INDEPENDENT SWIMMERS
From 3.5 years old
REGISTER TO OUR INDEPENDENT SWIMMER CLASSES FOR OUR EASTER INTENSIVE WEEKS IN BELLEVUE
Click the button below to view lesson times and enrol.
Important information: All Independent Swimmers classes are based on skill, not on age. Parents do not accompany children in the water.
Please note: We do not teach diving at our facility, as our pool is not deep enough.
For more information about our independent swimmers pathway, please check our our dedicated page.
PLATYPUS - From 3,5 year old - no parent in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 3.5 years, beginner level.
- The child must be comfortable separating from a parent, willingly enter the water, and follow simple instructions in French or English.
- However, they are not yet able to float on their tummy or submerge their head for 5 seconds on request.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 3.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
PUFFERFISH - New children cannot enrol in this level as you need to have received the Pufferfish medal.
Register directly via your family portal, if you have already received this level.
SEA OTTER - From 4 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 4 years.
- The child must be happy to be separated from parents for 30 minutes and willing to enter the water.
- Able to float on their tummy with face and ears submerged for 5 seconds when requested.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 3.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
CROCODILE - From 4 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 4 years.
- The child is able to swim 6 metres with their face in the water, maintaining a continuous kick without stopping or sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 4.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
PENGUIN - From 5 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 5 years.
-Front: Able to swim 7 metres in a streamlined (rocket) position without breathing, using a strong, continuous kick.
-Back: Can swim 7 metres on their back, hands by their side, with a strong, continuous kick.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 5.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
SEAL - From 6 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 6 years.
- Must complete all previous level skills.
- Can swim 12 metres of freestyle (crawl) with straight arms, breathing on one side, maintaining a strong kick.
- Able to perform a strong, continuous kick for 10 metres on their back, with hands by their side, without sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 6.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
DOLPHIN - From 7 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 7 years.
- Able to swim 20 metres of freestyle, breathing bilaterally (on both sides) with correct lateral breathing technique (rolling the head, not lifting it).
- Can swim 20 metres of backstroke with straight arms, a strong continuous kick, and no sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 7.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
The following two levels do not currently have lessons over Easter. However, if you already swim with us and are in the Manta Ray or Shark level and would like to join us for Easter lessons, please email bellevue@redwhale.ch, and we will find you a slot.
If you are new to Red Whale, please register at the Dolphin level. The Manta Ray and Shark levels are only for children who can proficiently swim all three strokes over 20 metres and have previously swum with us. You will be assessed at the pool during your first lesson.
MANTA RAY
Focuses on refining freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke techniques while introducing the butterfly stroke.
Entry Skills:
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Can swim 40 metres of controlled freestyle with bilateral breathing every three strokes (rolling the head correctly without lifting it).
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Can swim 40 metres of backstroke.
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Can swim 20 metres of controlled breaststroke with correct timing.
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Can perform a 10-metre dolphin kick.
SHARK
For swimmers who have completed the Manta Ray level, enjoy swimming as a sport, and wish to continue with Red Whale in a 50-minute class focused on endurance.
Entry Skills:
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Can swim 100 metres of freestyle (crawl), 100 metres of backstroke, and 100 metres of breaststroke.
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Can swim 20 metres of butterfly.