Learn to Swim Series

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Enter the pool safely and unassisted, using the steps.
3. Walk, hop, skip or jump for 5 metres in the water.
4. Return to a standing position from a star float on the front.
5. Return to a standing position from a star float on the back.
6. Perform back paddle for 5 metres.
7. Perform front paddle for 5 metres.
8. Blow bubbles in the water.
9. Blow floating objects for a distance of 3 metres.
10. Exit the pool safely and unassisted.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may be used.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Enter the pool safely.
3. Push and glide on the front and on the back.
4. Hold the side of the pool, bob up and down getting the face wet and exhaling under the water.
5. Hold a float(s) and swim 3 metres using an alternating leg kick on the front.
6. Hold a float(s) and swim 3 metres using an alternating leg kick on the back.
7. Hold a float(s) and swim 3 metres using a simultaneous leg kick on back.
8. Stand in shallow water, perform front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke arm action.
9. Perform a floating position without the use of aids.
10. Rotate 360 degrees in a tucked position with both feet off the pool bottom and keeping the face clear of the water.
11. Swim 2 metres without the use of aids and climb out of the pool safely.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may be used unless otherwise stated.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Perform a sit and swivel entry.
3. Push and glide on the front and swim 2 metres; pupil’s choice.
4. Push and glide on the back and swim 2 metres backstroke.
5. Swim on the front for 5 metres; pupil’s choice.
6. Swim on the back for 5 metres.
7. Fully submerge beneath the surface.
8. Hold the rail and breathe rhythmically for 6 cycles.
9. Scull headfirst for 3 metres.
10. Identify objects under water.
11. Perform a mushroom float.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the "I Can Swim" badge and the 5 metre Distance Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Perform a step in entry.
3. Push and glide and hold the glide for 5 seconds.
4. Pick up an object with both hands from the bottom of the pool from a depth of approximately 1 metre.
5. Hold a float(s) and swim 5 metres, legs only, in each of the following; back crawl, breaststroke and front crawl.
6. Swim 10 metres of a recognised stroke; pupil’s choice.
7. Perform a push and glide to the bottom of the pool and glide to the surface.
8. Swim 3 metres dolphin leg kick on the front or back.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 10 metre Distance Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Perform a back float, tuck to front float and return to a standing position.
3. Scull head first for 5 metres and then feet first for 3 metres.
4. Push and glide on the back, tuck, rotate to the front and swim to the starting point.
5. Swim 10 metres of a recognised front stroke; pupil’s choice.
6. Swim 10 metres back crawl.
7. Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke; pupil’s 2nd choice.
8. Push and glide to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place feet on the bottom and spring up.
9. Perform a mushroom float and hold for 3 seconds, extend to a front float and return to a standing position.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Answer two water safety questions.
2. Perform two different types of entries and tread water for 15 seconds each time; performed in chest deep water.
3. Swim 15 metres backstroke.
4. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke; pupil’s choice.
5. Swim 10 metres holding a float under each arm using life saving backstroke leg kick.
6. Swim 5 metres dolphin leg kick on front or back.
7. Push and glide on the surface, pike sharply and assume a handstand with both hands on the bottom of the pool; performed in chest deep water.
8. Perform a horizontal float on the back and hold for 5 seconds roll on to the front hold for 5 seconds, roll to the original back float position and hold for 5 seconds.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 15 metre Distance Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Be rescued by a reaching aid.
2. Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds. If water too shallow substitute step entry and support scull.
3. Push and glide into a forward somersault.
4. Scull head first for 5 metres and feet first for 5 metres.
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke using correct breathing; pupil’s choice.
6. Swim 10 metres of a recognised front stroke using correct breathing; pupil’s 2nd choice.
7. Swim 15 metres back crawl.
8. Swim 5 metres legs only on the front, using dolphin leg kick,without aids.
9. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up, pike, glide to bottom of pool then glide to surface.

All the skills are to be performed in at least chest deep water, where available; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Be rescued by catching a buoyant aid.
2. Perform a straddle entry, tread water for 30 seconds, perform a 360 degree turn in a vertical position whilst wearing a T-shirt; performed in at least chest deep water, if water too shallow substitute step entry and support scull.
3. Swim 5 metres perform a forward somersault and continue to swim forward for 5 metres.
4. Swim 20 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct finish; pupil’s choice.
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish; pupil’s 2nd choice.
6. Swim 20 metres back crawl using a correct touch finish.
7. Swim 5 metres on the back using a double arm action and dolphin leg kick.
8. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up, pike, and glide to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place both feet on the bottom of the pool and spring up; performed in chest deep water.
9. Swim underwater for five breaststroke arm pulls.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used unless other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 20 metre Distance Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Be rescued by catching a rope.
2. Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds whilst wearing a T-shirt. Remove the T-shirt and climb out unassisted. Performed in at least chest deep water, if water too shallow substitute step entry and support scull.
3. Perform a head first and feet first surface dive or if shallow water perform an underwater push and glide to pool floor.
4. Scull feet first for 10 metres and head first for 10 metres.
5. Swim 25 metres back crawl incorporating a correct finish.
6. Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish; pupil’s choice.
7. Swim 20 metres of recognised front stroke incorporating a correct finish; pupil’s 2nd choice.
8. Swim 5 metres butterfly; not suitable for under 7 year olds.
9. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up, pike and glide to the bottom of the pool, place both hands on the bottom and assume a handstand; performed in chest deep water.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used unless other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 25 metre Distance Award and the appropriate Good Strokes Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Perform a reaching rescue.
2. Enter the water with a compact jump and swim 10 metres in a T-shirt, tread water for 30 seconds, remove T-shirt, and climb out. If shallow water substitute straddle jump or step entry.
3. Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a head first surface dive and swim 5 metres underwater.
4. Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a feet first surface dive, tuck, and swim 5 metres underwater.
5. Swim 50 metres of a recognised front stroke; pupil’s choice.
6. Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke: pupil’s 2nd choice.
7. Swim 25 metres Old English backstroke.
8. Swim 25 metres front crawl demonstrating bilateral breathing.
9. Perform a kneeling dive; depth of water permitting or if shallow water perform underwater push and glide for 5 metres.

All the skills are to be performed in deep water, where available; buoyancy aids may NOT be used other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 50 metre Distance Award.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Throw a buoyant aid 3 metres to a target point in the pool.
2. Enter the water with a star jump, swim 10 metres of a recognised stroke, tread water for 1 minute, swim 5 metres of a recognised stroke, surface dive, swim 3 metres underwater, surface, climb out of the pool unassisted. If shallow water substitute straddle jump or step entry.
3. Swim 75 metres during which the pupil performs two recognised strokes with a smooth transition and the correct turns.
4. Swim 25 metres using a recognised stroke not undertaken in the 75 metre swim.
5. Wearing a T-shirt and shorts, swim 20 metres sidestroke.
6. Perform a plunge dive; depth of water permitting or if shallow water perform submerge and swim width of pool or 7 metres.
7. Swim 4 x 1 width individual medley incorporating the appropriate transition procedure at the end of each stroke.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used unless other than as specified above.

Demonstrate the ability to:

1. Throw a rope over 5 metres.
2. Dive or straddle jump in wearing a T-shirt and shorts, swim 25 metres in a recognised stroke, tread water for 1 minute, tread water or scull support for 1 minute waving one arm, surface dive, swim 5 metres underwater, surface and remove clothing; depth of water permitting.
3. Swim 100 metres of a recognised stroke on the front, incorporating the appropriate start, turns, & finish; pupil’s choice.
4. Swim 50 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish; pupil’s 2nd choice.
5. Swim 100 metres back crawl incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish.
6. Swim 25 metres of a fourth recognised stroke not undertaken in the other tests.
7. Swim 4 x 1 length individual medley incorporating the appropriate transition procedure at the end of each stroke.
8. Perform a competitive start for two recognised strokes using two different stances that are legal for depth of water available.

All the skills are to be performed in shallow water; buoyancy aids may NOT be used unless other than as specified above.

Pupils may also be awarded the 100 metre Distance Award. Pupils who have achieved “Learn to Swim” levels 1 to 4 may progress onto either, or both of the “Advanced Skills Series”.