Level 1: Anchovy • Day 2
WEEK 1 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing bobbing, students hold onto the gutter and slide down the wall. The water is deep, so the instructor must stand adjacent to the student to lift their torso if bubble blowing is interrupted or if they swallow water.
Kicking sitting on the side. Prompt: "Make the water boil with your kicking toes!"
Hold gutter. Guide students to wash their chins and cheeks. Prompt: "Clean your face for the underwater camera!"
Blow bubbles by whispering "Oooh" underwater. Emphasize making continuous streams of small, quiet bubbles.
Coach: Keep the tone highly enthusiastic and low-stress for K-2 kids.
Observe students entering pool steps and holding the wall gutter. Confirm they are comfortable transitioning.
Students blow mouth bubbles on the wall. Prompt: "Exhale through your mouth like you are blowing a huge balloon!"
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Instructor Action: Demonstrate dipping nose and eyes under water while blowing air out of the nose. Teach students to hum loudly to prevent water from entering the nose.
Instructor Action: Hold child's hands or support under shoulders as they grip the wall gutter. Guide them to squat down (sliding their back down the pool wall), submerge eyes, blow bubbles, and immediately rise up to breathe.
Coach: Keep the first submersion under 1.5 seconds. Reassure them immediately.
How to Play: Place lightweight floating ping-pong balls in front of each student holding the wall. Students must blow air through their mouth/nose to push their ball forward to a line 2 feet away while holding onto the wall gutter with one hand.
Safety Check: Do not let children drift away from the wall during the blowing game.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Nose Submerse Eye Submerse 5 Wall Bobs
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 3
WEEK 1 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: During front floats in 4ft water, students can easily lose their balance and submerge if they drop their hips. The instructor must hold the child's hands or support their belly/shoulders to prevent sudden sinking and ensure a safe, gentle recovery back to holding the wall.
Hold gutter. Dip mouth/nose under, hold breath for 2 seconds, and rise. Repeat 3 times.
Hold wall with hands, face in water. Kick feet gently on front. Emphasize straight legs and floppy ankles.
Students blow 10 steady sets of bubbles. Focus on long, slow exhalations to establish comfortable rhythm.
Coach: Praise students who blow continuous bubble lines.
Confirm students can bob 5 times consecutively while holding the wall gutter, showing continuous exhalation of air.
Verify students can submerge both their nose and eyes under the surface without showing signs of stress or choking.
Coach: Correct any child who holds their breath and gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Place hand under child's belly. Instruct them to extend arms in a front streamline position, put face in, and let legs float up. Gradually remove your physical support, counting to 3. Assist them back to standing / holding wall.
Instructor Action: Explain that because the water is 4ft, it is deep for them. Show where the steps are (shallow/safe) vs the middle of the pool. Emphasize why staying close to the wall is vital.
Coach: Keep the body flat. If hips sink, support the lower back immediately.
How to Play: Students hold onto the wall gutter. On "Green Light," they perform continuous flutter kicking. On "Red Light," they must freeze immediately, stopping all splashes. The student with the fastest "freeze" wins a point.
Safety Check: No child may let go of the wall to advance forward.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Float 3s Deep Depth Talk Gutter Safety
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 4
WEEK 1 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Back floating can trigger anxiety in K-2 students as water covers their ears. The instructor must provide substantial physical support, placing one hand under the child's head/neck and the other under their lower back. Never release support entirely without the child's consent.
Grip wall, submerge mouth and nose, blow long steady bubble streams. Exhale fully under water.
With back to the wall, students hold the edge and gently lay their head back to dip one ear into the water, then recover. Repeat other ear.
Hold wall on front, kick 15 seconds. Ensure legs are straight with pointed toes.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Confirm students can float on their front with face submerged for 3 seconds, recovering safely to stand/hold wall.
Quiz students: "Can you stand comfortably in this 4ft water without holding the wall?" Confirm they understand they cannot.
Coach: Provide instant verbal praise for a successful front float recovery.
Instructor Action: Support the child's head with your hand. Direct: "Tilt chin up to look at the ceiling, push belly up to the sky, ears wet." Gradually lower support, counting to 3, then gently pull them back to vertical.
Instructor Action: Explain that since the pool is deep, they must NEVER swim alone. Direct: "Always swim with a parent, lifeguard, or coach nearby. If no grown-up is watching, we don't go in!"
Coach: Hold the back float stable. If they panic, immediately lift their head.
How to Play: On "Sleeping Logs," children must enter a supported back float, closing their eyes and relaxing like floating logs. Instructor supports each in turn. On "Awake!" they roll back to holding the pool gutter with a loud splash.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Float 3s Wet Ears Comfort Safety Rule Talk
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 5
WEEK 1 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing the side entry in 4-foot water, children must not jump straight in without support. The instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Practice continuous rhythm bobs holding the wall. Exhale submerged, inhale on rise.
Students slide their hands along the wall gutter, navigating to the corner and back while keeping shoulders in water.
Splashing cheeks, dipping ears while holding wall to keep facial muscles relaxed.
Coach: Monitor facial expressions. Encourage broad smiles before submersion.
Students perform a front float for 3 seconds, then pull knees to chest and place feet down to recover.
Students lie back into a 3-second back float with minimal head support, checking for calm breathing.
Coach: Remind students: "To stand up, pull your knees to your tummy like a ball."
Instructor Action: Have child sit on edge, turning hips slightly. Stand in front of them, hold their hands/arms, and pull them gently into the water, helping them immediately grab the wall gutter.
Instructor Action: Teach 3 key pool rules: "No running on deck," "No pushing others," and "Don't go into 4ft water without a coach." Have students repeat rules.
Coach: Never allow jumping during side entry practice. Emphasize a controlled slide.
How to Play: Place sinkers on the top stair of the pool stairs (where children can stand with shoulders dry). While keeping a hand on the stair rail, children take turns "diving down" to retrieve a coin without letting go of the handrail.
Safety Check: Do not place items in deeper water where children must submerge completely.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Side Entry 3 Pool Rules Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 6
WEEK 2 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: In 4-foot water, pushing off the wall for a front glide requires the student to lose contact with the wall completely. The instructor must stand 4 feet away from the wall, face the student, and serve as the "catcher" to physically stop and support them as they finish their glide.
Students hold the pool edge or coach's hand and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Continuous deep bobs with mouth and nose submerged, blowing air steadily under the surface.
Students submerge eyes/nose for 2 seconds while holding the wall. Emphasize humming loudly.
Coach: Confirm all students have their goggles properly adjusted.
Review safe entries. Each student enters with coach support, immediate grip on wall gutter.
Verify each child can lay back in a supported back float, showing comfortable, relaxed breathing.
Coach: If a student feels unstable, use flotation support under their hips.
Instructor Action: Have student put back to wall, hands overhead in streamline. Stand 4 feet away. Direct: "Put face in, push off wall like a rocket, and glide to my hands!" Catch them by their chest/hands, pulling them vertical.
Instructor Action: Show students how to stop a glide: pull hands down to hips, pull knees up, and step down while lifting head. Practice this motion first on the wall.
Coach: Watch for head-lifting during the glide, which drops the hips and causes panic.
How to Play: Line students along pool edge. One-by-one, they perform their front glide, trying to reach the coach's hands 4 feet away. Prompt: "3, 2, 1... Blast off!" Award 10 "space miles" for every glide that reaches your hands with face submerged.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 rocket ship at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Glide 3ft Glide Recovery Eyes in Water
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 7
WEEK 2 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Back glides in 4ft water can feel highly disorienting. The instructor must support the back glide 100% of the distance. Place your hand gently behind the child's shoulder blades and head, walking backward with them as they push off the wall. Never let go completely.
Back to wall, dip ears one-by-one under the water while maintaining a solid hand grip on the pool edge.
Hold wall on back, kick legs fast for 15 seconds to create small back splashes.
Students submerge mouth/nose/eyes, blow bubbles 5 times while holding the wall.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Students push off from wall, front gliding 3-5 feet with face submerged, recovering independently.
Quiz: "Show me how we walk on the deck. Why do we always hold the wall gutter when we wait?"
Coach: Praise students who display correct glide posture.
Instructor Action: Place hand under child's shoulders. Guide them to push off the wall on their back, hands at side or overhead. Direct: "Look at the sky, keep your hips high!" Walk backwards with them as they glide 3-5 feet.
Instructor Action: Teach recovery from back glide: pull chin to chest, sweep arms forward like scooping water, bend knees, and step down. Physically assist each recovery.
Coach: Keep your hands in contact. Letting go can cause water to cover the face, inducing panic.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. They push off from the wall into a back glide. The instructor supports their head and back, guiding them smoothly backward. Award 5 points for keeping "belly buttons dry and high" like an otter floating down the river.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Glide 3ft Back Recovery Chin to Chest
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 8
WEEK 2 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing kickboard kicking in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, holding onto the front edge of the kickboard to guide their direction and provide instant safety support if they roll or submerge.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic breathing holding the wall. Emphasize breathing in above water.
Confirm students can enter and recover from a front float with face in, feet up.
Check goggles fit. Face in water, flutter kick on wall for 15 seconds. Count out loud.
Coach: Ensure kicking is originating from the hip, not bent knees.
Verify each child can push off from the wall, glide 3-5 feet with face in, and recover safely.
Verify each child can perform a back glide with face exposed, keeping their chin high.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if hips sink on the back glide.
Instructor Action: Provide a kickboard. Stand in front, holding the far end. Student holds near end, arms extended, face in water. Guide them as they kick for 5 feet. Walk backwards with them.
Instructor Action: Have students stand at pool wall. Teach turning head sideways (cheek on shoulder, ear wet) to breathe without lifting the head forward. Prompt: "Keep one goggle in the water!"
Coach: Watch for head lifting. Lifting the head forces the hips to sink immediately.
How to Play: Hold the child's kickboard and stand 5 feet out. On "Start!" the child kicks toward your hands with face submerged, blowing bubbles. Direct: "Rev up your motorboat engines!" Award points for continuous, steady kicking.
Safety Check: Guide children one-by-one. Hold the board to provide immediate lift.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Kick 5ft Side Head Turn Goggle Comfort
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 9
WEEK 2 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: K-2 students kicking on their back in 4ft water can lose balance easily and drop their chin, covering their mouth. The instructor must walk alongside the kicking student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment.
Students splash water on their cheeks and hum with mouth submerged to practice nose breath control.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Remind students: "Keep your knees under the blanket of the water."
Verify each child can perform a back glide with face exposed and ears submerged for 3-5 feet with coach support.
Students practice turning head sideways on the wall to expose their mouth airway while blowing bubbles.
Coach: Correct any forward head-lifting. Encourage a pure rotational turn.
Instructor Action: Place hand under child's head. Student extends arms on their back. Walk backwards with them as they kick for 5 feet. Prompt: "Point your toes, kick fast!" Keep hips up.
Instructor Action: Teach children how to shimmy along the wall using their hands, moving from deeper water back to the pool stairs to exit safely.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Students hold onto the pool wall. When the instructor yells "Shark Attack!" they must shimmy their hands as fast as possible along the wall to reach the safety of the shallow stairs. Instruct: "Keep your body flat against the wall!"
Safety Check: Do not let children scramble on top of each other. Keep spacing clear.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Kick 5ft Wall Navigate Gutter Comfort
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 10
WEEK 2 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining glides with kicking requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must be positioned in the water, standing midway to catch the students, ensuring they maintain proper horizontal posture and do not slip down into vertical distress.
Coach holds the child's hands as they sit on the edge and slip down into the 4ft water. Catch them under the armpits.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Holding wall on back, dip ears gently to practice floating balance with water covering ears.
Coach: Give clear visual "thumbs up" signs to build student confidence.
Verify each child can flutter kick 5 feet with face submerged, using a kickboard or direct hand support.
Verify each child can flutter kick 5 feet on their back with coach supporting their head/neck.
Coach: Reinforce the "flat belly, straight legs" concept for back kicking.
Instructor Action: Have child push off the wall on their front with hands extended, face in water. Guide them by holding their hands or kickboard as they perform continuous flutter kicks for 5 feet.
Instructor Action: Have child push off on their back. Support their head and neck with your hands as they perform continuous flutter kicks for 5 feet. Emphasize kicking close to water surface.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child holds a kickboard on front, and kicking towards the coach who holds the far side of the board. Direct: "Swim as fast as you can to catch the dolphin!" Award dolphin points for fast, splashy kicking.
Safety Check: Only guide 1 child at a time. Verify other children wait holding the wall gutter.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Glide+Kick Back Glide+Kick Head Support
Instructor Session Log:
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: K-2 students performing back pulling are highly susceptible to losing balance. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Laying back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Hold wall on back, kick legs fast for 15 seconds to create small back splashes.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform a supported back glide with kicks, keeping their face exposed for 3-5 feet.
Students blow mouth bubbles on the wall. Prompt: "Exhale through your mouth like you are blowing a huge balloon!"
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child under their neck/shoulders. Direct them to look up, push hips high, and perform small finning motions with their hands at their sides. Walk backward with them for 1 body length.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Demonstrate how to push water down toward their hips using a "bird wing" finning motion.
Coach: Watch for bent knees. Bent knees drop the hips, sinking the face.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs back finning pulls while the coach walks backwards supporting their head. Direct: "Your hands are ferryboat paddles pushing you backward!" Award points for smooth, continuous hand paddles.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 ferryboat at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Finning Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 13
WEEK 3 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing body rotation, students can easily lose their balance and submerge if they drop their hips. The instructor must hold the child's hands or support their belly/shoulders to prevent sudden sinking and ensure a safe, gentle recovery back to holding the wall.
Practice continuous rhythm bobs holding the wall. Exhale submerged, turn head sideways to inhale on rise.
Confirm students can enter and recover from a front float with face in, feet up.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front arm scoops (1 body length) with coach belly-support.
Verify each child can perform back arm finning (1 body length) with coach head-support.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Instructor Action: Support child in front float. Direct them to roll onto their back. Walk backward with them. Place one hand behind their head, other under back to assist. Prompt: "Roll like a log!" Help them recover to stand.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Practice turning their head and shoulders sideways to teach rotational body movements.
Coach: Keep your hands in contact. Letting go can cause water to cover face, inducing panic.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs a front float, then rolls onto their back with coach support. Direct: "Spin like a log in the river!" Award points for smooth, steady log rolls.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Log Roll Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 14
WEEK 3 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: The elementary backstroke sequence can confuse K-2 students. The instructor must support the child's head and neck at all times, guiding their arms through the "Tickle, T, Touch" sequence to ensure their mouth and nose remain safely above the 4ft water.
Students lie back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform a supported log roll rotation from front float to back float with coach neck-support.
Verify each child can perform a supported back glide with kicks, keeping their face exposed for 3-5 feet.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child's head/neck with your hand. Direct: "Tickle your armpits, extend arms to a T, and Touch your thighs." Walk backward with them as they glide 3-5 feet with this motion.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Practice the "Tickle, T, Touch" arm pattern to teach muscle memory before attempting it floating.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs back finning pulls while the coach walks backwards supporting their head. On "Airplane!" they extend arms to a T. On "Soldier!" they snap hands to thighs to glide. Award points for smooth, steady glides.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 airplane at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Tickle-T-Touch Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 15
WEEK 3 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on the bottom. The instructor must place a submerged step platform or hold the student's torso, helping them reach down to retrieve items safely.
Holding wall, submerge eyes and nose under water, blowing bubbles 5 times consecutively.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported elementary backstroke with coach head-support for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform supported log roll rotation from front float to back float with coach neck-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Place sinkers on pool steps (1-2 feet depth). Support child's torso as they bend at their hips and reach down with open eyes to grab a sinker, recovering safely.
Instructor Action: Guide students to exit pool using steps or ladder safely, transferring hand grip to handrail before climbing out of water.
Coach: Ensure the child does not jump from ladder. Assist with hand placement.
How to Play: Place sinkers on the top pool stair. Children take turns "diving down" (bending at hips with coach support) to retrieve a coin without letting go of the handrail. Award 10 pirate miles for every coin saved.
Safety Check: Do not place items in deeper water where children must submerge completely.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Sinker Retrieve Ladder Exit Hand Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 16
WEEK 4 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining arm pulling with kicking requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must stand in the pool water, walking backward alongside the student to provide instant support if they roll or drop their hips.
Students hold wall, submerge face, and kick for 15 seconds. Focus on straight legs and pointed toes.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Confirm goggles are tight and dry to prevent water distraction during the endurance glide.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front arm scoops (1 body length) with coach belly-support.
Verify each child can perform a supported front glide with kicks, keeping their face submerged for 3-5 feet.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under their belly. Direct them to push off, flutter kick continuously, and perform hand scoops at the same time for 2 body lengths. Stand adjacent to them.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Practice simultaneous hand scooping and leg stomping to teach movement coordination.
Coach: Watch for head-lifting during the glide, which drops the hips and causes panic.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs the front pull & kick combo with coach belly-support. Direct: "You are a strong tugboat pulling a massive cargo ship!" Award points for continuous, steady pulling and kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 tugboat at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Pull & Kick Belly Support Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 17
WEEK 4 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: K-2 students performing back pulling are highly susceptible to losing balance. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Students lie back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform supported elementary backstroke with coach head-support for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform a supported back glide with kicks, keeping their face exposed for 3-5 feet.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child under their neck/shoulders. Direct them to push off on their back, flutter kick continuously, and perform alternate arm finning pulls for 2 body lengths.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Practice simultaneous hand finning and back flutter kicking patterns to teach muscle memory.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs back pull & kick combo with coach head-support. Direct: "You are a fast speedboat zooming backward!" Award points for continuous, steady kicking and pulling.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 speedboat at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Pull+Kick Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 18
WEEK 4 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Side breathing can trigger water inhalation if K-2 students lift their heads. The instructor must hold the child's hands or support under their chin, guiding them to rotate their neck sideways rather than lifting forward.
Hold gutter. Dip mouth/nose under, hold breath for 2 seconds, and rise. Repeat 3 times.
Confirm students can enter and recover from a front float with face in, feet up.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach belly-support.
Students practice dryland and shallow water hand scooping patterns to teach muscle memory.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student stand on wall step. Guide them to blow mouth bubbles, then turn head sideways (keeping ear submerged) to expose mouth and inhale. Support under chin to prevent water swallow.
Instructor Action: Have students stand at pool wall. Practice turning their head and exposing their mouth airway while blowing bubbles. Focus on neck rotation.
Coach: Correct any forward head-lifting. Encourage a pure rotational turn.
How to Play: Students hold wall. On "Whale Blow!" they submerge face and blow bubbles. On "Whale Breathe!" they rotate head sideways to inhale. Award points for the quietest, most controlled "whale breaths" on the surface.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Head Turn Gutter Safety Mouth Bubbles
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 19
WEEK 4 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: The elementary backstroke sequence can confuse K-2 students. The instructor must support the child's head and neck at all times, guiding their arms through the "Tickle, T, Touch" sequence to ensure their mouth and nose remain safely above the 4ft water.
Students lie back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform supported elementary backstroke with coach head-support for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform back swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/neck. Guide them through multiple continuous "Tickle, T, Touch" cycles for 2 body lengths. Keep their hips high.
Instructor Action: Have students stand in shallow water or on pool steps. Practice the "Tickle, T, Touch" arm pattern to teach muscle memory.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs back finning pulls while the coach walks backwards supporting their head. On "Starfish Parade!" they extend arms to a T and float. Award points for smooth, steady glides.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 starfish at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Tickle Mastery Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 20
WEEK 4 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch the bottom in 4ft water, navigating the edge must be practiced with absolute wall gutter contact. The instructor must walk adjacent to the swimmers to ensure no child releases their wall grip.
Students stand at wall, submerge face, blow bubbles, and rotate head sideways to inhale. Repeat 5 times.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Confirm goggles fit. Face in water, flutter kick on wall for 15 seconds. Count out loud.
Coach: Encourage broad smiles before face submergence.
Verify each child can perform front swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach belly-support.
Verify each child can bend at hips with coach support to retrieve sinkers in 1-2 feet of water.
Coach: Provide instant verbal praise for a successful front float recovery.
Instructor Action: Guide students to shimmy along the wall using hands, navigate to deeper corner of the pool, and exit on stomach with coach physical lift.
Instructor Action: Place students' hands flat on pool deck. Guide them to push up, swing one leg over the edge, and slide onto their bellies to exit safely.
Coach: Support lower back during stomach exit. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Students hold wall. On "Explore!" they shimmy as fast as possible along the wall, round the corner, and perform a stomach exit. Award explorer points for safe wall grip and clean stomach climb-outs.
Safety Check: Keep children spaced 3 feet apart during wall navigation to avoid collisions.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Edge Navigate Stomach Exit Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
WEEK 5 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch the bottom in 4ft water, treading water must be practiced with absolute wall gutter contact. The instructor must walk adjacent to the swimmers to ensure no child releases their wall grip.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Back to wall, dip ears one-by-one under the water while maintaining a solid hand grip on the pool edge.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform a supported shallow jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Verify each child can perform an unsupported back float for 3 seconds, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Have student stand on step or hold wall with one hand. Practice hand sculling (drawing figure-8s in water). Direct: "Smooth peanut butter hands, push water down!" Walk backward supporting them.
Instructor Action: Show students how to draw horizontal figure-8s in shallow water. Direct: "Slide your palms left and right like spreading peanut butter on bread!"
Coach: Support torso from behind. Keep body vertical during treading.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs hand sculling with coach torso-support. Direct: "Stir the giant pot of ice cream soup with your palms!" Award points for smooth, continuous hand stirring.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 soup stirrer at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Hand Scull Torso Support Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 23
WEEK 5 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, retrieving objects in deeper depths (2-3 feet) requires absolute coach physical support. Stand directly adjacent to them, holding their chest or waist to assist.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Students stand at wall, submerge face, blow bubbles, and rotate head sideways to inhale. Repeat 5 times.
Confirm goggles are tight and dry to prevent water distraction during the retrieval game.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform hand sculling figure-8s with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform a supported shallow jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Place sinkers on pool steps (2-3 feet depth). Stand directly in front of step. Support child's waist. Direct them to submerge face with open eyes, scoop up a coin, and recover.
Instructor Action: Emphasize blowing bubbles continuously while reaching underwater to prevent water from entering the nose.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Place sinkers on the top pool stair. Children take turns "diving down" (bending at hips with coach support) to retrieve a coin without letting go of the handrail. Award 10 pirate miles for every coin saved.
Safety Check: Do not place items in deeper water where children must submerge completely.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Sinker Retrieve Torso Support Open Eyes
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 24
WEEK 5 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing side exits in 4ft water, children must not pull themselves up without support. The instructor must stand directly in front of the exit point, supporting the child's lower back as they swing their legs over the edge.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Blow bubbles by whispering "Oooh" underwater. Emphasize making continuous streams of small, quiet bubbles.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported shallow retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform back swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student place hands flat on pool deck. Stand in front. Support their lower back as they push up, swing one leg over the edge, and slide onto their bellies to exit safely.
Instructor Action: Emphasize why keeping their belly close to the pool deck prevents them from slipping back into the 4ft water.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: On "Seals Exit!" students must shimmy along the wall, perform a stomach exit, and slide flat onto the deck. Award seals points for safe wall grip and clean stomach climb-outs.
Safety Check: Do not let children scramble on top of each other. Keep spacing clear.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Stomach Exit Lower Back Support Slide Exit
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 25
WEEK 5 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, this session focuses on water safety rules. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Coach holds child's hands as they jump in shallow steps (1-2 feet) and recover to hold wall gutter.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Verify each child can perform an unsupported back float for 3 seconds, recovering safely.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform a safe stomach exit on the pool edge with coach physical support.
Verify each child can perform hand sculling figure-8s with coach torso-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Discuss deep/shallow indicators: stairs (shallow), pool middle (deep). Emphasize why staying close to the wall is vital.
Instructor Action: Explain that since pool is deep, they must NEVER swim alone. Direct: "Always swim with a parent, lifeguard, or coach nearby. If no grown-up is watching, we don't go in!"
Coach: Ensure the child does not jump from ladder. Assist with hand placement.
How to Play: On "Simon Says hold wall!" students must grip wall gutter. On "Simon Says splash!" they kick legs fast. If "Simon says" is omitted, they must freeze. Award points for the fastest, most controlled responses.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 game at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Safe Swimmer 3 Pool Rules Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 26
WEEK 6 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing seamless transitions in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Continuous bobs with head rotation holding the wall gutter. Exhale submerged, rotate head sideways to inhale.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform a supported front glide with kicks, keeping their face submerged for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform a supported back glide with kicks, keeping their face exposed for 3-5 feet.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly in front float. Direct them to roll onto back. Support under neck/shoulders. Walk backward with them. Prompt: "Roll like a log to your back!"
Instructor Action: Have student stand on step or hold wall with one hand. Practice rotating head and shoulders sideways to teach rotational body movements.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs a front float, then rolls onto back with coach support. Direct: "Spin like a log in the river!" Award points for smooth, steady log rolls.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Roll Transition Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 27
WEEK 6 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students hold wall with one hand, face in water. Practice scooping with other hand like digging ice cream.
Students hold wall, submerge face, and kick for 15 seconds. Focus on straight legs and pointed toes.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach belly-support.
Verify each child can perform side breathing head rotation sideways on wall to inhale.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly in front float. Direct them to push off, flutter kick, and perform hand scoops while rotating head sideways to breathe. Stand adjacent.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student rotates their neck sideways (cheek on shoulder) to breathe without lifting head forward.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs the front pull & kick combo with coach belly-support. Direct: "Swim as fast as you can to catch the dolphin!" Award dolphin points for fast, splashy kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 dolphin at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Swim Side Breathe Belly Support
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 28
WEEK 6 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students lie back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform supported elementary backstroke with coach head-support for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform back swim combo (2 body lengths) with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child's head with your hand. Direct: "Tilt chin up to look at the ceiling, push belly up to the sky, ears wet." Walk backwards with them as they glide 5 feet.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can recover from back glide independently: pull chin to chest, sweep arms forward, bend knees, and step down.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs a back glide from the wall. The instructor supports their head and back, guiding them backward. Award otter points for high, dry bellies.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Glide 5ft Recovery Head Support
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 29
WEEK 6 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Coach holds child's hands as they jump in shallow steps (1-2 feet) and recover to hold wall gutter.
Confirm goggles are tight and dry to prevent water distraction during the combination test.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform an unsupported back float for 3 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform a safe stomach exit on the pool edge with coach physical support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Stand in water. Direct child to jump from edge. Catch under arms, help them rotate immediately onto their back to back-float (3s). Guide them back to wall to perform stomach exit.
Instructor Action: Practice transitioning from jump to back float seamlessly to build student water survival skills.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs jump, back float (3s), and stomach exit combo with coach guidance. Award survival points for safe recoveries and clean exits.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 student at a time. Verify others wait holding the wall gutter.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Jump Float Combo Stomach Exit Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 1: Anchovy • Day 30
WEEK 6 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students choose their favorite warm-up activity (bubbles, kicking, or sliding) to build excitement.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Confirm goggles fit. Face in water, flutter kick on wall for 15 seconds. Count out loud.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front glide, back glide, and stomach exit with coach support.
Quiz: "Show me how we walk on the deck. Why do we always hold the wall gutter when we wait?"
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Assess students on key Level 1 milestones: front float, back float, stomach exit, and safety rules.
Instructor Action: Present Level 1 achievement certificates to students who have successfully mastered the skills.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide students through a fun, safe pool game to celebrate their graduation from Level 1. Direct: "Let's splash and celebrate being Anchovy champions!"
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Grad Evaluate Certificate Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Hold gutter. Guide students to wash chins and cheeks. Prompt: "Clean your face for the underwater camera!"
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Keep the tone highly enthusiastic and low-stress for K-2 kids.
Verify each child can perform supported shallow retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Students slide their hands along the wall gutter, navigating to the corner and back while keeping shoulders in water.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Instructor Action: Have student place hands flat on deep pool deck. Stand in front. Support their lower back as they push up, swing one leg over the edge, and slide onto bellies to exit safely.
Instructor Action: Teach children how to shimmy along deep wall using hands, moving from deep end back to pool stairs to exit safely.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Students hold wall. On "Spider Walk!" they shimmy as fast as possible along the wall, round the corner, and perform a stomach exit. Award spider points for safe wall grip and clean stomach climb-outs.
Safety Check: Keep children spaced 3 feet apart during wall navigation to avoid collisions.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Exit Deep Navigate Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 3
WEEK 1 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing jumps in 4ft water, children must not jump straight in without support. The instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Students slide their hands along the wall gutter, navigating to deep corner of pool and back.
Holding wall, submerge eyes and nose under water, blowing bubbles 5 times consecutively.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform a safe stomach exit on deep pool edge with coach physical support.
Verify each child can perform supported shallow retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have child stand on pool edge. Stand 3 feet away. Direct: "Bend knees, jump in!" Child jumps, recovers independently, and shimmies to wall gutter.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly. Direct: "Extend hands, face in water, feet up!" Gradually remove physical support, counting to 5.
Coach: Keep the body flat. If hips sink, support the lower back immediately.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs shallow jump with no support. Direct: "Hop like a frog into the pond!" Award frog points for safe, independent landing and wall recoveries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 frog at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Shallow Jump Front Float 5s Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 4
WEEK 1 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: In 4-foot water, pushing off the wall for a front glide requires the student to lose contact with the wall completely. The instructor must stand 4 feet away from the wall, face the student, and serve as the "catcher" to physically stop and support them as they finish their glide.
Students perform shallow jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front float for 5 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform a supported shallow jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly. Direct: "Extend hands, face in water, feet up!" Gradually remove physical support, counting to 10.
Instructor Action: Have student put back to wall, hands overhead in streamline. Stand 4 feet away. Direct: "Put face in, push off wall like a rocket, and glide to my hands!" Catch them by chest/hands.
Coach: Watch for head-lifting during the glide, which drops the hips and causes panic.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front glide from wall. Direct: "Fly like a glider airplane across the sky!" Award points for longest, flattest glides reaching the catcher hands.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 glider at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Float 10s Front Glide Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 5
WEEK 1 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Back glides in 4ft water can feel highly disorienting. The instructor must support the back glide 100% of the distance. Place your hand gently behind the child's shoulder blades and head, walking backward with them as they push off the wall. Never let go completely.
Back to wall, dip ears one-by-one under the water while maintaining a solid hand grip on the pool edge.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Laying back in a supported back float, checking for calm breathing and water covering ears.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front glide short-length, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform a supported shallow jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child's head with your hand. Direct: "Tilt chin up to look at the ceiling, push belly up to the sky, ears wet." Gradually remove physical support, counting to 10.
Instructor Action: Have student push off on their back. Support their head and neck with your hands as they perform continuous back glide. Walk backward with them.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: On "Sleeping Logs," children must enter an unsupported back float (5-10s). Instructor supports each in turn. On "Awake!" they roll back to holding the pool gutter with a loud splash.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Float 10s Back Glide Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 6
WEEK 2 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing kicking with face submerged, students must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly under their belly to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Students hold the wall and perform unsupported front float for 5 seconds with face submerged.
Students perform unsupported front glide short-length, recovering safely.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the child does not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back glide short-length, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 5 seconds, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off from wall, hands extended, face in water. Guide them as they perform continuous flutter kicks for 5 feet. Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the child kicks from their hips, keeping legs relatively straight with loose ankles to maximize propulsion.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs face submerged kicking towards the coach who stands 5 feet away. Direct: "Rev up your motorboat engines!" Award points for fast, splashy kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 motorboat at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Kick Face Submerged Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 7
WEEK 2 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing arm pulls, students must not let go of the wall completely without physical support. The instructor must support the student under their belly, keeping them afloat while they practice scooping the water.
Students perform supported front flutter kicks with face submerged for 15 seconds.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Confirm students can enter and recover from a front float with face in, feet up.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front float for 5-10 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform a supported shallow jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under their belly. Direct them to look down, extend hands, and scoop water toward their thighs in an alternating pattern for 1 body length. Focus on deep cup hands.
Instructor Action: Ensure students keep hands cupped and pull straight back beneath their shoulders to generate clean propulsion.
Coach: Emphasize pushing water backwards, not sideways or down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front arm scoops with coach belly-support. Direct: "Spin your arms like a giant windmill to push across the water!" Award points for continuous, rhythmic arm pulls.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 windmill at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Arm Pull Belly Support Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 8
WEEK 2 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Side breathing can trigger water inhalation if K-2 students lift their heads. The instructor must hold the child's hands or support under their chin, guiding them to rotate their neck sideways rather than lifting forward.
Students scoop water in cupped hands, bring to face, and blow bubbles on the water surface.
Students hold wall with one hand, face in water. Practice scooping with other hand like digging ice cream.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front arm scoops (1 body length) with coach belly-support.
Verify each child can perform supported wall bobs (10x) continuously with steady exhalations.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student stand on step or hold wall with one hand. Practice rotating head sideways (cheek on shoulder) to breathe without lifting the head. Support chin.
Instructor Action: Have students practice turning head sideways on the wall to expose their mouth airway while blowing bubbles. Focus on neck rotation.
Coach: Correct any forward head-lifting. Encourage a pure rotational turn.
How to Play: On "Peek-a-boo!" students submerge face and blow bubbles. On "Inhale!" they rotate head sideways to expose mouth and breathe. Award points for clean, quick side head rotations on wall.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Side Breathe Airway Expose Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 9
WEEK 2 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing side breathing on a front glide, the instructor must walk backward alongside the student, keeping a hand gently beneath their belly/chest to provide instant vertical lift if they roll or swallow water.
Students stand at wall, submerge face, blow bubbles, and rotate head sideways to inhale. Repeat 5 times.
Students perform unsupported front glide short-length, recovering safely.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front flutter kicks face submerged for 1 body length.
Verify each child can perform supported wall bobs (10x) continuously with steady exhalations.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have child push off on front holding kickboard. Stand midway. Support child under belly, guiding them to kick and rotate head sideways to inhale. Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure student keeps one ear flat on the kickboard/water surface while rotating their head to prevent head-lifting.
Coach: Watch for head lifting. Lifting the head forces the hips to sink immediately.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front glide with side breathing holding a kickboard with coach support. Direct: "Glide like a boat, turn to breathe!" Award points for clean side head rotations during glide.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 boat at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Glide Breathe Kickboard Glide Ear Flat
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 10
WEEK 2 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining arm pulling with kicking requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must stand in the pool water, walking backward alongside the student to provide instant support if they roll or drop their hips.
Students stand at wall, submerge face, blow bubbles, and rotate head sideways to inhale. Repeat 5 times.
Coach holds child's hands as they jump in shallow steps (1-2 feet) and recover to hold wall gutter.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported side breathing on front glide with kickboard for 3-5 feet.
Verify each child can perform front arm scoops (1 body length) with coach belly-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under their belly. Direct: "Perform alternate arm scoops and flutter kicks simultaneously with face submerged for 2 body lengths!" Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous kicking while performing alternating arm strokes to keep the lower body elevated.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front crawl combo with coach belly-support. Direct: "Crawl silently like a crocodile to catch the target!" Award points for continuous, coordinated stroking and kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 crocodile at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Crawl Combo Face Submerged Belly Support
Instructor Session Log:
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Students submerge and rise 5 times holding the pool edge with steady mouth exhalations.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported shallow retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Stand directly adjacent. Guide child to submerge face with open eyes, holding breath for 5 seconds. Walk backward supporting them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student blows steady, slow bubble streams to establish comfortable, relaxed extended submersions.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs extended submersions with coach torso-support. Direct: "Cruise silently like a submarine beneath the polar ice!" Award submarine points for long, relaxed breath holds.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 submarine at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Breath Hold 5s Open Eyes Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 3
WEEK 1 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing jumps in 4ft water, children must not jump straight in without support. The instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Students perform extended breath holds (5s) with open eyes underwater.
Confirm goggles are tight and dry to prevent water distraction during deep water entries.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can adjust their goggles independently to maintain dry eyes.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep end wall edge navigation, returning safely to stairs.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have child stand on deep pool edge. Stand 3 feet away. Direct: "Bend knees, jump in!" Child jumps, recovers independently, and shimmies to wall gutter.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can recover from deep jump independently: blow bubbles on entry, pull knees up, and grab wall gutter.
Coach: Keep your hands in contact. Letting go can cause water to cover face, inducing panic.
How to Play: Students perform deep jumps with no support. Direct: "Perform a giant cannonball splash!" Award points for biggest, splashiest jumps with clean wall recoveries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 cannonball at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Jump Deep Recovery Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 4
WEEK 1 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: In 4-foot water, pushing off the wall for a front glide requires the student to lose contact with the wall completely. The instructor must stand 5 feet away from the wall, face the student, and serve as the "catcher" to physically stop and support them as they finish their glide.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Students perform extended breath holds (5s) with open eyes underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front float for 10 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student put back to wall, hands overhead in streamline. Stand 5 feet away. Direct: "Put face in, push off wall like a rocket, and glide to my hands!" Catch them by chest/hands.
Instructor Action: Ensure students squeeze ears with their arms and lock hands to maintain a tight streamline posture.
Coach: Watch for head-lifting during the glide, which drops the hips and causes panic.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs streamline front glide from wall. Direct: "Blast off like a torpedo!" Award points for longest, flattest glides reaching the catcher hands.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 torpedo at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Streamline Front Glide Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 5
WEEK 1 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Back glides in 4ft water can feel highly disorienting. The instructor must support the back glide 100% of the distance. Place your hand gently behind the child's shoulder blades and head, walking backward with them as they push off the wall. Never let go completely.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Students lie back in unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 10 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform a supported deep jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off on their back, hands overhead in streamline. Support their head and neck with your hands. Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure students squeeze ears with their arms and push hips high to maintain a tight streamline posture.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs back streamline glide with coach support. Direct: "Launch backward like a rocket ship!" Award rocket points for high, dry bellies.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Streamline Back Glide Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 6
WEEK 2 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Side breathing can trigger water inhalation if K-2 students lift their heads. The instructor must hold the child's hands or support under their chin, guiding them to rotate their neck sideways rather than lifting forward.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform front streamline glide short-length, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform back streamline glide short-length, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student hold wall with one hand, face in water. Guide them to flutter kick and perform alternating arm scoops while rotating head sideways to breathe. Support chin.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student rotates their neck sideways (ear submerged) to breathe without lifting head forward.
Coach: Correct any forward head-lifting. Encourage a pure rotational turn.
How to Play: Students hold wall. On "Engine On!" they perform front arm/kick combo with rhythmic side breathing. Award engine points for continuous, coordinated breathing and stroking.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Rhythmic Wall Side Breathe Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 7
WEEK 2 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining arm pulling with kicking requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must stand in the pool water, walking backward alongside the student to provide instant support if they roll or drop their hips.
Students perform rhythmic front crawl arm/kick mechanics on wall with side breathing.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl combo (2 body lengths) face submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported wall bobs (15x) continuously with steady exhalations.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off from wall, hands extended, face in water. Guide them as they perform continuous flutter kicks and arm pulls with side breathing. Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains consistent, relaxed kicking and arm pulling to conserve energy over the short-length distance.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front crawl with rhythmic breathing short-length with coach support. Direct: "Cruise smoothly across the ocean!" Award points for relaxed, consistent stroking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 cruiser at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Crawl Rhythmic Breathe Belly Support
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 8
WEEK 2 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: K-2 students performing back pulling are highly susceptible to losing balance. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Students perform back streamline glides from wall with face exposed for 5 feet.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Hold edge and move legs as fast as possible to splash water.
Coach: Keep the ear dip activity playful. Sing "dry hair, wet ears."
Verify each child can perform backstroke combo: alternating arm & kicking short-length of pool.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep water jump, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their nose.
Instructor Action: Support child under their neck/shoulders. Direct them to push off on back, flutter kick, and perform alternating backcrawl arm pulls for short-length.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student performs high, straight-arm recoveries over the chest with continuous kicking.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs backcrawl combo with coach head-support. Direct: "Zoom backward like a lightning bolt!" Award points for fast, coordinated arm pulls and kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 lightning bolt at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Backcrawl Combo Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 9
WEEK 2 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing rolls in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment and prevent water from covering their face.
Students perform front and back streamline glides from wall with face submerged/exposed for 5 feet.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backcrawl combo short-length with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly in front float. Direct them to roll onto back. Support under neck/shoulders. Walk backward with them. Prompt: "Roll like a log to your back!"
Instructor Action: Have student stand on step or hold wall with one hand. Practice rotating head and shoulders sideways to teach rotational body movements.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front float, then rolls onto back with coach support. Direct: "Spin like a log in the deep water!" Award points for smooth, steady log rolls.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Float Roll Head Support Hip Height
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 10
WEEK 2 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining arm pulling with kicking requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must stand in the pool water, walking backward alongside the student to provide instant support if they roll or drop their hips.
Students stand at wall, submerge face, blow bubbles, and rotate head sideways to inhale. Repeat 5 times.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported log roll rotation from front float to back float in deep water.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off from wall, hands extended, face in water. Guide them as they perform continuous flutter kicks and arm pulls with side breathing for long-length. Stand adjacent.
Instructor Action: Ensure student maintains continuous, steady kicking and arm pulling to conserve energy over the long-length distance.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs front crawl with rhythmic breathing long-length with coach support. Direct: "Cruise smoothly across the ocean!" Award points for relaxed, consistent stroking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 cruiser at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Long Crawl Rhythmic Breathe Belly Support
Instructor Session Log:
Students perform unsupported back flutter kicks short-length, recovering safely.
Back to wall, dip ears one-by-one under the water while maintaining a solid hand grip on the pool edge.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 5-10 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back glide short-length, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/shoulders. Direct: "Extend hands, perform alternate backstroke arm pulls for short-length!" Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure student performs high, straight-arm recoveries over their chest with continuous kicking.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs backstroke arm pulls with coach support. Direct: "Spin your arms like a giant windmill to push across water!" Award windmill points for smooth arm pulls.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Backstroke Arm Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 13
WEEK 3 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Combining arm pulling with kicking on the back requires K-2 students to cover more distance away from the wall. The instructor must walk alongside the student, keeping a hand directly behind the child's head to maintain their safe airway alignment.
Students stand in shallow steps and perform backstroke arm sweeps to coordinate movements.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform backstroke arm sweeps (1 body length) with coach head-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back flutter kicks short-length, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/shoulders. Direct: "Perform alternate backstroke arm pulls and flutter kicks simultaneously for short-length!" Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous kicking while performing alternating backstroke arm strokes to keep their lower body elevated.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs backstroke combo with coach head-support. Direct: "Zoom backward like a speedboat!" Award points for fast, coordinated arm pulls and kicking.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Backstroke Combo Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 14
WEEK 3 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: The elementary backstroke sequence can confuse K-2 students. The instructor must support the child's head and neck at all times, guiding their arms through the "Tickle, T, Touch" sequence to ensure their mouth and nose remain safely above the 4ft water.
Students perform unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backstroke combo: alternating arm & kicking short-length of pool.
Verify each child can perform unsupported log roll rotation from front float to back float with coach neck-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/neck. Guide them through "Tickle, T, Touch" arm sequence and frog kick for short-length.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student glides on their back between stroke cycles to maximize efficiency.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs unsupported elementary backstroke with coach head-support. On "Starfish!" they glide on their back. Award points for clean glides.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Elem. Back Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 15
WEEK 3 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Practicing jellyfish/tuck floats in 4ft water requires the student to lose contact with the wall. The instructor must stand directly in front of the active swimmer and maintain physical touch during all movements.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Students perform unsupported front float (10s) with face submerged.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported elementary backstroke short-length with coach head-support.
Verify each child can perform supported shallow retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under chest. Direct: "Bend forward, hug knees, and let back float to sky!" Support them to recover to stand.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can recover to standing position independently from jellyfish/tuck floats by pulling feet down.
Coach: Keep body flat. If hips sink, support lower back immediately.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs jellyfish/tuck floats with coach support. Award jellyfish points for longest, most relaxed floats.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 jellyfish at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Jellyfish Float Tuck Float Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 16
WEEK 4 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing jumps in 4ft water, children must not jump straight in without support. The instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Coach holds child's hands as they jump in shallow steps (1-2 feet) and recover to hold wall gutter.
Students perform hand sculling figure-8s with coach torso-support in shallow water steps.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported jellyfish and tuck floats, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Stand in water 3 feet from edge. Direct: "Bend knees, jump to me!" Catch child under armpits immediately as they enter water, guiding hands back to wall gutter.
Instructor Action: Show students how to recover from a jump: blow bubbles immediately as feet enter water, pull knees up, and grab wall gutter.
Coach: Never allow jumping during side entry practice. Emphasize a controlled slide.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child jumps to the coach from deep pool edge. Direct: "Hop like a frog into deep water!" Award points for safe, supported landings and wall recoveries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 leap frog at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Jump Wall Recovery Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 17
WEEK 4 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, treading water in deep water (5-7ft) requires absolute coach physical support. Stand directly adjacent to them, holding their chest or waist to assist.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Students perform hand sculling figure-8s with coach torso-support in shallow water steps.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported deep jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep end wall edge navigation, returning safely to stairs.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Stand in deep water. Support child under chest/arms. Guide them to perform horizontal figure-8 sculling with hands and slow flutter/scissor kicks with legs for 5-10 seconds.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous hand sculling and slow kicks to keep their chin elevated above water.
Coach: Support torso from behind. Keep body vertical during treading.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. On "Buoy On!" students perform deep water treading with coach support. Award buoy points for steady, elevated treading.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 buoy at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Tread Torso Support Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 18
WEEK 4 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, retrieving objects in deeper depths (3-5 feet) requires absolute coach physical support. Stand directly adjacent to them, holding their chest or waist to assist.
Students submerge eyes/nose for 2 seconds while holding the wall. Emphasize humming loudly.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported deep water treading (10s) with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Place sinkers on pool steps (3-4 feet depth). Support child's waist. Direct them to submerge face with open eyes, scoop up a coin, and recover.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student blows steady, slow bubble streams to establish comfortable, relaxed extended submersions.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Place sinkers on pool steps (3-4 feet depth). Children take turns diving down with coach waist-support to retrieve a coin. Award treasure points for successful retrieves.
Safety Check: Do not place items in deeper water where children must submerge completely.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Retrieve Torso Support Open Eyes
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 19
WEEK 4 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, this session focuses on water safety rules. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Coach stands in water 3 feet from edge. Student jumps from edge with coach support.
Students lie back in unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported deep retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Quiz: "Show me how we walk on the deck. Why do we always hold the wall gutter when we wait?"
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Point out lifeguard stand. Discuss lifeguard role: "Lifeguards keep us safe. If you see an emergency, blow your whistle or yell for help immediately!"
Instructor Action: Explain what an emergency looks like (someone struggling, yelling, or submerged without moving) and why telling a grown-up is vital.
Coach: Ensure the child does not jump from ladder. Assist with hand placement.
How to Play: On "Emergency!" students must grip wall gutter immediately and blow imaginary whistles. Award points for fastest, most controlled responses.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 game at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Lifeguard Talk Emergency Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 20
WEEK 4 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing bobbing, students hold onto the gutter and slide down the wall. The water is deep, so the instructor must stand adjacent to the student to lift their torso if bubble blowing is interrupted or if they swallow water.
Students scoop water in cupped hands, bring to face, and blow bubbles on the water surface.
Students submerge nose and mouth under water 10 times consecutively, blowing bubbles steadily.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep water treading (10s) with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform supported deep jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student stand at deep pool wall. Guide them to submerge face and blow bubbles, then rise up to inhale. Repeat 10 times with steady rhythm.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous, steady exhalations under water and rises up to breathe without hesitation.
Coach: Keep first submersion under 1.5 seconds. Reassure them immediately.
How to Play: Students hold wall. On "Train Bob!" they perform 10 continuous bobs with steady rhythm. Award train points for continuous, coordinated bobbing.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Bob 10x Deep Exit Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Students lie back in unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Students perform unsupported back flutter kicks short-length, recovering safely.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backstroke combo: alternating arm & kicking short-length of pool.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back glide short-length, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/shoulders. Direct: "Perform alternate backstroke arm pulls and flutter kicks simultaneously with consistency for short-length!" Walk backward with them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous, steady kicking and alternating backstroke arm pulls over the short-length distance.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs backstroke with coach support. Direct: "Zoom backward like a tugboat!" Award points for fast, coordinated arm pulls and kicking.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Backstroke Head Support Consistency
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 23
WEEK 5 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: The elementary backstroke sequence can confuse K-2 students. The instructor must support the child's head and neck at all times, guiding their arms through the "Tickle, T, Touch" sequence to ensure their mouth and nose remain safely above the 4ft water.
Students perform supported elementary backstroke with coach head-support for 5 feet.
Students perform unsupported back glide short-length, recovering safely.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported elementary backstroke short-length with coach head-support.
Verify each child can perform backstroke short-length with consistency, keeping their chin high.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under head/neck. Guide them through "Tickle, T, Touch" arm sequence and frog kick for short-length with perfect technique.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student glides on their back between stroke cycles to maximize efficiency.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs unsupported elementary backstroke with coach head-support. Award points for clean glides.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Elem. Back Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 24
WEEK 5 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing jumps in deep water, the instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Coach stands in water 3 feet from edge. Student jumps from edge with coach support.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported deep water treading (10s) with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Guide student to jump from deep edge. Catch under arms, help them tread water (10s), then guide them to swim back to wall and exit on stomach.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can recover from deep jump, perform continuous treading, and exit on stomach safely.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs jump, tread (10s), and stomach exit combo with coach guidance. Award points for safe recoveries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 student at a time. Verify others wait holding the wall gutter.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Combo Tread 10s Stomach Exit
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 25
WEEK 5 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing double floats in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must stand directly in front of the active swimmer and maintain physical touch during all movements.
Students perform unsupported jellyfish and tuck floats, recovering safely.
Confirm students can enter and recover from a front float with face in, feet up.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front float for 10 seconds, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 10 seconds, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child under belly in jellyfish float. Direct them to roll onto back. Support under neck/shoulders. Walk backward with them. Prompt: "Roll like a log to your back!"
Instructor Action: Ensure student can transition from jellyfish/tuck float to back float smoothly with continuous neck/head support.
Coach: Ensure the child does not pull their chin to their chest, which forces hips down.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs double float transition with coach support. Award points for smooth log rolls.
Safety Check: Always guide students one at a time. The rest must wait holding the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Double Float Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 26
WEEK 6 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Performing a multi-skill circuit in 4ft water requires absolute wall proximity and coach physical support. Stand directly in front of the active swimmer and maintain physical touch during all movements.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front float for 10 seconds, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student perform front streamline glide, immediately transition into front crawl with side breathing, then roll sideways to a vertical standing recovery with coach support.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can transition between front glide and front crawl seamlessly without dropping their hips.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Students perform front swim circuit with coach belly-support. Award points for fastest, most coordinated front swim circuit transitions.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 student at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Front Circuit Belly Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 27
WEEK 6 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Back glides in 4ft water can feel highly disorienting. The instructor must support the back glide 100% of the distance. Place your hand gently behind the child's shoulder blades and head, walking backward with them as they push off the wall. Never let go completely.
Students perform unsupported back glide short-length, recovering safely.
Students perform unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backstroke combo: alternating arm & kicking short-length of pool.
Verify each child can perform unsupported elementary backstroke short-length with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student perform back streamline glide, immediately transition into backstroke with alternating arms, then transition into elementary backstroke with coach head-support.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous kicking while transitioning between different backstroke strokes.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Students perform backstroke circuit with coach head-support. Award points for fastest, most coordinated backstroke circuit transitions.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Circuit Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 28
WEEK 6 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing jumps in deep water, the instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, catch the child under the arms immediately as they enter, and guide their hands to a secure grip on the wall gutter.
Coach stands in water 3 feet from edge. Student jumps from edge with coach support.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform supported deep water treading (10s) with coach torso-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Stand in deep water. Support child as they jump from edge. Guide them through 10s of treading, then assist them as they swim short-length to shallow and exit.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student can perform the entire deep water safety combination independently and safely.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Students perform deep water safety combo with coach support. Award points for clean transitions.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 student at a time. Verify others wait holding the wall gutter.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Test Tread 10s Swim Short
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 29
WEEK 6 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students put face in water and open eyes underwater, verifying seal and comfort.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backstroke short-length with consistency, keeping their chin high.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off from wall, perform front crawl with side breathing, roll onto back, and perform backstroke back to wall.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains consistent, relaxed kicking and arm pulling to conserve energy over the continuous swim.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs continuous front and back crawl swimming short-lengths with coach support. Award points for most continuous, coordinated swim.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 cruiser at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Continuous Swim Front Crawl Backstroke
Instructor Session Log:
Level 2: Sea Turtle • Day 30
WEEK 6 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since the pool is 4ft deep, students cannot stand on bottom. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students choose their favorite warm-up activity (bubbles, kicking, or sliding) to build excitement.
Continuous bobs with rhythmic mouth exhalations, holding the wall gutter for complete stability.
Confirm goggles fit. Face in water, flutter kick on wall for 15 seconds. Count out loud.
Coach: Praise students who display correct body alignment on front float.
Verify each child can perform front crawl, backstroke, and deep stomach exit with coach support.
Quiz: "Show me how we walk on the deck. Why do we always hold the wall gutter when we wait?"
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Assess students on key Level 2 milestones: front crawl with side breathing, backstroke, treading water, and safety rules.
Instructor Action: Present Level 2 achievement certificates to students who have successfully mastered the skills.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide students through a fun, safe pool game to celebrate their graduation from Level 2. Direct: "Let's splash and celebrate being Sea Turtle champions!"
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Grad Evaluate Certificate Gutter Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Students lie back in unsupported back float (10s), checking for calm breathing.
Students perform back streamline glides from wall with face exposed for 5 feet.
Hold wall on back, ears submerged. Perform 15 seconds of rapid, small flutter kicks.
Coach: Reassure students that water in the ears is normal and completely safe.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backcrawl combo long-length with coach head-support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep water jump, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Support child's head with your hand. Direct: "Tilt chin up to look at the ceiling, push belly up to the sky, ears wet." Gradually remove physical support, counting to 30.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains calm, relaxed breathing and high hips to float for 30+ seconds.
Coach: Support torso from behind. Keep body vertical during treading.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs unsupported back float for 30+ seconds in deep water. Award points for most relaxed floats.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Back Float 30s Deep Float Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 13
WEEK 3 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Flip turns require students to rotate completely upside down in 4ft water. The instructor must stand directly adjacent to the student, assisting them through the somersault rotation and ensuring they do not swallow water.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 30+ seconds in deep water.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Guide student to tuck chin and perform a complete somersault in the water. Support under back to assist rotation. Walk backward supporting them.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student pulls their chin to chest and sweeps arms forward to initiate the somersault rotation.
Coach: Keep body flat. If hips sink, support lower back immediately.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs somersault with coach support. Award somersault points for clean, fast rotations.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 somersault at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Somersault Head Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 14
WEEK 3 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Pushing off in streamline after a flip turn requires K-2 students to lose contact with the wall. The instructor must stand midway to catch the student, ensuring they maintain proper horizontal posture and do not slip down into vertical distress.
Students perform supported somersaults in water to practice rotational body movements.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported flip turn somersault with coach support.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student perform front glide towards wall. Stand midway. Support child under belly, guiding them to tuck chin, somersault, place feet on wall, and push off in streamline.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student pushes off in a tight streamline posture, squeezing ears with arms.
Coach: Keep body flat. If hips sink, support lower back immediately.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs flip turn off wall with coach support. Award launch points for clean, fast push-offs.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 rocket at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Flip Wall Streamline Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 15
WEEK 3 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, retrieving objects in deep water (5+ feet) requires absolute coach physical support. Stand directly adjacent to them, holding their chest or waist to assist.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall with open eyes.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported flip turn off wall, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform supported deep retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Place sinkers on deep pool stairs (5+ feet depth). Stand directly adjacent. Support child's waist. Direct them to submerge completely with open eyes, scoop up a coin, and recover.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student blows steady, slow bubble streams to establish comfortable, relaxed extended submersions.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Place sinkers on deep pool stairs (5+ feet depth). Children take turns diving down with coach waist-support to retrieve a coin. Award explorer points for successful retrieves.
Safety Check: Do not place items in deeper water where children must submerge completely.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Deep Retrieve Torso Support Open Eyes
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 16
WEEK 4 • DAY 1 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing breaststroke kicking with a kickboard in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, holding onto the front edge of the kickboard to guide their direction and provide instant safety support if they roll or submerge.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported flip turn off wall, recovering safely.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student hold kickboard, performing breaststroke "whip kick" (bend knees, flex feet outward, circle and snap together). Support child's hips.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student keeps knees hip-width apart and draws circular whipping patterns with their feet.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs breaststroke kick short-length with coach support. Direct: "Kick like a fast frog across the pond!" Award points for clean circular "whip" kicks.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 frog at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Frog Kick Hip Support Glide
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 17
WEEK 4 • DAY 2 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: When practicing dolphin kicking with a kickboard in 4ft water, children must not be left to drift. The instructor must walk alongside the student, holding onto the front edge of the kickboard to guide their direction and provide instant safety support if they roll or submerge.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Students perform back streamline glides from wall with face exposed for 5 feet.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported breaststroke whip kicks with kickboard for short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backcrawl combo long-length with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student hold kickboard, performing dolphin "whip kick" (bend knees slightly, snap hips and legs down together). Support child's hips.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student kicks with both legs glued together, generating clean wave-like propulsion from their hips.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs dolphin kick short-length with coach support. Direct: "Swim like a fast mermaid across the water!" Award points for clean wave-like kicking.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 mermaid at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Dolphin Kick Hip Support Glide
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 18
WEEK 4 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Scissor kicking on the side can be highly disorienting. The instructor must support the side glide 100% of the distance. Place your hand gently behind the child's shoulder blades and head, walking backward with them as they push off the wall. Never let go completely.
Students perform supported dolphin kicks with kickboard for short-length.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported dolphin kicks face submerged for short-length.
Verify each child can perform unsupported backcrawl combo long-length with coach head-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student push off on side. Support their head and neck with your hands. Walk backward with them as they perform side scissor kicks. Squeeze legs together.
Instructor Action: Ensure student keeps their hips on side and draws circular whipping patterns with their feet.
Coach: Maintain head support on back glides. Sinking head causes quick water inhalation.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs side scissor glides with coach support. Award points for smooth, steady side glides.
Safety Check: Never leave a back-floating student unattended. Maintain head support.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Scissor Kick Side Glide Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 19
WEEK 4 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Sitting headfirst entries in 4ft water can trigger water inhalation if K-2 students do not tuck their head. The instructor must stand directly in front of the entry point, supporting the child's torso and guiding them headfirst.
Students perform front streamline glides from wall with face submerged for 5 feet.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Continuous bobs with goggles submerged, blowing bubbles steadily underwater.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported side scissor kicks with coach head-support for short-length.
Verify each child can perform supported deep retrieval of objects with coach torso-support.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have child sit on edge, feet on wall gutter. Stand directly in front. Support torso. Direct: "Tuck chin, extend arms overhead, roll forward!" Guide them headfirst.
Instructor Action: Emphasize why entering headfirst with extended hands protects their head and neck from hitting bottom.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs sitting headfirst entry with coach support. Award diving points for safe, clean entries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 diver at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Sitting Dive Head Tuck Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 20
WEEK 4 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Kneeling headfirst entries require absolute coach physical support. Stand directly in front of the entry point, supporting the child's chest and hips, and guiding them headfirst into the pool.
Students perform supported sitting headfirst entries from pool steps with coach assistance.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Review key diving safety rules: "Hands first, head tucked, only dive where the coach says."
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep jump from pool edge, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student kneel on one knee at deep pool edge. Stand directly in front. Support chest and hips. Direct: "Tuck chin, extend arms overhead, roll forward!" Guide them headfirst.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student rolls smoothly over their kneeling knee without lunging or jumping forward.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs kneeling headfirst entry with coach support. Award diving points for safe, clean entries.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 diver at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Kneel Dive Head Tuck Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Students perform continuous deep water treading (30s) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep water treading (60s) with coach torso-support.
Review key pool safety rules: "No running on deck, no pushing others, don't swim without adult."
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student sit on pool steps. Act as a struggling swimmer 3 feet out. Direct: "Extend pool noodle or kickboard to reach me, and pull me in!" Guide their reach.
Instructor Action: Emphasize why staying on the deck or steps and extending an object is much safer than jumping in to help.
Coach: Ensure student stays low on deck to avoid being pulled into pool.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs reach rescue from pool edge with coach as victim. Award rescue points for safe entries and clean pulls.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Reach Rescue Safe Anchor Wall Grip
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 23
WEEK 5 • DAY 3 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Performing a multi-stroke medley in 4ft water requires absolute wall proximity and coach physical support. Stand directly in front of the active swimmer and maintain physical touch during all movements.
Students perform front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length with coach support.
Students perform unsupported backcrawl combo short-length with coach head-support.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform unsupported dolphin kicks face submerged for short-length.
Verify each child can perform supported breaststroke whip kicks with kickboard for short-length.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student perform front crawl with side breathing, roll onto back to perform backstroke, then transition into dolphin kick with coach support.
Instructor Action: Ensure student can transition between different strokes smoothly without dropping their hips.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Students perform strokes medley with coach support. Award points for fastest, most coordinated medley transitions.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 student at a time. Verify others wait holding the wall gutter.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Swim Medley Torso Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 24
WEEK 5 • DAY 4 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Pushing off in streamline after a flip turn requires K-2 students to lose contact with the wall. The instructor must stand midway to catch the student, ensuring they maintain proper horizontal posture and do not slip down into vertical distress.
Students perform supported kneeling headfirst entries from pool steps with coach assistance.
Students perform continuous deep water bobbing (15x) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Face in water, flutter kick 15 seconds. Focus on keeping ankles soft and knees straight.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform front streamline glide short-length, recovering safely.
Verify each child can perform unsupported front crawl with rhythmic side breathing short-length.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Have student perform streamline front glide, then immediately transition into front crawl with side breathing. Stand adjacent.
Instructor Action: Ensure the student maintains continuous, steady kicking and alternating arm pulls to conserve energy over the transition.
Coach: Support lower back. Swimmers can slip back in easily.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. The child performs streamline stroke transition with coach support. Award launch points for clean push-offs.
Safety Check: Only launch 1 rocket at a time. Maintain clear sight lines.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Streamline Trans Torso Support Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
Level 3: Sting Ray • Day 25
WEEK 5 • DAY 5 K-2 WATER ADVISORY
K-2 / 4-Foot Water Safety Directive: Since K-2 swimmers cannot touch bottom in 4ft water, this session focuses on water safety rules. The instructor must remain in the water to support any child waiting at the wall.
Students perform deep jump from edge with no support, recovering safely to wall gutter.
Students perform continuous deep water treading (60s) with steady rhythm holding wall.
Verify each child can perform unsupported back float for 30+ seconds in deep water.
Coach: Ensure the children do not hold their breath while submerged.
Verify each child can perform supported reach rescue from pool edge with coach as victim.
Verify each child can perform unsupported deep stomach exit on pool edge with clean recoveries.
Coach: Assist immediately with recovery if the student gets water in their eyes.
Instructor Action: Discuss dangerous situations: "What do you do if someone pushes you? Or if you see someone struggling in deep water?" Review pool rules.
Instructor Action: Explain what dangerous choices look like (running on deck, diving headfirst in shallow water) and why telling a grown-up is vital.
Coach: Ensure the child does not jump from ladder. Assist with hand placement.
How to Play: Guide each child 1-on-1. Present various scenarios. Students must make the safe decision to earn points.
Safety Check: Count all heads before starting the game. Ensure no child lets go of the wall.
Swimmer Skill Check:
Safe Decisions 3 Pool Rules Wall Recovery
Instructor Session Log:
