Swimming Lessons

Our swimming lessons follow the guidelines of the American Red Cross Swimming Program.  The WBC offers a seven-week session of swimming lessons at the following skill levels. All of our swimming instructors are certified Water Safety Instructors and Lifeguards. They are listed on our staff webpage.

It is very important to place your child in a class that matches his or her skill level, and not in one that is too advanced. Experience has demonstrated that it is much easier on the student to be moved up a level than to be pulled back.

For those children who have participated in the program in previous summers, class level should be based on the level your child has already passed. For your convenience, we post the recommended class for returning children in the lobby.

Below are brief descriptions of the skills students must possess to be at each level. The instructors are available to assist with evaluating your child's swimming capabilities and selecting the appropriate level of instruction.

Pre-Beginner I

To help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Children must be toilet trained to participate in this class.

Pre-Beginner II

Children must have passed Pre-Beginner I or be willing to put their face in the water, and generally must feel comfortable in the water.

Beginner

Children must have passed Pre-Beginner II or feel comfortable being under water, floating on stomach with face in the water, and be coordinated enough in the water to begin to learn swimming skills.

Advanced Beginner

Children must have passed Beginner or be able to float on their stomach and their back, beginning and ending in a standing position, and also perform these skills with a flutter kick. They must demonstrate precursor skills of the crawl stroke. Finally, they must be able to jump into water over their head and feel comfortable doing so and moving back to safety (e.g., the side of the pool). Most children earn their badge at this level if they do not already have it.

Intermediate

Children must have passed Advanced Beginner or demonstrate strong crawl stroke and elementary backstroke, and survival float. They must also be able to dive and swim underwater with relative ease.

Swimmer

Children must have passed Intermediate or be able to demonstrate very strong crawl stroke, elementary backstroke, survival float, and sidestroke. They must be able to perform a forward dive, swim under water, and have basic knowledge of safety on the pool deck.

Advanced Swimmer

Children must have passed Swimmer or be able to demonstrate strong command of all strokes other than butterfly.

Swim lessons take place between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.  Each class runs for half an hour on three mornings during the week.  A proposed lesson schedule will be provided with the lesson registration form which will be available at the office beginning opening day.

Synchronized Swimming

Synchronized Swimming lessons will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 AM on Wednesday mornings.

Consult the dues and fees page at MyWBC for cost information.  For questions and comments, contact our Swimming Director.