Swimming is crucial for your children’s health and well-being. It doesn’t just shape their bodies, making them stronger, but also increases their safety, confidence, and fun in water. So what is the best way for your kid to learn to swim? By having them take well-thought-out classes, of course! This way, your kids will receive all the necessary support, leaving little room for developing discomfort or phobias.

That’s why professionals have designed 6 levels suitable for kids of different ages and abilities. So, if you want your infant to have swim lessons in San Diego, check out the article below to see what level suits them. Read on!

What are different swimming levels?

Children can progress through various levels tailored to meet their abilities, from the basics of water comfort to refining strokes and techniques. Here’s a breakdown of the 6 levels:

1. Bush Babies (Level 1)

Bush Babies swimming classes are intended for children aged 3-5 who need to get more comfortable in the water.  Since kids are just learning to relax and have no experience in swimming, classes are held on the steps in the shallow end of the pool. Some of the Level 1 learning objectives are:

• Getting into/out of the water safely, 
• Submerging heads without too much hesitation, 
• Retrieving objects,
• Monkey crawl, 
• Supported monkey rolls, 
• Front float with appropriate support, 
• Front glide independent and back float supported, 
• Back glide independent, 
• Introduction to locomotive skills,
• Learning basic backstroke (Monkey – Tree – Banana), 
• Learning survival swimming,
• Understanding water safety rules.

2. Tamarins (Level 2)

This level is for kids aged 5-7 who should acquire supported swimming skills. The Tamarins learning objectives include:

• Entering and exiting the water safely,
• Retrieving objects, 
• Submerging head sustained, 
• Monkey crawl, 
• Monkey rolls, 
• Front float independent, 
• Front glide independent, 
• Front crawl supported, 
• Back float independent, 
• Back glide independent, 
• Back crawl supported, 
• Basic backstroke (Monkey – Tree – Banana), 
• Survival swimming, 
• Underwater swimming, 
• Essential water safety.

3. Spider monkeys (Level 3)

Spider monkey level is recommended for 6-8-year-olds who should develop independent swimming skills. Classes are at the shallow end (3-4 feet of water) of the pool. The learning objectives are the following:

• Entering/exiting the pool safely, 
• Retrieving a sunk object, 
• Submerging head completely, 
• Front float independent,
• Front glide independent,
• Front crawl independent, 
• Back float independent, 
• Back glide independent,
• Back crawl independent,
• Basic backstroke (Monkey – Tree – Banana),
• Swimming underwater,
• Introduction to breaststroke and water treading,
• Mastering water safety rules.

4. Chimpanzees (Level 4 – independent progression)

Level 4 classes are for kids who need to develop independent swimming skills in 3-6 feet of water. They’ll work on achieving the following objectives:

• Submerging head completely, 
• Retrieving a sunk object, 
• Front float independent,
• Front glide independent,
• Front crawl independent,
• Back float independent,
• Back glide independent,
• Back crawl independent,
• Elementary backstroke (Monkey – Tree – Banana),
• Introduction to side stroke and streamline underwater swimming, 
• Independent water treading,
• Introduction to kick varieties, diving, and breaststroke,
• Water safety.

5. Baboons (Level 5 – advanced swimming)

Level 5 (Baboons) is intended for advanced swimmers who want to polish their skills. It’s recommended for children aged 9-12 years old. Classes are held in 5-6 feet of water. This level’s objectives include: 

• Retrieving sunken objects, 
• Front crawl, 
• Back crawl, 
• Side stroke, 
• Breaststroke, 
• Water treading,
• Diving, 
• Introduction to butterfly, flip turns, and using swim equipment, 
• Water safety.

6. Gorillas (Level 6 – endurance swimming)

Level 6 is for advanced students aged 9-12 who want to develop their endurance swimming skills. Lessons are held in 5-6 feet of water. Gorillas’ learning objectives are: 

• Front crawl, 
• Back crawl, 
• Elementary backstroke, 
• Side stroke, 
• Underwater glide, 
• Breaststroke, 
• Butterfly, 
• Water treading, 
• Dives and starts, 
• Water safety.

Infant classes (with a guardian)

In addition to the above levels suitable for preschoolers and older kids, there are also parent and kid classes specially designed for babies and toddlers (6-36 months old). These lessons are developed to help your infants relax in the water through numerous fun water activities and acquire essential water safety skills. 

These lessons take place in the shallow end of the pool. Since the students are too young to attend classes without supervision, one guardian should be present. The learning objectives of these classes are to enable children to feel comfortable and enjoy their time in the water. 

Where can my infant take swim lessons in San Diego?

Choosing the right place and swim instructors is crucial for your kid’s attitude towards water and swimming. Here at Plunge San Diego, we pay special attention to children’s sensitivities, and our classes and levels are tailored to resonate with every child’s personality.

Drop by on your way to Giant Dipper and let top swimming professionals introduce your kid to the world of swimming and help them get ready for it. We’re waiting for you!