The Complete Swim Lessons Guide

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For Parents and Participants

 

Welcome to the SPB Aquatics swim school, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Swimming Past Boundaries Aquatics Department.  Our mission in aquatics is to empower the community for youth development; to achieve and maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle; demonstrate social responsibility, accountability, and integrity; and develop leadership abilities by providing the highest quality recreational and co-curricular programs and services.

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In congruence with our mission, the aquatics staff work towards developing their accountability,

integrity, and leadership abilities by providing a safe, fun, and inviting learning environment for all

swim program participants.  Our swim lessons program is guided by current American Red Cross

standards which focus on crating life-long aquatic habits including water safety and swimming skills.

With a low participant to instructor ratio, our experienced and certified swim instructors can spend more quality time with each participant, creating a more individualized learning experience.

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Acting as a liaison for our swim program, our Swim Lessons Coordinator or Aquatics Director is

available during lessons to help guide the swim program and ensure swim lessons run smoothly.

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.  Also I encourage you to connect with

your swim instructor to make the most of your experience.  Your experience here at the SPB is very

important to me so please do not hesitate to contact me with feedback.

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Sincerely,

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CHRISTOPHER BLEDSOE

42 Catherine Street Pougkeepsie NY 12603

SPB AQUATICS DIRECTOR

845-625-4929

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Group Swim Lessons Overview 

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REGISTRATION

There is a registration fee for swimming lessons and we also have specials for half off or no

registration fees. Please visit our website or contact the office for details  All payments are due in full at time of registration.

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FIRST DAY OF LESSONS

Meet your instructor on the pool deck.  Your instructor will introduce him or herself, go over safety

rules and regulations, then ask your participant to enter the water.

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WHAT TO BRING TO LESSONS

Swimsuit:  All swimmers must wear appropriate swim attire when in the pool.  If your participant is

not yet potty-trained, please be sure to have them wear a swim diaper (specifically designed for use

in pools).

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Towel:  Towels are not provided for swim lessons participants

Please be sure to bring towels or you can purchase a towel in the office store.

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Goggles:  WE DO NOT PROVIDE GOGGLES PLEASE BRING GOGGLES TO CLASS

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Goggles will be needed for lessons, we do have a part of the curriculum when goggles will not be used  

in the lesson for under water swimming with the student eyes open.

Swim cap:  All participants over the age of three (3) years old are required to wear a swim cap.  If you

forget your swim cap, they are on sale in the pool office.

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Positive attitude:  The learning process can be rewarding but frustrating at times, but with patience

and a positive attitude, you and your participant can get the most out of swim lessons and be on your

way to increasing your enjoyment in the water.

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DURING LESSONS

We encourage you to sit on the bleachers that are spread out around the pool deck to watch your

participant. Even better, we encourage you to watch the skills your participant is learning and to

practice them together outside of formal lessons.  While we encourage parents/guardians to engage

in the learning process with their participant outside of lesson time, please refrain from approaching

your participant while they are in the water with their instructor.  It can disrupt your participant’s

concentration, the concentration of other participants, and keep the instructor from being able to

accomplish all lesson goals.

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AFTER LESSONS

When lessons end each swim instructor will dismiss their participants.  Please feel free to address any

questions you have with your participant’s swim instructor at this time.

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TWO WEEKS BEFORE LAST DAY OF LESSONS

Two weeks before the last day of a swim lesson session, group lesson participants will receive a swim

level evaluation card from their swim instructor.  This card indicates  which swim level your

participant may register for next swim session.

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Private Swim Lessons

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SCHEDULING and REGISTRATION

To request a private lesson, fill out our Private Swim Lesson Request Form with the name, age,

experience of the participant, the days and times they are available for lessons, and your instructor

preference.  Our swim lesson coordinator will then assign an instructor for you.  Please note that we place 

all students expeditiously.  Your instructor will then contact you directly

and the two of you will schedule a date and time that works best for each of you. You are required Make your payment in full prior to your first lesson.

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FIRST DAY OF PRIVATE LESSONS

On the first day of your private lessons, your swim instructor will meet you at the pool deck of the

pool five minutes prior to the start of your private lesson.  Bring your receipt with you and

give to the instructor.  You will then sign the Private Swim Lesson Tracking Form.  You will have 90

days to complete all paid lessons from the start of your first lesson.

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LAST DAY OF PRIVATE LESSONS

Private swim lesson participants do not receive a swim evaluation card at the end of the lessons

unless the participant requests one.

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CANCELLATIONS and TARDINESS

If you have to cancel your lesson or are running late, contact your swim instructor. All cancellations

must be made 48 hours in advanced or it will be counted as one of your lessons.  If a participant is

more than 15 minutes late, the instructor may cancel swim lessons or teach for the remaining of the

time.  This will count as one of your paid lessons.  Due to instructor’s schedules, instructors may not

extend class past the end time because of tardiness.

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RESCHEDULING PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

If you must re-schedule a private swim lesson for a time other than your regularly scheduled time,

your swim instructor must confirm the new day/time to assure this is not a conflict with regularly

scheduled pool activities or schedules.

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CONTINUING PRIVATE LESSONS

If you plan to continue private lessons with the same instructor, please give your instructor your

new receipt.  Your swim instructor will confirm your private lesson day/time prior to continuation, to

make sure your lessons do not conflict with regularly schedule pool activities or schedules.  If you do

not want to keep the same instructor, please make your payment and fill out a new Private Swim

Lesson Request Form.

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REQUESTING A NEW INSTRUCTOR

We try our best to match each participant with just the right swim instructor for their goals.

However, occasionally, the swim instructors’ scope of training is surpassed by the participant, or the

participant and swim instructor find that their paring is just not the right “fit”.  In either case, we

encourage open communication between private lesson parents/participants and their swim

instructor.  Speaking directly with your swim instructor about your goals and needs may solve the

problem.  If you still do not feel that your swim instructor is a good fit, please contact the swim lesson

coordinator and we will work towards finding you another swim instructor who better fits your

needs.

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SPB Policies

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PAYMENT

SPB accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discovery, Cash, or Check.  All registrations are

non-refundable.  All swim lessons must be purchased prior to the lessons.  Group Swim Lessons

are purchased as a complete session.  No pro-rating, refunds, or make-up lessons will be provided for

missed classes, tardiness, or withdrawal after the first lesson.  In case of class cancellation, due to

pool closure, a credit will be given.  Private Swim Lessons can be purchased one-at-a-time or by

purchasing Swim Packages.  Refunds for private swim lessons are not available.  As part of their required

paperwork, private swim lesson instructors must keep track of how many lessons participants have

purchased (and used) and can inform you when you need to purchase more lessons.  For

documentation purposes, the instructor must ask for your receipt and your signature on Private Swim

Lesson Tracking Sheet form before each lesson.

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LOCKER ROOMS and the FAMILY CHANGING ROOM

As with all other activities at the SPB, children MUST NEVER be left alone. Parents must 

accompany their kids at all times when they are not in a swim lesson session.

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SWIMMING BEFORE and AFTER LESSONS

Participants are not permitted to swim before or after their swim lessons unless permission of a teacher 

 or the Aquatics Director is secured. Participants must enter the pool under the supervision of their swim instructor. 

 

PROGRAM CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

For consideration of a refund/credit, for each participant please complete a Refund/Credit Request

Form and submit to the Member Service Desk.  The SPB reserves the right to cancel any program

that fails to meet enrollment requirements.  If SPB cancels a class or program, a 100% refund will

automatically be issued.   If a program participant withdraws due to a medical reason, with written

verification by a physician, a prorated credit will be issued.  Request must be submitted within two

weeks of session end date.  All registrations are non-refundable.

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INCLEMENT WEATHER

SPB follows the Poughkeepsie Public School District schedule.  If the school is

closed, our youth and teen programs are cancelled.  For safety reasons and to comply with state

regulations, we evacuate and close our pools for 30 minutes after every thunder/lightning occurs. 

 As a courtesy, students are welcome and encouraged to call -in to check on the

current status of classes during thunderstorms.

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Pool Rules

Pool rules and regulations are posted throughout the facility

All patrons must wear appropriate swim attire.

All patrons must shower before entering the pool.

All swimmers over the age of 3 must wear a swim cap.

Starting blocks are for instructional use only.

Kickboards, noodles, and other Coast Guard approved floatation devices may be used during

swim except for the use by non-swimmers.

Water wings or other inflatable devices for non-swimmers are not authorized.

Patrons need to be free of communicable disease and open wounds to prevent contamination

Running, rough play, diving, ball playing, and yelling are prohibited.

Food and drink are prohibited on the pool deck.

Chewing gum, alcohol, tobacco products, or other drugs are prohibited.

No public displays of affection in the pool.

Non-swimmers or weak swimmers must stay in the shallow end unless they are accompanied

All swimmers under the age of 13 must be accompanied in the pool area by a supervised

adult.  Patrons under the age of 5 must have an adult in the pool with them.

All swimmers under the age of 18 must pass the deep water swim test to swim in deep water.

Participants will not enter the pool until a lifeguard is on duty.

No extended underwater breath holding games.

Respect will be shown to all participants, patrons, staff, and facilities.

The use of inappropriate, abusive, or foul language is not permitted.

Directions from staff and volunteers will be followed at all times.

Patrons refusing to obey rules and regulations will be asked to leave.

Pool staff has the authority to enforce all rules and regulations.

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Swim Level Descriptions

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HOW TO SELECT A LEVEL FOR YOUR PARTICIPANT

Your participant’s current swim level is the level that most accurately describes their swimming

abilities.  Swimming levels are listed below and on the next two pages for your reference.  If your

participant cannot perform all the activities listed in a level description then they should register for

that level with the aim to complete all the skills listed.  You may register for both Parent and Child

levels (Ski and Perch), as well as our beginner levels (Pike, Polliwog 1, teen beginner, and adult

beginner) without a swim evaluation.  All other levels will require a swim evaluation prior to

enrollment.  Please contact our swim lesson coordinator at 845-625-4929 to schedule your

free swim evaluation, or if you have any questions.

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PARENT AND CHILD AQUATICS

Ski (6-18 months) and Perch (19-36 months)

This level is a Parent & Child Aquatics that introduces parents and children to a set of basic aquatic

skills.  Parents are taught to safely work with their child in the water, including how to appropriately

support and hold their child in the water, and how to prepare and encourage their child to participate

fully and try new skills.  Children are introduced to basic skills that lay a foundation to help them learn

to swim.  In this level, the parent is actively in the water with the child helping them become

comfortable with basic skills.  The goal of Parent & Child Aquatics is to provide experiences and

activities for parents and children to:  Enter/exit the water safely, adjust to the water, be comfortable

in exploration of buoyancy, body position, floating and gliding, basic stroke action, and breathing

control (blowing bubbles or holding their breath while voluntarily submerging underwater).

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*All non-potty trained children will be required to wear a swim diaper*

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PRESCHOOL AQUATICS (SKIPPERS)(ages 3-5)

Preschool Aquatics is for beginning swimmers (ages 3-5) who have had very little or no swim

instruction.  Preschool Aquatics teaches the most basic aquatic skills (most performed with

assistance).  The goal of Preschool Aquatics is to introduce basic aquatic locomotion skills,

simultaneous and alternating arm/leg action on front and back, and to continue to advance and build

on the basic skills that the child will continue to build on as they progress through Preschool Aquatics

and then on through Learn-to-Swim PROGRESSIVE levels.

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NOTE:  Once participants have passed Preschool Aquatics (SKIPPERS), then they are ready for Learn-to-Swim PROGRESSIVE level Polliwog II.

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PIKE (Preschool Level 1)

Pike is a beginner level that may use 2-4 bubbles.  No swim evaluation is required.  The participant

has little to no experience in an aquatic environment and might be fearful and/or anxious.  The

participant cannot put face in the water or paddle, lie on back, or jump in without assistance.

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EEL (Preschool Level 2)

Eel is a beginner-intermediate level that may use 1-3 bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The

participant must be able to comfortably put their face in the water and blow bubbles, jump in

without assistance, paddle on the front, and float on back (with ears in water).

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RAY (Preschool Level 3)

Ray is an intermediate level at may use only 1 bubble.  A swim evaluation is required.  The participant

must be able to jump in without assistance, paddle on front and back the width of the pool.

Participants exhibit a rudimentary crawl (big arms) with basic rhythmic breathing and can

demonstrate an elementary backstroke (“money-airplane-soldier”).  Participant has an understanding

of a flutter kick and can bob 15 times.

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STARFISH (Learn-to-Swim Level 3)

Starfish is an advance level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The participant

must be able to swim 4 widths of continuous freestyle, 2 widths of continuous backstroke, float on

their front and back, and tread water for 30 seconds.

Learn-to-Swim PROGRESSIVE(ages 6-12)

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POLLIWOG I (Learn-to-Swim Level 1)

Polliwog I is a beginner level that may use 2-4 bubbles.  A swim evaluation is not required.  The goal

of Polliwog I is to learn basic personal water safety information skills, to help participants feel

comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely.  Participants have very little or no swim

instruction, focuses on elementary aquatics skills, develops positive attitudes, good swimming habits,

and safe practices in and around the water including safely entering/exiting the water, blowing

bubbles, bobbing, opening eyes underwater to retrieve submerged objects, front and back gliding,

alternating arm and leg action, combined stroke movement, and treading water.  Most skills are

performed with support.

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POLLIWOG II (Learn-to-Swim Level 2)

Polliwog II is a beginner-intermediate level that may use 1-3 bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.

The goal of Polliwog II is to help swimmers who have achieved comfort in the water gain familiarity

with fundamental skills and achieve success without support.  Polliwog II focuses on teaching

swimmers to float and glide on their front and back, develop simultaneous and alternating arm and

leg actions, and lay a foundation for future strokes, all without support from the swim instructor.

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GUPPY (Learn-to-Swim Level 3)

Guppy is an intermediate level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The goal of

Guppy is to build on previously learned skills and provide additional guided practice.  Guppy is for

swimmers who are able to swim with combined stroke on front and back (without assistance).  Guppy

focuses on making swimmers comfortable and safe in deep water, teaches front crawl and

elementary backstroke (25 yards), builds on the fundamentals of treading water, introduces scissors

and dolphin kicks as well as the rules of headfirst entries (seated entry dives).

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MINNOW (Learn-to-Swim Level 4)

Minnow is an intermediate-advanced level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.

The goal of minnow is to develop participants’ confidence in the strokes learned thus far and to

improve other aquatic skills.  Minnow focuses on increasing endurance by swimming familiar strokes

(front crawl, elementary backstroke), and adding sidestroke, back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, and

basics of turning at the wall.

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FISH (Learn-to-Swim Level 5)

Fish is intermediate-advanced level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The goal of

fish is to coordinate and refine strokes.  Fish is for swimmers who are competent in all strokes as well

as basic diving techniques.  Fish will focus on refining their stroke techniques, incorporate flip turns,

and increase their swimming distance.

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FLYING FISH (Learn-to-Swim Level 6)

Flying fish is an advanced level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The goal of

flying fish it to refine strokes so participants swim them with more ease, efficiency, power, and

smoothness over greater distances to increase endurance and aquatic fitness.  Flying fish skills

include circle swimming, using a pack clock, using swimming equipment such as pull buoys and fins,

with a final skills assessment of swimming 500 yards continuously using any 3 strokes.

Learn-to-Swim TEEN(ages 13+)

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TEEN BEGINNER

Teen Beginner is a beginner level that uses little to no support.  A swim evaluation is not required.

The goal of Teen Beginner is to learn basic personal water safety information skills, to help

participants feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely.  Participants have very little

or no swim instruction, focuses on elementary aquatics skills, develops positive attitudes, good

swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water including safely entering/exiting the

water, blowing bubbles, bobbing, opening eyes underwater to retrieve submerged objects, front and

back gliding, alternating arm and leg action, combined stroke movement, and treading water.

Learn-to-Swim ADULT(ages 18+)

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ADULT BEGINNER

Adult Beginner is a beginner level that uses little to no support.  A swim evaluation is not required.

The goal of Adult Beginner is to learn basic personal water safety information skills, to help

participants feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely.  Participants have very little

or no swim instruction, focuses on elementary aquatics skills, develops positive attitudes, good

swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water including safely entering/exiting the

water, blowing bubbles, bobbing, front and back gliding, alternating arm and leg action, combined

stroke movement, and treading water.

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ADULT INTERMEDIATE

Adult intermediate is an intermediate level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.

The goal of adult intermediate is to develop participants’ confidence in the strokes learned thus far

and to improve other aquatic skills.  Adult intermediate focuses on increasing endurance by

swimming familiar strokes (front crawl, elementary backstroke), and adding sidestroke, back crawl,

breaststroke, and basics of turning at the wall.

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ADULT ADVANCED

Adult advanced is an advanced level that uses no bubbles.  A swim evaluation is required.  The goal of

adult advanced is to coordinate and refine strokes.  Adult advanced is for swimmers who are

competent in all strokes as well as basic diving techniques.  Adult advanced will focus on refining their

stroke techniques, incorporate flip turns, and increase their swimming distance.

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SPECIAL NEEDS – For students with special needs that require a 1 on 1 class with an instructor, this class is taught by our expert special needs instructors.  We meet each child on their level and deliver a swim program tailored to their individual needs. Please note special needs students can have private or group lessons.

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Swim Competition Clinics

SPB's Swim Competition Clinic, this curriculum is for advanced swim instruction encompessing: streamlining, rhythmic breathing, side breathing freestyle, and the other 3 competitive strokes of backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. This advanced course also features treading water, survival floats,  and competitive turns.

Pricing

Age: 8 years and up or recent Nitro 1 Graduate

Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1

Lesson Duration: 30 minutes

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Swim Lessons

Our Aquatics Director Christopher Bledsoe is fluent in American Sign Language and will teach all Deaf and Hard Hearing Students. We have Group, Private and Semi- Private classes available. All classes are 30 mins or 1 hour in length. Feel free to contact us at the Corporate Office 845-625-4929 to schedule a lesson.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What if my child isn’t signed up for the appropriate swim level?

The Aquatics Director, Assistant Aquatics Director, Swim Lesson Coordinator, and Swim Instructor will

be observing lessons to make sure that each swimmer is in the appropriate class for his or her

abilities.  It is quite common for a participant to need a “refresher” on some of the skills from

previous levels, or for a participant to make vast improvements within the first few lessons and

graduate to the next level.  If staff feels the participant is in the wrong level, they will speak to the

guardians with options available immediately.

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What should I bring to lessons?

Each lesson participant is required to wear proper swim attire.  Young children who are not toilet

trained must wear swim diapers under their swim suits.  Goggles are necessary, but may be  and must be used for more advanced levels (beginning levels require participants to open eyes

underwater without goggles). A towel will not be provided, so please plan accordingly.  Swim caps

are required for all participants over the age of 3.

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Can I stay and watch the lessons?

You are welcome to watch your participant from any of the bleachers on deck, but please refrain

from approaching your participant during their lesson.  If your presence on deck is disruptive to your

participant’s learning environment, then you may be asked to wait in the SPB lobby until the end of

lessons.  If you have questions, comments, or concerns during the lessons, please address them with

the Swim Lessons Coordinator and/or Aquatics Director or wait until after lessons to approach your

participant’s swim instructor.

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When can I talk to my participant’s swim instructor?

Our friendly and helpful swim instructors will be available 5 minutes prior to lessons and 5 minutes

following lessons for questions or comments regarding your participant’s swimming goals and

progress.  Your swim instructors will also provide you and your participant with an end of session

swim registration level ticket.

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What if my participant gets cold during lessons?

The SPB pool for ALL participants is set at a recreational temperature of 83˚F.  The small pool

 Warm showers are the best option for warming small children safely.  Additional clothing layers, such as a rash-guard, may provide insulation for your child.  Please not that additional clothing layer must be appropriate swim attire.

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What if my participant misses or won’t be able to attend a lesson?

Please review our refund policy.  If for any reason the participant misses a lesson, due to the

popularity of our programs, make-ups may only be given if there is space available in another class,

no credit will be issued.  If a lesson is missed due to an illness, if a doctor’s note is provided, a SPB

credit may be applied or a make-up may be given.  If a lesson is missed due to severe weather, a

credit will be applied only if the class is less than halfway through class.