is designed to help the child trust the parent in the water. The instructor teaches the child to respect the water and enjoy the experience with the parent through drills, games and songs. The child will be going under the water within the first few weeks.

Parent and Child Level 3
Ages 1.5 to 2.5 years
Children must already be comfortable in the water, enjoy going under water, be able to swim a short distance after jumping into the water and be comfortable lying on their back with little support.

Parent and Child Level 4
Ages 2.5 to 3 years
Parents will start the session with their child in the water and then move out of the water slowly, away from their child until the instructor is teaching the children without the parents being present.

Preschool Level 1 (Ages 3-5)

Learning Objectives

Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side
Blowing bubbles through mouth and nose, 3 seconds
Submerging mouth, nose and eyes
Opening eyes under water and retrieving submerged objects, 2 times (in shallow water)
Front and back glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a front glide to a vertical position
Back float, 3 seconds
Recover from a back float to a vertical position
Roll from front to back and back to front
Treading with arm and hand actions (chest-deep)
Alternating leg action on front, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous leg action on front, 2 body lengths
Alternating arm action on front, 2 body lengths
Combo arm and leg actions on front, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous leg action on back, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous arm action on back, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous arm action on front, 2 body lengths
Alternating leg action on back, 2 body lengths
Alternating arm action on back, 2 body lengths
Combined arm and leg actions on back, 2 body lengths

Exit Skills Assessment

Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, submerge to mouth and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds then safely exit the water. Children can walk, move along the gutter or swim.
While in shallow water, glide on front at least 2 body lengths, then roll to back and float on back for 3 seconds then recover to a vertical position

Preschool Level 2 (Ages 3-5)

Learning Objectives

Bobbing, 3 times
Enter water by stepping in (in shoulder deep water)
Exit water using ladder, steps or side (in chest-deep water)
Opening eyes under water and retrieving submerged objects, 2 times (in chest-deep water)
Front float, 3 seconds
Front glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a front float or glide to a vertical position
Back float, 5 seconds
Back glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
Roll from front to back and back to front
Treading using arm and leg actions, 5 seconds (in shoulder-deep water)
Combined arm and leg actions on front and back, 3 body lengths
Finning arm action on back, 3 body lengths

Exit Skills Assessment

Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to back, float on back for 5 seconds then recover to a vertical position.
Glide on back for at least 2 body lengths, roll to front, float for 5 seconds then recover to a vertical position.
Swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 3 body lengths, roll to back, float for 5 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming on front for 3 body lengths

Preschool Level 3 (Ages 3-5)

Learning Objectives

Enter water by jumping in shoulder-deep water
Fully submerging and holding breath, 5 seconds
Bobbing, 5 times (in chest-deep water)
Front float, 5 seconds
Jellyfish float, 5 seconds
Tuck float, 5 seconds
Recover from a front float to a vertical position
Back float, 15 seconds
Back glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical pos.
Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
Treading using arm and leg actions,
15 seconds (in shoulder-deep water)
Combined arm and leg actions on front and back, 5 body lengths
Finning arm action on back, 5 body lengths

Exit Skills Assessment

Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position
Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position
Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. (Child can be assisted when taking a breath.)

Learn to Swim Level 1

Learning Objectives

Enter water using ladder, steps or side
Exit water using ladder, steps or side
Blowing bubbles through mouth and nose, 3 seconds
Bobbing, 3 times
Opening eyes under water and retrieving submerged objects, 2 times (in shallow water)
Front glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a front glide to a vertical position
Back glide, 2 body lengths
Back float, 3 seconds
Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
Roll from front to back
Roll from back to front
Treading using arm and hand actions (in chest-deep water)
Alternating leg action on front, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous leg action on front, 2 body lengths
Alternating arm action on front, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous arm action on front, 2 body lengths
Combined arm and leg actions on front, 2 body lengths
Alternating leg action on back, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous leg action on back, 2 body lengths
Alternating arm action on back, 2 body lengths
Simultaneous arm action on back, 2 body lengths
Combined arm and leg actions on back, 2 body lengths

Exit Skills Assessment

Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, bob 3 times then safely exit the water. (Participants can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”)
Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position. (This part of the assessment can be performed with support.)

Learn to Swim Level 2

Learning Objectives

Enter water by stepping or jumping from the side (in shoulder-deep water)
Exit water using ladder, steps or side (in chest-deep water)
Fully submerging and holding breath, 5 seconds
Bobbing, 5 times (in chest-deep water)
Opening eyes under water and retrieving submerged objects, 2 times (in chest-deep water)
Front float, 5 seconds
Jellyfish float, 5 seconds
Tuck float, 5 seconds
Front glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a front float or glide to a vertical position
Back float, 15 seconds
Back glide, 2 body lengths
Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
Roll from front to back
Roll from back to front
Change direction while swimming on front or back
Treading using arm and leg actions, 15 seconds (in shoulder-deep water)
Combined arm and leg actions on front, 5 body lengths
Finning arm action on back, 5 body lengths
Combined arm and leg actions on back, 5 body lengths

Exit Skills Assessment

Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position.
Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position.
Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to the front then continue swimming for 5 body lengths. The participant can be assisted when taking a breath.

Learn to Swim Level 3

Learning Objectives

Enter water by jumping from the side (into deep water)
Headfirst entry from the side in a sitting position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Headfirst entry from the side in a kneeling position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Bobbing while moving toward safety, 5 times (in chest-deep water)
Rotary breathing, 10 times
Survival float on front, 30 seconds (in deep water)
Back float, 30 seconds (in deep water)
Change from vertical to horizontal position on front (in deep water)
Change from vertical to horizontal position on back (in deep water)
Tread water, 30 seconds (in deep water)
Push off in a streamlined position on front then begin flutter kicking, 3–5 body lengths
Push off in a streamlined position on front then begin dolphin kicking, 3–5 body lengths
Front crawl, 15 yards
Elementary backstroke, 15 yards
Scissors kick, 10 yards

Exit Skills Assessment

Jump into deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.

Learn to Swim Level 4

Learning Objectives

Headfirst entry from the side in a compact position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Headfirst entry from the side in a stride position (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Swim under water, 3–5 body lengths
Feet first surface dive, submerging completely
Survival swimming, 30 seconds (in deep water)
Front crawl open turn
Tread water using 2 different kicks (modified scissors, modified breaststroke or rotary), 2 minutes
Front crawl, 25 yards
Breaststroke, 15 yards
Butterfly, 15 yards
Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin flutter kicking, 3–5 body lengths
Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin dolphin kicking, 3–5 body lengths
Elementary backstroke, 25 yards
Back crawl, 15 yards
Sidestroke, 15 yards

Exit Skills Assessment

Perform a feetfirst entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim back crawl for 15 yards.

Learn to Swim Level 5

Learning Objectives

Shallow-angle dive from the side (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Shallow-angle dive, glide 2 body lengths and begin any front stroke (in water at least 9 feet deep)
Tuck surface dive, submerging completely
Pike surface dive, submerging completely
Front flip turn while swimming
Backstroke flip turn while swimming
Tread water, 5 minutes
Front crawl, 50 yards
Breaststroke, 25 yards
Butterfly, 25 yards
Elementary backstroke, 50 yards
Back crawl, 25 yards
Standard scull, 30 seconds
Sidestroke, 25 yards

Exit Skills Assessment

Perform a shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl for 50 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 50 yards.
Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction and position of travel as necessary and swim back crawl for 25 yards.

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