Swim Levels and Schedule
Our spring programs will come out in the first week of January.
Boston College Campus Recreation encourages all swimmers to develop their skills at a pace and comfort that they find best. Some people will require more training in basic swimming techniques while others may be ready for some of the more advanced strokes, find out more info below.
Ages 6 months -18 months
This class is for parents and children ages 6 - 18 months who can sit independently. The class will teach you techniques to help orient your child to the water, including fun activities like blowing bubbles and playing with water toys.
18 months-4 years old
This class is for parents and slightly older children ages 18 months - 3 years old who still need a parent’s support in the water. This class will help the child gain confidence in the water, become more comfortable working with another adult, practice floating and kicking, and prepare them for higher-level classes.
This class is for kids that have already taken Parent Tot B.
18 months - 4 years old
This class is for kids that have already taken Parent Tot A/B. They can put their face water, follow some instructions, enter/exit the water without assistance, and are ok to go with another adult (instructor).
This class is for children ages 3 - 4 or those who have completed Parent and Toddler class and/or are comfortable putting their faces in the water. The first three classes will be done with the parent and child in the water or until the child is comfortable with the instructors.
This class is for children that have taken Little Eagles but are too young to move to level 1 group lessons. Parents will not need to get in the water if the child is comfortable with the instructors. But parent(s) need to come ready to get in the water if needed.
Introduction to Water Skills
- Enter and exit the water using the ramp, ladder, or side
- Blowing bubbles through the mouth and nose and putting the face in the water
- Bobbing five times, opening eyes underwater, and retrieving submerged objects, two times (in shallow water)
- Front and back glide two body lengths.
- Roll from front to back and back to front
- Simultaneous leg action on the front, two body lengths
- Combined arm and leg actions on the front, two body lengths
- Combined arm and leg action on the back with support, two body lengths.
- Glide on front at least two body lengths, and roll to a back float for three seconds with support.
Fundamental Aquatic Skills
Build on the skills introduced in Level 1, with participants improving these skills and learning more advanced skills.The child must successfully complete and demonstrate level 1 skills.
- Fully submerged underwater, blowing bubbles while underwater. Front float, five seconds
- Tuck float, five seconds
- Front glide, two body lengths
- Recover from a front float to glide to a vertical position
- Recover from a back float or glide to a vertical position
- Back float, ten to fifteen seconds
- Treading using arm and leg actions, fifteen seconds (in shoulder-deep water)
- Combined arm and leg actions on the front, five body lengths
- Combined arm and leg actions on the back, five body lengths
- Finning arm action on back, five body lengths
Stroke Development
The child must successfully complete and demonstrate level 2 skills.
- Enter water by jumping from the side (into deep water)
- Headfirst entry from the side in a sitting position (in the deep end)
- Bobbing while moving toward safety five times (in chest-deep water)
- Rotary breathing
- Survival float on the front, thirty seconds (in deep water)
- Back float, thirty seconds (in deep water)
- Change from vertical to horizontal position on the front (in deep water)
- Change from vertical to horizontal position on the back (in deep water)
- Tread water for thirty seconds (in deep water)
- Push off in a streamlined position on the front, then begin dolphin kicking five body lengths
- Front crawl (we teach alternative breathing techniques)
- Elementary backstroke, fifteen yards
Stroke Improvement
The child must successfully complete and demonstrate level 3 skills.
- Headfirst entry from the side in a compact position (deep end)
- Headfirst entry from the side in a stride position (deep end)
- Swim under water, fifteen yards
- Feet first surface dive, submerging completely
- Survival swimming, thirty seconds
- Front crawl open turn
- Backstroke open turn
- Treat water using two different kicks (modified scissors, modified breaststroke, or rotary) for two minutes
- Front crawl, twenty-five yards
- Breaststroke, fifteen yards
- Butterfly, fifteen yards
- Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin flutter kicking, fifteen yards
- Push off in a streamlined position on back and begin dolphin kick, fifteen yards
- Elementary backstroke, twenty-five yards
- Backstroke, twenty-five yards
- Sidestroke, fifteen yards
Stroke Refinement & Skill Proficiency
The child must successfully complete and demonstrate level 4 skills
- Shallow-angle dive from the side (deep end)
- Tuck surface dive, glide two body lengths and begin any front stroke
- Pike surface dive, submerging completely (deep end)
- Front flip turn while swimming
- Backstroke flip turn while swimming
- Tread water, for five minutes
- Front crawl, fifty yards
- Breaststroke, twenty-five yards
- Butterfly, twenty-five yards
- Backstroke, twenty-five yards
- Standard scull, thirty seconds
- Sidestroke, twenty-five yards
Stroke Refinement & Skill Proficiency
The child must successfully complete and demonstrate level 5 skills
- Front crawl, 100 yards
- Elementary backstroke, 100 yards
- Backstroke, 100 yards
- Breaststroke, 50 yards
- Sidestroke, 50 yards
- Front flip turn while swimming
- Backstroke flip turn while swimming
- Butterly turn while swimming
- Dive from kneeling position from poolside
- Forward dive fall-in from poolside
- Standing dive from poolside
- Dive from kneeling position from diving board
- Forward dive fall-in from diving board
- Standing dive from diving board
- Forward jump tuck from poolside and diving board
NOTE: All private swim lesson cancellations should be made 24 hours in advance by emailing mcrcaquatics@bc.edu
Join Our Email List
For information on upcoming Youth Programs and events, subscribe to our Youth Listserv. If you'd like to receive information about BC Rec aquatic programs, reminders about facility closures and updates on our daily schedule, please sign up for the Pool listserv.
Join Our Youth Group Swim Lessons: Easy Registration Steps Below
Review swim levels and schedule.
Boston College Campus Recreation encourages all swimmers to develop their skills at a pace and comfort that they find best. Please review the levels and schedule below to find out more.
Complete the Youth Swim Agreement + General Waiver form.
This form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian prior to participation in any youth program sponsored by Boston College.
Register for Youth Swim Lessons.
Registration Process:
- Set Up Your Online Account: Click here to access our step-by-step guide for online account setup. This allows you to register for programs conveniently online.
- Register Online: Once you have your account created, please go to our portal here to register for swim lessons.
Need Help? If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at mcrcaquatics@bc.edu, call our member services office at 617-552-0797, or visit our member services office in the Margot Connell Recreation Center.
Plan for arrival.
Parking is available in the Commonwealth Garage, Beacon Street Garage, or on Beacon Street. During BC Athletic Events, BC Police may restrict parking.
Coming Soon!