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Parenting Tips: Five Ways for Kids (and parents) to Stay Entertained During Swim Lessons

Parenting Tips: Five Ways for Kids (and parents) to Stay Entertained During Swim Lessons

by Betsy Stern | Feb 19, 2019 | Parenting Ideas

For those of us with swimmers and non-swimmers in our brood, keeping the non-swimmers happy during swim lessons is no easy task. So before they drive you batty during that time or any time they aren’t involved and may have to wait, read up on a few tips from...

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SWIM SAFER | SWIM SMARTER

Madison • 608.831.6829 • customerservice@swimwest.com

Fitchburg • 608.276.7946 • fitchburg@swimwest.com

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Parent Tots

PROGRAM PROGRESSION GOALS:

  • Submerge Comfortably 8-10 seconds
  • Move through the water 3ft and independent lift
  • Leap of Faith, Move through the water 5ft and Independent Exit

Little Snapper

We focus on getting your toddler comfortable in the water, with as much or as little involvement as needed from a caregiver. These toddler swim lessons will work on beginner skills with assistance from the instructor. When your child’s comfort grows, the parent will gradually transition out of the class

Angelfish

This beginner class is designed for older toddlers who are ready to learn water skills without having a parent in the water.
Skills for the toddler swim lessons include back floating with assistance, rollovers, jumping into the instructor, climbing out of the pool, and submersions.  

Blowfish

If your child has little to no fear of the water and is okay with getting their face wet in the bathtub, this class is a perfect match! We focus on unassisted floating on backs and tummies, breath control, and safety jumps. This class will help your child achieve overall comfort in the water. If these skills match your child’s and they are older than 5 please contact us so that we may work with you to get them into an age appropriate class.

Clownfish

This is our advanced beginner class and is perfect for a child who is still working on those basic swim skills but not quite ready to move to deeper water. Children will increase their breath control, swim distance and learn independent rollover breathing.

Jellyfish

Our Jellyfish level is for children who are comfortable swimming on their own and are ready for stroke introduction. They will work on rollover breathing, sit dives, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and safety jumps.

Seal

Swimmers in this level should have basic knowledge of the front crawl and breaststroke components. Swimming distance goals are set in order to continuously practice proper stroke techniques. We emphasize breaststroke arms with pop-up breathing, sit dives, front crawl with side breathing, and backstroke with a strong flutter kick.   The SwimWest goal is for competent swimmers with proper technique as they swim the full length of the swimming pool.  Join us for a free trial lesson, to see what level your swimmer should be placed in, and to visit the swim school firsthand.

Seahorse

Swimmers will receive an introduction to all of the competitive strokes with a focus on freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. Breaststroke and butterfly are taught as component pieces to be put together at a higher level at SwimWest Swim School. SwimWest Swim School works with all ages and levels and we strive to meet your swimmer’s goals.

Octopus

This level requires swimmers to be able to swim freestyle and backstroke. There is an emphasis on the timing of the breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and butterfly with keyhole arms. Swimming distance goals are set in order to continuously practice proper stroke techniques. Swimmers will work up to swimming approximately 20 yards of the pool. Swimmers join this level when they are cross-training for other sports, or when they are getting ready for the outdoor pools to have sharp skills for competitions. Does your swimmer need to improve their technique, this is the class for them. As they improve their techniques, they will move up to the next level to add endurance. Try this class out in a free trial lesson to see which level your swimmer is ready for at SwimWest Swim School.

Manatee

This level is designed for advanced students who can swim 90 seconds continuously and comfortably with proper stroke technique. We work on improving stroke techniques for freestyle and backstroke, dives, and the timing and breathing of breaststroke and butterfly.

Whale

Swimmers in the Whale level must have the endurance to swim for 3 minutes continuously and comfortably with proper stroke technique or freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Join us for a free trial to check out your swimmer’s skills to be placed in the proper class, and to see our swim school firsthand. We are open seven days a week with morning, afternoon, and evening times to fit the busy parent schedules.

Dolphin

Our Dolphin level will prepare children to be on a swim team and for our developmental Shark Level by working towards swimming 5 continuous minutes of all of the competitive strokes. Swimmers will also work on starts for all the strokes, flip turns, and diving. This class is ideal for cross-training with other sports, or for preparing your swimmer for competitions with the outdoor summer pools, or high school swim team.

Sharks

See what the Sharks are all about…
Why Choose the SwimWest Sharks?

The focus of the SwimWest Sharks is stroke refinement; a more refined stroke equals faster swimming times. Our instructors create workouts for an hour of competitive stroke drills, turns, and starts. Our Sharks get individual attention with a 1 to 6 instructor/swimmer ratio. Swimmers can join the Sharks year-round or join local outdoor swim clubs in the summer.

What are the requirements to be in the Shark level?

Your swimmer will need to be able to swim 100 yards of Butterfly, Breaststroke, Freestyle and Backstroke with open and flip turns.

Will the SwimWest Sharks Compete in Meets?

The Sharks will have the opportunity to compete against each other in two in-house meets a year at our Deming Way location. Email customer service for assistance registering.

What are the Fees to Become a Shark?

Become a SwimWest Shark with one practice per week at a rate of $21.75/practice. To register for additional practices, please call ahead and check for availability.

Have more questions? You can visit our Sharks FAQ Page!