Santa Cruz County Parks | Winter/Spring 2022 | Activity Guide

6 • Parks, Open Space & Cultural Services AQUATICS PROGRAMS Swim Lessons Sea Horses (Parents & Tots) Ages 6 months & up. Parents are in the water to learn how to teach their child age-appropriate swim skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Participation in songs and games makes the experience a positive one. Children must wear disposable swim diapers and plastic pants (2 layers of protection) if not yet toilet trained. Barnacles (Level 1) Ages 2-1/2 & up. Prerequisite: Comfortable in the water without an adult or parent/guardian. Skills introduced: Blowing bubbles, supported front/back floats, facial submersion and kicks. Class emphasis is on water adjustment and having fun. Guppies (Level 2) Ages 3 & up. Prerequisite: Barnacle graduate or capable of fully submerging face, blowing bubbles for 10 seconds two times in a row and floating and kicking on front and back with support. Skills introduced: Rhythmic breathing "bobs," jumping in, unassisted front and back floats, assisted swim on front and back with arm strokes, kicks, and breathing. Goldfish (Level 3) Prerequisite: Guppy graduate or comfortable with face in the water while using arm strokes for at least 10 seconds, float unsupported on front and back for at least 5 seconds, bob with rhythmic breathing 10 times in a row, and retrieve objects in chest-deep water. Skills introduced: Unassisted front arm strokes and kicks while breathing, unassisted back stroke, glides, turning over, treading water, and basic water safety. Sea Turtles (Level 4) Ages 4 & up. Prerequisite: Goldfish graduate or capable of unassisted strokes on front using alternating arm action and breaststroke arm action with breathing for 10 yards, unassisted back stroke with alternating arm action for 10 yards, front and back glides with push offs from the wall, bobbing with rhythmic breathing 15 times. Skills introduced: Front crawl with side breathing, back crawl, elementary backstroke kick, beginning dives, changing directions, increased swimming endurance, and basic water safety. Sea Otters (Level 5) Ages 5 & up: Prerequisite: Sea Turtle graduate or capable of: swimming at least 25 yards of front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing, backstroke at least 10-15 yards, elementary back stroke 25 yards, treading water at least 1 minute. Skills improved: Front crawl with side breathing and increased endurance, back crawl, elementary backstroke, treading water, and standing dives. Skills introduced: breaststroke and sidestroke, survival float and open turns at wall. Sea Lions (Level 6) Prerequisite: Sea Otter graduate or capable of swimming 25+ yards front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing, 25 yards backstroke, 25 yards breaststroke, scissor kicks for 10 yards, and able to tread water for at least 2 minutes. Skills Improved: Front crawl with bi-lateral side breathing and increased endurance, backstroke, breaststroke, standing dives and treading water, open turns for all strokes, Skills introduced: Butterfly stroke, sidestroke, flip-turns at the wall. Barracudas (Level 7) Designed to be taken multiple sessions to refine swimmers' techniques and increase endurance. Coaches lead swim workouts and skill lessons to match a swimmer’s ability level. Prerequisite: Sea Lion graduate or capable of swimming 50 yards front crawl with side breathing, 50 yards back crawl, 10 yards breaststroke, 25 yards elementary backstroke, 10 yards side stroke, dolphin kick 10 yards, and tread water for 2 minutes. Skills improved: All competitive swimming strokes and endurance. Skills introduced: Endurance swimming, competitive swimming strokes and drills, turns and techniques, and basic lifeguarding skills. Adult & Teen Beginner Lessons (age 13+) Geared for non-swimmers as well as beginners, this class held in shallow water introduces students to breath control, front and back floats, and the front crawl. Basic strokes and kicks are introduced to students who are able to complete the beginning skills.

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