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Classes

We have affiliated with the Swim America program via the Nutmeg Swim Club of East Lyme, CT. Swim America is a national learn-to-swim program operated by the American Swimming Coaches Association. It is the state of the art learn-to-swim program in the world today. The program focuses mastery of swimming technique and safety on the water.

The Swim America program offers a logical teaching progression and builds a strong swimming foundation. New skills are introduced while constantly reviewing previously mastered strokes. Students will advance and have the swimming skills to be safe in and around the water. In addition, we offer an Advanced Swim class for those who have completed the Swim America levels. Additional information appears after the Swim America description.

Swimmers in levels 1-6 will be given goals to achieve skill mastery. Swimmers will receive recognition for advancement made on a weekly basis. Instruction will be flexible to allow progression in the program over the course of the summer. Swimming instruction will take place both in the water and on the beach. During the first week of class, swimmers will be placed in the appropriate level based on skill. Although a participant may advance during the summer, the time of their class will not change. Different levels are offered simultaneously to allow movement and growth.

Beginner: Floats and Glides age 4 and up

Water adaptation
Blowing bubbles
Facial submersion
Front glide recovery

Levels 3-4: Kickers and Crawlers age 5 and up

Porpoising, kicking front and back
Front crawl 20 feet no breathing
Side glide kick

Levels 5-6: Freestylers and Backstrokers age 5 and up

Crawl stroke with synchronized breathing
Back crawl stroke
Diving

Advanced Swim: This class is designed to offer additional swimming instruction for those who have successfully completed level six of the Swim America program and are age five and up. This class will focus on advanced skill-set, refinement of stroke techniques, and also introduce basic lifesaving skills. Participants will engage in stroke drills to improve their technique and endurance as a swimmer. This class is open to all swimmers who have successfully completed level six (whether at GLPYC or elsewhere) but want to continue to improve his/her swimming. This is another opportunity, in addition to the competitive swim program, for our advanced swimmers. This class will be led by our Swim America liaison.

Competitive Swim

Swim for Fun

This is a fun swim program for those age eight and up. This will be an organized time for our water enthusiasts who wish to participate in water-based activities outside the scope of lap swim. Focus will be on offering the opportunity to have fun in structured water activities. These include, but are not limited to, modified water polo, relays, water tag, water disc, greased watermelon, matchstick, and other fun activities in the water. If your child likes spending time in the water, but not swimming strokes, then this is the class for them!

Swim for Fitness

We offer a swimming for fitness program for our more competitive swimmers age eight and up. Swimmers must be able to demonstrate an ability to independently swim 100 meters. This class will focus on swim endurance, fitness swim/aquatic exercise, and swimming as cross training for other sports, as well as identifying currents, water safety precautionary measures, and how to recognize and assist distressed swimmers. This class is not intended for lifesaving certification nor does it take the place of such a certification program. This class will also benefit the competitive swimmer as this program will help strengthen endurance and work on stroke development.