AquaSquirts is now offered by Scona Pool
AquaSquirts is a 45-minute play-based aquatics lesson that develops fundamentals in a creative forum.Boys and girls typically ages 5 to 9 improve breathing techniques, floats, propulsion, and confidence in the water as they role play and invent games. AquaSquirts is ideal for a child who is advancing quickly through swimming levels or for a child who needs more time or a different learning approach or for any child who enjoys aquatic activity.
Developed by the Canadian Red Cross and Synchro Canada, it incorporates elements from a variety of aquatic sports including diving, water polo, and swimming. AquaSquirts also serves as an introduction to basics of synchronized swimming.
Children should be comfortable in chest deep water and able (or almost able) to float on their front and back. Maximum class size is 8.
Swimmers need a pair of goggles and may want nose clips. (Tip on fitting goggles: Goggles that fit your child will stick to his or her face for a couple seconds without the strap attached around the head.)
For more information on the AquaSquirts program visit the AquaSquirts web site at www.aquasquirts.ca.
Mondays, 6:30-7:15pm
Season: September 15 2009-May 18, 2010
AquaSquirts and Red Cross Programs
Many pools across Canada are now offering an updated Red Cross swimming and water safety program called Red Cross Swim! With the introduction of Red Cross' new swimming programs, the placement requirements for AquaSquirts have been revised.A child is ready for AquaSquirts if he/she has participated in SwimKids 3 (complete or incomplete) or the former Red Cross program called AquaQuest 4 (complete or incomplete). Preschoolers who have successfully completed the Whale program by Red Cross would also benefit from AquaSquirts. For children who have not participated in Red Cross swimming programs, the basic skills required are: ability to swim 2 metres or more, ability to glide or float on his/her front and back (or almost able), and a level of comfort in chest deep water. (Note: less experienced swimmers can use flotation devices for assistance.)
For more information on how this fun-filled, participation-based program complements a child's progression through the Red Cross swimming levels, please visit the AquaSquirts website at www.aquasquirts.ca. In addition to a multitude of other AquaSquirts resources, you will find an explanation of the structure of the new Swim Kids program, as well as equivalent charts for AquaQuest to SwimKids.
Orca's AquaSquirts program won a national grant
In December 2005 Orca Synchro's innovative approach to recreational programming earned us a Synchro Canada AquaSquirts grant. They were particularly impressed with our decision to offer lane and family swim during AquaSquirts and synchronized swimming classes, meeting health activity guidelines by providing all members of a family an opportunity to be active at the pool at the same time! Synchro Canada was also impressed by our promotional activities and success in recruiting over 30 new swimmers in our first AquaSquirts session. Read more on the AquaSquirts website.
