Red Cross Swim Programs
Program Listings & Registration
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 1
This is the entry level program for those who didn’t take the Red Cross Swim Preschool lessons.
Swimmers receive an orientation to water and the pool area and work on floats, glides and kicking. Swimmers build their endurance by working on the 5m front swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 2
Swimmers work on propulsion skills to move through the water and to remain at the surface. Swimmers work on the front swim (5m) and learn about deep-water activities and proper use of a lifejacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Fitness activities include the 10m flutter kick and a 10m distance swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 3
This level provides an introduction to diving, and teaches swimmers how to make wise choices about where and when to swim. Endurance is achieved by building strength in the flutter kick and a 15m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 4
This level introduces the front crawl (10m) and back swim with shoulder roll (15m). Swimmers work on kneeling dives, surface support (45 seconds, deep water) and developing a greater sense of self-safety by understanding their own limits. Endurance is built through a 25m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 5
This level introduces the back crawl (15m), sculling skills, whip kick on the back, stride dives and treading water. Front crawl increases to 15m. An introduction to safe boating skills is also included. Endurance is developed through a 50m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 6
This level refines front crawl with a focus on hand entry and breathing (25m), back crawl with a focus on arm positions and body roll (25m), and introduces elementary back stroke (15m), safety on ice, and rescue of others with throwing assists. Swimmers demonstrate the front dive and their ability to tread water in deep water for 1¬Ω minutes. Endurance is built through dolphin kick and a 75m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 7
This level builds skills and endurance for the front crawl (50m), back crawl (50m) and elementary back stroke (25m) and introduces whip kick on the front. Swimmers learn about airway and breathing obstructions, reach assists and stride entry. Swimming endurance is increased to a 150m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 8
This level is an introduction to breast stroke (15m) and feet-first surface dives. Swimmers learn about the dangers of open water, hypothermia, the performance of rescue breathing on children and adults, and standing shallow dives. Swimmers participate in timed treading water activities using the eggbeater skill for 3 minutes to improve their ability to remain at the surface in the event of an unexpected fall into water. Endurance is built on a 300m swim. Front crawl and back crawl distances are increased to 75m each.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 9
This level refines the front crawl (100m), back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m) and breast stroke (25m), and encourages swimmers to combine different kicks for fitness (3 mins). They also work on head-first surface dives and learn about wise choices, peer influences and self-rescue from ice. Endurance is built through a 400m swim.
RED CROSS SWIM LEVEL 10
This level is a final assessment of the strokes for technique and distance (front crawl 100m, back crawl 100m, elementary back stroke 50m, breast stroke 50m and sidestroke 25m). Swimmers learn about sun safety, rescue of others from ice, and head-first and feet-first surface dives. Endurance is built using the dolphin kick (vertical) and a 500m swim.
STROKE CORRECTION 1
Stroke Correction 1 is designed for those swimmers having difficulty passing Red Cross Swim 4 and 5 where the focus is on the development of front and back crawl.
STROKE CORRECTION 2
Stroke Correction 2 is designed for swimmers in Red Cross Swim 6 and up who are having difficultly with the higher level strokes. Swimmers will have the opportunity to complete the swimming requirement if they have completed the water safety component during their last session of Red Cross lessons. Please bring the child’s last progress card to the start of the class.
RED CROSS AWSI
30-hour program (+ 6.75 – 8 hours teaching experience) for ages 15 years and up
• Candidates must enter with Red Cross Swim Kids 10 skills
• Covers the foundation of instructional skills, including teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback. Candidates are evaluated during 6.75 Р8 hours of assistant teaching and through individual study assignments.
• Upon successful completion of the course, candidates are certified as Assistant Water Safety Instructors, which enables them to co-teach the Red Cross Swim programs under the supervision of a fully certified Water Safety Instructor anywhere in Canada.
• The certified Assistant Water Safety Instructor has demonstrated the ability to perform all strokes and skills in Red Cross Swim and has the knowledge to: o Teach swimming strokes and water safety skills using proven progressions o Identify errors in swimming strokes and water safety skills and provide effective feedback to correct errors o Identify and prevent potentially unsafe situations in Red Cross Swim lessons
• The AWSI certification is current for two years.
RED CROSS WSI
25-hour program (+ 9 Р11 hours teaching experience) for ages 15 years and up  (Prerequisite: Assistant Water Safety Instructor certification)
• This course further develops instructional ability by focusing on how to effectively plan and teach the Red Cross Swim program continuum. Other topics include instructional emergency response skills and stroke development, drills, and corrective strategies. Candidates apply their teaching skills and knowledge during 9 Р11 hours of practical teaching experience.
• Upon successful completion of the course, candidates are certified as Water Safety Instructors and can teach the Red Cross Swim program anywhere in Canada.
• The certified Water Safety Instructor can: o Effectively plan, teach and evaluate Red Cross Swim lessons o Use proven progressions for stroke development and correction o Keep swimmers safe while teaching them how to swim and play safely
• Water Safety Instructors are required to re-certify every two years to maintain a current certification.
Program Listings & Registration