The focus of baby swimming lessons is familiarizing your swimmer with being in the water in a way that is relaxing and fun. We introduce them to the fundamentals of our curriculum through very gentle movement and play. If your baby is enjoying bath time at home, they are ready to start learning.
Toddlers will continue to learn through play but will also be exposed to more methodized instruction. They will be introduced to and hone skills like assisted kicking, assisted back floats, assisted roll-overs, and assisted submersions. The highlight of this level, for both parent and child, is voluntary submersions. Swimmers are also encouraged to be independent and will learn unassisted entry from the pools edge, unassisted rollovers, and unassisted floating, culminating in a combination of the three. Your swimmer will also master kicking, fully submerged, from their instructor to you. Whether you’re in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, or the surrounding area - contact us for more info about our swimming lessons!
This level is for beginner swimmers who did not complete the two previous levels and is almost identical to our Toddler level except it's geared towards meeting the needs of older swimmers and a parent is not permitted in the water.
Silver Swimmers will be introduced to some of the basics of the freestyle and backstroke techniques, and treading water as a lifesaving skill. This is the first level where children begin to consciously pick up a very rudimentary understanding of hydrodynamics and is thus the first level that your swimmer's abilities will resemble what most people consider ‘swimming’.
Must be comfortable in the water.
Must be able to back float independently for 30 seconds.
Must be able to swim freestyle independently for 10 feet.
Must be able to retrieve items from shallow water (4ft.)
Overall endurance and techniques for both freestyle and backstroke are expanded upon. Side breathing, maintaining a proper body position and a deeper understanding of efficiency are a focus for Gold Swimmers.
Must be able to back float independently for 60 seconds.
Must be able to swim basic freestyle and backstroke.
Must be able to swim freestyle independently for 20 ft.
Must be able to retrieve items from deeper water (4 ft.)
Entering Platinum Swimmers should already have a very strong understanding of how to swim and will acquire most of the skills needed to master all four competitive strokes. Upon completion of our Platinum Competition Prep Level, your child will have achieved the highest most prestigious rank at Beard Swim Co. and will receive a recommendation from our director, Four-Time Olympian Amanda Beard, to move on to the rewarding challenges of a club team. This is not an easy achievement and will require much discipline and dedication.
Skill Requirements
Must be able to swim freestyle with side breathing for 40 ft. or more.
Must be able to swim backstroke for 40 ft. or more.
Must be able to swim any stroke, or combination of strokes, independently for at least 5 minutes.
Must be able to dive and retrieve items from deeper water (6 ft.)
Our swim specialists have years of experience instructing swimmers of all skill levels and ages in the Gig Harbor and Tacoma, WA area, from babies (including infants and toddlers 6 months to 36 months old), to teenagers and adults.
You can subscribe to our newsletter to get notified about any upcoming camps, deals, and other Beard Swim news.