Programs

Learn to Swim

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills

Orient participants to the aquatic environment and help them gain basic aquatic skills. Help participants begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water. No skill prerequisites. Participants usually start at about 3 years of age. 

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Build on the basic aquatic skills, water safety skills, and concepts learned in Level 1. Prerequisites: Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 1 exit skills assessment.

Level 3: Stroke Development

Build on the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 to help participants achieve basic water competency in a pool environment. Prerequisites: Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 2 exit skills assessment.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement 

Improve participants’ proficiency in performing the swimming strokes that were introduced in Level 3. Prerequisites: Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 3 exit skills assessment.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement 

Help participants refine their performance of all six swimming strokes (i.e., front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke). Prerequisites: Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 4 exit skills assessment.

Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency— Personal Water Safety

Refine strokes so participants swim them with greater efficiency and effectiveness over longer distances. Teach participants how to prevent aquatic emergencies in various aquatic environments and to introduce and practice self-rescue techniques. Prerequisites: Successful demonstration of the Learn-to-Swim Level 5 exit skills assessment. 

Adult Beginner Swimming

Designed to teach the basics of swimming. Classes are 30 minutes. Participants may or may not have prior swimming experience. Classes will concentrate on introducing front crawl, backstroke, and overcoming fears of the water.

Springboard Diving

Phillips Academy Aquatics is proud to offer an introduction to the basics of springboard diving. Your kids will learn the fundamentals through structured exercises and drills. This class will introduce technique and simple board work for beginners, as well as more complex and challenging skills for advanced learners. Kids ages 8-18 will have the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment while trying out a unique sport.

Swim Conditioning

7 years and up. Swimmers must pass level 6 and be able to swim 200 yards without stopping. Must be able to do all competitive strokes using appropriate turns. This is a 1-hour workout where pace and sports conditioning are introduced. This is not a "learn to swim" class.

Lifeguard Course

Phillips Academy Aquatics offers the American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguard Training Course. For details on our next upcoming course, please get in touch with [email protected].

Program Prerequisites:

• Participants MUST be 15 years of age on or before the last scheduled session of the course. (Must be 16 to be to be employed in the state of Massachusetts as a lifeguard)
• Complete TWO required swim tests below.

1. Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence

• You must complete the following sequence:
  • Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards.
  • After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading
  • After maintaining position at the surfaces of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards.
• While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control.
• You may use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted.
• Swim goggles are allowed.

Note: While treading, you can only use your legs. Place your hands under your armpits. Your head must remain above the surface of the water.

2. Timed Event

Completed the timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Your face may be in or out of the water.
• Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface. Swimming the distance underwater is not permitted.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Note: The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.

Registered participants will be required to complete a self-paced online course (~7-9 hours) PRIOR to the in-person skills sessions (~32-36 hours).