Adult Learn to Swim Program (ALTS)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a third of adults in the United States can't swim the length of a pool. This puts them at risk of being one of the 10 people who drown every day in this country. The U.S. Masters Swimming's Adult Learn-to-Swim initiative is having a significant impact on this problem. With education, outreach, and financial support, USMS is making more adults safer around water.

Pacific Masters conducts a regional ALTS program. Organized by clubs, ALTS includes instructor training and classes to teach adults to swim.

Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) Instructional Tips: Lessons Learned While Teaching

By the Pacific Masters ALTS Committee, Kim Elsbach (chair) Get Fit Davis Masters; Carol Nip, Albany Armada Aquatic Masters; Christina Kossa, Richmond Plunge Masters; Susan Collins, Walnut Creek Masters; Natalie Clark, Fresno Area Manatee Masters, Mark Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club; Lisa Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club

In honor of learn to swim month (April), Pacific's ALTS instructors share the following instruction tips, gathered from their experience teaching ALTS classes.

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  1. Listen, customize, and point out progress. Ask students how they feel about their progress and listen to their concerns regarding their swimming improvement. Every student has distinct goals which may evolve over the course of the ALTS program. If possible, customize instruction to meet the students' specific goals, and let them know it's OK if they're not ready to tackle any specific skill. It's also important to be flexible in teaching specific safety skills (e.g., it may be easier for some to float on their back for 1 minute, even if they can't tread water for 1 minute). Finally, point out where they're improving as a way of encouraging them, even when they don't master every skill.
  2. Plan to do something at the end of the course to celebrate the accomplishments!
  3. Learning takes place outside of class. Ask students what they remember from their last class and what they've worked on in between classes. This is especially important if co-teaching a course. Give instructions for what to work on outside of class time and between class sessions. It may be helpful to have pool schedules available so that students can find open times to practice between lessons.
  4. Be flexible about using equipment. Using fins, snorkels, kickboards, nose clips, facemasks (especially for those with smaller faces for whom goggles don't fit) can be a great way to help students master skills, and reduce fear. Some curriculums can even be built around using specific equipment. This might not work equally well for everyone, and some students may do better without the equipment. Trying a skill without equipment first, only adding equipment later if needed, is a good strategy.
  5. Consider collaborative or co-teaching teaching for a given ALTS course. This allows instructors more flexibility in working around their schedules, and adds personnel in case an instructor can't make a class. For example, in an eight week course, have one instructor teach classes 1-4, and another teach classes 5-8. This is also a way to train new instructors who may be teaching for the first time.
  6. Recommend scheduling 45 minutes to 1 hour for each ALTS class. While 30 minutes may be enough time to teach new skills in an ALTS class, some students may want to practice their skills after the primary instruction ends. They'll appreciate more pool time. Showing videos and practicing skills on deck, before entering the water is often helpful before a day's lesson. This on-deck instruction may take at least 15 minutes and shouldn't take time away from in-water instruction. Remember that not everyone will proceed at the same pace during a given class.
  7. Tips for specific skills:
    1. Teach recovery (i.e., standing up) from a front float and back float when teaching floating skills. These are critical skills to avoiding panic if a student starts to sink or gets water up their nose. It may be helpful to tell students to "see your feet on the bottom of the pool (when recovering from a front float) before they bring their head up above water".
    2. When instructing in deep water, focus on feeling having students feel comfortable floating before try to swim. Tell students to think of water "like a cloud that is there to hold you up". Use fins/board/noodles to help them get comfortable in deep water.
    3. For students who have trouble keeping good body position during freestyle, have them try swimming with fins (this may be especially helpful for muscular swimmers, or those who have trouble pointing their toes). Make sure they can kick with fins and a kickboard before having them swim with fins. Have students practice kicking from the side of the pool with fins before swimming with them.
    4. For students reluctant to put their face in the water, it is helpful to find out why. If fear is the root of the problem, try breathing exercises on dry land before having them submerge their faces in the water. Make sure they are focusing on breathing out, rather than getting air in.
    5. In teaching treading water, you may want to start with a back float, and slowly transition to treading water (i.e., move their arms during a back float so that they become more vertical). Start in shallow water, so that they can touch the bottom, and move to deeper water as they get more comfortable treading water.

Pacific Masters Swimming - Adult Learn to Swim Committee
Kim Elsbach (chair) Get Fit Davis Masters, kdelsbach@ucdavis.edu
Susan Collins, Walnut Creek Masters, smcollins74@gmail.com
Natalie Clark, Fresno Area Manatee Masters, fresnomanatees@gmail.com
Shari Cruse, Marin Aquatic Masters, swim@marinaquaticmasters.com
Mark Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club, markfrazier654@comcast.net
Lisa Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club, markfrazier654@comcast.net
Kathy Gill, Davis Aquatic Masters, kmgill135@gmail.com

ALTS: Information for Coaches and Instructors

As part of the ALTS program, Pacific Masters and USMS have developed considerable resources for coaches and instructors who committed to developing their own Adult Learn to Swim programs. Available are links to instructional videos, webinars, and slides, as well as information on how to apply for an Adult Learn to Swim Grant from United States Masters Swimming.

Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) Instructor Workshop:
APRIL 28, 2024 – REGISTER TODAY

The ALTS instructional program is a nationally recognized system designed to teach adults how to swim and be safer in the water. The Pacific Masters Swimming ALTS Committee will host a 3-hour workshop (on April 28, 2024) to help volunteers/instructors learn this system. The workshop will be led by USMS-certified ALTS instructors and will include both classroom and in-water instruction. Those who complete the workshop should be better prepared to teach or help teach adult swim lessons in their community.

Please note: This workshop will NOT provide USMS ALTS Instructor Certification, and a current USMS ALTS Instructor Certification is NOT required for registration.

Contact Mark Frazier (markfrazier44@icloud.com) to register, or if you have any questions. There is no charge for this session.

Session Details:
Date: April 28, 2024
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Graham Aquatic Center, 1100 Alamo Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687
Gear: towel, swimsuit, cap, goggles, note-taking paper/pen

Bridge to Masters Grant Program

 

Pacific Masters Swimming’s Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committees announce a “Bridge to Masters” Grant Program to support local Masters clubs in their efforts to bring inexperienced swimmers and/or graduates of their ALTS programs into their Masters Swimming programs.  The grants will provide $500- $1000 to clubs to help fund Bridge to Masters programs in a number of ways, including: subsidizing a portion of USMS membership fees for first time “Bridge to Masters” swimmers, or covering coaching and pool rental fees for “Bridge to Masters” swimmers.

Applications must made on behalf of a registered, Pacific Masters Swim Club, and are due by May 1, 2024.  Grant recipients will be notified by June 1, 2024. Please request an application form from ALTS Chair, Kim Elsbach at: kdelsbach@ucdavis.edu.

Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) Instructional Tips: Lessons Learned While Teaching

By the Pacific Masters ALTS Committee, Kim Elsbach (chair) Get Fit Davis Masters; Carol Nip, Albany Armada Aquatic Masters; Christina Kossa, Richmond Plunge Masters; Susan Collins, Walnut Creek Masters; Natalie Clark, Fresno Area Manatee Masters, Mark Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club; Lisa Frazier, Vacaville Swim Club

In honor of learn to swim month (April), Pacifics ALTS instructors share the following instruction tips, gathered from their experience teaching ALTS classes.
Read More

Resources

USMS Adult Learn to Swim Website: https://www.usms.org/alts-central

How to Become a Certified Adult Learn to Swim Instructor: https://www.usms.org/alts-central

Instructional Videos:


Adult-Learn-To-Swim Webinar Series




 

ALTS: Information for Adults Who Want to Learn to Swim

ALTS programs are offered by clubs throughout the Pacific Masters region. Here is a list of the clubs currently offering Adult Learn to Swim programs. If you are interested, reach out to the designated contact at a location near you to learn their next scheduled course. 


Adult Learn to Swim Classes

City club Location Contact firstname Contact lastname email ALTS Mentor?
Albany Albany Armada Aquatic Masters Albany Aquatics Center, 1311 Portland Ave, Albany, CA 94706 Carol Nip raysun@comcast.net yes
Albany Albany Armada Aquatic Masters Albany Aquatics Center, 1311 Portland Ave, Albany, CA 94706 Leah Carroll carroll2@berkeley.edu  
Angels Camp BRET HARTE AQUATIC MASTERS BRET HARTE AQUATIC CENTER, 387 Murphys Grade Rd, Angels Camp, CA 95222 Peter Oliver murfness@comcast.net  
Berkeley Streamliners Claremont Club and Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley - California 94705; 510-283-1381 Sue Ahelee aheleesue@gmail.com  
Davis Get Fit Masters Davis 809 Picasso Ave, Davis, CA 95618 Nikki Martin openwater2007@gmail.com Yes
Davis Get Fit Masters Davis 809 Picasso Ave, Davis, CA 95618 Kim  Elsbach kdelsbach@ucdavis.edu Yes
Davis Davis Aquatic Masters Civic Center Pool, 599 B St, Davis, CA 95616 Kathy Gill kmgill135@gmail.com  
Davis Davis Aquatic Masters Civic Center Pool, 599 B St, Davis, CA 95616 Kate  Stephensen kands606@gmail.com  
El Cerrito El Cerrito Aquatic Masters El Cerrito Swim Center, 7007 Moeser Ln, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Paul Young paulwhy.2@gmail.com  
El Dorado Hills El Dorado Solar Bears El Dorado Hills Community Services District; 1021 Harvard Wy, El Dorado Hills, CA; 916-799-3141 Laura Shope solarbearswimming@gmail.com  
Folsom Sierra Marlins Masters Steve Miklos Aquatic Center (formerly Folsom Aquatic Center) at Lembi Park, 1200 Riley St, Folsom, CA 95630 Joe Dowd jrdowd@aol.com yes
Fresno Fresno Area Manatee Masters (FAMM) Fresno High School, 1839 N Echo Ave, Fresno, CA 93704 Natalie Clark Fresnomanatees@gmail.com yes
Fresno Fig Garden Swim Team 4722 North Maroa, Fresno CA 93704 USA  Alisa Martin alisablondie@sbcglobal.net  
Fresno Fig Garden Swim Team 4722 North Maroa, Fresno CA 93704 USA  Georgette Winton gemiso@aol.com  
Menlo Park Menlo Masters Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA  94025 Marisha Driscoll marisha.driscoll@gmail.com  
Nevada City Penguin Swim Club Pioneer Park Pool, 423 Nimrod St, Nevada City, CA 95959 Julie Griffith-Flatter jlgriff@att.net  
Novato Marin Aquatic Mastrs Indian Valley Campus Pool, Novato, CA  94949 Shari Cruse swim@marinaquaticmasters.com Yes
Oakland Temescal Aquatic Masters Temescal Aquatics, 371 45th st oakland ca 94609 Margaret McNamaras mmmcnamara1@gmail.com yes
Pacifica CoastSide Tiger Sharks Terra Nova High School Pool, 1450 Terra Nova Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044; 650-515-0301 Brad Pence bradswim@aol.com  
Pleasanton Tri-Valley Masters Dolores Bengston Aquatic Center, 4455 Black Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566 January Bishop joy94530@att.net  
Richmond Richmond Plunge Masters Richmond Municipal Natatorium (“The Plunge”), 1 E Richmond Ave., Richmond, CA 94801 Christina Kossa Christina@RichmondSwims.org  
San Francisco South End Rowing Club 500 Jefferson st San Francisco CA  Veronique Borges Sealrocks20@gmail.com  Yes
San Francisco South End Rowing Club Aquatic Park Pier, 500 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA Kris Berglund kberglunddesign@gmail.com  
San Jose Quicksilver Masters Gunderson High School, 622 Gaundabert Ln, San Jose, CA 95136 Ricki Cruz swimming.rc@gmail.com  
San Jose Quicksilver Masters Almaden Swim and Raquet Club, 6604 Northridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95120 Megan Waters megan@swimqss.org  
San Mateo San Mateo Masters College of San Mateo Aquatics Center, Health and Wellness Building 5, 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd Building 5, San Mateo, CA 94402 Kristine  Buckley kbsfswim@gmail.com  
Santa Rosa Santa Rosa Masters Santa Rosa High School Pool, 1235 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Merrie Walts merriewalts@yahoo.com yes
Sebastopol Sebastopol Masters Aquatic Club Ives Pool 7400 Willow St. Sebastopol, CA. 95472 Donita Flecker coach_donita@yahoo.com yes
Sebastopol Sebastopol Masters Aquatic Club Ives Pool 7400 Willow St. Sebastopol, CA. 95472 Erik Hektner e.hektner@gmail.com Yes
Vacaville Vacaville Swim Club Graham Aquatic Center, 1100 Alamo Dr, Vacaville, CA 95687 Mark Frazier markfrazier654@comcast.net yes
Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Masters Clarke Memorial Pool,  Heather Farms Park, 1750 Heather Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Susan Collins smcollins74@gmail.com yes

ALTS: Stories from Adults Who We Taught to Swim

The USMS ALTS program has been a universal success. Master’s swimmers have taught thousands of adult non-swimmers skills that lets them truly enjoy being in the water and the cofidence to keep them safe.

Inspirational Videos

Stories from Courageous Adults Learning to Swim: https://swimboulder.com/blog


 

Sapna - Albany Armada Masters.mov 

Karen - Richmond Plunge Masters.mov 

Rachael - Richmond Plunge Masters.MP4