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Oak City Swim School

Providing water safety and swim lessons to Raleigh, NC since 2001.

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Jan 24 2019

When should my child start swim lessons?

When is the time right for my child to learn to swim? 

The answer is; depends on the child and the parents’ expectation of what they want their child to learn.  Children who have the opportunity to experience being in the water, to gain water comfort at a young age, do very well in lessons. Learning to be safe in and around water is an essential life skill that can be learned at any age.

When to Start

Children starting swim programs as early as a year old gain the benefit of becoming comfortable in and around water. The lessons are structured around having the parent and the child in the water together, generally as a group, with an instructor.  This is a great opportunity for parents to share and activity with their young child and learn from aquatic professionals how to be safe around water at an early age. These types of parent/child classes focus on water comfort, safe water entry and exits, floating and blowing bubbles.  Building water comfort and confidence at this early age supports faster learning of independent swimming as the child grows.

Preschoolers

Preschoolers are naturally curious! Water safety lessons are a must for this age group. Preschool swim programs should be rooted in a “learn through play” philosophy, capturing the child’s imagination and truly introducing water safety and basic swim skills in an engaging and fun atmosphere.  The swim program should also emphasize educating the child on how to be safe in and around all types of water. Children in this age group, generally, acquire basic swim skills quickly once they’ve become comfortable in the water.

School Aged Children

School aged children are experienced in a teaching environment. They are able to take direction and follow along in small groups. Teaching water safety to this age group is important as children this age will typically have the opportunity to engage in water experiences without their own parents, like neighborhood pools, water parks or a friend’s home.  Acquiring water safety skills will help them navigate these experiences safely. Water safety programs should be fun and focused on independent swimming, treading water and survival strokes after water comfort has been attained.

Water safety lessons at Gypsy Swim School begin at 12 months of age in our Parent/Tot program and offer lessons thru to Adult learners. We offer both group and private lessons, lessons for students with special abilities, Summer Swim Camp and a year round Swim Team.

Written by Jackie · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: swimming lessons, toddler swim lessons, adult swim lessons, swim lessons, learn to swim

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Gypsy Divers Aquatic Center
3651 Bastion Lane,
Raleigh NC 27604

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Shark 3 Goal

SKILL: FREESTYLE
Students aim to maintain technique for 200 yards.

Student’s pull has a great catch and acceleration through the pull.
Student’s kick is steady and strong for a 6 beat kick.
Student’s breathing is rotary and breathing is done with 1 google still in the water and head is steady in line with spine.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE
Students aim to maintain technique for 200 yards.

Student’s pull is done with proper hand entry and with a 90-degree elbow bend underwater.
Student’s kick is steady from the hips and their knees don’t break the surface.
Their shoulder and hip rotate together with their head in line with the spine.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE
Students aim to maintain technique for 200 yards.

Student’s hands do not pull to hips and their head goes back between arms for glide.
Their kick is with heels to bottom and ankles out.
Their breath is done with eyes looking down.

SKILL: BUTTERFLY
Students aim to maintain technique for 100 yards.

Student’s arms sweep out and then in during the pull.
Their dolphin kicks are from the hips.
They breathe every other stroke and eyes look down.

SKILL: STARTS AND TURNS

Student can do open turns for breaststroke and butterfly with proper underwater streamline position.
Student can do a proper freestyle and backstroke flip turn and they do not turn to their belly off the wall.
Student can do underwater strokes after diving or launching in.

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Student Portal

Shark 2 Goals

SKILL: FREESTYLE
Student must maintain technique for 100 yards to promote.

Student has correct position and their recovery doesn’t affect alignment.
Student’s kick is steady from their hip down with pointed toes.
Student’s breathing is rotary and done with their ear to the shoulder.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE
Student must maintain technique for 100 yards to promote.

Student’s pull is done with their pinky in first and thumb out first.
Student’s kick is steady from the hips and their knees don’t break the surface.
Their head stays in line with the spine.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE
Student must maintain technique for 50 yards to promote.

Student’s hands do not pull too wide or too far back and their head goes back between arms for glide.
Their kick is with heels to bottom and ankles out.
Their swimming is done with their weight forward.

SKILL: BUTTERFLY
Student must maintain technique for 25 yards to promote.

Student’s arm are outside the shoulder at entry during the pull.
Their dolphin kicks are from the hips.
Their head lifts out before the hands come out and their head enters before their hands do.

SKILL: STARTS AND TURNS

Student can dive out, not down, and maintain streamline underwater.
Student can do a correct flip turn.
Student knows their count and can perform a backstroke flip turn.
Their breaststroke pull-out and turn is done correctly.

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Student Portal

Shark 1 Goals

SKILL: FREESTYLE
Student must maintain technique for 50 yards to promote.

Student’s pull has little to no splash, long reach arms, and good rotation.
Student’s kick is steady from their hip down with pointed toes.
Student’s breathing is rotary and done every 3 strokes for a max of 3 seconds with good posture.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE
Student must maintain technique for 50 yards to promote.

Student’s pull is done with alternating arms and hands that enter above the shoulder.
Student’s kick is steady from the hips and their knees don’t break the surface.
Their head stays in line with the spine.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE
Student must maintain technique for 25 yards to promote.

Student’s hands do not pull to hips and their head goes back between arms for glide.
Their kick is with heels to bottom and ankles out.
Their timing is shown in the correct manner.

SKILL: STARTS AND TURNS

Student can dive from standing in a streamline position then start swimming.
Their backstroke start is performed correctly.
Their breaststroke pull-out and turn is done correctly.

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Student Portal

Manta Ray 3 Goals

SKILL: FREESTYLE 25 YARDS WITH ROTARY BREATHING

Student can do quick breaths after odd-number strokes.
Student is consistent in their relaxed flutter kick.
They can start swimming from a dive in the deep end.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE 25 YARDS

Student can do standard backstroke with long-reaching arms that are always the opposite of each other.
They are consistent with relaxed flutter kick.
They can do a backstroke start.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE BASICS 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can demonstrate the correct and effective timing of kick and glide.
Their pull and breath happen together.
Student has a relaxed glide that isn’t too deep.

SKILL: DIVING AND STARTS

Student can do a dive from standing and then tread for 60 seconds.
Student can dive in with a streamline position and then begin freestyle.
Their backstroke start goes up and over the water, no through it.

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Student Portal

Manta Ray 2 Goals

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FREESTYLE 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can do freestyle with breathing only on their side.
They can demonstrate high elbows with their lead arm extended.
Student is consistent in their relaxed flutter kick.

SKILL: INDEPENDENT BACKSTROKE 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can do elementary backstroke.
They are consistent with relaxed flutter kick.
They have long straight backstroke arms.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE KICK

Student can demonstrate ‘up-out-together’ timing.
They show knees in and feet out.
Student has legs straight and paused for glide.

SKILL: PEER RESCUE

Student can recognize a struggling swimmer.
They know to look for an adult first and not to jump in.
Student can use noodles or arm to pull peer in and stays low throughout.

SKILL: DIVING AND DEEP END

Student can do a kneeling dive.
They can dive or jump in and tread for 30 seconds.
Student can do a deep water ‘jellyfish’ bob.

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Student Portal

Manta Ray 1 Goals

 

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FLOATS

Student can float on their belly with their face in the water for 3 to 5 seconds.
They can relax on their back and float for 3 to 5 seconds.
Student can rollover and float from front to back and return on the same side without rolling in a circle.

SKILL: BASIC FREESTYLE TO FLAGS AND BACK

Student displays long-reaching rhythmic strokes.
They have strong and relaxed flutter kicks.
They can do four strokes, then roll over to breathe.

SKILL: ELEMENTARY BACKSTROKE TO FLAGS AND BACK

Student has a relaxed body position with hips up.
They can kick and pull at the same time.
Student has a relaxed glide.

SKILL: GLIDES AND JUMPS

Student can glide off the wall with their face in the water.
They can glide off the wall on their back with their hips up at the surface.
Student does both glides unassisted for 5 ft.

SKILL: PERSONAL WATER SAFETY

Student knows lifevest safety.
They can jump or step into the water in 4 to 5 ft and float on their back to return to the wall.
Student can bob in 4 to 5 ft and jump off the bottom.

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Student Portal

Jellyfish 4 Goals

SKILL: FREESTYLE WITH SIDE-BREATHING

Student can do four big scoops and then rollover to their side.
Student can do a quick breath on their side and then a smooth return to the water.
They do not look forward during swim or breath.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can swim elementary backstroke independently for half the pool length.
They have a  strong foundation of standard backstroke with long straight arms and a productive kick that’s not too splashy.
They can do elementary breast stroke kick.

SKILL: BASIC BREASTSTROKE AND BUTTERFLY

Student can do an emphasized breaststroke glide after a kick.
They can do the arm pull out and around motion.
Student can do a basic dolphin kick and body roll.

SKILL: DIVES

Student can do a kneeling dive.
They can dive in and swim to the flags then return to the wall.
Student can dive in and tread water for 60 seconds.

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Student Portal

Seahorse 3 Goals

SKILL: BOBS

Student can blow bubbles with their nose or mouth.
Student can jump off the floor when bobbing.
They can bob toward shallower water.

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FLOATS

They can roll over from front to back and return to their front.
Student can jump in and back float afterward.
They can glide with their face in the water and then roll to back float.

SKILL: JUMP IN, SWIM ON FRONT

They can jump in independently.
Student can return to the wall with any combination of kicks and scoops independently.
Student can grab the wall and climb out.

SKILL: JUMP IN, SWIM ON BACK

They can jump in independently.
They can roll onto their back and return to the wall with any kick and arm extended toward the wall.
Student can grab the wall and climb out.

SKILL: JUMP IN, SWIM TO INSTRUCTOR

They can jump independently at 4 ft.
Student can swim at least 5 ft to the instructor.
Student can swim at least 5 ft to the bench or wall.

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Student Portal

Seahorse 2 Goals

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FLOATS

Student can belly float with face in the water for 3 seconds.
Student can back float for 3 seconds with ears in.
Student can roll over from their belly to their back and return with assistance.

SKILL: BOBS WITH BUBBLES

They keep their feet on the ground.
Student can bend at the knee to submerge and blow bubbles.
They can jump up from the bottom after bubbles.

SKILL: SAFE ENTRIES AND EXITS

They can jump or step-in at 4 ft and back float independently.
Student can return to the wall with assistance.
Student can climb out on the side or ladder independently.

SKILL: INDEPENDENT KICKS

They kick on their belly with their face in the water.
They kick on their back with little splash and no knees pulled up to their chest.
Student doesn’t pull their knees to their bottom on their belly.

SKILL: SUPPORTED SCOOPS WITH KICKS

They can scoop and kick on their belly with their face in the water.
Student can do elementary backstroke arms with fluter kick on their back.

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Student Portal

Starfish 3 and Jellyfish 3 Goals

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FREESTYLE 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can do four big scoops and then roll over.
Student can roll the same way they roll out and not in circle.
They demonstrate long legs and a relaxed flutter kick.

SKILL: INDEPENDENT BACKSTROKE 1/2 POOL LENGTH

Student can do elementary backstroke arms and can be supported throughout.
They show long legs with a relaxed flutter kick.
They can do elementary kick.

SKILL: PEER RESCUE

Student can recognize a struggling swimmer.
They know to look for adults first to not jump in.
Student can use noodles or arm to pull peer in and stay low throughout.

SKILL: JUMPS AND DEEP END

Student can jump or step into the pool and swim freestyle to the wall and climb out.
Student can jump or step into the pool and swim backstroke to the wall and climb out.
Student can jump or step in and tread 30 seconds.

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Student Portal

Starfish 2 and Jellyfish 2 Goals

SKILL: BOBS AND FLOATS

Student can independently roll over and float from front to back, and then return to the front.
Student can roll the same way they roll out and not in circle.
Student jumps up from the bottom after a bob and can bob towards shallower water.

SKILL: BASIC FREESTYLE

They do four big scoops to roll over.
Student can do independent scooping with face in the water and roll over with assistance.
They show long legs with quick kicks on the stomach.

SKILL: BASIC BACKSTROKE

Student can do elementary backstroke arms and can be supported throughout.
They show long legs with quick kicks on the back.
They display a flat relaxed body position on the back.

SKILL: GLIDES AND JUMPS

Student can start free and back with a glide.
They jump or step into 5 ft and return the wall with assistance.
They jump or step into 5 ft and float on their back independently to the wall.

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Student Portal

Starfish 1 and Jellyfish 1 Goals

SKILL: INDEPENDENT FLOATS

Student can belly float with face in the water
Student can back float for 3 seconds with ears in
They have a relaxed body position and are not tense

SKILL: BOBS WITH ASSISTANCE

They are relaxed going underwater
Student can blow some bubbles while under
They are not afraid when they are fully submerging

SKILL: SAFE ENTRIES AND EXITS

They can jump or step-in at 4 ft with assistance and float with assistance after
Student can climb in/out on benches and side independently
Student can get in and out on ladder

SKILL: LIFE VEST SAFETY

They know when and where to wear one
They know how to pick the right size
Student can buckle, zip up, and unbuckle or unzip the vest with assistance

SKILL: INDEPENDENT KICKS

They have long leg kicks with a little splash
Student can kick for 5 feet with their face in on their belly
Student can kick for 5 feet on their back with hips up

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Student Portal

Seahorse 1 Goals

SKILL: SUPPORTED FLOATS

Student can belly float with face in the water
Student can back float for 3 seconds with ears in
They have a relaxed body position and are not tense

SKILL: BOBS WITH ASSISTANCE

They are relaxed going underwater
Student can blow some bubbles while under
They are not afraid when they are fully submerging

SKILL: SAFE ENTRIES AND EXITS

Student can climb in/out on benches independently
They can jump or step-in in 3 or 4 ft with assistance
Student can back float after jump/step-in with assistance

SKILL: SUPPORTED KICKS AND SCOOPS

They have long legs kicks and create little splashes
Their arms reach out front and out of the water
Student can perform alternating scoops

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Student Portal

Teen 1 and Adult 1 Goals

SKILL: FLOATS

Student has an independent front float with face in the water and can blow bubbles for 5 seconds.
Student has an independent back float.
Student has an independent roll over from back to front and reverse.

SKILL: FREESTYLE 1/2 POOL

Student has a relaxed and straight leg flutter kick.
Student has long-reaching arms during their pull.
Student has a relaxed horizontal position.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE 1/2 POOL

Student has an elementary kick and pull that happen together.
Their body is in a relaxed position and their hips stay up.
Their glide is relaxed.

SKILL: TREADING

Student has a relaxed tread and looks forward.
Their kick is either flutter, breaststroke, or a combination.
Their hands stay low with no splash and a basic sculling motion.

SKILL: WATER SAFETY

Student can do bobs from deep to shallow water.
Student can jump in and float independently around 5 to 8 ft.
Student knows peer rescue basics.

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Swimmer Portal

Teen 3 and Adult 3 Goals

SKILL: WATER COMFORT AND SAFETY

Student can do the HELP and HUDDLE positions.
They can do a 5-minute tread.
They can do a 5-minute uninterrupted swim.

SKILL: FREESTYLE 50 YARDS

Student has a good rotary breathing technique.
Student can maintain good technique throughout swim.
Student starts the introduction into flip turns.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE 50 YARDS

Student has their stroke count down and introduction into flip turns.
Their shoulder rotation is done with long and straight arms.
They have a consistent and relaxed kick.

SKILL: BREASTSTROKE 50 YARDS

Student has elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
They can do sidestroke “apple picking” arms.
They can do sidestroke scissors kick with a glide.

Additional Skills

Student has an intro into butterfly.
Student begins diving.
Student beings working on endurance.

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Swimmer Portal

Teen 2 and Adult 2 Goals

SKILL: WATER COMFORT AND SAFETY

Student can jump and float at 12 ft and swim to side to climb out.
Student can glide with face in the water for 5 to 10 ft.
Student can tread for 3 minutes.

SKILL: FREESTYLE 25 YARDS

Student is relaxed with straight leg flutter kick.
Student has long-reaching arms during pull.
Student can either side breathe or roll over a breath.

SKILL: BACKSTROKE 25 YARDS

Student has long straight arms.
Their kicks are long and relaxed with no knees breaking the surface.
Their horizontal body position is relaxed.

SKILL: SURVIVAL STROKES

Student has elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
They can do sidestroke “apple picking” arms.
They can do sidestroke scissors kick with a glide.

SKILL: INTRO TO BREASTSTROKE

Student can pull, breathe, kick, and glide with timing.
Student’s arms don’t pull too far back.
Student can do long glide with no scissor or flutter kick.

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Swimmer Portal