The Penguin Series is the most comprehensive and progressive swim scheme for people of all ages with disabilities and has two distinct programmes - the Emperor Penguin Series that develops strength and stamina and the Rockhopper Penguin Series that develops skills.

Developed with the help of schools for people with disabilities and by working in partnership with Star College Cheltenham, the Penguin Series recognises that the aquatic environment can benefit those with disabilities – not only physically, but emotionally, socially and educationally too.

The Penguin Series brings together our considerable experience and expertise in swimming and water safety for people with disabilities, and offers a progressive aquatic awareness programme by combining a flexible mix of lessons, activities and incentives.

The Rockhopper Penguin Series consists of 9 progressive levels each with its own full-colour A4 certificate and woven badge.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Enter the water with support or from a hoist.

2. Splash water.

3. Show enjoyment of being in water - smile, eye movement, verbal expression.

4. Lay on back or front with adult support and move around pool.

5. Push a floating object around pool using any part of body.

6. Blow an object around pool, chin on water.

7. Respond to the emergency signal.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Enter the water using any means.

2. Have water poured over head.

3. Move limbs whilst moving around pool.

4. Float on back or front in a relaxed manner.

5. Blow bubbles in the water.

6. Swing from supine to prone and back to supine.

7. Respond to light and/or sound changes.

8. Exit safely.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Kick legs on front or back.

2. Propel oneself for 5 metres by any method.

3. Identify 3 objects under the water.

4. Float on back for 10 seconds and then sit up.

5. Roll from supine to prone and back to supine – horizontal axis.

6. Hum in the water, nose in water, for 5 seconds.

7. Travel through a hoop at the water surface.

8. Participate in a group activity.

9. Move across pool in an upright position.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Enter the water independently, with a supervised jump, if possible.

2. Perform a jellyfish, or mushroom float.

3. Swim 5 metres on front, roll onto back and float.

4. Pick up an object from the bottom of the pool.

5. Swim 5 metres on back, stand up or find a safe position at poolside.

6. Participate in group activity.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Enter the water safely, submerge and swim to the poolside and support yourself.

2. Tread water in an upright position for 10 seconds.

3. Swim through a hoop held just below water surface.

4. Blow bubbles rhythmically while moving forward through the water.

5. Float on the back for 10 seconds.

6. Swim 10 meters using any style.

7. Push and glide on front.

8. Participate in group activity.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Download Tick Sheet as pdf

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Enter the water safely, using any method, roll onto back and float for 10 seconds.

2. Tread water for 20 seconds.

3. Swim 15 metres using any style.

4. Push and glide through a hoop held below the water surface, swim and adopt a safe breathing position.

5. Swim 5 meters on your front, roll onto back and swim 5 metres.

6. Breath rhythmically while swimming 10 metres on your front, or 10 metres on your back.

7. Participate in group activity.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Holding the poolside, rail or woggle, submerge completely under the water and blow bubbles.

2. Float for a minimum of 15 seconds.

3. Swim 20 metres using any style.

4. Perform ONE of the following three exercises:
   
   Recover an object from chest depth water.
   
   From a push and glide, change body position from supine to prone OR prone to supine.
   
   Propel a floating object for a distance of 2 metres.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Download Tick Sheet
as pdf

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Submerge the face and exhale under the water 4 times.

2. Float in a relaxed manner for 20 seconds.

3. Swim 25 metres using any style.

4. Perform TWO of the following four Exercises; pupils choice.
   
   Recover an object from the pool bottom, from a swimming position.
   
   Swim 10mtrs on front, roll onto back and swim 10 meters. Regain feet or secure a safe position at poolside.
   
   Swim 25 meters to a floating object and return with the object to the starting position.
   
   Rotate on the surface of the water (as a turntable) with the body sitting or lying back, for two complete revolutions by using the hands and/or feet.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Download Tick Sheet
as pdf

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Submerge the face and exhale under the water six times.

2. Perform ONE of the following TWO exercises; pupil’s choice.
   
   Float for 30 seconds without limb movement.
   
   Maintain a vertical position in the water for 60 seconds.

3. Perform ONE from the following TWO exercises; pupils’ choice.
   
   Swim 100 meters in the prone position and 25 meters in the supine position.
   
   Swim 100 meters in the supine position and 25 meters in the prone position.

4. Perform THREE from the following FIVE exercises; pupils’ choice.
   
   Enter the water unaided and recover to a swimming position. Swim a distance of 10 meters then leave the water unaided. Steps may be used for both entry and exit.
   
   Recover an object from the bottom of the pool, from a swimming position, in chest deep water.
   
   Tow an able bodied subject a distance of 10 meters.
   
   Swim 25 meters and show the ability to change position from prone to supine and back again.
   
   Swim 25 meters and show the ability to change position from supine to prone & back again.

The tests may be carried out in any depth of water suitable for pupil and the test; buoyancy aids are optional.

Download Tick Sheet
as pdf