On behalf of the Pike Aquatic Center staff and administration, we thank you for choosing to participate in our Swim Lesson Program! The Pike Swim Lesson Program is an independent Authorized Training Provider of the Starfish Swimming program, a section of Starfish Aquatics Institute.

Our level structure is designed to progress the student through key milestones or benchmarks. Each level will have a specific swimming benchmark to achieve and a water safety benchmark. Once these benchmarks are completed, the swimmer will immediately begin the next level, there is no waiting to the next session to get started in Pike Swimming Lessons!

NO PRIOR SWIM LESSONS REQUIRED FOR BEGINNER STAGE

Starting the journey of swimming lessons, our beginner stage introduces the importance of acclimation to the water and the importance of always being water aware and safe. Students will work on how to submerge comfortably under the water without goggles, how to exchange air (bobbing), body positioning on front and back, and general movement in each position.

BENCHMARKS FOR COMPLETION OF STAGE

• Importance of Lifejackets and Active Supervision in/around the water

• Relaxed Submersion for at least 5 seconds, Independently

• Jump into Water, Roll onto Back and Float for 5 seconds, Independently

STUDENTS MUST DEMONSTRATE BEGINNER BENCHMARKS FOR ENTRY

Building on our beginner stage skills, the intermediate level turns the student's attention to how to move around in the water on their front, back, and side positions. While the goal is to introduce these position, we are not expecting the students to have recognizable strokes quite yet. The side position is a critical piece in our intermediate stages as it begins the process of teaching proper breathing mechanics and body rotation on the front and back. 

BENCHMARKS FOR COMPLETION OF STAGE

• Importance of Self Rescue and Assisting Those in Distress Safely

• Swim - Roll - Swim for a distance of at least 12.5 yards independently.

• Side - Roll - Side Kicking for a distance of at least 12.5 yards independently.

STUDENTS MUST DEMONSTRATE INTERMEDIATE BENCHMARKS FOR ENTRY

Our advanced stage will take the work done with body position and kicking and begin to shape the student into the recognizable front and back crawl strokes. As these skills are developed, the ability to hold proper technical standards while increasing the distance the swimmer is able to swim remains the top priority for the instructors. An introduction to head first entries into the pool and recovery to the surface are worked on in addition to the technical skills.

BENCHMARKS FOR COMPLETION OF STAGE

• Treading Water and Survival Float for at least 1 minute each

• Completion of the Starfish SaferSwimmer Award Test (Without Stopping)

  • Jump into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, swim 25 yards front crawl, and swim 25 yards back crawl.