Learn To Swim

Wings Over Water School of Swimming incorporates the Swimplicity® methodology in our learn to swim program. Our primary goal is safety. Students will first learn how to quiet their bodies and minds through breathing, floating and travel experiences. Once a level of trust and comfort is attained a student will then be introduced to underwater propulsion experiences. Over the water arm strokes are introduced when breathing, balance, and aquatic line is attained. “It’s not important how fast or how far an individual can swim, but the duration an individual can stay in water safely.”

Class Descriptions

Baby and Toddler Programs

Infant Splash Class

Ages 3 months – 5 months

Baby’s first water experience with their parent in a group setting.  Parent and baby will experience the water together through play, song, and gentle aquatic movement.   Two reusable pants/diapers are required.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Water Babies

Ages 3 months – 12 months

Baby’s first water experience with their parent in a group setting.  Parent and baby will experience the water together through play, song, and gentle aquatic movement. Submerging and safety sequences are introduced with teacher guidance.  Two reusable pants/diapers are required.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Parent & Tot

Ages 12 months – 3 years

Tot’s first water experience with their parent in a group.  Parent and tot will experience the water together through play, song, and gentle aquatic movement. Submerging and safety sequences are introduced with teacher guidance.  Two reusable swim pants are required.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Advanced Parent & Tot

Ages 12 months – 3 years

Student has graduated from the Parent & Tot level and has been referred by a teacher.  In this level the student will work more independently gaining confidence in the water.  Submerging and safety sequences will be practiced with teacher guidance.  Two reusable swim pants are required.

Gold Fish

Ages 3 years old

First water experience in a group for your three year old.  Parental assistance in water if needed.  Going under the water is self-initiated with teacher guidance. Submerging and safety sequences are introduced with teacher guidance. Two reusable swim pants are required.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Otter

Ages 2 – 3 years old

Child has graduated from Advanced Parent & Tot Program and has been referred by a teacher.   Parental assistance in water if needed. Student will begin to work independently with teacher in a group. Two reusable swim pants are required.

Tot

Ages 2 – 3 years old

Student has graduated from Gold Fish or Otter Program and has been referred by a teacher.    Works independently with an instructor in a group.  Practices required safety skills.  Two reusable swim pants are required.

Super Tot

Ages 2 – 3.5 years old

Student has graduated from Otter, or Tot Program and has been referred by a teacher.       Student submerges comfortably in travel and propulsion.  Independently works with an instructor in a group.  Two reusable swim pants are required.

Elementary Programs 

Angel Fish

Ages 4 and 5 years old

In an Angel Fish level students will be introduced and become comfortable in and around the water.  The student is new to our program, has not taken swim lessons and needs to develop trust of the instructor.   The student usually swims with a flotation device and is not yet comfortable putting their face underwater.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Star Fish

Ages 4 and 5 years old

In the Star Fish level students will initiate going from the steps to a dock and to the wall with little or no assistance.  They will comfortably initiate going underwater as well as back float with assistance. Students will practice proper breathing techniques and air exchange.   Student has successfully completed WOW’S Angel Fish program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.  Initiates submerging consistently and comfortably.  Can enter and exit the water independently.

Dolphin

Ages 4 to 5 years old

In the Dolphin level students will integrate interface breathing applications as well as assisted rolling onto their backs for safety. An introduction to the elementary backstroke will be covered.  Student has successfully completed WOW’S Star Fish program or has been evaluated/recommended by a WOW Instructor.  Student can independently do a safety jump, vertical pencil posture, anchor to the pool bottom, and float to the surface with little assistance.

Hot Shot and Hot Shot Plus

Ages 4 to 6 years old

In the Hot Shot level students will experience transitions in the aquatic environment in movement and travel. They will also work on building aquatic line, balance, and breathing applications both vertically and horizontally.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Dolphin Program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.  Student can perform an X, Y, pencil back and prone body shapes (unassisted).  Student accepts air at the interface while in propulsion 3 to 5 feet to and from a foundation.

Youth Programs

Beginner

Ages 6 – 11 years old

In our Beginner Level students will be introduced to, develop trust, and become comfortable in and around water.  Student is new to our program.  First lesson experience/cannot swim without a flotation device.  Student is not comfortable putting their face underwater.  A parent orientation packet is offered for all new families.

Beginner Plus

Ages 6 – 11 years old

In the Beginner Plus Level students will integrate interface breathing applications in simple travel and propulsion tasks.  Rolling to their backs and maintaining a quiet back posture is essential.  They will learn the elementary backstroke (our safety stroke).

Has successfully completed WOW’S Beginner program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.  Student can independently perform a safety jump, a lightly assisted X, Y, and pencil back and prone body shapes with comfort.

Level One

Ages 6 – 11 years old

This level is all about growing Swimplicity’s four foundations: Breathing, balance, travel, and safety. Changing directions, engaging core body movement vs. second class leverage systems is critical.  Backstroke and Freestyle beginnings are introduced.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Beginner Plus or Hot Shot Program, or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.   Is able to hover in a bridge, close to a ball, open to a quiet prone body shape prior to initiating propulsion.  Balances in back and prone sets comfortably.  Comfortably exchanges air at and below the interface rhythmically.

Level Two

Ages 6 – 11 years old

In this level the Swimplicity methodology evolves.  The four basic strokes connect to breathing, balance, travel, and safety.  Backstroke and Freestyle techniques will continue to progress, and the basic rhythms of breaststroke and butterfly are introduced.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Level 1 program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.

Upper Levels

Kids in the Fast Lane (KFL)

Ages 6 years old and up

In KFL students will continue enhancing skills and tasks in Freestyle and Backstroke while increasing distance traveled.  Breaststroke and butterfly rhythms will continue to be developed focusing on aquatic line, balance, breathing and timing.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Level 2 program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.  Backstroke and Freestyle with proper balance, breathing and timing.  The Breaststroke rhythm through basic undulation.

Junior Olympian

Ages 6 years old and up

In Junior Olympian Backstroke, Freestyle, and Breaststroke will continue technique progressions while building endurance.  Butterfly will develop through rhythmic breakdowns such as breathing, timing and shape enhancements.  Has successfully completed WOW’S KFL program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor. Backstroke, Freestyle and Breaststroke performance to include rhythm, breathing, timing, and technique.  Understand Butterfly rhythm.

Olympian

Ages 6 years old and up

In the Olympian level all the four strokes advancements including specific details of competition.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Junior Olympian program or been evaluated/ recommended by a WOW Instructor.  Backstroke, Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Butterfly are developed and understood including rhythms of breathing and timing.

Olympian Excel

Ages 6 years old and up

In the Olympian Excel level competitive stroke development is intensified through the use of technique, velocity, and stamina.  Has successfully completed WOW’S Olympian Program or been evaluated/recommended by a WOW instructor.  Can perform all four strokes with proper rhythms in all aspects of stroke development.  Competition starts, finishes, and turns are integrated into strokes.

Teen Levels

Teen Beginner/ Course 1

Ages 12-17 years old

A program designed for young adults and adults who are afraid of the water, or have breathing issues but wish to learn how to swim.  Breathing and relaxation techniques will be taught as well as body and safety positions.

Teen Intermediate/ Course 2

Ages 12 – 17 years old

Bring your swim to the next level by combining advanced breathing applications, body postures, alignment, and stroke techniques.  Enhancing your relationship with water will increase swimming distance, duration, and rhythm’s allowing you to prepare for triathlons, scuba diving, open water swim, lifeguard certification preparation, or increasing your lap swim.

Junior Lifeguard Course (Brewster Location Only)

Ages 11 – 15 years old

Junior Lifeguard Course (combined with a CPR and First Aid certification) this course includes both fitness (in-water swim training) and classroom training.  It is an effective transition from upper-level swimming courses to the American Red Cross Lifeguard program, challenging participants to stay involved with aquatics.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Course

Ages 15+

American Red Cross Lifeguard Course (includes CPR and First Aid certification) this course is a blended learning experience with online lessons, in-water swim training and classroom training.  Participants will receive a 10-visit lap swim pass to prepare for their lifeguard certification.  For more details please click on Schedule & Login Brewster NY button.  

Lifeguard Re-certification Course (Brewster Location Only)

Ages 15+

American Red Cross Lifeguard Course (includes CPR and First Aid certification) this course is a blended learning experience with online lessons, in-water swim training and classroom training.  Participants will receive a 10-visit lap swim pass to prepare for their lifeguard certification.  For more details please click on Schedule & Login Brewster NY button.

Adults 18 and up

Adult  Beginner/ Course 1

Ages 18 years old and up

A program designed for young adults and adults who are afraid of the water, or have breathing issues but wish to learn how to swim.  Breathing and relaxation techniques will be taught as well as body and safety positions.

Adult Intermediate/ Course 2

Ages 18 years old and up

Bring your swim to the next level by combining advanced breathing applications, body postures, alignment, and stroke techniques.  Enhancing your relationship with water will increase swimming distance, duration, and rhythm’s allowing you to prepare for triathlons, scuba diving, open water swim, lifeguard certification preparation, or increasing your lap swim.