Choosing the right level class helps you feel confident, safe, and ready to learn. At the Ithaca Swim Club, we look at three key factors: comfort in the water, basic swimming skills, and endurance.
Whether you’re just getting comfortable putting your face in the water, learning to coordinate strokes, or building confidence to swim longer distances, our instructors will help place you in the level that’s just right. Everyone progresses at their own pace, and you can move up as your skills grow.
Which Swim Level is Right for You?
Level 0
Water Discovery
Your child will learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim-readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. This level is intended for children who are unsafe in the shallow end of the pool alone. Level 0 classes will have a minimum of 2 instructors present for every 3 children.
Level 1
Beginner
Level 1 focuses on floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills. Swimmers in this level are safe in the shallow end of the pool, but cannot yet swim. If your child can put their head underwater and float, we recommend moving to Level 2.
Level 2
Advanced Beginner
Level 2 focuses on introducing forward movement in the water and jumping into the pool. Swimmers in this level are safe in the shallow end of the pool unsupervised, and need supervision in the deep end. If your child can jump in and swim on their front and back, we recommend moving to Level 3.
Level 3
Intermediate
Level 3 focuses on rhythmic breathing and integrated arm/leg action. Participants will learn to swim the length of the pool and tread water. Swimmers in this level are safe in all parts of the pool unsupervised. If your child can do these things, we recommend moving to Level 4.
Level 4
Advanced
Participants in Level 4 learn the front crawl, back crawl, and begin to learn the breaststroke and butterfly kicks. They will work swimming a full lap down and back using front crawl and back crawl. If your child can do these things, we recommend moving to the Swim Team.
