TAC Aquatics Preschool Levels

TAC Aquatics will be switching to the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life Curriculum from the Red Cross’s Learn to Swim Curriculum as of the 2023 Winter Break Camp (Dec 28th). There are differences between the skills and requirements to the assigned levels. For a better understanding please refer to our Equivalency Chart.

Check out the Lifesaving Societys: Swimmer Levels & Canadian Swim Patrol

Preschool 1:

Prerequisites: under 7 years of age.
Level equivalency: Once the child reaches seven years of age they should move to Swimmer 1.

Preschool 1 no longer requires the parent’s attendance. The level is to be completed without the parent’s attendance and assistance. Swimmers learn the importance of supervision when swimming, introducing them to the various aspects of aquatic safety. This includes pool rules, safe entries and exits, and faculty orientation. Swimmers will be introduced to front floats, back floats, and glides.

Preschool 2:

Prerequisites: under 7 years of age and successful completion of Preschool 1.
Level Equivalency: Once the child reaches seven years of age they should move to Swimmer 1.

Swimmers will build upon their safety knowledge acquired in Preschool 1. Swimming skills are increased in distance to 5 meters. Swimmers are expected to perform floats, glides, front swim, and rollover glides. To orient the swimmers with the various movements that are the basis for advanced strokes.

Preschool 3:

Prerequisites: under 7 years of age, and successful completion of Preschool 2.
Level Equivalency: Once the child reaches seven years or older the equivalent level is Swimmer 1.

Preschool 3 swimmers are introduced to water weight transfer through a series games intended to have the swimmers retrieve objects from the bottom of the pool. Swimmers are also encouraged to jump into chest deep water, and learn how to change direction when swimming. Preschool 3 swimmers begin adding proportionally kicks to their glides and are expected to be able to recover from floats on their own.

Preschool 4:

Prerequisites: under 7 years of age, and successful completion of Preschool 3.
Level Equivalency: Once the child reaches seven years or older should move to Swimmer 1.

Preschool 4 swimmers will learn to jump into deep water, do surface supports, and the introductory progression for treading water for ten seconds with PFD. Glides will increase in distance with the furthest distance being seven meters. Front crawl will be Introduced.

Preschool 5:

Prerequisites: under 7 years of age, and successful completion of Preschool 4.
Level Equivalency: Once the child reaches seven years or older level they should move to Swimmer 2.

Swimmers at the Preschool 5 level will swim a maximum distance of 5 meters. They will also learn new entry skills such as rolling entries. Surface support time will be 10 seconds without PFD’s, and they will improve their front crawl by removing PFD’s