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Kids swim skills classes

Quick Links: Class Descriptions | FAQ: Kids Swim Classes

Fitness Alive’s small-group kids swim classes are designed for progression — and results. We believe kids can excel in group settings that emphasize individualized attention. That’s why we keep our classes very small, and why they are so successful.

Our classes are divided by skill and age, allowing swimmers to progress from Level 1 to Level 3 as they gain confidence and demonstrate mastery of each level’s key swim and safety skills. Best of all, they get focused coaching in a positive, confidence-first setting.

Learn About Our Current Swim Session

Click the Current Session button below to get details about booking classes for Spring, Summer or Fall sessions. You can also get on the Swim Skills Waitlist in order to swim next session, or book a swim lesson right now through our Drop-in Swim Lesson portal.

Swim Skills Class Descriptions

Please note: Age ranges listed below are recommendations. Your child’s skill level is the best indicator of the correct class level. However, if your child is older than age 8, they will be better served in private swim lessons, as groups tend to skew younger and kids at different ages learn differently.

If you cannot decide on the best class level for your child, email us at appointments@fitnessalivephilly.com so we can work with you. Children who enroll in a class that does not suit their skill level will need to be moved to another class after the session start date; we cannot guarantee the new class will be at your top choice day and time.

Click the class names below for prerequisites and skills your swimmer will learn

Level 1 Classes: Swimming basics + water safety

Tadpoles 1

For ages 3-5 with no previous water experience and may be cautious/fearful in the water

Tadpoles 1

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for preschool-aged children with no experience or exposure to water, other than the bathtub and maybe a toe dip in the ocean. This class is also great for those who have been in the water but are unsure about swimming without a parent. The goals of this class are overcoming fear of the water and building confidence.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Blowing bubbles and getting their face wet
• Getting comfortable wearing goggles
• Assisted back float
• Assisted jump
• Exit and enter water safely
• Understanding the depth of water by using the numbers on the side of the pool

Tadpoles 2

For ages 3-5 who are comfortable with submerging and ready to learn independent swimming

Tadpoles 2

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for preschool-aged children who are comfortable in and have no fear of the water, but who just don’t know how to swim quite yet. The goals of this class are to ensure safety in the water and learn how to make it back safely to the side of the pool.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Unassisted back and front floats
• Unassisted jumps
• Swim freestyle independently for at least 10 feet
• Swim elementary backstroke independently for at least 10 feet
• Exit and enter water safely
• Understanding the depth of water by using the numbers on the side of the pool

Seahorse 1

For ages 5-7 with no previous water experience and may be cautious/fearful in the water

Seahorse 1

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for school-aged children, but with no experience and exposure to water, other than the bathtub and maybe a toe dip in the ocean. The goals of this class are overcoming fear of the water and building confidence.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Blowing bubbles and getting their face wet
• Getting comfortable wearing goggles
• Assisted back float
• Assisted jump
• Exit and enter water safely
• Understanding the depth of water by using the numbers on the side of the pool

Seahorse 2

For ages 5-7 who are comfortable with submerging and ready to learn independent swimming

Seahorse 2

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for school-aged children with little to no fear of the water, but who just don’t know how to swim quite yet. The goals of this class are to ensure safety in the water and how to make it back safely to the side of the pool.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Unassisted back and front floats
• Unassisted jumps
• Swim freestyle independently for at least 10 feet
• Swim elementary backstroke independently for at least 10 feet
• Exit and enter water safely
• Understanding the depth of water by using the numbers on the side of the pool

Level 2 Classes: Skill-Building

Goldfish 1

For ages 4-7 who can float, swim short distances (10 feet) independently on both their back + front, and can tread water for 15 seconds

Goldfish 1

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for swimmers who are beginning to work on stroke development, endurance in the water and confidence as a swimmer. The goals of this class are to build independent swimming skills by learning proper technique.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Alternating from front to back in a floating position
• Unassisted streamline for at least 5 feet
• Swim freestyle independently with side breathing or flipping to the back to breathe for at least 20 feet
• Swim backstroke independently for at least 10 feet
• Jump/sit dive and return to the wall independently
• Tread water for 15 seconds
• Independently retrieve toys from the bottom of the pool

Goldfish 2

For ages 4-7 who can swim freestyle with side breathing and backstroke (about 20 feet), tread water for 30 seconds, and are ready to learn breaststroke

Goldfish 2

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for swimmers who are working on stroke refinement, endurance in the water and confidence as a swimmer. The goals of this class are to strengthen independent swimming skills by refining technique.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Swim (unrefined) freestyle with side breathing for at least half the length of the pool
• Swim (unrefined) backstroke for at least half the length of the pool
• Introduction of breaststroke (unrefined)
• Jump/sit dive and return to the wall independently
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Independently retrieve toys from the bottom of the pool

Level 3 Classes: Skill Refinement

 

Dolphins

For ages 6-8 who can swim freestyle with side breathing, backstroke, and breaststroke about half of the pool. They are ready to learn butterfly and introduction of flipturns

Dolphins

Class size: 3 swimmers max

This class is for those swimmers who are working on power and propulsion with swimming to increase endurance and confidence. The goals of this class are to enhance independent swimming skills by mastering technique.

With the assistance of the instructor, your child will work on the following skills:
• Swim freestyle the entire length of the pool with bilateral breathing
• Swim backstroke the entire length of the pool
• Swim breaststroke at least half of the length of the pool
• Introduction of butterfly (unrefined)
• Introduction of flip turns (unrefined)
• Tread water for 60 seconds
• Understanding how/when it is safe to dive

 

» Think your child is ready to move from Swim Skills to pre-swim team classes? «
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FAQ: Kids Swim Skills Classes

Expand each section below to learn more. Questions? Email appointments@fitnessalivephilly.com.

+ Swim Session Dates

Just like private lessons, our kids swim classes follow a trimester swim schedule. Our swim session terms are:

  • Spring (January-May)
  • Summer (June-August)
  • Fall (September-December)

At the end of each lesson term, you will need to re-enroll for the next session to continue your swim classes. Currently enrolled clients get first priority booking for subsequent sessions.

+ How Enrollment Works

In Fall and Spring, you enroll for weekly swim classes for the full swim lesson term. We reserve the same swim day, time and instructor for you each week. If you wish to discontinue your lessons before the end of the trimester, you must give us at least 2 week’s written notice before your next billing date.

In Summer Session, we offer intensive-style classes (i.e. two or three days in a row) that clients can book themselves directly through our website. We offer this benefit in the summer only to accommodate clients' travel and vacation schedules.

If you are unable to commit to a full swim term in Fall or Spring, please check out our calendar of drop-in swim lessons, which you can book whenever it is convenient for you.

+ Pricing

  • $40 per 30-minute class

Class payments are billed as monthly tuition via autopay. Pricing is for one class (same day, same time, same instructor) each week.