Dive right in with our Big Waves program
This 10-level program is for children ages 6 and older, as well as those who have mastered Little Wave 7 in the Little Waves Program. This program is both fun and challenging and will help swimmers develop the five main swimming strokes and lifesaving kicks that support aquatic safety in, on, and around the water. Your children will learn the:
- Front crawl
- Back crawl
- Elementary back stroke
- Breaststroke
- Eggbeater Kick
This program is also designed to increase their fitness and endurance through enjoyable activities and self-rescue techniques.
Class Length: 30 minutes
Class Ratio: 4:1
Big Wave 1
This introductory level is for children ages 6 and up. The main goal of Big Wave 1 is to increase each student’s confidence in the water. Your child will be encouraged to explore under the water and float and glide on their front and back without assistance.
Big Wave 2
Big Wave 2 is the level where children learn all of the different components that make up front crawl. Children will learn a series of new skills that challenge the strength of their kicking by adding in arm movement, coordinated breathing, and rolling from their front onto their back.
Big Wave 3
The basic front crawl and back crawl are the major areas of focus of Big Wave 3. Your child will also be practicing entering deep water, supporting themselves at the surface for 20 seconds (treading water) and returning to a point of safety without assistance.
Big Wave 4
The goal of Big Wave 4 is to further refine the front crawl. Your child will use the skills they have been perfecting to strengthen their stroke. In addition, your child will also spend time working on building their endurance in both Front and Back Crawl strokes. This is also the level where children enter the Big Wave levels, after the completion of Little Wave 7.
Big Wave 5
In this level, swimmers are taught how to perform front crawl while they coordinate continuous arms, rhythmic breathing and kicking at a faster pace than before. Children will also be practicing treading water for 2 minutes as a self-rescue skill.
Big Wave 6
In Big Wave 6, your child will further refine their front and back crawl and will be introduced to a third stroke called elementary backstroke. This level will also challenge your child’s endurance, by increasing the continuous swim distance to 100 metres!
Big Wave 7
In Big Wave 7 we begin to develop advanced strokes. Students are taught how to breathe to both sides during front crawl as well as learn eggbeater kick while swimming a length of the pool. Their endurance is also being put to the test, as the distance has now increased to 200 metres!
Big Wave 8
At this stage, your child will work on mastering their coordination and timing. Students will learn advanced techniques for front and back crawl. Children will also be introduced to breaststroke and foot first surface dives.
Big Wave 9
In Big Wave 9 your child will perfect all of the strokes that they have learned. The new skill introduced for this level is headfirst surface dives. Students will also continue to build their endurance and be able to swim 400 metres by the end of this level as well as swim under the water for 3 metres.
Big Wave 10
By the end of Big Wave 10, your child will be steps away from becoming a Lifeguard and they will have perfected all of their strokes. They will also be able to swim 500 metres continuously. On the last day, remember to bring your camera because we have a special cheer for when students pass this level!