Swim Lessons and Swim Team Prep

at Calvin University

Please use the following descriptions to determine the skill level that would be appropriate for your child.  Children with no swimming experience should be placed in Level I.  Children should be able to accomplish the skills described in Level I in order to be placed in Level II, and so on. We will spend a small portion of the first class testing those children whose parents are uncertain what skill level would be appropriate for their child, but most children will be pre-registered in a skill level; therefore, instruction can begin right away.  Some placement adjustments may be needed in the first few classes if parents have either over- or underestimated their child's ability.

Level 1: Water Exploration -  Swimmer must be at least 5 years old and able to participate independently with an instructor. No previous swimming experience is required.

Level 2: Fundamental Skills - Must successfully complete Level 1 and demonstrate submerging the face and blowing bubbles, supported front and back floats, swimming 5 yards independently, entering and exiting the water independently, alternating arm movements on the front and back, supported flutter kicking on the front and back, and comfort holding the breath and looking underwater.  

Level 3: Stroke Development - Must successfully complete Level 2 and demonstrate unsupported front and back floats, flutter kicking on the front, back, and side, front crawl and backstroke arm movements with a kickboard, swimming 25 yards independently, jumping into deep water and safely returning to the wall, and confidence swimming in deep water.

Level 4: Technique Refinement - Must successfully complete Level 3 and demonstrate streamline push-offs on the front and back, freestyle for 25 yards with side breathing, backstroke for at least 25 yards, a legal breaststroke kick, dolphin kick, a standing dive from the poolside, safe deep-water entry, and the endurance to swim continuously for 50 yards.  

Level 5: Advanced Mechanics - Must successfully complete Level 4 and demonstrate freestyle with side breathing for 50 yards, backstroke for 50 yards, breaststroke with a legal kick for 25 yards, basic butterfly or single-arm butterfly, freestyle and backstroke flip turns, butterfly and breaststroke open turns, dolphin kicking with a kickboard, treading water for two minutes, and proper racing starts and turns.  

Level 6:  Stroke Proficiency - Must successfully complete Level 5 and demonstrate freestyle and backstroke with legal flip turns for 100 yards, breaststroke for 100 yards, butterfly for 50 yards, a legal breaststroke pullout, underwater dolphin kicks to the flags in freestyle and backstroke, a legal 15-meter underwater dolphin kick, a racing start with underwater dolphin kicks, a legal 100-yard Individual Medley, and the ability to consistently follow instruction while completing longer training sets.

Swim Team Prep - Must successfully complete Level 6 or demonstrate equivalent ability. Swimmers should be able to legally perform all four competitive strokes, complete a legal 100-yard Individual Medley, demonstrate legal starts and turns, and comfortably participate in a one-hour practice. Swim Team Prep develops stroke efficiency, endurance, interval training, pace clock usage, lane etiquette, and the confidence, discipline, and work habits needed for competitive swimming.  

Competitive Swim Team - Must successfully complete Swim Team Prep, Level 6, or demonstrate equivalent ability. Swimmers are evaluated by the coaching staff and placed into the training group that best matches their technique, conditioning, maturity, and competitive experience to support long-term athletic development.

Swim Team: Bronze Group - Bronze Group is the introductory competitive training group for swimmers who have mastered all four competitive strokes and are ready for organized team practices. Swimmers should be able to complete a legal 100-yard Individual Medley, demonstrate legal starts and turns, follow interval training using the pace clock, and complete approximately 1,000–1,500 yards of practice while maintaining sound technique. Training emphasizes stroke refinement, endurance, racing fundamentals, teamwork, and consistent practice habits.  

Swim Team: Silver Group - Silver Group is designed for intermediate competitive swimmers ready for increased training volume and intensity. Swimmers should demonstrate consistent legal technique in all four strokes, effective underwater skills and turns, and complete the entry benchmark of 8 × 50 freestyle on 1:30 while holding under :45 on every repetition. Training emphasizes aerobic development, race strategy, stroke efficiency, pacing, and advanced technical skills.

Swim Team: Gold Group - Gold Group is the highest competitive training group and is intended for dedicated swimmers who demonstrate exceptional technique, commitment, and work ethic. Swimmers should consistently perform legal starts, turns, and underwater skills, possess strong aerobic endurance, and complete the entry benchmark of 8 × 50 freestyle on 1:30 while holding under :35 on every repetition. Training emphasizes championship-level conditioning, advanced race preparation, technical excellence, leadership, and personal accountability. Final placement is determined by the coaching staff based on overall ability, maturity, attendance, and long-term development rather than benchmark times alone.

Skill Levels: 1 - 6

CAMP POLICIES

LOCATION & CHECK IN: Lessons are held at the Venema Aquatic Center at the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex. Please meet on the pool deck on the first day, entering through the locker rooms (family, men’s & women’s locker rooms are available for use) on the lower level of the Hoogenboom Health & Recreation Center.

DIRECTOR:

• Dan Gelderloos, Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Head Coach

INSTRUCTORS:

• Calvin Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving Team Members
• Guest Instructors