Swim Lesson Levels Explained: From Water Comfort to Strokes

Large swim programs such as the Red Cross and YMCA teach in levels, so swimmers master one set of skills before moving on to the next. A typical path goes from getting comfortable in the water, to floating and kicking, to strokes and breathing, and then to deep-water and safety skills. Each program names its levels differently.

Knowing the levels helps you pick the right class, understand a progress report and see what comes next. Below, we use the American Red Cross and YMCA programs as examples because both publish their levels. We don't endorse either one.

Why programs use levels

Levels let a swimmer build skills step by step. The Red Cross says its children's program is designed so students master one skill before moving on to the next (opens in a new tab), and that some children advance more quickly or slowly than others. Its adult program works the same way.

Levels also give you a clear way to see progress. The AAP suggests choosing a program with multiple sessions, steady progress and refreshers as needed (opens in a new tab).

Example: Red Cross Learn-to-Swim levels

The Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program (opens in a new tab) has stages by age:

• Parent and Child Aquatics: parents or guardians of children up to 3 take an active part in the lessons.
• Preschool Aquatics: for children about 4 and 5, with three levels that build toward moving independently in the water.
• Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6: for children ages 6 to 12.

For older teens and adults, Red Cross Adult Swim (opens in a new tab) has three levels: Learning the Basics, Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes, and Swimming for Fitness.

Instructor training follows the same split. Red Cross Basic Swim Instructors (opens in a new tab) teach Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics and Levels 1-3. Water Safety Instructors teach all of these plus Levels 4-6 and Adult Swim.

Example: YMCA swim lesson stages

YMCA of the USA describes three groups of Y swim lessons (opens in a new tab):

• Swim Starters (6 months to 3 years): swim readiness skills through fun experiences, while parents learn how to supervise children in the water, prevent accidents and plan for emergencies.
• Swim Basics (all ages): basic water safety and swimming skills, including safe water habits, underwater exploration and how to swim to safety after a fall into water.
• Swim Strokes (school-age children, teens and adults): stroke technique and more water safety skills, once the basics are mastered.

Local Ys describe their classes in their own words. The YMCA of Greater New York, for example, says its progressive program for ages 3 to 5 (opens in a new tab) teaches water adjustment, basic swimming competency and benchmark skills, and that older children learn personal water safety and the four competitive strokes.

Public programs use levels too. NYC Parks lists classes such as Adult Learn to Swim Beginner Level 1, Advanced Beginner Level 2, and Senior Learn to Swim Levels 1 and 2.

The typical path, stage by stage

Whatever the names, programs tend to move through similar stages. Here is a simplified view.

1. Water comfort

Getting in and out safely, splashing, putting the face in the water and blowing bubbles. For tots, NYC Parks describes this stage as becoming familiar with the water and comfortable floating or holding their breath (opens in a new tab).

2. Floating, gliding and kicking

Floating on the front and back, then pushing off and gliding, then adding a kick. This is where swimmers start moving on their own, like the Red Cross Level 2 focus on moving on the front and back.

3. Strokes and breathing

Arm strokes, rhythmic breathing and swimming short distances. By age 5 or 6, the AAP says, most children in lessons can master the front crawl.

4. Deep water and safety skills

Treading water, entering deep water and returning to the surface, turning around, swimming at least 25 yards and getting out. These are the water competency skills, and the Red Cross places them around Level 3.

Safety skills belong at every level

Good programs don't wait until the end to teach safety. The AAP says lessons should teach what to do after an unexpected fall into water and should include realistic practice, such as falling in and swimming in clothes. The YMCA's Safety Around Water program teaches two skill sets for unexpected falls: "Jump, Push, Turn, Grab" and "Swim, Float, Swim."

Moving up a level

• Ask how progress is checked. Some programs test skills at the start and end. NYC Parks' Swim for Life, for example, uses pre- and post-swim evaluations (opens in a new tab).
• Don't rush. Repeating a level is normal. Strong basics matter more than a higher level number.
• Ask for a placement check if you switch programs. One program's Level 3 may not match another's.
• Remember that finishing a level isn't the same as being safe. Water Safety USA notes that people who complete entry-level lessons, especially young children, may still not be water competent (opens in a new tab) and still need close supervision.

Track progress at home

Note each new skill as your child (or you) learns it:

Kids can practice putting skills in the right order with a game (on dry land, of course): Swim Skills in Order.

What you can do today

1. Ask your swim program which levels it uses and which level your child (or you) is in.
2. Ask the instructor which skills are needed to move up, and write them down.
3. Check those skills against the five water competency skills.
4. If you're choosing a new program, use how to choose a swim lesson program and ask for a placement check.
5. Adults: start with learning to swim as an adult.