Water Wings Swim School Instructor Manual 2026

These flashcards cover the organizational philosophy, training stages, class goals, and employee policies for the Water Wings Swim School 2026 Instructor Manual.

Water Wings Swim School Creed

Fun, Safety and Swim

Avi Shafshak

A founder of Water Wings Swim School with a background in Business Administration, Economics, and Swim School Management.

Tracy Shafshak

A founder of Water Wings Swim School with a background in Competitive swimming and child psychology.

USSSA

The United States Swim School Association, which Water Wings Swim School attends annual meetings for to stay up to date on teaching techniques.

Conflict of Interest Policy

A rule strictly prohibiting staff from teaching swim lessons outside of Water Wings Swim School, including private home lessons or lessons at other schools.

CPR & Lifeguard Certification Requirement

All employees must hold valid CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certification cards and have three months from the start of training to become certified in all three.

Stage 1 Training

The first stage of training for beginner to intermediate swimmers over age three, including Starfish, Sea Horse, Otter, Jellyfish, Turtle, and Stingray.

Stage 2 Training

Training for the Advanced Swim Program (Walrus and Orca) which requires completing Stage 1 and meeting criteria like 60 days of teaching or prior competitive experience.

Stage 3 Training

Training geared toward competitive swimmers, including the Hammerhead and Recreational Team classes.

Stage 4 Training

Training for the Infant / Toddler Program, including Parent & Me 1 and 2, and the Guppy level.

Teaching Slate

A tool used during each shift to track which classes are being taught and the names of all students per half-hour session.

Movement to Next Level Procedure

A process where an instructor ensures a student meets all criteria for two consecutive classes, then asks a senior instructor for an evaluation.

Gold Token

A token given to a student by an evaluating senior instructor to signify they are ready for an award ribbon and moving to the next level.

Box Pattern

A swim pattern used to produce group movement while introducing assisted swimming or maximizing safety.

Triangle Pattern

A specific formation used during back floating sections to maximize safety.

Prone Float Progression Holds

Three specific holds used for swimming: Beginner (hands on shoulders), Intermediate (overhand grip on elbows), and Advanced (holding elbows then progressively letting go).

Turn Around Swims

A safety skill where children enter the pool, turn around to grab the wall, and climb out.

Safety Climb Out Technique

The specific sequence used to exit the pool: Elbow, Elbow, belly, Knee, Knee.

2-3-4 Method

A progression for freestyle: Glide for 2 counts, kick for 3 counts, then perform 4 arm circles.

Tap Tap Roll Overs

A drill performed at the Sea Horse/Turtle level where the student rolls over for a breath on the 4th arm circle.

Bilateral Breathing

A technique taught in the Walrus level where students alternate their breathing arm every other breath (1, 2, breathe on 3).

Eggbeater Technique

A treading water method taught at the Walrus level where swimmers move legs in inward circles one foot at a time.

Little Splashers

A complimentary introductory class for infants ages 2 to 5 months designed to keep a baby's love for water going.

Parent & Me 1 Goal

To learn to submerge underwater, hold breath, and glide independently for 3-4 feet.

Parent & Me 2 Goal

To develop an independent swim from teacher to castle for approximately 5 feet and grab onto the castle to pull up.

Guppy

A class for ages 2 to 3.5 years that develops forward arm movement, kicks, independent back floats, and introduces roll over breathing.

Starfish / Jellyfish Goal

To develop a comfortable, relaxed swim for 3-5 feet and back float with minimal assistance.

Sea Horse / Turtle Goal

To develop a proficient freestyle consisting of streamline, kick, and straight arm recovery.

Otter / Stingray Goal

To develop a proficient freestyle with side breathing on a preferred arm and a full backstroke.

Walrus Goal

To swim freestyle with bilateral breathing comfortably, have a strong backstroke, and swim one length of breaststroke with breathing.

Orca Goal

To swim all four competitive strokes efficiently across the pool and perform a basic freestyle flip-turn.

Hammerhead

A 60 to 90-minute class for superior swimmers who have completed the Orca program and are focusing on competitive swimming.

24-Hour Approval Rule

The policy that all shift covers must be approved by management 24 hours prior to the missed shift.

Summer Attendance Policy

From May through September, employees are permitted to take one day off for each day of the week they work, provided they find a cover.

On-Call Employee

An employee designated to be reachable by phone and ready to report to work within 30 minutes if called.

Rash Guard Replacement Fee

A charge of $40.00$ taken out of an employee's paycheck if a rash guard is lost or needs replacement within three months of receipt.