Our Program
Swimming Safari Swim School offers a comprehensive program using a unique, child-centered curriculum with emphasis on Water Survival Skills.We have found that children learn best when they are having fun, which is why we incorporate lots of toy, games, and songs into every lesson. We make sure to keep all of our classes small so every student in every lesson has plenty of one on one interaction with our instructors. All of our lessons are 30 minutes, which is an optimal length for the children’s learning.
Swimming Safari offers five different class levels:
1) Baby and Me ages 6 months – 3 1/2:
This fun and foundational class focuses on a positive learning experience leading to harmony and safety in the water. Parents and babies will participate in: water exploration, breath control, water movement and safety skills in a fun and loving atmosphere with songs, games and colorful toys. Starting with water orientation and floating skills, babies will gradually move on to gentle underwater submersions and roll-overs from their tummies into a survival float on their back. Both parents are welcome to participate in the 30 minute class. A great beginning to loving the water for life! (at least one parent is required to be in the water).
**Please note that all children under the age of 3 OR who are not fully potty-trained are required to wear a disposable swimmy diaper as well as a reusable swimmy diaper. These can be found at Target, Wal-Mart or any baby depo store. We also sell them on location for $10 each. Children under age 3 are recommended to start in the “Baby and Me Class,” or take private lessons.
2)Beginner I ages 3+: For non-swimmers and nervous swimmers who are uneasy putting their face in the water.
Students will participate in exploring and playing in the water and will learn to feel at ease getting into and going under water with assistance. Progressing at his or her own speed, students will learn proper body positioning and develop confidence in basic water skills, including the survival float and gliding. By the end of the beginner class students will master: rolling over into a survival float without help and moving their arms and legs efficiently. Students will also be able to jump into the pool and swim safely to the side. By completing this class, students will be ready for stroke development. Please note that these results are based on receptive students.
Goal Objectives:
-Feeling comfortable in the water
-Getting face in the water
-Allowing instructor to hold child in back float position
-Overcoming all fears of the water
3) Beginner II ages 3+: Child is comfortable putting face in the water, will kick to the instructor without help or hesitation, and allows the instructor to hold child in back float position.
Goal Objectives:
-Kicking to instructor without help
-Gliding for 3-5 feet
-Rolling onto back independently
-Floating for 10 seconds with no assistance
-Retrieving objects from the floor
-Jumping in and immediately going into floating position
-Introduction to freestyle
-Introduction to backstroke
4) Intermediate ages 4 1/2+: For swimmers comfortable in the water, able to float on back and glide.
Competitive strokes are introduced at this level and students will be challenged to improve upon their skills. Students will also be introduced to diving and treading water for up to 30 seconds. This level is designed for using and improving upon proper stroke technique, endurance and rhythmic breathing.
Goal Objectives:
-Learning the four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly)
-Retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool on their own
-Introduction to treading water
-Introduction to diving
5) Advanced ages 6+: (swim team preparation) Able to swim 2 laps using correct form and side breathing on freestyle, will swim the other 3 strokes without hesitation, child is comfortable in the deep end, and must be 6 years or older.
This level is for students who can swim at least two lengths of a pool with ease and are now ready to improve their form. Racing dives and turns will be introduced at this level and swimmers will work on fine tuning the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers will improve upon endurance and body strength in preparation for swim team competition!
Goal Objectives:
-Refining all 4 strokes
-Building endurance
-Teaching diving and flip turns
-Treading water for 1 minute
6) Adult Lessons ages 13+: At Swimming Safari we believe it’s never too early nor too late to learn to enjoy the water! We usually schedule adults for private lessons and require a 6 lesson minimum to ensure lessons are thoroughly covered. Would you and your child like to learn together? How about you and a friend or two? Feel free to participate in our semi-private or group options as well!
We Offer Three Different Class Size Options:
1. Private lessons : Private lessons are one instructor and one student (1:1 ratio). These are a great option for children who may have any apprehension around or fear of the water and also for parents who are looking for quick progress. Private lessons are also available for children under the age of 3 in lieu of a Baby and Me class.
2. Semi-private lessons : Ages: 2 1/2 +Semi-private lessons are one instructor and two student (1:2 ratio). These lessons are offered to parents with two children around the same age and skill level. Friends and neighbors are more than welcome to also participate, but it is required that you provide your own partner; Swimming Safari will not match you with another student if you chose this option.
3. Group lessons : Group lessons are one instructor and 3-4 students (1:3-4 ratio). Ages 3+. Children under age 3 are recommended to start in the “Baby and Me Class,” or take private lessons.