The path

A cap color for every step

Each level has a cap color, a short list of skills and a way up. A placement visit tells us where to start, and the instructor decides when a swimmer moves on.

01
Water comfort
Yellow cap, ages 4 and up
Skills
- Getting in and out at the steps or the wall
- Walking and moving in shallow water
- Blowing bubbles with the mouth, then the nose
- Putting the face in the water, if the swimmer likes
- Holding the wall or the instructor's hands
Moving up
When getting in is steady and the swimmer puts a face in the water by choice, the instructor suggests Floating.
02
Floating
Orange cap, ages 4 and up
Skills
- Floating on the front and the back with support
- Rolling from the back to the front
- Kicking while holding the wall
- Practicing getting to the wall
Moving up
When floating with support is steady and the swimmer moves to the wall without help, the instructor suggests Kicking.
03
Kicking
Green cap, ages 4 and up
Skills
- Kicking on the front and the back with a board
- Gliding from the wall
- Arm pulls with a noodle or a belt
- Kicking with the face in the water
Moving up
When kicking carries the swimmer a few body lengths with the face in the water, the instructor suggests Strokes.
04
Strokes
Blue cap, ages 6 and up
Skills
- Freestyle arms with breathing to the side
- Back crawl
- Kicking without a board
- Swimming across the width of the pool
Moving up
When a stroke carries the swimmer across the pool and back to a rest, the instructor suggests Stroke combinations.
05
Stroke combinations
Purple cap, ages 6 and up
Skills
- Freestyle and back crawl in one swim
- A first breaststroke kick
- Treading water
- Turning at the wall
Moving up
When two strokes join in one swim and the turns at the wall are steady, the instructor suggests Endurance and technique.
06
Endurance and technique
Navy cap, ages 6 and up
Skills
- Swimming several lengths with rests at the wall
- Breathing to both sides
- Breaststroke and a first butterfly kick
- Pushing off the wall in a streamlined line
Moving up
There is no level after this one; the instructor sets new goals with each swimmer every session.

Where to startBook a placement visit

Sample levels.

Every swimmer moves at their own pace.

In the water

Gear that goes with the levels

Noodles, belts and boards are for the first levels, and short fins and a pull buoy come out in the last ones. The instructor tries one thing at a time, watches how it feels and changes it when it doesn't help.