Learn-to-Swim Group Lessons

Swim lessons are a great way to increase your child’s confidence while setting the foundation for a healthy lifelong hobby. All Learn-to-Swim lessons are taught under the philosophy of the American Red Cross, and our instructors follow the recommendations of the American Red Cross in their teachings. Each level introduces a challenging variety of activities for the student to help them progress in their swimming abilities. Based on the explanation of each level below, use your best judgement to choose the correct level for your swimmer(s); if you need some guidance, please contact our pool desk at (847) 531-7030. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Steve Gard at gard_s@cityofelgin.org or (847) 531-7007.

October-December 2024 Swim Lesson Information

Our group swim lesson program consists of lessons that take place once per week for a total of eight lessons.

Registration for this session will go live at 10am on September 23rd.

Age Suggestion for Aquababies and Preschool Aquatics
Aquababies: ages 6-36 months: requires adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 1: ages 3-4 years: without adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 2: ages 4-5 years: without adult participation
Preschool Aquatics Level 3: ages 4-6 years: without adult participation

Age Suggestion for Level 1-6
Level 1: age 5-6: without adult participation
Level 2: age 6-7: without adult participation
Level 3: age 7-8: without adult participation
Level 4: age 8-9: without adult participation
Level 5: age 9-10: without adult participation
Level 6: age 10-11: without adult participation

Preschool Aquatics Program
Throughout the three levels, preschool-age children are taught basic aquatic safety and swimming skills, all the while increasing their comfort level in and around the water. Skills are age-appropriate, helping children achieve success on a regular basis and enjoy social interactions with other children. As in all Swimming and Water Safety courses, your child will always know that it’s safety first. We also do our best to ensure our swimmers are having fun will growing in their swimming abilities.

Preschool Aquatics Level 1
Orients children to the aquatic environment and helps them gain basic aquatic skills.
* Enter water using ramp, steps or side
* Exit water using ladder, steps or side
* Blow bubbles through mouth and nose
* Submerge mouth, nose and eyes
* Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
* Front glide and recover to a vertical position
* Back glide and recover to a vertical position
* Back float
* Roll from front to back and back to front
* Tread with arm and hand actions
* Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on front
* Alternating and simultaneous arm and leg actions on back
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Preschool Aquatics Level 2
Helps children gain greater independence in their skills and develop more comfort in and around water.
* Enter water by stepping in from a deck or low height
* Exit water using ladder, steps or side
* Bobbing
* Open eyes underwater and retrieve submerged objects
* Front float
* Back glide and float and recover to a vertical position
* Roll from front to back and back to front
* Tread water using arm and leg actions
* Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
* Finning arm action on back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Preschool Aquatics Level 3
Helps children start to gain basic swimming propulsive skills to be comfortable in and around water.
* Enter water by jumping in
* Fully submerge and hold breath
* Bobbing
* Rotary breathing
* Front, jellyfish and tuck floats
* Front and back float or glide and recover to a vertical position
* 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 on back
* Plus age-appropriate water safety topics

Red Cross Level 1 – Water Exploration
Designed to orient the swimmer with the aquatic environment, focusing on supported floating and beginning arms. Safety skills are introduced in conjunction with stroke techniques.

Red Cross Level 2 – Primary Skills
This level emphasizes fundamental locomotion. Students work on unsupported floating combined with kicks and rhythmic breathing. Red Cross safety topics covered include reaching and extension assists.

Red Cross Level 3 – Stroke Readiness
Level III focuses on improving skill competency. Students begin deep water work including elementary backstroke, diving and treading water. Rescue breathing is a key Red Cross safety topic covered. This class will be held in the Lap Pool.

Red Cross Level 4 – Stroke Development
This level reinforces the foundational strokes and safety skills. Students develop their breaststroke and sidestroke skills and are introduced to competitive turns. This class will be held in the Lap Pool.

Red Cross Level 5 – Stroke Refinement
Level V includes a technical review of front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke to refine these skills. Springboard diving safety is discussed and butterfly and surface dives are introduced.

Red Cross Level 6 – Skill Proficiency/Advanced Skills
This level is designed to help advanced swimmers prepare for competitive swimming. Flip turns and endurance training are incorporated, along with stroke reinforcement. Advanced rescue skills are also introduced.