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Level Requirements
American Red Cross offers a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate swimming water safety program that teaches you, your child or other family members how to swim skillfully and safely, think and act safely in, on and around the water. The prerequisite for each level is the successful demonstration of skills from the preceding level, except for Level 1, which has no prerequisites.
Please Note: The Parks and Recreation Swimming Lessons classes are offered at 2 locations: The West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center Pool (all Parent Child, Preschool Aquatics, Level 1 and Level 2 classes) and the Junior High School Pool (all Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 classes). The West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center Pool has a minimum pool depth of 3 feet 6 inches with a maximum depth of 6 feet 6 inches. The Junior High Pool has a minimum depth of 3 feet 6 inches with a maximum depth of 12 feet.
Level 1 - Introduction of Water Skill
Level 1 helps students feel comfortable in the water. View the Skill Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 1 (PDF).
- Enter and exit water using ladder, steps or side
- Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
- Bobbing
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
- Front and back glides and floats
- Recover to vertical position
- Roll from front to back and back to front
- Tread water using arm and hand actions
- Alternating and simultaneous leg actions on front and back
- Alternating and simultaneous arm actions on front and back
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
Level 2 - Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Level 2 gives students success with fundamental skills. View the Skills Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 2 (PDF).
- Enter and exit water by stepping or jumping from the side
- Fully submerge and hold breath
- Bobbing
- Open eyes under water and retrieve submerged objects
- Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
- Recover to vertical position
- Roll from front to back and back to front
- Change direction of travel while swimming on front or back
- Tread water using arm and leg actions
- Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
- Finning arm action
Level 3 - Stroke Development
Level 3 builds on the skills in level 2 by providing additional guided practice. View the Skills Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 3 (PDF).
- Enter water by jumping from side
- Headfirst entries from the side in sitting and kneeling positions
- Bobbing while moving toward safety
- Rotary breathing
- Survival float
- Back float
- Change from vertical to horizontal position on front and back
- Tread water
- Flutter, scissor, dolphin and breaststroke kicks on front
- Front crawl and elementary backstroke
Level 4 - Stroke Improvement
Level 4 develops confidence in the strokes learned and to improve other aquatic skills. View the Skills Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 4 (PDF).
- Headfirst entries from the side in compact and stride positions
- Swim under water
- Feet first surface dive
- Survival swimming
- Front crawl and backstroke open turns
- Tread water using 2 different kicks
- Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
- Flutter and dolphin kicks on back
Level 5 - Stroke Refinement
Level 5 provides further coordination and refinement of strokes. View the Skills Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 5 (PDF).
- Shallow-angle dive from the side then glide and begin a front stroke
- Tuck and pike surface dives, submerge completely
- Front flip turn and backstroke flip turn while swimming
- Front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly
- Sculling
Level 6 - Swimming & Skill Proficiency
Level 6 refines the strokes so participants swim them with ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances. Level 6 is designed with a “menu” options that focus on preparing participants for more advanced courses, including the Water Safety Instructor, or other aquatic activities, such as competitive swimming or diving. View the Skills Checklist - Learn-to-Swim Level 6-Fitness Swimmer (PDF).
Options include:
- Fitness Swimming (Owatonna Parks and Recreation focuses on this option)
- Personal Water Safety
- Fundamentals of Diving
Starts / Turns / Dives
Teaches and enhances participant's ability to complete starts, turns, and dives at a competitive level. Designed for participants with Levels 4, 5, and 6 swim ability.