Swim Levels

At Aqua Swim Academy we designed our Swimming levels to be simple to understand and created our Aqua Swim Level Finder to help you find the right swimming level quickly and easily!   


We offer eight swimming levels and clearly outline the goals and skills obtained in each one. We have named them with simplicity in mind, so you will no longer be confused by terms such as sea otters, turtles and fish !   


If you need further assistance to find the right level, in addition to our Level Finder, we offer a free trial assessment for children over 4 years old.

Swim Levels Explained

Our program is designed to cater to all ages and skill levels, ensuring a gradual and rewarding learning experience. 


We're the first swim school in Switzerland to offer both a level finder and skills tracker making the "learn to swim" process easier and more measurable for busy parents.


You can track progress in real-time via our custom Skills Tracker in the client portal. When your child progresses, they will earn stars for each new skill that they gain and once they gain them all, will move up to a new level.


Try our Level Finder to determine which group best fits your child!

Level Descriptions

Swim Starters

For Baby and Pre-School swimmers starting in the water with a parent or guardian.

Level 1
Water Discovery
Icon shows a mother standing up in the water holding her baby to indicate that this is a parent-and-baby class for babies between 3 and 12 months
Age Range: from 3 to 12 months
Class Size: max. 3 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 30 minutes

Parent and baby lessons for our littlest baby swimmers, focused on discovering water in a fun and interactive environment.


This level is for babies that are not yet able to respond to verbal cues, walk or jump on land.

Level 2
Water Explorer
Icon shows a mother face to face with her toddler in the water, who is learning to swim independently with her support.
Age Range: from 13 to 36 months
Classe Size: max. 3 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 30 minutes

Parent and toddler lessons that focus on building your child's motor skills in the water. Together with the parent and child we discover and introduce new swim skills to build a strong foundation.


  • Little Explorer Group: 12 to 24 years
  • Big Explorer Group: 24 to 36 months


Level 3
Water Comfort
The icon shows a coach wearing a yellow t-shirt standing closely behind a young girl as she swims.
Age Range: 3 years +
Class Size: max. 3 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 30 minutes

This class is split into groups according to the child's age:


  • Younger Group: 3 to 5 years
  • Older Group: 5 years+


Coach and child lessons designed for students not yet comfortable taking swim lessons independently. We focus on becoming self-reliant and overcoming anxiety.


At this level, children will learn to feel more comfortable in the water, by learning the foundation of breath control as well as how to float on their front and back.


Swim Strokes

Swim levels for independent swimmers are based on their skills and ability rather than their age. A free level assessment will be performed to ensure your child is grouped correctly.

Level 4
Stroke Discovery
The icon shows a young girl standing up in the water and smiling. This is to show that at this level, children no longer have a parent or coach in the water with them.
Age Range: Based on ability
Class Size: max. 4 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 30 minutes

We designed this course for children who can enter the water independently without a parent and follow instructions.


At this level, children will learn how to control their bodies in the water while performing breath control and basic swim movements.

Level 5
Stroke Development
The icon shows a boy floating on his back in the water and smiling. It shows that he is becoming more independent and this is reflective of the level ability
Age Range: Based on ability
Class Size: max. 4 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 30 minutes

For children who need to build their independent swimming skills to become confident swimmers.


At this level, your child will develop the technique of the freestyle, backstroke, breaststrokes and the first component of the butterfly stroke.

Level 6
Stroke Advancement
This icon shows an older child swimming front crawl in the water, and is designed to show the progression of this level as it is focussed on improving swimming strokes
Age Range: Based on ability
Class Size: max. 4 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 45 minutes

For children who can swim independently and perform the 3 main swim strokes.


Your child will learn different drills that will improve their efficiency and confidence in their swimming. Key life-saving techniques such as how to tread water in bodies of open water are also taught. 

Swim Masters

For advanced child swimmers looking to practice and perfect their skills!

Level 7
Master Technique
This icon shows an older child wearing a swimming hat and goggles, ready to push off from the side of the water and start swimming.
Age Range: based on ability
Class Size: 6 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 45 minutes

The goal of this level is to build on your child’s existing skills in all 4 strokes and prepare to swim longer distances


They will learn to develop their stroke technique and water safety skills: such as treading water for longer periods, back stroke and butterfly strokes for more than 10 meters.

Level 8
Master Endurance
This icon shows an adult swimmer wearing goggles swimming front crawl in the pool independently.
Age range: based on ability
Class Size: 6 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 45 minutes

The Master Endurance level will teach children advanced technique and correct timing and swimmers mindset.


The level also introduces efficient turns, and surface dives while building on water safety by learning to swim in clothing.


At this stage our swimmers can prepare for competitions or lifeguarding certifications.

Level 9
Master Efficiency
This icon shows an adult swimmer wearing goggles swimming front crawl in the pool independently.
Age range: based on ability
Class Size: 6 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 45 minutes

Work towards complete mastery by learning how to be efficient and optimal breath control across all four strokes.


At this stage your swimmer can prepare for competitions swimming any of 4 main strokes and for a minimum of 25 meters.

Swim Club

Further Refine Swimming Skills and train for competitive swimming.

Swim Club
This icon shows an older child wearing a swimming hat and goggles, ready to push off from the side of the water and start swimming.
Age Range: based on ability
Class Size: 6 Students to 1 Coach
Class Length: 45 minutes

This level is designed for elite swimmers. The goal of this level is to perfect your child’s existing skills and build on them. Your child will participate in local competitions and swim meets when possible.



Your child will refine and practice their swimming technique and learn how to swim long distances with better breath control.

Level Finder

We understand it is not always easy to decide which level your child should start in. To help with this process, we built our custom Aqua Swim Level Finder. We created it to take the stress out of finding the right swim class! Our questions help your child find the perfect class for them. 

For some of our more advanced levels (Swim Strokes and Swim Masters), we will provide a free float and strokes test to ensure they are in the right level.

Swim class in heated pool

Are you ready to join Aqua Swim Academy ?

We offer several course packages and membership options to suit your schedule and budget.

Discover our Classes
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