Starfish
4-12 months OR 3-5 years depending on programming
Orientation to water for babies and their parent/caregiver. To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their head up. The goals are to help babies experience buoyancy and movement through songs and play in the water and to teach the parent/caregiver age-specific water safety. This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation. At age 5/6, incomplete or complete the swimmer moves into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1. |
Duck
12-24 months OR 3-5 years depending on programming
Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver. Age is the only condition for entering this level. Swimmers learn how to use floating objects for support and explore different water movements through games, songs and active water play. The parent/caregiver also learns age-specific water safety. This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation. At age 5/6, incomplete or complete the swimmer moves into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1 |
Seaturtle
24-36 months OR 3-5 years depending on programming
Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver. Age is the only condition for entering this level. Swimmers learn through fun games and songs, how to combine skills, how to kick with a buoyant object and how to perform basic floats, glides and kicks. This level is participation based only, without formal evaluation. At age 5/6, incomplete or complete the swimmer moves into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1. |
Sea Otter
3-5 years
Transitional level that transfers the preschooler to the care of the Instructor. All skills are assisted by the Instructor. Swimmers enter this level when they are 3 years of age. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to open their eyes under water, further develop basic floats and glides, and swim 1 metre. They also learn age-appropriate water safety skills. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Salamander once all criteria have been successfully completed. At age 5/6, incomplete or complete the swimmer moves into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1. |
Salamander
3-5 years
Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sea Otter. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 2m, further develop basic floats and increase their distance on front and back glide. Front swim and roll-over glide are also included, and swimmers learn appropriate water safety skills such as how to jump into chest-deep water and how to use a PFD. Safety skills development includes water orientation, safe entries and exits and only swimming when an adult is present. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Sunfish once all criteria have been successfully completed. At age 5/6, incomplete or complete the swimmer moves into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 1. |
Sunfish
3-5/6 years
Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Salamander. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 5m, increase their distance using buoyant objects, increase their front and back glide with kick, and develop their roll-over glide and front swim. Safety skills include deep-water skills and use of a PFD(Personal Flotation device) Safety Skills development such as water orientation, safe entries and exits and always asking for permission before going near the water. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Crocodile once all criteria have been successfully completed. Swimmers at age 6, incomplete or complete move into Red Cross Swim Kids 2. |
Crocodile
3-5/6 years
Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sunfish. Through games and other fun activities, swimmers learn to swim 5m on their front and back, perform a dolphin kick and begin using rhythmic breathing. They also progress with kicking drills and increase their swimming distance to 10m. Safety skills include jumping into deep-water and performing surface support for 10 seconds, recognizing when a swimmer needs help and using a PFD. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Whale once all criteria have been successfully completed.Swimmers at age 6, incomplete move into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 2; and complete move into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 3. |
Whale
3-5/6 years
Swimmers enter this level once they have successfully completed Crocodile. Through fun activities, swimmers perform a front and back swim for 10m. Swimmers work on developing their flutter kick and perform a distance swim of 15m. Safety skills include identifying safe swimming areas, jumping into deep water, swimming 5m, surface support for 20seconds and return to safety, throwing assists and sitting dives. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and complete the program once all criteria have been achieved.Children 5 years or older are ready for the appropriate level of Red Cross Swim Kids. Swimmers at age 6, incomplete move into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 3. Completed move into Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4. |
