Swim lessons in English & French for babies, toddlers and children in heated pools .
Based in Geneva & Lausanne
BELLEVUE - GENEVA INDEPENDENT SWIMMERS
From 3.5 years old
ALL LEVEL OF INDEPENDENT SWIMMERS ARE SKILLED BASED AND DO NOT HAVE PARENTS IN THE WATER.
The independent swim programme involves small groups of children in the water without parents. Our programme is based on the highly successful Australian model of small classes, warm water, and teachers in the pool to ensure each child has personal attention. The maximum students per teacher is between 3 and 7 students, depending on level.
We teach each child a specific set of skills in a sequential manner to successfully progress them to the next level, when they are ready. We start in Level 1 with putting head in the water, and by Level 9, children are swimming butterfly.
Note for parents: all children learn in the same sequence but at different speeds. Children should only move to the next level when ready. It is not a competition. They may become disheartened if they move to the next level before they are ready. It is important that children enjoy lessons and look forward to coming each week.
VERY IMPORTANT - Swim levels for independent swimmers are SKILLED based, not aged-based. We put in a minimum age as currently we have rarely seen children younger than the minimum age be able to reach that level (but happy to be proven wrong). Please therefore choose a class based on skills, not on age.
All classes are scheduled on WEEKDAYS and WEEKENDS. You will need to determine your child's level according to his/her age and then decide on a week or weekend lesson.
Price for lessons: 40 CHF/ lesson during the week & 45 CHF/lesson during the weekend. Your invoice will reflect the number of lesson that month.
Monthly subscription that is automatically renewed until you cancel. You have your own family account that you can check when you want.
Cancellation possible until the 15th of the previous month (you cancel by the 15th February for the 1st March).
You can join whenever you want! You do not have to wait the end of a term to join our swim school
PLATYPUS
From 3,5 year old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 3.5 years of age, beginner level.
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The child is not comfortable putting head in water or does not do it when asked
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The child accepts the separation from the parent, voluntarily gets in the water & is able to understand and follow simple instructions in French or English.
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Maximum children per teacher: 3.
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Class lasts 30 minutes.
PUFFERFISH
For children minimum 3 years old, who have already done parent and child lessons with Red Whale. This is a transition to swimming without parents.
Entry Criteria:
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For children who have done parent and child lessons with Red Whale.
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Minimum 3 years old.
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Have been given this level by Red whale.
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He/she can put their entire head in the water (ears in water) when asked for 3 seconds while in a horizontal position - bubbles not necessary.
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Are comfortable with separation from the parents.
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Maximum children per teacher: 3.
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Class lasts 30 minutes.
SEA OTTER
From 4 year old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 4 years of age.
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The child is very comfortable in the water but cannot swim. He/she can put their entire head in the water (ears in water) when asked for 3 seconds while in a horizontal position - bubbles not necessary.
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Maximum children per teacher: 3.
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Class lasts 30 minutes.
PENGUIN
FROM 5 years old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 5 years of age.
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The child is very comfortable in the water & can swim 10m with at least one breath.
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He/she can do a Strong, continuous “torpedo kick” on the front for 7m without breathing.
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He/she can kick on the back with board above knees and straight arms for 5m.
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Maximum children per teacher: 5.
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Class lasts 40 minutes.
SEAL
FROM 5 years old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 5 years of age and able to do all the exercises in the lower levels
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The child can swim four high, straight, front crawl beginner in a row without breathing. Must maintain strong kick.
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Strong, continuous kick on the back over 5m with hands by the side. Must maintain good high body position, (no flotation devices)
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Maximum children per teacher: 7.
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Class lasts 40 minutes.
DOLPHIN
FROM 6 years old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 6 years of age.
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The child can swim 10m beginner freestyle - breathing on one side every two strokes. Must start breathing with correct lateral breathing technique (ie rolling of head, not lifting of head).
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The child can swim 10m backstroke with straight back stroke arms.
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The child can swim breaststroke correct kick, glide, breath for 3 cycles - using kick-board.
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Maximum children per teacher: 7.
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Class lasts 40 minutes.
MANTA RAY
FROM 7 years old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 7 years of age.
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20m controlled conventional freestyle (bi-lateral breathing) every 3 strokes. No lifting the head. Correct rolling technique of head.
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20m controlled backstroke
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20m controlled Breaststroke with correct timing.
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10m dolphin kick underwater with flippers.
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Maximum children per teacher: 7.
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Class lasts 40 minutes.
RED WHALE
FROM 9 years old
Entry Criteria:
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Minimum 9 years of age.
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100m controlled freestyle (with correct bi-lateral breathing)
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100m controlled backstroke
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100m controlled breaststroke with correct timing.
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20m controlled butterfly with flippers
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Maximum children per teacher: 7.
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Class lasts 50 minutes.
This is our highest level. Children swimming in this group have to have near-perfect technique.