Pools

The yellow group introduces water skills to beginner swimmers of all ages who have just begun to be in the water independently from caregivers or buoyancy supports. These swimmers may be very cautious and nervous or they might be risk-takers who love being in the pool. The yellow group, regardless of age, is for swimmers who are at the earliest stages of learning to love the water and be safe in it.

Yellow Group Exit Requirements

Requirements to exit the yellow group include: 1) enter water independently, using either the steps or side, travel at least five yards, bob five times, then safely exit the water (participants can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”); and 2) glide on front at least two body lengths, roll to a back float for five seconds and recover to a vertical position (this part of the assessment can be performed with assistance).

The green group begins to lay the groundwork for learning aquatics fundamentals. This group, regardless of age, is able to “swim” a few body lengths in the water, enter and exit the pool safely without assistance and is able to float on their backs for a few seconds. In the green group, these swimmers will increase their comfort with being in deeper water and learn the building blocks of swimming using their arms and legs to move around without support of the walls or buoyancy devices.

Review Skills - Review skills for entrance into the green group include: exit water independently using the ladder or the side of the pool; “swim” at least five yards; bob at least three times, exit water safely by swimming, using the gutter or wall, back to the exit; glide on front for two body lengths; roll onto back and float for at least three seconds, recover to vertical position (can be performed with support).

Green Group Exit - Requirements to exit the green group include: 1) step from the side of the pool into chest-deep water, push off the bottom, move into a treading position for at least fifteen seconds, swim on front and/or back for five body lengths, then exit the water; 2) move into a back float for fifteen seconds, roll to the front, then recover to a vertical position; and 3) push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for five body lengths, roll to back, float for fifteen seconds, roll to the front, then continue swimming for five body lengths.

The red group teaches swimmers the basics of swimming stroke development, teaching the framework for freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. With the ability to enter and exit a body of water independently and the basic ability to “swim” around the pool established, the red group, regardless of age, will move into deeper water to learn the skills and mechanics of the four strokes. The red group will also begin practicing entering the pool in deep water. Our goals for this group include being able to swim the full length of the pool.

Review Skills - Review skills for entrance into the red group include: exit water using the ladder or the side of the pool; enter the water by jumping from the side of the pool; front float, relax and recover; back float, relax and recover; open eyes, pick up submerged object in shallow water with no goggles; enter water independently using the stairs or ladder; “swim” at least five yards; bob at least three times.

Red Group Exit - Requirements to exit the red group include: 1) jump into deep water from the side, recover to the surface, maintain position by treading or floating for one minute, rotate one full turn then turn as necessary to orient to the exit point, level off, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for twenty-five yards, then exit the water and 2) push off in a streamlined position, then swim front crawl for fifteen yards, change position and direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke for fifteen yards, then exit the water.

The blue group is for swimmers who, regardless of age, are confident enough to swim unassisted in the deep end of the pool. These are swimmers who are able to follow instruction and want to advance their abilities and focus on the four swimming strokes. The blue group's goal is to begin learning how to be strong and technically proficient at the four strokes.

Review Skills - Review skills to enter the blue group include, but are not limited to: enter water by jumping in deep end, fully submerge, recover and return to the side of the pool; headfirst entry from the side of the pool, in sitting position in the deep end of the pool; tread water for one minute; rotary breathing for fifteen strokes of crawl stroke/freestyle; survival float for thirty seconds in the deep end of the pool; be able to swim front crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke kick for fifteen yards.

Blue Group Exit - To exit the blue group, swimmers will be required to: perform a feet first entry into deep water, swim front crawl for twenty-five yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for twenty-five yards; swim breaststroke for fifteen yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim back crawl for fifteen yards.