The YMCA Learn to Swim program (Otter, Seal, Dolphin and Swimmer) introduces a series of easy to learn skills to the non-swimmer in a values-based environment. Successful completion indicates that the learner is capable of performing a variety of skills in shallow and deep water, including the fundamentals of the front crawl stroke. The purpose of this program is to help build values and orientate individuals age 6 and over to fundamental swim skills.
The YMCA Star Program introduces the swimmer to a wide variety of swimming and water activity skills in a value-based environment. The program consists of 6 levels: Star 1 to 6. For the purpose of developing individuals, the YMCA Star Program improves swimming ability, furthers water sport and safety skills, and develops endurance and new strokes.
Click here for Summer 2010 Youth Swimming Lessons
Youth Swimming Lessons Fall 2010 - Spring 2011
|
Level |
Age |
Description |
Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Sat |
Otter Equivalent to Red Cross Level 1 |
6+ |
Children will learn to do jumps, floats and glides unassisted. They will also learn flutterkick, and complete a 5 metre endurance swim. |
4:30 - 5:00 |
4:30 - 5:00 |
5:50 - 6:20 |
4:30 - 5:00 |
11:20 - 11:50 |
| Seal Equivalent to Red Cross Level 2 |
Must complete Otter |
Children will learn 1-2-3 breath, retrieval of an object, and float rollovers. They will also be exposed to deep water by doing treading water, floats, and swims in the deep end. Children will complete a 10 metre endurance swim. |
4:30 - 5:00 |
5:50 - 6:20 |
|
5:10 - 5:40 & 5:50 - 6:20 |
10:00 - 10:30 |
| Dolphin Equivalent to Red Cross Level 3 & 4 |
Must complete Seal |
New skills include front crawl, and an introduction to back crawl. Children will increase their endurance to 25 metre swim, and start learning rescue breathing. |
4:30 - 5:10 |
5:10 - 5:50 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
10:40 - 11:20 & 11:20 - 12:00 |
|
Swimmer Equivalent to Red Cross Level 5 |
Must complete Dolphin |
Children tread water for 60 seconds, learn to dive, and continue to work on rescue breathing. Endurance is increased to 50 metres, and front and back crawl are improved. |
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
4:30 - 5:10 or 5:10 - 5:50 |
10:40 - 11:20 & 12:00 - 12:40 |
|
Star 1 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 6 |
Must complete Swimmer |
Water safety becomes more of a focus, as candidates learn to do a primary assessment and the Lifesaving Society ladder approach. Children learn elementary backstroke and endurance swim is 75 metres. |
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
4:30 - 5:10 or 5:10 - 5:50 |
10:40 - 11:20 or 12:00 - 12:40 |
|
Star 2 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 7 |
Must complete Star 1 |
This level is packed with new skills such as stride entries, time swims, endurance swims and more. Elementary backstroke is the new stroke learned. |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:10 - 5:50 |
10:00 - 10:40 |
|
Star 3 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 8 |
Must complete Star 2 |
Skills such as recognizing weak and non-swimmers, throwing rescue aids and eggbeater are learned. Candidates learn breaststroke, and must complete a 300 metre endurance swim. |
|
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
11:20 - 12:00 |
|
Star 4 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 9 |
Must complete Star 3 |
Children learn how to treat victims with hypothermia and airway obstructions. Sidestroke is introduced, and the endurance swim is 400 metres |
|
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:10 - 5:50 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
11:20 - 12:00 |
|
Star 5 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 10 |
Must complete Star 4 |
Individuals will learn boating self-rescue, as well as compact jumps, and removals. Butterfly is introduced and the endurance swim is 500 metres. |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
10:00 - 10:40 |
|
Star 6 Equivalent to Red Cross Level 10 & up |
Must complete Star 5 |
Candidates help teach a swim skill, as well as deal with unconscious choking victims. Water polo and synchronized swimming skills are introduced. Endurance swim is 600 metres. |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
10:00 - 10:40 |
|
Masters Equivalent to Red Cross Level 10 & up |
Must complete Star 6 |
Candidates help teach 6 hours of swim skills, learn rescue and recognition life guarding skills as well as starts and turns for all swims. Endurance swim is 700 metres. |
5:50 - 6:30 |
4:30 - 5:10 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
5:50 - 6:30 |
10:00 - 10:40 |
Members: FREE • Non-members: $52.50 |