Swim America Lessons: Station (1)- Air Exchange, (2) Floats and Glide, (3) Kicking

SwimAmerica Learn-to-Swim Program

What is SwimAmerica?
SwimAmerica is a comprehensive swim instruction program designed for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. At its core is a station-based teaching method that focuses on mastering specific skills in a progressive sequence. Each swimmer advances at their own pace while building confidence, improving swimming ability, and developing essential water safety skills needed for a lifetime of safe enjoyment in and around the water.

This program is designed for swimmers who are building their foundation in the water. Through guided instruction and skill progression, participants will learn proper breathing techniques, floating, gliding, kicking, and safe water entry and recovery skills.

Skills Covered Include:

Station 1: Air Exchange

• Developing comfort and confidence in the water
• Water movement, breath holding, and controlled air release
• Face submersion and bubble blowing
• Wall bobs with proper air exchange
• Introduction to front floats and recovery
• Safe entry and exit from a seated position on the pool wall
• Instructor-assisted rollover skills

Water Safety Skill:
“Grab the wall, not a person!”

Station 2: Floats and Glides

• Front float and recovery
• Front glide and recovery
• Back float and recovery
• Back glide and recovery
• Streamline bobs
• Rollover practice

Water Safety Skill:
“Rollover to get a breath, shout for help, and see where the wall is!”

Participants will practice:

• Rollover skills
• Instructor-assisted jumps

Station 3: Kicking

• Front glide, kick, and recovery
• Back glide, kick, and recovery
• Front glide with breaststroke kick and recovery
• Seesaw body movement
• Front glide with dolphin kick and recovery
• Continued rollover practice

Water Safety Skill:
“If you fall in, get back to the surface and DON’T PANIC!”

Participants will practice:

• Jumping into the water and pushing off the bottom or using kicking and strokes to reach the surface
• Rolling over and performing a back glide with a kick to the wall

What to Bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Goggles are highly recommended (practice wearing them in the shower before the first class to ensure comfort and proper fit)
• Rash guard shirt or wetsuit top is highly recommended for swimmers who become cold easily

Instruction & Coaching:
SwimAmerica instructors are trained and supervised by Lakers Aquatic Club Head Coach Paul Kraft. Coach Kraft has decades of experience teaching swimming, from beginner learn-to-swim programs to USA Swimming national qualifiers. He is a certified 6–12 science and mathematics teacher and has a lifelong connection to Lake Saint Clair. Coach Kraft is excited to return to his hometown community to help swimmers develop confidence, water safety skills, and a lifelong love of swimming.