City of Mitchell

Swim Lessons

Fall, Winter & Spring: Youth Lessons are offered at Rec Center throughout the school year. Call Chris at 995-8450 for information on current classes. See below for skills for all Red Cross lessons.

Summer: Youth Lessons are offered at the Rec Center and the Mitchell Outdoor Aquatic center. Skills taught in each level are listed below. Our SUMMER BROCHURE will be distributed and posted on this web site on April 4th, with summer schedules and fees.

Become certified as a lifeguard or swim instructor in these Red Cross classes.

Lifeguard Training 2012 -- March 23,24 & 25

This Red Cross course prepares participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply for lifeguarding jobs or to use for personal safety. Participants who successfully complete the class will be certified in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and lifeguarding. The course is a 3-day course, scheduled Friday night, all day Saturday, and most of Sunday. Fee is $155 per student (many agencies reimburse most of this fee when they hire lifeguards). Participants must be at least 15 years old by the first day of class. Download your REGISTRATION FORM here, or you can register online using the Online Registration Link on the right side column of this page.

Water Safety Instructor Course 2012 May 30,31 & June 1st

This course prepares participants to become certified swim lesson instructors. Course fee is $155 (many agencies reimburse most of this fee when they hire swim instructors) Participants must be at least 16 years old by the last day of class. Download your REGISTRATION FORM here, or you can register online using the Online Registration Link on the right side column of this page.

Lifeguard Training & CPR-PR Recertification Classes

Bring your Lifeguarding Book if you have it, and study a bit in advance!

CPR-PR Recertification 2012 Thursday May 24th 9am - Noon -- required yearly

Lifeguard Training Recert 2012 May 24th 1:00 - 4:00 -- required every 3 years

Download your REGISTRATION FORM for CPR-PR and LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATIONS here, or you can register online using the Online Registration Link on the right side column of this page.

Levels I - IV Swim Lessons:

Lessons are held Monday through Thursday for three weeks. Each lesson is 40 minutes, which includes 5 minutes of "free swim" at the end. Boys and girls should come to class with their swimwear already on or under their clothes -- we do not provide dressing rooms, although restrooms are available. Parents are welcome to stay and watch lessons if they wish, but it is not required. See course descriptions below:

Skills Covered in Red Cross Swim Lessons:

Level 1 - Water Exploration

  1. Fully submerge face - 3 seconds
  2. Bob to chin level with or without support
  3. Front float with support
  4. Back float with support
  5. Bubble blowing
  6. Enter & exit water independently
  7. Be able to move comfortably in water
  8. Supported kicking on front
  9. Supported kicking on back
10. Alternating arm action
11. Basic water safety rules
12. Familiar with getting help
13. Basic reaching assists
14. Release cramp
15. Fundamentals of life jackets

Level 2 - Primary Skills

  1. Fully submerge head - 3 seconds
  2. Retrieve objects with support
  3. Explore deep water with support
  4. Front float or glide & recovery
  5. Back float or glide & recovery
  6. Level off from vertical position
  7. Rhythmic breathing
  8. Step-in entry and side exit
  9. Flutter kick on front
10. Flutter kick on back
11. Finning on back
12. Back crawl arm action
13. Combined front stroke - 5 meters
14. Combined back stroke - 5 meters
15. Turning over
16. Float in life jacket - 1 minute
17. Reaching & extension assists from deck
18. Familiar with rescue breathing

Level 3 - Stroke Readiness

  1. Retrieve object, unsupported, eyes open
  2. Bobbing
  3. Jump in deep water with life jacket
  4. Rules of safe diving
  5. Diving - kneeling & compact positions
  6. Front glide with push-off
  7. Back glide with push-off
  8. Coordinate components of front & back crawl
  9. Fundamentals of elementary backstroke (kick)
10. Fundamentals of treading water
11. Changing directions
12. H.E.L.P. & Huddle positions
13. Open airway for rescue breathing

Level 4 - Stroke Development

  1. Deep water bobbing
  2. Rotary breathing
  3. Survival float
  4. Standing front dive
  5. Elementary backstroke - 10 meters
  6. Sculling on back - 10 meters
  7. Front crawl - 25 meters
  8. Back crawl - 25 meters
  9. Breaststroke kick - 10 meters
10. Scissors kick - 10 meters
11. Changing directions
12. Alternate kicks/treading water
13. Rescue breathing techniques
14. Familiar with CPR