RED CROSS LEARN-TO-SWIM COURSE LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Session A July 6th-17th

Session B July 20th-31st

11:30-11:50 Learn-to-Swim Level 1 is designed to orient participants to the aquatic environment and to help them gain basic aquatic skills. In addition, participants start learning about how to be safe around water. 

11- 11:20 Learn-to-Swim Level 2 builds on the basic aquatic skills and water safety skills and concepts learned in Level 1. Participants begin to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begin gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and the back. This level marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills. 

10:20-10:50 Learn-to-Swim Level 3 builds on the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2. Participants learn to swim the front crawl and elementary backstroke at rudimentary proficiency levels, and are introduced to the scissors and dolphin kicks. Participants learn the survival float and increase the time duration for treading water. Participants also learn the rules for headfirst entries and begin to learn to enter the water headfirst from a seated position at poolside (if the water is 9 feet deep or deeper). On successful completion of Level 3, participants have achieved basic water competency in a pool environment. 

9:40-10:10 Learn-to-Swim Level 4 seeks to improve participants’ proficiency in performing the swimming strokes that were introduced in Level 3. Participants perform these strokes with increased proficiency and are able to swim them for greater distances. In addition, participants learn the arm actions that accompany the scissors kick and breaststroke kick in order to begin performing the sidestroke and breaststroke at rudimentary proficiency levels. Participants also learn the back crawl and butterfly at rudimentary proficiency levels, in addition to the basics of performing a simple open turn at a wall. 

8:50-9:30 Learn-to-Swim Level 5 focuses on helping participants refine their performance of all six swimming strokes )front crawl, back crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and sidestroke). Participants perform these strokes with increased proficiency and are able to swim them for greater distances. Participants also learn to perform flip turns on the front and back. 

8-8:40 Learn-to-Swim Level 6 focuses on refining strokes and turns and building endurance. Three options (Personal Water Safety, Fundamentals of Diving and Fitness Swimmer) provide participants with the opportunity to learn information and skills for specific aquatic activities. 

Town Beach Open to Residents

POSTED ON: MAY 22, 2020 - 1:08PM

The New Durham Select Board and New Durham Parks & Recreation Commission decided this past week during their regular business meetings to open the Town Beach on Merrymeeting Lake to New Durham Residents, and parking by permit only. The Beach will have swim area ropes and buoys our for users safety, but will not have  beach attendants, restrooms or trash receptacles available.  Users of the beach are asked to follow the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) COVID-19 Coronavirus guidelines, and the Governor's Stay at Home 2.0 guidelines.  These guideline include 6' social distancing, groups of no more than 10, facial coverings (when interacting with with individuals not in your group, or if unable to social distance.) and frequent handwashing and or use of hand sanitizer.  Residents as asked to carry in and carry out of all belongs and refuge.  The Police Department will make regular patrols of the parking area which is by  Town of New Durham Facility Use Decal only.  The Board and Commission hope the users will enjoy the Beach and ask all users to please use good judgement, and recreate responsibly during this unprecedented time of the worldwide health pandemic. 

The Parks & Recreation Department develops and manages a system of public recreation for all citizens of The Town of New Durham. Duties include managing and maintaining public facilities including the ballfields and town beach, organizing and supervising athletic programs and planning community activities. Additionally, Parks & Recreation works alongside other town departments, boards, organizations and individuals to provide community events and fundraising endeavors to support and improve the quality of life of New Durham residents. The Department strives to provide meaningful and impactful programming for participants young to senior, focusing on areas of local interest and need.