Thank you for contacting the Red Cross about Learn to Swim lessons.  We hope the following information will be helpful to you:

Learn to Swim FAQs

How do I register?

• All students who attend elementary school in the Marshalltown, West Marshall, South Tama, GMG, and Collins-Maxwell-Baxter school districts will receive a Learn to Swim flyer.  The registration information and payment can then be mailed to the Red Cross, or dropped off in person.  (Fisher Community Center, 709 S. Center St., Marshalltown)

• Registrations will not be processed without payment ($30 per session).

How do I know what session and time I’m scheduled for?

• Time selected is confirmed unless you are notified otherwise by June 9

Where are the pools located?

Marshalltown Aquatic Center: 212 Washington St., (West of Community Y)

            Marshalltown High School Pool: 317 Columbus Dr

            West Marshall Pool:  3^rd St NW, State Center

            Tama Toledo Pool: 1301 S. Broadway St

What level should I sign my child up for?*

Level 1, Introduction to Water Skills. 

• This class is for the complete beginner.  Child must be 5 years of age to participate.  The only skill the child needs to be able to complete independently PRIOR to lessons is to put his/her face completely in the water.

Level 2-Fundamental Aquatic Skills.

• This level is for those who have successfully completely level 1, or can independently complete the following skills at the end:  submerge head for 5 seconds, open eyes under water to retrieve and object, front and back float, front and back glide, and tread water with arms and legs.

Level 3- Stroke Development

• This level is for those who have successfully completely level 2, or can independently complete the following skills at the end:  sitting/kneeling dive, rotary breathing, front ad back glide 2 body lengths, front crawl 15 yards, back crawl 15 yards, and butterfly kick 5 yards.

Level 4-Stroke Improvement

• This level is for those who have successfully completely level 3, or can independently complete the following skills at the end:  compact and stride dive from side, swim underwater 3 body lengths, tread water for 1 minutes, front crawl 25 yards (entire length of the pool), back crawl 25 yards, butterfly 15 yards, breaststroke 15 yards.

Level 5- Stroke Refinement

• This level is for those who have successfully completely level 4, or can independently complete the following skills at the end:  demonstrate a shallow dive from the side of the pool, survival float for 2 minutes, front flip turn, tread water 2 minutes, front crawl 50 yards, back crawl50 yards, butterfly 25 yards, breaststroke 25 yards, sidestroke 25 yards.

Level 6

• Students are able to choose between Personal Water Safety, Fitness Swimming, Lifeguard Readiness and Fundamentals of Diving

• Due to possible limitations, please list your first and second choice on your registration form. 

NOTE:  This is only a PARTIAL listing of the skills that the child will need to successfully demonstrate to pass the respective level.  For a complete list, please visit the American Red Cross National website.  www.redcross.org

What happens if I sign my child up for the wrong level?

• Our Water Safety Instructors will spend the first day assessing skill levels and will work within the WSI staff to be sure your child is in the correct level.  Students will be moved up and down accordingly, if necessary.

What if I don’t receive a flyer from school?

• Please visit our website to download a form: http://iowarivers.redcross.org

Does the Red Cross offer any sort of financial assistance?

• Scholarship information for our Learn to Swim program is available upon request.  Please send a request to breslera@iowarivers-redcross.org

What should parents do during swimming lessons?

• In order to ensure that your child receives the best instruction possible, parents are asked NOT to interact with their child at all during their lesson time.

• Parents are asked to sit in the concession areas of the pool, or underneath a shade tent.

• Parents are asked NOT TO SIT: on the edge of the pool, in the lounging chairs on the deck, or on the deck itself.

How does my child practice?  What can I do, as a parent, to support the program?

• Parents are the number one element of “at home” swimming lesson success!  Asking your child what they learned in lessons that day and asking them to demonstrate “out of the water” is key to your child’s success! 

• Many lower-level skills can be practiced in the bathtub, with supervision, while many upper-level skills (kicks especially) can be practiced on the edge of a couch or bed.

• Reviewing pool rules and/or life-saving skills is also a good way to help your child develop a strong understanding of the water safety skills they will be learning in the Learn to Swim program.

• Finally, meet your child’s instructor or talk with your child about what your instructor is like.  If you child hears you speaking positively about/supporting their instructor, they are likely to foster a greater respect for the person helping them learn how to swim!

The Red Cross hopes that you and your child have a safe and memorable summer.  We are delighted that you are interested in our Learn to Swim program and look forward to working with you at the pool. 

Questions may be directed to the Health & Safety department of the Iowa River Chapter

(641-753-3317x2 or breslera@iowarivers-redcross.org)