Willie The Whale Swim School Parent Guidebook Aquatic Philosophy Everyone should learn to swim! Willie The Whale Swim School is dedicated to providing a creative learning environment for the development of swimming and water safety skills. Our trained instructors create a fun atmosphere using patience, encouragement and technical expertise that builds skills & confidence using safe techniques & praise. It is essential to develop swimming as a lifelong skill. Swimming is a fun, healthy exercise and developing competency opens the opportunity to safely enjoy other recreational water activities. Thank you for joining our program! Call today for more information 503-325-7027
Prerequisites for Lessons: When should children repeat a class? Children with more than a 3-month break from swimming lessons should repeat the previous level as a refresher course. This pertains to class levels Lil Shrimp through Walrus. Preschool vs. Youth Lessons: The Preschool Lessons (3 years to 5 years old) include the same skills taught in the Youth Lessons (6 years and older). The Preschool students will, however, be swimming shorter distances and performing some skills for a shorter amount of time than the older children in the Youth Lessons. Willie The Whale Swim School Orca Sea Lion Walrus Sea Otter Jellyfish Lil Shrimp Aquaduck
Willie The Whale Swim School Classes ORCA Strong Swimmers & Confident Children Prerequisites: Front Crawl with breathing with proper technique: length of the pool; Back Crawl: length of the pool; Elementary Backstroke with proper technique - length of the pool; Deep water bobs: 15 bobs. Skills Taught At This Level: Review advancement skills Daily underwater swim for distance Tread water 1 minute Introduction to Egg Beater Kick Pick up object from 8 feet depth Endurance swim: 5 minute continuous swim: Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Backstroke, and Breaststroke-improve technique Introduction to alternate breathing-front Crawl Introduction to Scissors Kick Introduction to Sidestroke Introduction to Dolphin kick Introduction to Butterfly Head first surface dive: Pike and Tuck Improve Flip and Open turns Safety: Basic Boating safety Safety: Hazards in outdoor aquatic environments: Oceans and Beaches Advancement Skills: Endurance swim: 5 minute swim: Use a variety of strokes with flip & open turns with proper technique. Breaststroke with proper technique: 1 length of pool Individual Medley: Butterfly, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Front Crawl: 1 length each stroke.
Sea Lion Prerequisites: Front Crawl, with breathing, using proper technique: ½ length of the pool; Back Crawl: Using proper technique: ½ length of the pool. Underwater swim - 15 feet. Whip kick on back with equipment: ½ length of the pool. Deep water bobs: 5 bobs. Skills Taught At This Level: Review advancement skills for Walrus Tread in deep water for 30 seconds Standing dive to long shallow dive Flip Turns-open, front and back Breaststroke kick (whip kick) review Introduction of Breaststroke Bobbing in deep water 10 times Improve Front Crawl technique Improve Elementary Backstroke technique Improve Back Crawl technique Safety: H.E.L.P and Huddle position Safety-Hypothermia Safety: PFD- Put on PFD, enter into deep water, swim ½ length of the pool Endurance swim: 2 lengths, any stroke Advancement Skills: Front Crawl with breathing with proper technique: length of the pool Back Crawl: length of the pool Elementary Backstroke with proper technique- length of the pool Deep water bobs: 15 bobs
Walrus Prerequisites: Front Crawl with breathing for 20 feet, Back Crawl for 15 feet, Jump into Lap pool at 6-8 feet unassisted. Skills Taught At This Level: Review advancement skills for Sea Otter Front Crawl with breathing with technique-50 feet Back Crawl with technique-50 feet Jump into deep water and level off Introduction to Elementary Backstroke: whip kick and zipper arms Safety: Deep water reaching and throwing assists Underwater Exploration: underwater swim for 15 feet Safety: Unassisted rollover and recovery Safety: Diving Safety Introduction to Breaststroke kick Introduction to treading water Diving-knee dive to standing dive Feet-first Surface Dive Change direction in deep water-tread 3-5 seconds Advancement Skills: Front Crawl with breathing with proper technique ½ length of the pool Back Crawl: ½ length of the pool Underwater swim- 15 feet Whip kick on back on back with equipment: ½ length of the pool Deep water bobs: 5 bobs
Sea Otter Preschool: 3-5 years old & Youth 6-12 years old Prerequisites: I can do front crawl without taking a breath: Preschool: 10 feet; Youth: 15 feet. I can back glide: Preschool 5 feet; Youth 10 feet. I can do side breathing on the wall Preschool: 5 breaths; Youth: 10 breaths. I like to bob! Preschool: 5 bobs; Youth: 10 bobs. Skills Taught At This Level: Review advancement skills for Jellyfish Introduction to Front Crawl with Side-Breathing: Preschool: 10 feet; Youth: 15 feet Back Crawl: Preschool: 10 feet; Youth: 15 feet Safety: Hazards in aquatic environments-rivers and lakes Jump into deep water Deep water adjustment: unassisted rollover Underwater exploration: two full strokes underwater Intro to Diving and Diving safety: sit dive, kneel dive Introduction to deep water bobs Advancement Skills: Front Crawl with Breathing: 20 feet: All ages Back Crawl for 15 feet: All ages Jump into lap pool at 6-8 feet unassisted: All ages
Jellyfish Preschool: 3-5 years old & Youth 6-12 years old Prerequisites: I am comfortable in the water! I can put my whole face in the water and blow bubbles for 5 seconds! I can float and glide with assistance on my front and back! I can do it! Skills Taught At This Level: Review advancement skills for Lil Shrimp Bobbing: Preschool 5 bobs; Youth 10 bobs Safety: Jump into water wearing lifejacket Front float with recovery: Preschool: 5 seconds & Youth-10 seconds Front glide Assisted to unassisted: Front glide with kick Safety: assisted to unassisted rollover Bobbing (rhythmic breathing) Side breathing on the wall Preschool: 5 times; & Youth: 10 times Back float and recovery Back glide Finning and Flutter Safety: Buddy System Underwater exploration-pick something off the bottom of the pool (full body emersion) Introduction to Back Crawl arm strokes Side breathing with instructor assistance Advancement Skills: Back glide with kick: Preschool 5 feet; Youth 10 feet Front Crawl without breathing: Preschool 5 feet; Youth 10 feet Side breathing on the wall: Preschool: 5 breaths; Youth 10 breaths Bobbing: Preschool 5 bobs; Youth 10 bobs
Lil shrimp Preschool: 3-5 yrs. For The Non-Swimmer: It is fun to make bubbles and get my eyes and ears wet! My teacher will help me float and glide in the water. I wonder if a lifejacket will help me float in the water. I m learning to love the water! Skills Taught At This Level: Pool Rules Safely entering and exiting the pool Shallow water adjustment Introduction to flutter kick. Put entire face in the water Blow bubbles: preschool 5 seconds; youth 10 seconds Assisted Front float Assisted Back float Assisted Front glide with equipment Assisted Back glide with equipment Assisted Front glide with equipment with kick Assisted Back glide with equipment with kick Assisted jump into shallow water Safety: Use of PFD assisted to unassisted float Advancement Skills: Put entire face in the water blow bubbles: Preschool 5 seconds; Assisted front glide with equipment/ kick Preschool: 5ft. Front float- 5 count-assisted Back float- 5 count-assisted Assisted Back glide with equipment/ kick Preschool: 5ft;
Aquaducks (parent/child) Prerequisites / Description: For children 6 months to 3 years who will be accompanied by a parent(s) or other adult in the water. Fun, water adjustment and basic skill development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level. Enter and exit pool Holding positions Water toys Surface bobbing Monkey grip on side Kicking Head up front float Assisted back float Blow bubbles Face in water Bobbing Head up front glide Assisted back glide Underwater exploration Arm movement reach & pull Assisted position change Parent safety skills Advancement Skills: 1. Comfortable in water without parent 2. Ability to communicate clearly and follow directions 3. Age 3 years or older
Swim Lesson Tips For Parents 1. Communicate with your child s swim instructor. There are 5 minutes before and after class for you to discuss your child s progress with the instructor. 2. De-emphasize passing or failing a class. No child fails a swim class; they all improve. Several sessions at one swim level is not uncommon. 3. Bring your child to open play swim to work on the skills being taught in the class. 4. Please have your child use the restroom prior to swim lessons. 5. Bring a large towel and warm clothes for your child for after the lesson. 6. Secure child s hair from their face prior to lesson. 7. Provide some kind of head covering for wet hair and ears after lesson. 8. Allow only light meals prior to lessons. 9. If you notice your child crying or not paying attention to the instructor, it may be best to withdraw from the child s view, sit on the bleachers, or not watch every lesson. 10. Be positive at home concerning swimming. They will be looking for your positive attitude and encouragement.
Homework Tips Homework helps to get you involved in your child s swimming progress. It gives both parents and children a better understanding of the skill in relation to body movement and placement in the water. These tips can be practiced at home in the bathtub with your help. Wash Face (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Use to encourage the child to get his/her face wet. Take a Shower (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Parent gently pours water over child s head. Blow Bubbles (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Parents may wish to have child first blow on finger and say blow the candle out, then try blowing in the water. Or, blow bubbles on hand and then in the water. Pointed Toes (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Have the child point their toes at objects while sitting, then, try kicking with entire leg. Holding Breath (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Practice out of water or with parent s help in bathtub. See how long they can hold their breath while someone counts for them. Arm Strokes (Lil Shrimp and Jellyfish) Have child make big arm circles while they walk. Arms With Side Breathing (Sea Otter) Child sits in parent s lap keeping head down as if it were in the water. They pretend to take a breath to the side, blow bubbles down while their arms make big circles. Kicking (All levels) Child lays on bed with legs off the side. Concentrates on keeping legs straight. Emphasize kick from hip Not Potty-Trained? If your child is not potty-trained, plastic pants, or a swim diaper is required. Swim Diapers are easiest for the child. They are available for sale at the front service desk.
PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS Children & Adults: One instructor to one student. All levels and skills taught. Staffing and scheduling dependent upon instructor availability. SEMI-PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS One Instructor / 3 students: All levels and skills taught. Half-hour lesson times available throughout the day. Refunds If you are unable to attend the 10 lessons session that you registered and paid for, our pool management can do one of the following: 1. Transfer your child to the next lesson session OR 2. Complete a refund request form for the amount paid for. There will be no make-ups!
NORTH COAST SWIM CLUB (NCSC) Year-round competitive swimming for ages 5 & up. Must be able to swim 25 yards. For more information contact: Head Coach Alex Reed coachreed@gmail.com 253-514-0379
The Astoria Aquatic Center Needs Lifeguards & Swim Instructors! Flexible hours Great pay Job advancement opportunities Learn to be a leader & good role model Benefits youth and their community Training available Call for classes Lifeguarding Employment Junior Lifeguard Junior Lifeguard is a fun, challenging program for youths 11 to 14 years old. Jr. Lifeguards will advance through two skill levels in preparation for becoming a lifeguard by developing rescue skills, C.P.R., First- Aid, Customer Service and water safety skills. Participants will buddy guard and develop job skills necessary to become a lifeguard. Learn CPR and First Aid Improve Swimming Skills Train for Future Employment Develop Lifeguard & Leadership Skills Junior Lifeguards are instructed by experienced lifeguards chosen by their ability to work well with youths 11 to 14 years old and their ability to provide a fun, safe learning experience. Prerequisites: Must be able to swim 50 ft. front crawl and 50 ft. back crawl. Must be comfortable in deep water. JUNIOR SWIM INSTRUCTOR Junior swim instructor is a fun, challenging program for youths 10 to 14 years old. The Jr. Swim Instructor will advance through two skill levels in preparation for becoming a Swim Instructor by developing skill knowledge, stroke improvement, planning lessons and communication. Improve Swimming Skills Train for Future Employment Develop Teaching and Leadership Skills Prerequisites: Must be 10 to 14 years of age. Must be able to swim 50 ft. front crawl with breathing and 50 ft. back crawl. Must be comfortable in deep water.
Rent the Astoria Aquatic Center Swim Pool Have The Pool All To Yourself & Your Guests. Birthdays Parties Groups Office Parties Day/Child Care Youth Groups Neighborhood Parties
Closing Thought Thank you for choosing The Astoria Aquatic Center for your Swimming needs! Swimming is such an important skill! The benefits are endless whether you swim recreationally, for fitness, or as a competitor. I am very excited about our Willie The Whale Swim School. This swim lesson program was specifically designed and developed for the Astoria Aquatic Center. Our goal was to create a fun progression, with a Northwest atmosphere, that would enable children of all ages to feel successful and to develop solid skills and a healthy knowledge of water safety. The Willie The Whale Swim School was developed for the citizens of Astoria and parent communication is top priority for me. Please do not hesitate to let me or my staff know if there is something you like, or if there are suggestions for improvement. We value your input! I believe the value of swimming is a lifelong skill for health and safety. We are here to give you the best experience possible! Thank you for allowing the Astoria Aquatic Center to provide a positive swimming experience for you and your family. Sincerely, Pam Pearce Astoria Aquatic Center Recreation Coordinator 503-325-7027 ppearce@astoria.or.us