Youth Swim Classes

Below are the descriptions for youth swim classes that are part of the Arlington County Aquatics Program. These classes are for youth ages 6 -14 years. Children may have participated in a toddler course previously which could prepare them for a higher level course than the Level 1. Please make sure to register your child for the appropriate class based on the criteria below. Specific skill requirements are necessary to advance to the next level. Please note that taking a course one time, does not mean it was successfully completed.  The column on the right below indicates the skills that are introduced within each course. Most students will repeat courses to master necessary required skills for the next level. There is no set amount of time that is allotted to master specific skills, please be patient and remember that confidence and competency take time and repetition.

Youth Swim: Level 1 (ages 6-12 years)

Required Skills

This class is for beginners with little or no experience in the water. Only take this class if you are unable to submerge and be comfortable in the water. The class will focus on water exploration and elementary skills. If you child has taken Pre-Fin or Fin 1 they and they are 6 year or older this is where they should start.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Enter and exit water independently using ladder, steps and stairs.
• Bob 3 times
• Glide on front/back 2 body lengths
• Front/Back float 3 seconds
• Combined front swim introduction
• Treading water introduction
• Safety Skills

Youth Swim: Level 2 (ages 6-12 years)

Required Skills

This class is for children who have successfully completed Youth Swim: Level 1 or have comparable skills. This class will focus on developing safety skills and begin to add movement in the water. If your child has successfully passed Fin 2 and Fin 3 and they are six years or older this is where they should start.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Improve introductory water skills
• Glide on front and back three body lengths
• Float on front and back 10-15 seconds
• Step or jump into chest-deep water
• Combined swim front five body lengths with breathing assisted.
• Introduction to backstroke arm and leg action
• Treading water for 15 seconds
• Safety skills

Youth Swim: Level 3 (ages 6-12 years)

Required Skills

This class is for children who have successfully completed Youth Swim: Level 2 or have comparable skills. This class will on coordinating front and back crawl and other safety skills. If your child has successfully passed  Fin 4 and they are six years or older this is where they should start.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Learn to enter water head first
• Glide on front and back for three body lengths
• Float on front and back for 30 seconds in deep water
• Step or jump into chest-deep water
• Introduction to scissors kick, backstroke arm and leg action
• Elementary backstroke 15 yards
• Combined swim front
• 15 body lengths with no assistance
• Tread deep water for 30 seconds
• Safety skills

Youth Swim: Level 4 (ages 6-12 years)

Required Skills

Swimmers who have successfully completed Youth Swim: Level 3 or have comparable skills. This class will focus on developing confidence in these skills and improving other aquatic skills as well.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Jump and step into deep water and swim
• Swim front crawl 25 yards
• Swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards
• Swim breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly and back crawl for 15 yards
• Open turn at wall and tread water for two minutes
• Enter water head first

Youth Swim: Level 5 (ages 6-12 years)

Required Skills

Swimmers who have who have successfully completed Youth Swim: Level 4 or have comparable skills. This class will focus on refining strokes and aquatic skills.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Dive into shallow or deep water
• Front crawl and elementary backstroke 50 yards
• Flip turn at the wall front and back
• Tread water for five minutes
• Breaststroke, elementary back, sidestroke and butterfly 25 yards
• Safety skills

Youth Swim: Advanced (ages 8-14 years)

Required Skills

Swimmers who have successfully completed Youth Swim: Level 5 or have comparable skills. This class is meant to continue refinement on strokes and provide further training on all aquatic skills, including fitness, swimming skill proficiency, water safety skills and diving.

Introduced Skills

Students will learn to:

• Swim up to 500 yards using any three strokes
• Perform feet first surface dive to retrieve an object seven to 10 feet deep.
• Jump and dive from a 1 meter diving board
• Learn competitive swim rules for all strokes
• Introduce pull buoys, fins and paddles
• Swimming as exercise.