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Buoy Adaptive Aquatics
Book a placement visit
Book a placement visit
CallBook a placement visit

Six levels

Levels named by what swimmers practice

Each level has a dot, a short list of skills and a way up. A placement visit tells us where to start, and the instructor decides when a swimmer moves on.

  1. 01

    Getting in and settling

    Light blue dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Getting in by the ramp, the lift or the steps

    • Getting used to the water, the room and the sounds

    • Holding the wall or the instructor's hands

    • Finding a way to rest in the water

    Moving up

    When getting in is steady and the swimmer can stay at the wall by choice, the instructor suggests Floating and balance.

  2. 02

    Floating and balance

    Sky dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Floating on the front or the back with support

    • Finding balance with a noodle or a belt

    • Blowing bubbles, if the swimmer likes

    • Sitting, standing and turning in shallow water

    Moving up

    When floating with support is steady and turning in the shallows is easy, the instructor suggests Kicking and pulling.

  3. 03

    Kicking and pulling

    Blue dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Kicking with a board or a noodle

    • Arm pulls on the front or the back

    • Moving from the wall to the instructor

    • Changing direction

    Moving up

    When kicking and pulling carry the swimmer a few body lengths, the instructor suggests Moving on your own.

  4. 04

    Moving on your own

    Deep blue dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Traveling across the shallow end with a float

    • Rolling from the front to the back

    • Breathing out with the face in the water

    • Reaching the wall or a rail

    Moving up

    When a swimmer travels across the shallow end and reaches the rail, the instructor suggests Strokes.

  5. 05

    Strokes

    Indigo dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Freestyle and back crawl arms, adapted to the swimmer

    • Breathing to the side or lifting the head

    • Swimming across the width of the pool

    • Resting on the back between strokes

    Moving up

    When a stroke carries the swimmer across the pool and back to a rest, the instructor suggests Longer swims.

  6. 06

    Longer swims

    Violet dot, ages 5 and up
    Skills

    • Swimming a length of the pool with rests at the wall

    • Swimming beside a partner in the next lane

    • Turning at the wall

    • Choosing a goal with the instructor

    Moving up

    There is no level after this one; the instructor sets new goals with each swimmer every session.

Where to startBook a placement visit

Sample levels.

Every swimmer moves at their own pace.

In the water

Equipment that follows the swimmer

Noodles, belts, boards and a lift are there for the swimmer to use or leave. The instructor tries one thing at a time, watches how it feels and changes it when it doesn't help.

  • Noodles and belts for floating

  • Boards for kicking

  • A lift or a ramp for getting in

Family policies
A student in a yellow swim shirt in the pool with an instructor beside him

Adults too

The same levels for adults

Adults start at the same place and move through the same levels, at the warm-water pool and in the evening and weekend sessions. Some bring a friend or a caregiver to the deck, and some start with the rail.

Older women holding the rail in shallow water with an instructor on the deck

Not sure which level?

That is what the placement visit is for. Book a time and an instructor will get in the water with your swimmer.

Book a placement visitMeet the instructors