Lessons For Children

The Happy Fish swim lesson program is divided into levels. At each level, students build
on skills previously mastered, and earn ribbons as they go. Ribbons are awarded when a child
masters the skills listed for that ribbon during any part of the session. This program is for ages
3 through 13 years of age, all levels. There is an average 1:4 teacher to student ratio.

Happy Fish Group Descriptions - Levels & Ribbons
See our SCHEDULES page for Session Days & Times

These are the basic skills learned at each level. More detailed descriptions available on certificates
given to students at the end of each session.

Level & Ribbon Color	Basic Skills Learned at Each Level	Teacher Student Ratio
Pink	Swim safely and happily in a regular class with a teacher and three other children Students receive a ribbon as Graduate of the Water Baby program. All participants receive a progress report	1:6
Light Green	Enters and exits water safely with help Interacts with teacher Feels comfortable in and around water	1:3
Light Blue	Fully submerges head on own Understands concept of "bite of air" above water and let out air under water each time Blows bubbles Bobs: 3 times in a row	1:3
Yellow	Front floats on own Back floats on own Turns over from front to back Vertical floats on own	1:4
Green	Front glides on own with arms by sides Back glides on own with arms by sides Safely turns from front to back, and from back to front Flutter kicks with "stretched" legs	1:4
Blue	Freestyle arm strokes with good form Non-wiggling - legs and core in good form while doing arm strokes Flutter kick and wing on back with good form	1:4
Orange	Freestyle with body rotation, balance, and breathing on both sides Kicking and winging on back 15 yards Basic Backstroke arm motions Combined backstroke arms and legs on back with horizontal core, underwater kick	1:4
Red	5 yards of Freestyle with good form Rhythmic arm movements during backstroke Basic dolphin body Basic "whip kick" of breaststroke Tread water 30 seconds using any kick combo Ready for swim team upon completion	1:4
Purple	25 yards refined Backstroke with core rotation Performs "whip kick" of breaststroke with good form Basic breaststroke armstroke Performs dolphin kick with good form	1:4
White	25 yards refined breaststroke Breaststroke competitive pull down, and understand when used Open turn using 2 hands Standing dive (long shallow dive with arms in front)	1:5
Silver	25 yards refined butterfly 50 yards refined freestyle 50 yards refined backstroke 25 yards refined breaststroke Racing dive	1:5
Gold	Refine all strokes, turns and dives. Endurance and technique for competitive swimming.	1:5

These are the basic skills a child must pass to earn each ribbon.
We combine ribbon levels of students with similar skill ability