Missouri Valley Family YMCA

Beginning Swimmers

Ages 3 – 5 years - designed for the beginning independent swimmer *Children must be of appropriate age on the first day of class to register. All 3 year olds new to our program must register for Kipper.

NEW - Kipper: (3 year old only) - Water Acclimation - Transition from parent/child class into independent learning environment. Provides very basic water skills combined with structured play. (No testing, must be 4 years old to advance)

Pike: (4-5 year old) – Water Orientation – Uses a 2 bubble. Blowing bubbles, going under water, float positions, jumping in with assistance and learning to paddle on front and back.

Eel: (4-5 year old) – Water Adjustment – May wear a 2 bubble and has passed Pike. Holding float positions, going underwater and jumping in without assistance, paddle on front and back and side.

Ray: (4-5 year old) – Water Familiarization – May use only a 1 bubble and has passed Eel. Glide underwater, retrieve object from 3 feet, jump into deep water, treading water, kneeling dive, rotary breathing, front and back crawl and elementary backstroke.

Starfish: (4-5 year old) – Water Exploration – Must have passed Ray and swim without a bubble. Glide underwater, retrieve object from 6 feet, jump into deep water, treading water, kneeling dive, rotary breathing, front and back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke.