The YMCA in Canada has taught thousands of children, youth & adults to swim through our nationally-accredited YMCA swim programs since we offered the very first YMCA swimming lesson over 100 years ago
YMCA Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society have worked together to produce the chart below which converts Red Cross and Lifesaving Society levels to the YMCA’s program. This chart will be used as a tool to assist the aquatic staff to determine a swimmer’s readiness for participation in a particular level of our programs. Please remember, the chart should be used simply as a general guide, since individual differences and situations will occur.
YMCA Swim Level Conversion Guide
AGE GROUP | YMCA | LIFESAVING SOCIETY | RED CROSS |
|---|---|---|---|
Infants to 2 years accompanied with adult | L'il Dippers 1 | Parent and Tot 1 | Starfish |
L'il Dippers 1 | Parent and Tot 2 | Duck |
|
L'il Dippers 1 | Parent and Tot 3 | Sea Turtle |
|
3 to 5 years on their own or accompanied by an adult | Bobbers | Preschool A | Sea Otter |
Floaters | Preschool A | Salamander |
|
Gliders | Preschool B | Salamander |
|
Divers | Preschool B | Sunfish |
|
Surfers | Preschool C | Crocodile |
|
Dippers | Preschool D | Whale |
|
6 to 12 years on their own | Otter | Swimmer 1 | Swim Kids 1 |
Seal | Swimmer 2 | Swim Kids 2 |
|
Dolphin | Swimmer 3 | Swim Kids 2/3 |
|
Swimmer | Swimmer 4 | Swim Kids 4/5 |
|
Swimmer | Swimmer 5 | Swim Kids 6 |
|
Star 1 | Swimmer 6 | Swim Kids 7 |
|
Star 2/3 | CSP - Rookie | Swim Kids 8 |
|
Star 3/4 | CSP - Ranger | Swim Kids 9 |
|
Star 5/6 | CSP - Star | Swim Kids 10 |
|
Star 7 | Bronze Star | Swim Kids 10 |