LEARN TO SWIM YOUTH
The Edgar May Health and Recreation Center is an independent authorized provider of Starfish Swimming. Starfish Swimming is a nationally recognized swim instruction curriculum developed by the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI). Learn more about SAI at www.starfishaquatics.org.
The Starfish Swimming curriculum is designed for students ages 6 months to adult. Benchmarks are established at each stage in the program that combine both swimming and safety skills. Students participate in experiential learning activities that allow them to explore the water in a creative and comfortable environment. Correct swimming techniques are taught from the very beginning, providing an easy transition to Swim Team.
STARFISH SWIM SCHOOL
Students work toward development of the five core swimming competencies and receive color stage awards for each achievement. The color stages are used to divide students into broad ability groups. Children progress at individual rates with the opportunity to progress to advanced strokes. Learning is self-paced, but challenging.
If you are unsure what level to register for your child, contact Julia Lamb, Aquatics Coordinator, at jlamb@edgarmay.org.
WHITE
Children in this level will build confidence in the water as they learn how to jump in, submerge underwater for about five seconds independently, and come up relaxed and breathe.
Register for this level if your child is 3 years or older.
RED & YELLOW
Children in this level can get their face wet and are able to submerge comfortably under the water and come up for air on their own.
They will learn to float on their front and back without support and jump into the water and return to the surface on their own. They will then learn how to kick and retrieve something from the bottom of the pool.
BLUE & GREEN
Children in this level can swim under the water or on the surface, come up for breath, and tread for 15 seconds without support.
In this level, they will begin stroke development, learn rotary breathing, and get comfortable in deeper water. They will also learn diving skills and build endurance.
STARFISH STROKE SCHOOL
Students refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and more! Students must complete all levels of Swim School before enrolling in Stroke School. These classes are for ages 6 to 12.
FREESTYLE & BACKSTROKE
To participate in this class, students must have completed and passed the Starfish Swim School Blue/Green benchmark. Your child should be able to swim unassisted for 30 feet.
In this class, students will begin stroke refinement for Freestyle (the front crawl stroke) and backstroke.
BUTTERFLY
To participate in this class, students must be able to correctly swim freestyle and backstroke for 30 feet.
In this class, students will being butterfy stroke refinement.
BREASTSTROKE & ENDURANCE
To participate in this class, students must be able to swim four (4) strokes of butterfly correctly while only taking one (1) breath.
In this class, students will refine their breaststroke and work towards building endurance in their stroke skills.
STAR BABIES & TOTS
This class is for children 6 months to 3 years of age and their parent or guardian. This class will familiarize young children to the water and prepare them to learn to swim in the Starfish Aquatics Swim Schools. It is not designed to teach children to become good swimmers or to survive in the water on their own.
A parent or guardian must accompany their child in the water in this class. All children under 3 years old are required to wear a swim diaper in the pools. There are a limited supply of swim diapers at the Front Desk.