SUMMER 2017 SWIMMING LESSON PROGRAMMING TOWN OF ALTONA RECREATION OFFICE

SUMMER 2017 SWIMMING LESSON PROGRAMMING TOWN OF ALTONA RECREATION OFFICE

Table of Contents General Information... 2 Pre-School Levels Information... 3 SwimKids Information... 5 Lifesaving... 6 1

General Information General Information The swimming lessons offered at the Altona Aquatic Centre are Red Cross Pre-School (Duck,, Salamander, Sunfish, and Crocodile) and Red Cross Swim Kids (Levels 1-10). The programs are meant to be taught on a continuum so that children are constantly challenged to perform at their best ability regardless of what level they are in. Children are evaluated as completing or not completing a level based on detailed guidelines for each skill outlined by Red Cross. Frequently Asked Questions My child is years of age, what level should they be registered in? If you child is under the age of 6, they should be registered in a Red Cross Pre-School program. If your child is 6 years of age or over, they should be registered in a Red Cross Swim Kids program. Generally, if your child has never taken swimming lessons, they should be registered in a Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1 class. o In addition, you should also indicate that they have never taken lessons upon registration. o At this time the registrar will make a note for the instructor to evaluate the child on the first day of the session. The child could potentially be moved depending on how the instructor assesses their skill set. My child had number of items unchecked from their progress card from a previous level. Can they be moved to the next level? Your child should be registered in the level as indicated in their progress card. In other words, your child will progress to the subsequent level once they complete their assigned level. With that said, while registering your child please inform the registrar that your child may need to be re-evaluated. How large will my children s class be? Red Cross has recommended class sizes (instructor to swimmer ratio) of the following: o Pre-School and Levels 1-4 1:6 o Levels 5-6 1:8 o Levels 7-10 1:10 Should I bring my child s progress card(s) from previous levels completed? Yes, your child should bring this card to their instructor. This card can provide a detailed and accurate track record for your child s swimming development. How many times does my child have to complete each skill? Each skill must be seen at the level s standard a minimum of three separate times in order to complete a level. What types of reports will I receive for my child? Midterm reports will be handed out on the first Friday of each session. Final reports will be handed out on the final Friday of each session. In general, if you want to know how your child is doing, feel free to ask your child s instructor or the lessons supervisor. If you have any concerns, please feel free to discuss the issue with the lessons supervisor or the Aquatics Programmer. How can I help my child improve in their swimming? Bringing your child swimming during the day, evening, or weekends prior to and during your lesson session may help your child immensely. 2

Pre-School Information The preschool lessons offered at the Altona Aquatic Centre are based on the Red Cross swimming program as summarized below. Program Duck (Accompanied in by caregiver) (Unaccompanied) Salamander Sun Fish Crocodile Recommended 4 months 2 years 2 years 4 years 3 years 5 years 3 years 5 years 3 years 5 years Age Pre-requisites 2 years of age Either: Completed Completed Sun Fish a) Completed Salamander b) 4 years of age Information Play and songs Play and Play and songs Kick on front Kick on front Use buoyant songs Kick on front (2 m) (10 m) objects Kick on front Distance swim Distance swim Distance swim Site (1 m) (2 m) (10 m) orientation Distance Site orientation Site orientation Site orientation Stop! Look! swim Stop! Look! Ask! Stop! Look! Stop! Look! Ask! Ask! (assisted) Weight transfer in Ask! Weight transfer in Safe entries Site shallow Weight transfer chest deep and exits orientation Jump into chestdeep in chest deep Slip into deep PFD and me Stop! Look! How to stay Ask! PFD and me Slip into deep PFD and me warm Safe entries Surface support Surface support Change and exits (assisted) PFD and me (10 sec) directions PFD and me Open eyes Surface support Jump into deep Choking Open eyes under in chest deep, surface prevention under Rhythmic (5 sec) support (10 sec) Choking Rhythmic breathing Jump into chest Rhythmic response breathing Front float deep, breathing Getting wet Front float Back float surface support Front glide (7 m) Submersion (assisted) Front glide (2 m) (5 sec) Back glide (7 m) (optional) Back float Back glide (2 m) Front and back Front swim Buoyancy and (assisted) Roll-over glide float in deep Back swim movement Front glide (2 m) Side glide Move forward (assisted) Front swim (2 m) Rhythmic and backward Back glide breathing Front and back (assisted) Front glide float (assisted) Front swim (assisted) Back glide Roll-over glide Front swim (5 m) Side glide (assisted) 3

Registration 1. Children that are not age 6 in the 2017 calendar year are to register in the pre-school levels. This program is designed to build a strong foundation for young swimmers and will act as the basis for the swimming strokes taught in the Red Cross Swim Kids program. The levels are fun and action packed with a focus on fitness and games adapted to these age groups. The following chart is a guide for parents registering children under the age of 6 in the preschool levels. Placement Chart Children ages 2 years of age to 5 years of age in 2017 Pre-school Program 2017 Registration Duck completed Class was completed with caregiver and child Never taken lessons before Child requests lessons without a caregiver in-completed completed Salamander in-completed Salamander completed Sunfish completed Salamander Salamander Sunfish Crocodile 2. Children turning 6 in year 2017 are to transfer into the SwimKids levels. The following chart is a guide to aid parents in placing 6-year-old children in the correct SwimKids level. Placement Chart Children 6 years of age in 2017 Pre-school Program SwimKids Program completed Level 1 Salamander in-completed Level 1 Salamander completed Level 2 Sunfish in-completed Level 2 Sunfish completed Level 2 Crocodile completed or in-completed Level 2 4

Swim Kids Information Placement in Red Cross Swim programs depends on many variables including age, skill proficiency, previous experience and readiness. The following chart is a guide only. Level Registration Requirement Description 1 Turning 6 years of age in 2017 No previous swimming experience required Swimmers develop front and back float, front and back glide, flutter kick (assisted), shallow entries and exits and swim 5 metres 2 Turning 6 years of age in 2017 with prior successful completion of Salamander, Sunfish or Crocodile OR successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1 3 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 2 4 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 3 5 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4 6 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 5 7 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 6 8 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 7 9 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 8 10 Successful completion of the skills in Red Cross Swim Kids Level 9 Swimmers learn front and back glide with flutter kick, develop front swim, complete deep- activities (assisted) and swim 10 metres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back glide with flutter kick, perform flutter kick unassisted, wear a PFD in deep, float in deep, and swim 15 metres continuously Swimmers learn back swim with shoulder roll and front crawl (10 m), work on flutter kick on back, perform kneeling dive, introduction to sculling and swim 25 metres continuously Swimmers develop front crawl (15m), learn back crawl (15m) and whip kick on back, learn stride dive and treading, perform head-first sculling on back, and swim 50 metres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (25m), learn elementary back stroke (15m), tread in deep, perform front dive, and swim 75 metres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (50m) and elementary back stroke (25m), learn front scull, perform whip kick on front and dolphin kick, learn stride entry and swim 150 meres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (75m) and elementary back stroke (25m), learn breast stroke (15m), learn eggbeater/tread, perform feet-first surface dive and standing shallow dive, and swim 300 metres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m) and breast stroke (25m), learn sidestroke kick, perform head-first surface dive, and swim 400 metres continuously Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m), and breast stroke (50m), learn side stroke (25m), perform dolphin kick (vertical), learn feet and head first surface dives with under swim, and swim 500 metres continuously 5

Lifesaving The skills learned in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses can last a lifetime. There have been many instances where an individual has successfully rescued a fellow citizen years after taking lifesaving training. Even though many of our programs are aquatic-based, skills learned in first aid and rescues can be applied to all types of incidents such as car crashes, incidents in the home, or during group outings. By using their first aid skills learned through the Lifesaving Society, lifesavers and lifeguards have often either helped victims or assisted with emergency personnel at accident scenes and other life - threatening emergency situations. Successful completion of Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross is based instructor evaluation in conjunction with a final examination. These examinations will be conducted by an examiner that is not the course instructor and their decisions are final. Importantly, to register for Bronze Cross one must have completed Bronze Medallion. Proof of this certification will be required on the first day of classes. Attendance 100% attendance at all classes is required. In special cases, a single absence may be accepted by the instructor. Please notify the instructor on the first day of classes if an absence may be required. Next Steps Frequently at the Altona Aquatic Centre we are asked the question, How does my child become a lifeguard/swim instructor? To answer this question, we have constructed a step-by-step diagram: Water Safety Instructor Must be 15 years old. Must have completed Swim Kids 10 Must hold one of the following certifications: Red Cross Assistant Lifeguard, Emergency First Aid or equivalent (Bronze Cross) 6