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THE AMERICAN CLUB
SEP / OCT 2016
AQUATICS
The American Club and The Starfish Swim School are very
excited to announce the launch of the SwimAmerica Learn
to Swim Program from September 2016!
The American Club is the ONLY location in Singapore
offering the SwimAmerica program. We will provide world-
class standard teaching and coaching levels with the
backing of SwimAmerica.
What is SwimAmerica?
SwimAmerica is a US national learn to swim program
operated by the American Swimming Coaches Association
through over 500 Program Directors at over 900 sites across
the USA. It is the state-of-the-art learn to swim program in the
world today, brought to you by the same people who have
produced the most successful sports team on the planet –
the USA Olympic Swimming Team. Just like how NASCAR
and INDY car races inspired the development of great
cars, SwimAmerica adopts the techniques of world record-
setting swimmers and teaches them to new swimmers.
When and at what age should my child learn to swim?
As soon as your child is capable of independent motion, he
is susceptible to accidental drowning. Therefore, toddlers
as young as 6 months old can already start attending
swim lessons. Due to the weight of their heads and body
proportions, young children cannot readily “learn to
swim” in the beginning – the focus is on keeping them
safe. SwimAmerica teaches them how to surface when
underwater, roll onto their backs, maintain themselves,
breathe and yell for help. Once they have mastered this
skill, they can begin to learn “real swimming”.
How do I know when my child knows how to swim?
The SwimAmerica program aims to teach every child how
to maintain himself indefinitely in the water. To do so, he will
have to learn the ability to exhale used air and inhale new
air, also known as Aerobic swimming. Scientists have found
that humans can swim 200 yards without being able to
breathe, effectively. SwimAmerica goes above and beyond
by ensuring that all students are able to swim 300 yards
without stopping, and are able to swim six different styles of
swim strokes before they can be considered swimmers.
Why SwimAmerica for my child?
Firstly, SwimAmerica is technique-oriented. This means that
from the very first day your child is enrolled in the Learn to
Swim program, he will be taught expert techniques used
by Olympic swimmers, hence ensuring he develops the
proper stroke technique right from the start. Secondly,
SwimAmerica is goal-oriented. Unlike other swim classes
where faster learners often have to wait for slower learners
to catch up, coaches at the Learn to Swim Program adopt
a more individual approach. Students are encouraged
to learn at their own pace, and faster swimmers will be
able to progress through the curriculum more rapidly.
All SwimAmerica programs are taught by members of
the American Swimming Coaches Association who are
certified to teach swimming and are experts in the proper
development of stroke technique.
How frequently should my child take swim lessons?
Lesson are recommended twice a week as more lessons
means more learning time and a faster progression for
your child. Children learn through repetition and the
more often they can be in the water practising correct
techniques, the easier it will be for them to develop muscle
memory and the ability to build on the basic techniques.
Should my child take group or private lessons?
SwimAmerica favors group swim lessons, where children in
small groups of five or less can get to practise and watch
each other perform skills they have learned. However,
private and semi-private lessons can also be arranged.
How will I know what level my child will be in compared to
their Starfish Swim School level?
In August, all existing Starfish Swim School students will be
assessed and presented with certificates announcing their
new levels in SwimAmerica.