Swim Levels

Let’s get into the swim of things!

It’s never too early to spread your fins and learn to swim. From blowing bubbles to butterfly kicks, Wisconsin Swim Academy has developed an expertly-crafted, yet simple chart to help us find the best class to build our kiddos trust, confidence and swim skills. Let’s dive in and see what cool school fits your swimmer best!

Swim Skills

We’d like to see each swimmer confidently achieve each skill to move onto the next level.

Jellyfish 1

LEVEL 1: Keep blowing those bubbles… you’re almost there!

Submerges head/face underwater comfortably
Blows bubbles comfortably for 5 sec
Kicking assisted with noodle for 10 ft
Reaching arms and kicking for 10 ft assisted
Reaching arms and kicks when prompted
Back glide assisted with 1 hands holding ears in the water
Elementary backstroke arms unassisted
Slides or jumps in with a 1 or 2 hand hold assist to the wall

Jellyfish 2

LEVEL 2: You’re ready to jump in on your own!

Comfortable blowing bubbles with full face in water for 5 sec
Swim 5 ft independently to and from step
Kicking with the noodle in front of face for 5 sec, only assist with breath
Reaching-kicking-bubbles with face in water for 5 sec, partial assist
Back glide, ears in water, assistance with rollover-partial (float and kick with independence)
Elementary backstroke ears in water, assistance with rollover, partial assistance with arms
Jumps in independently with assist to wall
Treading with noodle for 10 seconds
Back float for 5-10 seconds
3 years old

Clownfish

LEVEL 3: You’re doing it… with no helping hands!

Do Pizza arms and swims off the step only assist with breath
4 strokes only assist with breath
Can swim 10 ft independently
Roll over fully independent
Back glide independent – can swim on back with limited to no help
Elementary backstroke with little to no assistance
Breaststroke kick independently with the kick board (to rope and back)
Jumps in and swims to the wall independently, no help
Tread water comfortably for 20 sec, no spinning
Deep water confidence
Mature enough to sit on the tot dock while they wait their turn
minimum 4.5 years old

Otter

Specifically designed for older beginner swimmers between the ages of 7-10 years old to help them gain confidence and skills.

Beginner Otter

- - Bubbles with goggles in for 5 seconds
  - Swimming 5 feet independently to and from step
  - Kicking with noodle partial assist
  - Reaching-Kicking-Bubbles with face in for 5 seconds independent (only assist w/breath)
  - Back glide ears in water 1 hand hold
  - Elementary backstroke ears in water 1 hand hold
  - Jumps in independently with assist to wall
  - Treading with noodle 10 seconds
  - Back float 5 to 10 seconds

Advanced Otter

- Pizza arms only assist with breath
- 4 strokes only assist with breath
- Can swim 10 feet independently
- Roll over is independent
- Back glide mostly independent
- Elementary backstroke arms and legs mostly independent
- Jumps in and swims to the wall independently
- Treads water 20 seconds
- Breaststroke kick independent with kickboard
- Guppy Ready