Orono Community Education

Stroke Development

Comfortable in deep water (5ft+), swims at least 5 yards on front with a coordinated stroke independently, swims at least 5 yards on back with a coordinated stroke independently.

Course Content: Builds on fundamental skills with practice and distance and introduces skills used in deeper water. Skills include: headfirst entries from side in sitting and kneeling positions, bobbing while moving toward safety, rotary breathing, survival float, flutter, dolphin and scissors kick, front crawl, elementary backstroke, and age-appropriate water safety topics.

Exit Skills: 

• Jump into deep water from the side, tread or float for 1 minute then proceed to an exit point by swimming the front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 15 yards. 
• Push off in a streamline position then swim front crawl for 15 yards, change position and direction as necessary, then swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards before exiting the water.

Curriculum and levels are based on the Red Cross' Learn-to-Swim Program. For questions about what level your child should register for, refer to our descriptions.

If you are a new family to Orono Community Education’s swimming lessons, we encourage you to schedule a swimming pre-assessment to determine the best level for your swimmer. Pre-assessments take place at the Orono pool. Instructors will guide your swimmer through a set of skills in a 15-minute period.

Pre-assessments will take place in early December 2024. Contact Tara St. Martin to schedule a pre-assessment at tara.st.martin@orono.k12.mn.us.

Note: Attending a pre-assessment does not guarantee a spot in lessons. Spots fill quickly.