What this level looks like
Children under 2, and the first level for any swimmer starting in the water. Infant Aquatics® Basic Training begins at 6 months.
One instructor, one swimmer, 15 minutes in an indoor teaching pool kept above 90 degrees, 2 to 4 days a week. Babies build survival skills through frequent repetition, so the schedule matters. Parents stay dry and watch from the side.
Most children reach basic water comfort, getting their face wet, submerging and feeling safe in the water, in about 10 lessons. Development, temperament and previous water experience all move that number.
Starfish is complete when a swimmer falls into the water, controls their breath, rolls to a float and sustains it, and performs all of it in street clothes including a diaper and shoes.
Parent questions
What age is Starfish for?
Starfish is the floater level for children under 2. Infant Aquatics® Basic Training starts at 6 months.
Is Starfish private or group?
Private. Every Starfish lesson is one instructor to one swimmer, 15 minutes long.
Why practice in street clothes?
Most accidental entries happen when a child is dressed. Practicing in clothes and shoes means the skill works the way it would in real life.
Skills in Starfish
Check them off as your swimmer earns them, one skill at a time, before moving up the Journey.
Where Starfish sits
Ten levels across three milestones. Tap any level to open its page.
