Lakes Area Recreation Swimming Lessons Parent Handbook Lakes Area Recreation 720 Fillmore Street Suite B020 Alexandria, MN 56308 (320)762-2868 www.lakesarearecreation.com
Welcome to Lakes Area Recreation and the Swimming and Water Safety lessons we offer! We are pleased and excited to work with you and your child and want your experience with our lessons to be the best they can possibly be! Program Philosophy Our objectives are to deliver quality swim instruction to all participants in order to enhance the individual aquatic experience, to encourage the public to gain life safety skills to be used in and around all bodies of water, promote a healthy lifestyle incorporating aquatic activities, and to provide an atmosphere conducive to development and personal growth for all individuals. When combined with the fact we are a lakes area, and our philosophies of creating a positive learning experience and developing lifelong skills, we feel our swim programs are the perfect fit for you and your family! The Aquatic Staff Our staff has been trained to follow the American Red Cross swimming guidelines, and in each class will teach water safety, foster sportsmanship and fair play, demand respect for others in class and in the larger community, and work to instill a love for the sport. Each of the levels of instruction are designed as a progressional approach to swim instruction, building on previously acquired skills. We use repetition in our classes to reinforce the skill set acquired previously. Participants will move from level to level of instruction only when they have mastered their current placement. Lessons provide your child the opportunity to trust the water, help conquer any fears they may have, and form good habits that will ultimately lead to both short and long term success in the pool. Whether your child is a new swimmer or has taken lessons before, our lessons offer a class that is just right for your child s skill level. The information provided in this handbook is intended to help make your child s swim lesson experience a safe and positive one. We look forward to working with you and your child! The Staff at Lakes Area Recreation
Lesson Information FACILITY INFORMATION All swim lessons are located at the pool at Discovery Middle School. You may enter through the front of the building, through the Lakes Area Recreation activities entrance doors that are on the right at the front of the building. The pool is located at the end of the hallway locker rooms are located on either side of the pool. Children may use the lockers rooms for changing and restroom purposes, however we request that children over the age of 5 use the locker room designated for their sex. Lost and found items will be kept in a box located right outside of the pool office. If you have lost an item, please ask one of the swim lesson staff to assist you. ARRIVAL-Children should be in their swimsuit, showered, and ready to go 5 minutes before class starts. After the first day students may wait for class to start at their group colored cone. Students are not allowed to enter the water until the instructors are present and say it is all right to get in. ATTIRE-Swimsuits are required for class, and will not be provided. (One-piece swimsuits work best for girls.) If your child has long hair, it is highly recommended a cap be worn or hair be pulled back off the face. Goggles are optional but are highly recommended goggles must not enclose the nose or mouth. Please bring sandals or water shoes for your child to wear on the pool deck the deck is VERY slippery! FIRST DAY OF CLASS-On the first day of the session, instructors for each level will introduce themselves and what level they are teaching, then call down the classes accordingly. For the rest of the session, participants will meet before class in front of the bleachers and sit at their colored class cone. The first day of class is utilized for student skill evaluation and class assignment. Participants will be asked to perform prerequisite skills. Participants WILL be reassigned to another class if unable to perform prerequisite skills. Please note that class levels may be combined when class numbers are small. BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS-PLEASE take your child to the bathroom before lessons! Class time is valuable; bathroom trips are best done before class. Parents are encouraged to walk their child into the pool area and pick them up after to ensure their safety outside of the pool area and that they are ready to go and in the right class area. If you need to speak to an instructor regarding a question, comment, or otherwise, it is best to talk with him/her before or after class. If the instructor is busy with another parent, feel free to leave your name and number and they can get back to you, or speak with the Aquatic Manager. MID-SESSION-Halfway through each session (on Day 4), swimmers will bring home a midsession progress report detailing skills they are progressing well with, and skills that need some extra practice. LAST DAY OF CLASS-At the end of your child s session, we ask that you fill out an evaluation form complete with the level your child was enrolled in, dates and time of the class, and the instructor they had. We use the feedback to make program adjustments to meet your needs and those of your child, and to take corrective action if need be. On the last day your child will receive a lesson Report Card, outlining the skills they have been taught throughout class, safety tips, and the next level they should be enrolled in. EQUIPMENT-Equipment used during swim lessons is minimal, however the diving board seems to be most popular! Jumping or diving from the diving board is NEVER required, and our staff will at no time force a child to go off of the board if they are not willing to do so. Tot docks are another major piece of equipment and are utilized for our preschool classes to help young swimmers better adjust to the water and to aide in safety and supervision.
Swim lesson F.A.Q. S Is my child able to wear goggles during lessons? YES! Your child is more than welcome to bring a pair of goggles for use during class. However, goggles that are a face-mask design, or that cover the nose, are not allowed as swimmers will need to be able to breath out of their nose when rhythmic breathing. Will my child be required to open their eyes underwater? Swimmers will not be required to open their eyes underwater in order to pass a level, however; they will be encouraged to at least try to open their eyes while their face and/or head is submerged. Learning to open the eyes underwater is a basic skill that helps swimmers swim safely. By opening the eyes underwater, swimmers learn to watch where they are going, watch out for other swimmers, and watch for any danger elements they could encounter. What if my child is scared or crying? If your child is nervous or crying, please take a moment to chat with the instructor and then let him/her work with your child. Some children may suffer from separation anxiety, and this will go away as soon as the child gets to know and trust the instructor. A fear of new places may also cause a few tears, and this will also go away with time. Being afraid of the water is not uncommon in younger beginners, but the instructor will compassionately help your child adjust to the water through games and basic skills such as blowing bubbles, songs, and games. With time, your child will be happy and successful in the water. Please be patient and allow the instructors and staff to work their magic with your child. The best thing for your child is to continue coming to lessons and interact with the instructor and other students! Why don t you offer make-up lessons? Currently, the way our program is structured, we do not manage our classes with a continuous in/out of students. This is due in part to the limited number of openings we offer and the large amount of participants we serve, and partly because our program is designed to build a relationship between the instructor and each new class for the entire session they are enrolled in. Why is my child repeating a level? This is probably the most Frequently Asked Question of them all! Learning to swim is one of the most challenging skill sets for most children. With swimming, your child has to meet and overcome any fears associated with just being in and around a pool before being able to focus on skills. Even if your child isn t fearful of the water, it may take them several tries to successfully perform all of the required skills for their level. Our lessons are progressive, and passing children before they are ready for the next level will just set them up for failure in the future. It s true some children may repeat a level 2, 3 or even 4 times but our goal is to move children as efficiently as possible when they are appropriately ready to move. All of this takes time, patience, and practice from both you and your child. Your child will need lots of positive support and reinforcement from you a little encouragement will go a long way!
Why can t my child wear water wings during lessons? The use of water wings does not provide any kind of skill benefit, and actually promotes incorrect swimming technique. Water wings also provide a false sense of security, as they will force a child to float in a face-down position if they venture into water that is over their head. Inflatables should never be used as a substitute for good supervision or for U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets. If I have a question or concern about lessons, whom do I talk to? We recommend communication with your child s instructor first and foremost. However, if you don t feel comfortable approaching the instructor, or if the issue or question hasn t been resolved after speaking with him/her, you may also speak with the Aquatic Manager. You can contact the Aquatic Manager through the Lakes Area Recreation office at 762-2868. What is the difference between a Mid-session Progress Report and a Report Card? Mid-session progress reports are given out mid-session and are used to inform parents of the mid-term progress of their swimmer. Our hope with mid-session progress reports are two-fold: 1) we hope that this will give parents an idea of what their children are working on so they may help them practice outside of lessons and 2) we hope that this will facilitate better communication between instructors and parents as well as help enhance the quality of our swimming lesson program. Report cards are given out at the end of each session, and will detail what your child has successfully completed, and what, if anything, they have not. Report cards will notify you if your child needs to repeat the level they are currently in, or if they have successfully passed. Why do you only offer swim lessons in the afternoons, and only in the spring and summer? Our lessons are somewhat limited due to the fact we share the pool with a variety of other activities and organizations. Boys and girls junior high and varsity swim teams, Swim Club, diving clinics, scuba classes, Special Olympics, triathlon clinics and many other activities also need pool time! We are doing our absolute best to offer you as many lessons as we can, and we appreciate your patronage! Why are parents and siblings only allowed in a specific area? We request parents and anyone else who would like to observe lessons sit in the bleacher area to limit any distractions or interruptions during class. Children will have an easier time adjusting to the pool and class environment and better absorb skills when they are able to focus without any distractions. Limiting parents and other observers to the bleacher area also helps us limit dirt and other bacteria that can be carried in on shoes. When and where can I work on swimming skills with my child? Lakes Area Recreation offers Open Swim for youth and adults from September-May on Sundays from 1-3pm. June-August the public beaches at Le Homme Dieu and Latoka are available from 11am-7pm seven days a week. Why don t participants spend the entire class time in the water? Instructors may spend time before or during class discussing and practicing water safety skills. Water safety skills are an integral part of the swim lessons we offer. Water safety topics will cover ways to be safe in, on and around the water and will teach participants how to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Swim lesson F.A.Q. S (continued)
Parent s Roles Although parents are not directly involved in our swim lesson program, you play an essential role in your child s swimming experience by guiding, caring for, supervising, motivating, and working with your child before, during, and after their lessons. Listed below are ways in which you can help your child have the best experience possible. Prepare your child. Give your child an opportunity to visit the pool prior to the start of class, describe what will happen, and go over pool rules. If your child has an idea of what to expect, this can help ease any anxiety they may have. Be prompt. Allow plenty of time before and after class for showering, going to the bathroom, and changing. Be sure to arrive on deck 5 minutes before the start of class to hear announcements and break into groups. Follow rules and regulations. Teach, talk about, and review the pool rules with your child they are included in this handbook for that purpose! Lead by example. Attend every lesson. When registering, please sign up for a session in which your child is able to attend each lesson. New skills are taught and old skills are reviewed each day your child s attendance is imperative to their swimming development. Communicate. Talk with your child s instructor to find out if your child is experiencing trouble with certain skills. You can take your child to public or family swims to develop strength, practice skills, and increase his or her comfort level in the water. Encourage safe practices. Young children cannot be expected to exercise good judgment and caution. Children must be constantly reminded of pool rules especially to walk slowly in the pool area and only enter the water with instructor approval. Have patience/avoid comparisons. Children develop, learn, and perform at different rates do not pressure your child to perform before he/she is ready! Avoid putting pressure on achievement; encourage your child to enjoy swim lessons and take pride in personal success! Be supportive! Be supportive and positive throughout your child s swimming experience learning to swim can be difficult; your child s progress and enjoyment are enhanced when you and your child are enthusiastic about swimming. Ask your child to show you a skill learned in lessons and incorporate the skill into a game to play in the pool. NOTE: Parents are welcome to sit in the bleacher area and watch your child s lesson, however; in order for your children to learn as much as possible, parents are encouraged to remain as separate from their children as possible during swim lessons. We ask that you sit in the hallway side bleachers only this cuts down on traffic on the pool deck, and acts as less of a distraction to the kids during class. * If you capture a photo of your child or their swim lesson class that would make a great addition to our program brochure, we d love to have you share it with us! Just email it in.jpeg format to kelly@lakesarearecreation.com
Pool Rules All people using the swimming pool must take a shower before entering the water. People having infectious or communicable diseases are prohibited from using the pool. Lifeguards have total authority in regard to the control of persons using the pool and have the right to revoke swimming privileges of those who do not follow the rules. The use of toys, balls, and aquatic games is at the discretion of the lifeguards on duty. If floatation devices are used, a parent must be within an arm s length of the child. Children must be at least 50 tall or be accompanied in the water by an adult. Spitting, spouting water, blowing the nose, or discharging bodily wastes is prohibited. Riding on shoulders, shoving, fighting, splashing or any other forms of horseplay will not be allowed. Diving is allowed in marked areas ONLY. Back dives or flips from the side of the pool are not allowed. Swimmers using the diving area must be able to swim the width of the pool. No one may catch another swimmer from the diving board or drop swimmers from the diving board itself. No running on deck it is VERY slippery when wet! Street shoes are prohibited on deck. Food or drink (with the exception of water) in the pool area is prohibited. PARENTS! Please help us enforce the rules for both swimmers and non-swimmers while at lessons!
PRESCHOOL 1 Enter/exit water independently OR with assistance, using ladder, steps or side Jump in from the side into chest-deep water (with lifejacket) Submerge mouth, nose and eyes and retrieve objects underwater Blow bubbles through mouth and nose for 3 seconds Front float (face in or out) and back float (ears in water) for 3 seconds Front and back glide for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical Roll over from front to back and back to front Introduction to freestyle and backstroke, including flutter kick, for 2 body lengths Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions Explore treading arm and hand actions in chest-deep water (with lifejacket) Experience wearing a lifejacket in the water Orientation to deep water PRESCHOOL 2 Enter/exit the water independently, using the ladder, steps or side Jump in from the side into chest-deep water (with or without lifejacket) Submerge entire head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 3 seconds Bob 3 times while blowing bubbles and taking a breath Front float (face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 5 seconds Front and back glide for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical Roll over from front to back and back to front Introduction to freestyle and backstroke, including flutter kick, for 2 body lengths Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions Explore treading hand and arm actions in shoulder-deep water (with lifejacket) Experience wearing a lifejacket in the water Orientation to deep water BEGINNER 1 Enter and exit the water independently Jump in from the side into chest deep water Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 5 seconds Bob 5 times while blowing bubbles and taking a breath Front float (face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 10 seconds Upon successful completion, advance to Preschool 2 Front and back glide for 2 body lengths and recover to vertical Roll from front to back and back to front Introduction to freestyle and backstroke (combined arms and flutter kicking) for 3 body lengths Introduction to elementary backstroke and breaststroke arm and leg actions Explore treading hand and arm actions in chest-deep water (no lifejacket) Orientation to deep water Upon successful completion, advance to Beginner 2 BEGINNER 2 Jump in from the side into chest-deep water and return to edge Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 5 seconds Bob 10 times while blowing bubbles Introduction to rotary breathing Front float (face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 15 seconds Front and back glides for 2 body lengths, turn and swim back to wall Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 3 body lengths Breaststroke and dolphin kicks; 5 yards of each kick Freestyle, backstroke, and elementary backstroke for 10 yards Upon successful completion, advance to Beginner 1 Breaststroke arm and leg actions for 3 body lengths Tread water for 15 seconds in shoulder-deep water Sitting dive Orientation to deep water Upon successful completion, advance to Intermediate 3
INTERMEDIATE 3 Jump in from the side into deep water and return to edge Submerge whole head and retrieve objects underwater while holding breath for 10 seconds Rotary breathing INTERMEDIATE 4 Swim underwater 5 yards to retrieve a submerged object Rotary breathing Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 15 yards Breaststroke kick (on front), dolphin kick and scissors kick for 15 Front float (face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 30 seconds Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 3 body lengths Breaststroke, dolphin and scissor kicks for 10 yards Freestyle (with rotary breathing), backstroke and elementary backstroke for 15 yards Breaststroke (full stroke, with kick) for 10 yards Treading water (in deep water) for 30 seconds Kneeling dive Upon successful completion, advance to Intermediate 4 yards Freestyle (with rotary breathing), backstroke and elementary backstroke for 25 yards Breaststroke and sidestroke for 15 yards Butterfly (full stroke, with dolphin kick) for 10 yards Freestyle and backstroke open turns Treading water (in deep water) for 1 minute Standing dive Feet-first surface dive, submerging completely Front float (survival float face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 1 minute Upon successful completion, advance to Advanced 5 ADVANCED 5 Rotary breathing Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 25 yards Breaststroke kick (on front), dolphin kick and scissors kick for 25 yards Freestyle (with rotary breathing), backstroke and elementary backstroke for 50 yards Breaststroke and sidestroke for 25 yards Butterfly for 15 yards Freestyle and backstroke open turns Treading water (in deep water) for 2 minutes Shallow dive Head-first surface dive to retrieve a submerged object in deep water (approx. 7 ft.) 4 minute swim utilizing any of the six strokes Front float (survival float face in water) and back float (ears in water) for 2 minutes Upon successful completion, advance to Advanced 6 ADVANCED 6 Flutter kick (on front and back) in streamline position for 50 yards Breaststroke kick (on front), dolphin kick, and scissors kick for 50 yards Freestyle (with rotary breathing) and backstroke for 100 yards Elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke for 50 yards Butterfly for 25 yards Freestyle and backstroke flip turns Dive from a starting block Utilize competitive swim equipment including pull buoy, paddles, fins and reading a pace clock 6 minute swim utilizing any of the six strokes Tread water for 5 minutes Demonstrate the HELP and Huddle positions for 2 minutes Demonstrate a survival float in deep water for 5 minutes Options after Advanced 6 include courses in: Water Safety Aide, Lifeguarding, and Water Safety Instructor as well as diving camps/clinics and Swim Club