STA has unveiled a brand-new range of Distance Medals, offering swimming teachers, swim schools and leisure operators a fun and colourful way to celebrate swimmers’ achievements, from their very first 5 metres through to the impressive milestone of swimming one mile.

Featuring a vibrant new design, the medals are available across ten swimming distances: 5m, 10m, 15m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 400m, 600m, 1,000m and one mile, providing opportunities to recognise progress at every stage of a swimmer’s journey.

Designed for both children and adults, each medal is fully waterproof and comes complete with a lanyard, making it ideal for presenting poolside or as part of a special awards ceremony. The medals can also be attached to a swimming bag using a carabiner or proudly displayed at home, providing a lasting reminder of each swimmer’s achievements.

The new medals support STA’s Distance Series, which complements both the International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP) and Learn to Swim Programme (LSP) graded awards.

The launch also ties in with STA’s #CelebrateYourWay campaign, which encourages swimming teachers and swim schools to recognise individual achievements in ways that are meaningful to each swimmer.

Alex Barrett, STA’s Head of Aquatics, said: “Whether it’s a young child completing their first 5 metres, an adult reaching a personal distance goal or a more experienced swimmer achieving the one-mile milestone, every achievement deserves to be celebrated.

“Our new Distance Medals offer a fun and memorable way to recognise that hard work and determination, helping swimmers feel proud of how far they’ve come and inspiring them to keep working towards their next goal.”

Available now through the STA Online Shop.

For swim schools using STA’s Digital Awards system, parents will also have the option to purchase a Distance Medal directly through their child’s digital award notification email, alongside the existing options to order a printed certificate and woven badge.

Because every metre matters!