Palisades Swim Club  ·  Palisades, NY

Learn to Swim
Program 2026

American Red Cross Curriculum  ·  Levels I – V

Session 1  ·  Jun 30 – Jul 18 Session 2  ·  Jul 28 – Aug 15
5 Levels Offered
5 Max Per Class
30 Min Per Session
3 Weeks Per Session
30 Min Per Lesson
The Palisades Swim Club Learn to Swim Program follows the American Red Cross curriculum and is designed to build water safety skills, swimming confidence, and stroke technique in a structured, small-group setting. Each session begins with an Assessment Day so that every swimmer is placed in the level that best matches their current ability. Swimmers who successfully complete their level will receive a certificate of achievement and may advance to the next level in Session 2.

Program Levels

Level I

Introduction to Water Skills

Recommended for: Beginner / Non-swimmers

Introduces children to the water environment through comfort-building activities. Emphasis is on safety awareness, water entry/exit, and basic breath control in a nurturing, patient setting.

  • Safe entry and exit from the pool
  • Blowing bubbles and breath control
  • Submerging face and full body underwater
  • Front glide with instructor assistance
  • Back glide and back float with support
  • Recovery to a vertical standing position
  • Recognizing lifeguards and pool safety rules
  • Calling for help in an emergency
Level II

Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Recommended for: Comfortable in shallow water

Builds on Level I skills by introducing independent arm and leg actions on both the front and back. Children begin developing the building blocks of recognized swimming strokes.

  • Alternating and simultaneous leg action on front
  • Alternating and simultaneous arm action on front
  • Alternating and simultaneous leg action on back
  • Alternating and simultaneous arm action on back
  • Bobbing and rotary breathing introduction
  • Combined arm and leg actions on front and back
  • Treading water using arm and leg actions
  • Changing direction while swimming
Level III

Stroke Development

Recommended for: Independent swimmers

Swimmers develop recognized stroke techniques and begin swimming measurable distances. Focus is on proper body position, breathing rhythm, and kick mechanics.

  • Jumping from side and recovering to the surface
  • Bobbing while moving toward safety
  • Back float (independent)
  • Rotary (side) breathing technique
  • Breaststroke kick and modified breaststroke kick
  • Scissor kick
  • Treading water (sculling + modified breaststroke kick)
  • Front crawl (stroke introduction)
Level IV

Stroke Improvement

Recommended for: Swimmers completing Level III

Swimmers refine their technique across all four competitive strokes and work on swimming longer distances with proper form. Water safety and advanced skills are introduced.

  • Breastroke for 15 yards with stroke review
  • Front crawl for 25 yards
  • Back crawl for 25 yards
  • Butterfly for 25 yards
  • Elementary backstroke for 25 yards
  • Headfirst entry from stride position
  • Feet-first surface dive
  • Front crawl open turn
  • Back crawl open turn
Level V

Stroke Refinement

Recommended for: Swimmers completing Level IV

Advanced swimmers master competitive turns, refine all four strokes over increased distances, and develop the technical precision and endurance expected of confident, skilled swimmers.

  • Shallow-angle dive into any stroke
  • Front crawl flip turn
  • Backstroke flip turn
  • All four strokes over 25 yards with refined technique
  • Treading water (advanced)
  • Open water safety awareness
  • Rip current and wave safety
  • Preparation for competitive swimming

Daily Schedule

Time Level Description
10:00 – 10:30 Level I Introduction to Water Skills
10:30 – 11:00 Level II Fundamental Aquatic Skills
11:00 – 11:30 Level III Stroke Development
11:30 – 12:00 Level IV Stroke Improvement
12:00 – 12:30 Level V Stroke Refinement

Cancellations & Make-Up Days

Members  ·  Mon / Wed / Fri

  • 9 lessons per session (includes Assessment Day)
  • Week 1 Day 1: Assessment & level placement
  • Remaining 8 lessons: structured curriculum

Non-Members  ·  Tue / Thu

  • 6 lessons per session (includes Assessment Day)
  • Week 1 Day 1: Assessment & level placement
  • Remaining 5 lessons: structured curriculum

Pricing

Members

Mon / Wed / Fri · 9 Lessons

$195

per session

~$21.67 per lesson

Non-Members

Tue / Thu · 6 Lessons

$165

per session

~$27.50 per lesson

Private Lessons

30 Minutes · By Appointment

$40

per lesson

Ideal for extra support

Session 2 Return Discount

Free Preview Week 🎉

What to Expect

Assessment Day

  • Every session begins with an assessment of each swimmer's current skill level.
  • Swimmers may be moved up or down based on in-water evaluation criteria.
  • Proper placement ensures every child is challenged and supported appropriately.

Class Structure (30 min)

  • Housekeeping & safety review (3–5 min)
  • Safety topic discussion (3–5 min)
  • Opening activity / skill review (5–10 min)
  • New skill introduction (7–8 min)
  • Game or free practice (2–3 min)
  • Closing & announcements (2 min)

Program Philosophy

  • Maximum 5 swimmers per class — personalized attention for every child.
  • Safety and swimmer comfort come first at all times.
  • Instructors are trained by a WSI-certified program manager.
  • Lesson plans are guides — instructors adapt to each class's needs.
  • Positive reinforcement is central to every lesson.

What to Bring

  • Properly fitting swimsuit (no street clothing)
  • Goggles (recommended but not required)
  • Towel and dry change of clothes
  • Sunscreen applied before arrival
  • Water bottle