MSB Methodology
Schedule ClassesMy Swim Buddy Methodology
My Swim Buddy is a boutique-style swim school specializing in private Learn-to-Swim lessons. All of our teachers are trained in the exclusive My Swim Buddy Methodology while our tenured and Master Level teachers have also obtained certifications or additional training in speciality areas. These areas include Advanced Adaptive Aquatics training (Swim Angelfish Swim Whisperers Methodology) for our students with special needs, Competitive Stroke Development methodology inspired by teachings from Lauri Lawrence at (Worldwide Swim School), and Infant and Toddler methodology inspired by (Aqua Sensory).
Private Swim Lessons With an Adaptive Aquatics Approach
What does Adaptive Aquatics mean?
Regardless of their tenure, all of our teachers are highly trained to be attuned to their student’s needs so they can adapt lessons to the individual swimmer’s comfort level and pace. Our gentle and effective approach allows us to reach our students where they are which builds true trust between our teachers and their students. Our goal is to instill a sense of security, fortitude, and self-confidence—ultimately creating SAFER, STRONGER, more CONFIDENT swimmers!
Throughout the entire My Swim Buddy training process, our teachers are taught to read and understand their student’s feedback (verbal and nonverbal) and then to introduce new skills based on each student’s needs, water comfort level, and learning capability. We seek to build our swimmer’s comfort, confidence, skills, and love for the water throughout their swim journey with us.
For our students with special needs we have a Master Level teacher who has advanced Adaptive Aquatics training from Swim Angelfish Swim Whisperers Methodology.
Training Partners
Learn More
Swim Angelfish has developed aquatic-based training programs targeted to swimmers of availabilities, including those with special needs such as anxiety, attention and physical difficulties, sensory challenges, and autism.
Levels of Achievement
The skills we measure are categorized by Safety, Breath Control, Buoyancy, and Movement / Stroke Development. Below you will find examples of competencies required for each category that swimmers must achieve to earn a specific color swim cap.
The colored cap system is a visible sign of a student’s progress and we award the caps as students reach significant levels of achievement in their swimming abilities. As a swimmer advances they must maintain the ability to perform the skills of lower levels.
*These skill lists are not all encompassing of our curriculum, but examples to help you understand levels of progression.
Level 1: White Cap
Water Discovery & Comfort
Competencies
Safety
Opens Eyes Under Water
Walks on Pool Deck
Waits to be Invited into Pool
Poolside Fun Fall to Float (Assisted Float)
Breath Control
Puffy Cheeks/Bubbles
Teeter-Totter w/Bubbles
Shallow Horizontal Launch w/Glides
Buoyancy
Back Float – Assisted & Calm
Head Positioning
Swims w/ Horizontal Body
Movement & Stroke Development
Leg Movement on Noodle
Roll From Back to Tummy (Assisted)
Pulls Self up Independently
Level 2: Gray Cap
Safety & Confidence
Competencies
Safety
Enters and Exits Water from Stairs Safely
Grabs Rescue Tube or Pool Noodle
Breath Control
Full Body Shallow Submersion (Independent)
Self Initiated Rollover for Breath
Buoyancy
Back Float Independently 5 Seconds
Swims w/ Horizontal Body Position & Eyes Down
Movement & Stroke Development
Effective Kicks
Soft Start to Rollover
Level 3: Orange Cap
Pool Discovery & Safer Play
Competencies
Safety
Knows When, Where, and How to Jump Safely
Retrieves Targeted Objects Underwater w/ Eyes Open
Breath Control
Nose Bubbles
Full Submersion to Sit
Buoyancy
Full Submersion to Backfloat
Survival Stroke
Movement & Stroke Development
Swim – Float – Swim
Effective Arms
Level 4: Green Cap
Independent Swimming
Competencies
Safety
Swim – Float – Swim 30 ft Streamline Body
No Breath Holding Games
Breath Control
Head First Object Retrieval to Float
Bobs 10 5:1 Breath
Buoyancy
Streamline Backstroke Kicks
Tread Water
Movement & Stroke Development
Freestyle w/ Windmill Arms 30 Feet
Streamline Kicking on Kickboard 30 Feet
Level 5: Yellow Cap
Safer & Stronger Swimmer
Competencies
Safety
Knows When, Where, and How to Dive Safely
Can Fall into Pool, Float, Return to Safety
Breath Control
Pencil Jump w/ Extended Reach
Bobs 10 5:1 Streamline off Bottom
Buoyancy
Elementary Backstroke 15 Yards
Submersion to Backfloat w/ Extended Reach
Movement & Stroke Development
Breaststroke Arms on Noodle
Streamline Kicking w/ Sticks and Fins to Rollover 20 Feet
Level 6: Purple Cap
Swim Stroke Development
Competencies
Safety
Elementary Backstroke Across Pool w/ Clothes On
Tread Water for 15 Seconds
Breath Control
Inhale Through Mouth – Exhale Through Nose
Side Breath on Both Sides
Buoyancy
Back Kick w/ Belly Button Dry
Backstroke w/ Arm Circles
Movement & Stroke Development
Backstroke Shoulder Rolls w/ Hip Rotation
Backstroke Head Remains Still
Level 7: Blue Cap
Swim Team Prep
Competencies
Safety
Treads Water 30 Seconds
Uses Kick Board Safely
Breath Control
Head Turns Out w/ Arm Pull
Rythmic Breathing
Buoyancy
Breaststroke 2 Kicks 1 Pull
M Dolphin Kicking w/ Forward Breath
Movement & Stroke Development
Arm Entry in Backstroke at 1 and 11 O’clock
Dolphin Kick
Level 8: Red Cap
Swim Team Star
Competencies
Safety
Backstroke Count to Wall
Circle Swim
Breath Control
Butterfly Stroke Breathing
Flip Turn w/ 3-5 Dolphin Kicks
Buoyancy
Backstroke – Use Kick to Drive Rotation
Freestyle – Body Position Kicking Face Up
Movement & Stroke Development
Early Vertical Forarm
Underwater for Backstroke Start