Aquatics & Water Safety

 

 

 

 

The American Red Cross has been a leader in aquatic education since 1914 and in the Houston area Red Cross has been teaching water safety since 1918. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aquatic programs are offered for all ages and skill levels with a focus on Learn to Swim and aquatic safety training. Courses include Longfellow's Whale Tales (for children), Lifeguard Training, Learn to Swim (levels I to VI), GuardStart, Community Water Safety and the Aquatic Examiner Service.

The following courses are offered year round at  Mary Jo Peckham Park  Pool in Katy, TX.   Registration is conducted directly at the pool for aquatic classes.  In addition, these courses are offered seasonally in partnership with City of Houston Parks & Recreation.  For courses offered in partnership with other providers

Learn-to-Swim Levels 1 -6

 

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills                                                                                                                              (34901)

Helps students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Prerequisites: None Length No minimum number of hours suggested

Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills                                                                                                                       (34902)

Provides student with opportunities for success with fundamental skills.Prerequisites: American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills certificate or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 1 Length No minimum number of hours suggested

Level 3: Stroke Development                                                                                                                                           (34903)

Builds on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice.Prerequisites: American Red Cross

Learn-to-Swim Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills certificate or demonstrate all completion requirements

in Level 2 Length No minimum number of hours suggested

Level 4: Stroke Improvement                                                                                                                                           (34904)

Builds student confidence and performance of the swimming strokes learned in Level 3 by providing additional guided practice. Prerequisites: American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 3: Stroke Development certificate or demonstrate all completion requirements in Level 3 Length No minimum number of hours suggested

Level 5: Stroke Refinement                                                                                                                                              (34905)

Builds on the skills in Level 4 by providing additional guided practice. Prerequisites: American Red Cross

Learn-to-Swim Level 4: Fundamental Aquatic Skills certificate or demonstrate all completion requirements

in Level 4 Length No minimum number of hours suggested

Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency.                                                                                                                     (34906)
Refines strokes so students swim them with ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances.
 Parent and Child Aquatics                                                                                                                                               (34900)
Helps develop swimming readiness by leading parents and their children in water exploration activities with the objective of having fun and becoming comfortable in, on and around the water. Helps develop swimming readiness by leading parents and their children in water exploration activities with the objective of having fun and becoming comfortable in, on and around the water. Prerequisites: No skill prerequisites, Child must be at least 6 months old to enroll, Parent or other caregiver must accompany each child into the water and participate in each class.

Longfellow's WHALE Tales                                                                                                                                              (34911)
Helps educate teachers and youth leaders who work with children about safe behavior in, on or around the water. Promotes healthful aquatic recreation by increasing participants' awareness of safe behavior in, on, or around the water.  Contact your child's school for availability.  Red Cross staff are available to present at assemblies.

Prerequisites: none.

Length: no minimum.

LIFEGUARDING & SWIM INSTRUCTORS

The following courses are offered seasonally at Red Cross locations.  IIn addition, these courses are offered seasonally in partnership with other providers, click here.

Lifeguarding  (Rev.06)                                                                                                                                              (HSAQU402)
Teaches participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries. Prerequisites: Minimum age of 15. Swim 300 yards continuously. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Length:  31 hours, 15 minutes (including the pre-course session)

 Water Safety Instructor                                                                                                                                                     (3490I)
Train instructor candidates to teach water safety, including the Basic Water Rescue course, six levels of the Learn to Swim and Parent and Child Aquatics.
Length: 30 hours

Boating Safety and Small Craft Training

BasicRiver Canoeing 

This module introduces individuals to the canoeing skills necessary for safe participation in Class II moving water, i.e., moderate rapids. Special emphasis is placed on tandem paddling and selecting, transporting, and securing canoes.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Canoeing or equivalent skills.

Length: 20 hours

BasicRiver Kayaking
Basic River Kayaking introduces individuals to the kayaking skills necessary for safe participation on Class II moving water, i.e., moderate rapids. Special emphasis is placed on increasing stroke proficiency, selecting, transporting, and securing kayaks.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Kayaking or equivalent skills.

Basic Sailing
This 36-hour course develops an understanding of the principles of sailing, rules of the road, self-rescue skills, and how to assist others.

Prerequisite: Pre-course swim test.

Fundamentals of Canoeing
This course introduces basic paddling, self-rescue, and essential canoeing skills on flat water. Basic River Canoeing and Kayaking is also offered.

Prerequisite: Pre-course swim test.

This course covers fundamentals of kayaking, including introductions to the sport, equipment, boating safety, strokes, and rescues. Prepares student for the Basic River Kayaking Course.

Prerequisite: Pre-course swim test.

This course provides individuals already skilled in one or more types of small craft, such as canoes, kayaks, sailboats and rowboats, with a core lesson in basic water rescue skills and the knowledge needed for self-rescue and assisting others.