Program Description: Swimming lessons are an essential part of a child's education. Being able to swim properly increases confidence which makes time in the water an enjoyable and safe experience. In addition, swimming is a healthy, total fitness activity that lasts a lifetime. Our Learn to Swim programs are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors with an enthusiasm and dedication to helping children and adults achieve their swimming goals.
To determine proper class placement please review the level descriptions below and/or contact the DMAC front desk (860) 584-3837 with any questions or to schedule a swim test, free of charge.
Goggles strongly recommended, though we do not allow those that have cover the nose.
Please try and arrive 15 minutes prior to start of class. For best progression it is recommended that children attend every class if possible.
Pre-School Class Descriptions
All pre-school aquatics classes are intended for children 3-6 years old.
- (PCA 1) Parent & Child Aquatics 1: This class is for parents with children ages 6 months to 3 years. This is a water introduction class where comfort in the water and submerging are taught in a low pressure and fun environment. This class teaches parents proper holding techniques for their children while teaching them water skills. Water experimentation, blowing bubbles, and basic skills are instructed through songs and activities.
- (PSA 1) Pre-school Aquatics Level 1: This class teaches children the most elementary aquatic skills. They continue to develop safe practices around the water.
- (PSA 2) Pre-school Aquatics Level 2: This class teaches independent aquatic locomotion skills. Children continue to explore simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back to gain more proficiency for future strokes.
- (PSA 3) Pre-school Aquatics Level 3: This class teaches children to perform their skills independently. They are taught to improve coordination of combined arm and leg actions and alternating arm and leg actions.
Learn-to-Swim (LTS) Class Descriptions
Students should graduate Kindergarten before moving up to a Learn to Swim class
- (LTS 1) Level 1 Beginner: Introduction to Water Skills- Children learn breath control, buoyancy on the front and back, alternating arm and leg action and general water safety rules.
- (LTS 2) Level 2 Beginner: Fundamental Aquatic Skills- Underwater swimming, treading water, swimming in different positions and general water safety are the main focus.
- (LTS 3) Level 3 Intermediate: Stroke Development- Head first entries, rotary breathing, changing directions, breaststroke kick, elementary backstroke and scissor kicks are introduced.
- (LTS 4) Level 4 Intermediate: Stroke Improvement- Diving, surface diving, turns, sidestroke, breaststroke, and butterfly are taught.
- (LTS 5) Level 5 Advanced: Stroke Refinement- Head first surface dives, flip turns, sculling and, shallow-angle diving skills are taught. All other skills are refined.
- (LTS 6) Level 6 Advanced: There are three options: (All options complete numerous laps to continue to work on developing stroke technique and endurance.)
1. Personal Water Safety- Focuses on endurance and safety in and around the water in addition to the core skills.
2. Fundamentals of Diving- Focuses on deck and springboard diving in addition to the core skills.
3. Fitness Swimmer- Focuses on endurance as it pertains to using the water as a medium for exercise in addition to the core skills.
Goggles strongly recommended, though we do not allow those that have cover the nose.
Please try and arrive 15 minutes prior to start of class. For best progression it is recommended that children attend every class if possible.
