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Swimmer Levels

To determine swimmer level, look at the pre-requisites for a level (in italics). Pre-requisites are skills your swimmer should be able to perform before joining lessons at that level. They are the foundational skills that we will build upon during lessons. If your swimmer cannot perform the pre-requisite skills at a given level, please look to a lower level.

Skill progression is different for everyone, and levels may not align perfectly. If you're having trouble determining the level for your swimmer, please call or email and we can figure it out together!

Levels are aligned with the Portland Parks & Recreation swim levels for your convenience.

Pre-requisites: comfortable in pool without their grown-up, able to understand directions and communicate clearly, generally ages 3+

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Skills we will work on:

  • Shallow water adjustment: getting comfortable in the water/being wet - water on body, face, head, moving through the water, ring retrieval from steps

  • Blowing bubbles - mouth & nose

  • Full face in water/head fully submerged

  • Bobs

  • Assisted back float

  • Assisted front float

  • Introduction to kicking

  • Introduction to arm circles/scoops

 

Safety topics/skills: pool entry - NEVER swim without a grown-up, monkey crawl, pool exit (elbow, elbow, belly, knee)

Fish Bowl

Goldfish
Beginner 1

Image by mana5280

Otter
Intermediate 1

Pre-requisites: back & front float unassisted, front glide with and without kick (face in water), bobs

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Skills we will work on:

  • Underwater exploration: Diving for rings, swimming through hoops

  • Back glide (with and without kicks)

  • Front crawl without side breathing

  • Introduction to side breathing

  • Introduction to backstroke

  • Jumping in to deeper water

 

Safety topics/skills: refresh Goldfish & Penguin topics, buddy system, unassisted turning over, bobbing to safety, exiting pool from deep end

Polar Bear Waving

Polar Bear
Advanced 1

Pre-requisites: comfortable in deep water, swim front crawl with side breathing for 30 feet, swim backstroke with arms for 30 feet

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Skills we will work on:

  • Improve front crawl with side breathing

  • Improve back stroke

  • Underwater exploration - deep water bobs

  • Introduction to treading water

  • Jump into deep water & level off

  • Standing dive

  • Elementary backstroke kick

 

Safety topics/skills: refresh Goldfish, Penguin, Otter, & Seal topics, deep water reaching and throwing assists, changing direction in deep water, sculling, feet first surface dives (to bottom of pool)

Penguins On Beach

Penguin
Beginner 2

Pre-requisites: Able to blow bubbles (mouth & nose), full face in water, full head in water (bobs), assisted back float, assisted front float, pool exit from shallow end

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Skills we will work on:

  • Continue shallow water adjustment

  • Flutter kicks

  • Arm circles/scoops

  • Back float

  • Front float

  • Front & back float recovery to standing

  • Front glide (with & without kicks)

  • Leveling off (moving from vertical to horizontal)

  • Jumping in

 

Safety topics/skills: refresh Goldfish topics, what to do if you fall in the pool (turn around, get to the side, get out), assisted to unassisted roll over, bobbing to safety

Image by Amy Asher

Seal
Intermediate 2

Pre-requisites: back glide with kicking, front crawl without side breathing, side breathing on wall

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Skills we will work on:

  • Front crawl with side breathing

  • Backstroke

  • Changing Directions

  • Underwater glide (push off from wall)

  • Deep water adjustment

  • Introduce diving

 

Safety topics/skills: refresh Goldfish, Penguin, & Otter topics, buddy system, arm or leg extension from deck, throwing assist (never jump in to save someone)

Swimmer Underwater

Sea Lion, Dolphin, Swim Team
Advanced 2

Kenton Swim School does not currently offer lessons at these levels.

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