Adaptive Swim Lessons
one-on-one water safety & swim classes for any age, any ability
Ever since we realized that autistic children are 160 times more likely to drown, we knew something had to be done.
Nova Swim is a pilot program in Ogden, Utah - as exclusive water safety lessons for kids with disabilities.
Our main goals are to increase safety around water and increase swimming abilities, and thereby helping reduce drowning risks.
Saving Lives, one lesson at a time
Our swim instructors are trained to help babies, kids, and adults with disabilities gain confidence in and around water.
OUR SWIM SYLLABUS
Every child swims at their own pace! This is the standardized lesson plan breakdown we will follow, while making slight adjustments according to needs and accomidations.
Nova Swimmers go through Levels 1-8
(All Ages)
Your swimmer sets the pace.
Swimmers progress through levels and complete their water safety when they become *STAR SWIMMER* status!
Instructors advance swimmers when skills are consistent, comfortable, and safe.
Beginner Levels:
LIft-off Level 1
FOUNDATIONS FOR COMFORTABILITY AND SAFE MOVEMENT
Skills that will be taught:
-
Close mouth/put face in the water
-
“Monkey crawls” along the wall
-
Safe entries/exits (climb in and out)
-
Supported kicking on stomach
-
Supported front and back floats
-
Grab toys from the steps with face in the water
Lift-off Level 2
FOCUSING ON EARLY INDEPENDENCE AND BREATH CONTROL
Skills that will be taught:
-
Front (stomach) float for 5 seconds
-
Kicking with a kickboard
-
Back float for 5 seconds
-
Assisted roll-overs (front ↔ back)
-
Bunny hops in shallow water
-
Retrieve toys from the shallow-bottom
Lift-off Level 3
SELF-RESCUE NECESSITIES
Skills that will be taught:
-
Front & back floats 10+ seconds (consistent)
-
Independent roll-overs (front ↔ back)
-
Streamline kicking
-
Swim–float–swim sequence
-
Elementary backstroke (“monkey–airplane–rocket”) with arms & legs
-
Jump in and swim back to the wall
-
Intro to sidestroke
Level 4: Survival Test
After completing the Liftoff Levels, swimmers take a Water Safety Survival Test. During a clothed-entry simulation (our fun “pajama day”), they practice an accidental fall-in while wearing clothing and then perform a full swim–float–swim sequence across the pool to safety—without touching the bottom.
Intermediate Levels:
EXplorer 5
STARTING ON REFINING TECHNIQUES
Skills that will be taught:
-
Freestyle kicks and arms (separate → together)
-
Freestyle side breathing
-
Flutter kick on back with kickboard (stomach → over-head progression)
-
Backstroke arm patterns
-
Retrieve toys from the deep end bottom (when ready/cleared)
Explorer 6
ADDING POWER AND CONTROL
Skills that will be taught:
-
Continuous backstroke
-
Breaststroke kick (“monkey–airplane–rocket”)
-
Butterfly kick (dolphin/mermaid)
-
Tread water for 30 seconds
Explorer 7
FOCUS ON ENDURANCE AND EFFICIENCY
Skills that will be taught:
-
Breaststroke with timing
-
Butterfly stroke fundamentals
-
Tread water for 1+ minute
-
Flip turns (intro and practice)
And Finally, LEVEL 8: The Star Swimmer Challenge!
Swimmers complete four laps of each competitive stroke—freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly—using proper technique and clean wall transitions (including flip turns where appropriate). They then tread water for 1 minute 30 seconds and finish by retrieving a toy from the bottom of the deep end.
Completing this challenge will graduate you from our Nova Swim program!
Completion of all levels & challenges makes you a star swimmer!
Our swim instructors are lifeguard, CPR, & Swim Angelfish® certified.
Swim Angelfish is an adaptive swim training program that we use to train all our swim instructors so that we can best serve the disability community who need life-saving water safety lessons.
Have a question?
Nova Supports
349 12th St.
Ogden, UT 84404
(385) 470-1909
Nova Swim's Pool is Located inside the Nova Supports ABA Clinic
349 12th St
Ogden, UT 84404
(Building is in between The Habit & Taco Bell restaurants.)