Swimming

Students will work in the baby pool and shallow area of the main pool to get more comfortable with floating and submerging as well as learning how to control breathing and use their limbs for propulsion in the water. This class is suited for students with little to no experience. Parents are invited to join us in the water during class if they feel that is the most successful strategy for their learner. Parents who feel that their learner will learn better without parental assistance are welcome to watch. Our experience is that students who seem reluctant in class are still paying attention and often practice skills from class at home or during play.

Students will work in the baby pool and shallow area of the main pool to get more comfortable with floating and submerging as well as learning how to control breathing and use their limbs for propulsion in the water. This class is suited for students with little to no experience. Parents are invited to join us in the water during class if they feel that is the most successful strategy for their learner. Parents who feel that their learner will learn better without parental assistance are welcome to watch. Our experience is that students who seem reluctant in class are still paying attention and often practice skills from class at home or during play. All of our non-preschool classes are titled "Beginning" because all learners are at new beginnings! Students are fluidly grouped by ability within each session and have the opportunity to improve their skills at their own rhythm. We offer individualized small group instruction/ practice according to each student's skill level as they progress at their own rate of development and readiness. Our focus is on learning to move through the water efficiently and safely while building endurance. In 2017 there are three (3) Beginning Swim Lesson Sessions: Sessions 1A and 1C (Saturday mornings) and Session 2A (Monday and Thursday afternoons).

Our goal is to educate and equip our entire community in water safe behaviors and skills. If you have questions at any time, please ask.

Session 3 is five (5) classes of Friday mornings (9 am - 2 pm) spread through out the summer.  See our 2017 Class Offerings for more details.  This class is designed for swimmers ages 10 years or older and is designed to help swimmers prepare for the Lifeguard Class pre-requisites, competitive swimming, or fitness swimming in individualizes/ small group practice. Content focuses on stroke mechanics, building endurance, diving,  Basic Water Rescue (reaching and throwing assists) skills, First Aid/ CPR skills, and is adjustable to meet the needs/ learning interests of participants.  Instructors are experienced competitive swimmers and lifeguards.

The NOVA 4-H Pool offers a Lifeguarding Class at the beginning of each summer.  Using the 4-H Experiential Learning Model and the American Red Cross Lifeguard Curriculum, participants learn the knowledge, skills, and leadership required to be a professional Lifeguard.

Participants must attend all class sessions, pass all written exams at a rate of 80% or higher, and demonstrate competency of all practical skills to earn a 2-year certificate for Lifeguarding and First Aid/ CPR/ AED for the Professional Rescuer.  Please see the Red Cross Fact Sheet for more information about pre-requisite skills.

The NOVA 4-H Pool Junior Lifeguarding Program is offered in conjunction with our Intermediate Swim Program as five (5) Friday classes that include building swimming skills and endurance as well as practicing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be a professional lifeguard. Using the American Red Cross Junior Lifeguard Program in conjunction with the 4-H Experiential Learning Model, participants will build readiness for Lifeguard Certification with swim conditioning, practical skills in first aid and water rescue, and team building activities.

This class is appropriate for participants ages 11 years to 15 years of age.  Participants over the age of 12 may opt to test for ARC Adult First Aid/ CPR/ AED certification for an additional fee at the end of the class.  This class does not offer or include any certifications in Lifeguarding.  Please see the Red Cross Fact Sheet for more information about pre-requisite skills.

If none of our class listings meet your needs, or if you are interested in a specific facet of water skills, please talk to us about private lessons. Options vary from 1:1 sessions to educational programs on water safety. The scheduling of private lessons requires at least one week advance notice. To schedule a lesson email us or speak directly to the pool front desk to ensure instructor availability. While we will do our best to accommodate requests for specific instructors, we remind you that all our instructors are trained and availability varies. We want to help everyone to be water safe and water capable! For specific requests and information email us at pool@nova4h.com.