Skill Levels

If you have previously taken classes with her and been assigned a skill level, please review the table below closely as your level might have changed.

Use the Skill Level table below to determine the current level the student’s swimming abilities.  If in doubt or the student is a ‘close, but not exact’ fit, we suggest you choose a lower level.  All skills listed in the table are skills without any flotation device assistance.

We strive to group students with similar age and skill levels because children generally learn faster when they are well-matched with other class participants; however, some variance may occur within each class. During classes, some students may move forward one or more skill levels in a single week. 

Skill Level 1:

A student of any age with no skill in the water.  Anyone who will not put their head under the water.

Skill Level 2:

  • Will submerge mouth, nose and eyes in the water and will hold their breath for 3-5 seconds.
  • Can retrieve an item under the water to a depth of 2 to 3 feet.

Skill Level 3:

  • Will submerge their head in the water and hold breath for more than 5 seconds; 
  • Will retrieve an item under the water from a depth of 4 to 5 feet
  • Will hold breath, push off the bottom of the pool to surface and take a breath (bobs). 
  • With assistance, will put self in a front prone position with face in the water.

Skill Level 4:

  • Will put head under water and push off bottom, taking a breath when surfacing, repeating 5 times consecutively (bobs).
  • Will prone (front) float, without assistance, for 3 to 5 seconds.
  • With assistance, will float on their back with ears in the water. 
  • Will push off a step or wall with face in water into the front prone position and propel themselves for 10 feet. 
  • Will use proper kick to stay afloat & propel through water

Skill Level 5:

  • Can perform 10 bobs without stopping.
  • Will float on their front for 10 seconds.
  • Will float on their back, without assistance, for 5 seconds.
  • Can move through the water in a prone position, using proper kicks, arms crawl action and taking a breath without stopping for 10 feet. 
  • Can tread water for 5 to 20 seconds. With assistance, will attempt surface dive technique in 4 feet of water.

Skill Level 6:

  • Will float on back independently for 10 seconds.
  • Will float on front and back and will turn over from front to back with assistance.
  • Will propel themselves through water in a prone position, using proper kicks, arm crawl action and taking a breath without stopping for 20 feet.
  • Treads water for at least 30 seconds.
  • Can surface dive in 6 feet of water, push off from bottom and return to the surface.

Skill Level 7:

  • Can turn over from front to back independently.
  • Can swim independently in water over their head.
  • Will swim on their back for 10 feet, independently.
  • Swims front crawl stroke and takes breaths to the side.
  • Will perform a head-first entry into pool or dive into water from side of pool.
  • Treads water for minimum of 1 minute.

Skill Groupings for Classes:

You will see that classes have multiple skills levels associated with them.  Skill level groupings in class titles are matched as below:

Beginner 1 = Skill Levels 1, 2 & 3

Beginner 2 = Skill Levels 3 & 4

Intermediate 1 = Skill Levels 4 & 5

Intermediate 2 = Skill Level 5 & 6

Stroke = Skill Level 7

To view classes affiliated with the skill level you have selected, click below. 

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Classes & Registration on Captyn