We offer swimming lessons starting at 4 weeks all the way through stroke development classes, as well as swimming lessons for older beginners and adults. Please review our levels below for more information. If you need help deciding on the correct level, please contact us.
Year-round swimming lessons are taught at Riverview Health Rehab facilities in Carmel and Noblesville and seasonal, outdoor swimming lessons at our outdoor pool in Carmel during the summer.
Infant/Toddler Levels
Baby Sharks 1
Age: 4 weeks – up to 6 months
**This is a FREE class for infants ages 4 weeks up to 6 months**
Swimmers are in the water with their caregiver and the instructor. Students work on skills that will help them be comfortable in the water, such as blowing bubbles, putting their face in the water, back floats, climbing out of the pool, safety jumps, submersion, propelling through the water with kicks, and swimming with an instructor. Parents are in the water for this class. Baby Sharks 1 are NOT eligible for make-ups. If a student misses class for 2 consecutive weeks without a written doctor’s note OR a total of 4 classes, they will be automatically withdrawn from the class.
Baby Sharks 2
Age: 6 – 15 months
Children in this level will learn to propel themselves through the water using flutter kicks. They will be introduced to rolling over from their tummies to their backs. Children will be taught how to climb out of the pool independently, proper safety jumps and swim back to the wall, back floats, and wall-walking. These skills are taught to ensure that should the child ever fall into a body of water, they will have resources to help themselves until an adult can reach them. Parents are in the water for this class.
Baby Sharks 3
Age: 16 – 24 months
This is our third infant/toddler class. It is similar to the first two, but students will begin working on more advanced skills. Students will learn to breathe using the roll-over method and will begin swimming more independently. They will also work on safety skills, including rolling to float. Parents are in the water for this class.
Pre-school & School Age Small Group Levels
Goldfish
Requirements: Must be at least 22 months, been through Baby Sharks, AND be invited by an instructor. Invitation only.
Goldfish is an advanced class for young children who have completed our Baby Sharks 3 class and are ready for a more structured group class. Children in this class work on some of the same skills as the Starfish class and are promoted into Jellyfish upon completion of Goldfish. Students will learn to breathe using the roll-over method and will begin swimming several feet independently. Parents are prepared to sit on deck to assist with the transition for the first few weeks.
Starfish
Ages: 2 – 3 ½ years, new to swimming lessons or started later in infant/toddler classes, not very comfortable in water
In this class children will begin learning basic stroke techniques, including flutter kicks with their face in the water, floating, and basic water safety. Once swimmers are blowing bubbles, floating, doing streamline glides and kicks 3-5 feet with assistance, & reaches and kicks with assistance, they will be ready to move to Jellyfish.
Jellyfish
Ages: 3 – 4 ½ years
This class is for children who are 3 – 4 ½ years old and are comfortable in the water or have had lessons before. This class will teach the basics of stroke technique and water safety. Swimmers will learn front and back floats & kicks, front reaches and kicks with face in the water, rollovers, and dolphin kicks. To move to the next level, which is Otters, swimmers must be doing reaches and kicks 5 feet with their face in the water, back flutter kicks, front and back floats, and safety jumps. (New, fearful, or very hesitant 4 year olds should start in Seahorses.)
Otters
Ages: 3 ½ – 5 ½ years
Students starting in this class should be comfortable in the water and have some basic skills (i.e. try “doggy paddling” or swimming on their own, even if they are not doing it successfully). The primary goals for swimmers in this class are to learn proper technique for front & back flutter kicks, dolphin kicks, and swim front crawl 5-7 feet independently. Students will also begin learning side breathing. To move to the next level, which is Octopus, children must be able to swim 5-7 feet of freestyle and back kicks on their own.
Octopus
Ages: 4+ with some swim skills, comfortable in the water (may not have stroke skills, but is not fearful)
Octopus classes work on developing proper side breathing techniques, as well as freestyle and full backstroke. Swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke as well. Proper stroke technique is a focal point in this class and children will swim shorter distances to focus more on doing the strokes correctly. Students must master proper freestyle technique and swim 15-25 feet independently to move up to Manatees.
Manatees
Ages: 4+
This class will further develop proper freestyle technique and begin focusing more on backstroke and breaststroke technique. Students will only swim 25-30 feet and focus on proper stroke technique and breathing. This class is the first step for students who are possibly interested in pursuing recreational or competitive team swimming.
Stroke Development Levels
Swordfish
This is the first class where students will begin swimming the full length of the pool with freestyle. They will also begin learning rhythmic breathing, which is a more advanced form of side breathing. Swimmers will continue focusing on proper technique of backstroke and breaststroke, while increasing their distances. Butterfly & sidestroke will be further developed in this class.
Hammerheads
This is the first class where students will begin swimming the full length of the pool with freestyle. They will also begin learning rhythmic breathing, which is a more advanced form of side breathing. Swimmers will continue focusing on proper technique of backstroke and breaststroke, while increasing their distances. Butterfly & sidestroke will be further developed in this class.
Older Beginner Levels
Seahorses
Ages: 4 years old and up, new swimmer, very fearful, does not like the water
This class is for children who are very fearful about swimming and are not comfortable in the water. It will focus on helping students conquer their fears and become comfortable in water. Once students have overcome their initial fears (through organized and purposeful play), they will work on becoming more comfortable in the water, working on the Three B’s (breath control, balance, & buoyancy).
Seals
Ages: 4 ½ years old and up, hesitant, but willing to try putting face in the water
This class continues to work on the Three B’s and helps students become more comfortable in the water. They also begin learning basic stroke technique, including front and back floats, kicking with their faces in the water, an introduction to side breathing, and backstroke. Depending on their age and abilities upon completing this class, swimmers will be placed into the proper level (typically Otters or Octopus).
Adults & Young Adults
Ages: 16 years and older
We offer classes for adults and young adults (16 years old and up) who do not know how to swim. These classes teach basic stroke skills, water acclimation, and safety skills. They work on some stroke development, but technique is not a major focus.
Special Abilities
We offer classes for individuals with unique learning needs, including those with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning difficulties, etc. Contact us directly to register.