Learn to swim program criteria guide

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 8 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

Entry point into swimming lessons for students between the ages of six months to two years. In this first infant level, you and your baby will discover water familiarisation through gentle play, songs and repetition of basic aquatic skills. A parent must be in the water with the student at all times for this program.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely with carer.
2. Experience the water on the head and body.
3. With instructor guidance and using cue words, undertake submersion preparation.
4. Display comfort when cradled on back.
5. Be gently rocked, turned and towed through the water.
6. Be encouraged to splash the arms and kick the legs.
7. Parent Education - Keep Watch Drowning Prevention
   1. Supervise
   2. Restrict access
   3. Familiarise
   4. Learn resuscitation

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 8 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

This level caters for infants between two to three years of age. The focus of this level is to support the student towards independent swimming and readiness to partake in group classes without the parent in the water. A parent must be in the water with the student at all times for this program.

Criteria

1. With support, lean forward, reach for carer’s shoulders and enter the water from a seated position.
2. Exit the water safely with carer.
3. Initiate putting water on the face, head and body.
4. Demonstrates readiness for submersion.
5. Experience surface glides with carer using continuous contact.
6. With assistance, float on the back with head on carer’s shoulder.
7. With assistance, roll from one side to the other – back to front, front to back.
8. Carer to manipulate legs and arms to kick and paddle on front and back positions.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 4 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a starfish you are a beginner student aged between 3 to 5 years of age. This will be your first-time experiencing swimming lessons, or you have had limited swimming practice in the past. You will be introduced to the water in a fun way, encouraging you to experience basic movement and water safety.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently (May be assisted).
2. Holding the pool edge, move along the side towards an exit point and climb out (May be assisted).
3. Front float with the arms on teachers’ shoulders.
4. Back float with head resting on teachers’ shoulders.
5. Blow bubbles into the water, mouth and nose submerged.
6. Swirl, pull and push the water to feel the resistance.
7. With support, attempt to combine leg and arm movement.
8. With assistance, experience balancing using a range of flotation aids in shallow water.
9. Attempt to submerge the face underwater.
10. Answer questions on simple rules for personal water safety at home and at the pool.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 4 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a clownfish you are a progressing student aged between 3 to 5 years of age. You will have past swimming experience and should be comfortable in the water. With the assistance of the teacher, you should be able to perform basic swimming movements. You will be developing a range of survival skills such as floating and improve on water movement skills such as kicking and pulling. 

Criteria

1. Enter the water from a seated position with support.
2. Accidental fall in entry and recovery (may be assisted).
3. Front float using a buoyant aid with assistance.
4. Back float using a buoyant aid with assistance.
5. Blow bubbles into the water with face fully submerged.
6. Demonstrate pulling arm action.
7. Kick on front and back using a kickboard with assistance.
8. Experience balancing using a range of flotation aids in shallow water.
9. With assistance, submerge and blow bubbles in waist depth water.
10. Answer questions on simple rules for personal water safety at home and at the pool.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 4 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a jellyfish you are an experienced student aged between 3 to 5 years of age. You will have extensive past swimming experience and should be comfortable in the water. With the assistance of the teacher, you should be able to perform basic swimming movements. You will be working towards swimming without assistance of the instructor for a short distance of 3 to 5 metres.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently (unassisted).
2. Accidental fall in entry and recovery (unassisted).
3. Front float and recover to a secure position.
4. Back float and recover to a secure position.
5. Blow bubbles in water with face fully submerged and turn head to side, repeat action.
6. Front glide for 3 to 5 metres without assistance.
7. Back glide for 3 to 5 metres without assistance.
8. Demonstrate underwater reach and arm pull action.
9. Kick on front and back using kick-board unassisted.
10. With assistance, experience balance using a range of flotation aids in deep water.
11. Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 4 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 3 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a Sea Horse you are a beginner student aged between 5 to 10 years of age. This will be your first-time experiencing swimming lessons, or you have had limited swimming practice in the past. You will be introduced to the water in a fun way, encouraging you to experience basic movement and water safety. You will be working on floating and gliding skills both with and without the assistance of the instructor.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently with assistance.
2. Accidental fall in entry and recovery (may be assisted).
3. Front float holding a buoyant aid and recover to a secure position.
4. Back float holding a buoyant aid and recover to a secure position.
5. Blow bubbles in water with face fully submerged.
6. Front glide for 2 to 3 metres without assistance.
7. Back glide for 2 to 3 metres without assistance.
8. Experience balancing using a range of flotation aids in waist deep water.
9. With assistance, submerge in waist deep water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
10. Answer questions on simple rules for personal water safety at home and at the pool.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 4 participants

Distance covered: 3 to 5 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a Sea Turtle you are a progressing student aged between 5 to 10 years of age. You will have past swimming experience and should be comfortable in the water. You will be able to perform floats and glides without the assistance of an instructor or buoyancy aids. You will be developing the skills required for movement in the water with emphasis on kicking, both on your front and back. You will be developing basic freestyle arm action for 3 to 5 metres.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently without assistance.
2. Accidental fall in entry and recovery (unassisted).
3. Front float and recover to a secure position.
4. Back float and recover to a secure position.
5. Blow bubbles in water with face fully submerged and turn head to side, repeat action.
6. Front glide and kick for 5 metres unassisted.
7. Back glide and kick for 5 metres unassisted.
8. Basic Freestyle arm action for 3 to 5 metres.
9. Float with flotation aid for 30 seconds.
10. Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
11. Be pulled to safety by grasping a rescue aid.
12. Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 5 participants

Distance covered: 5 to 8 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a Sting Ray you are a developing swimmer aged between 5 to 12 years of age. You will have past swimming experience and must be comfortable in the water without assistance from buoyancy aids or instructors. You will be able to float, glide and swim across the pool with an effective kicking and arm motion for a distance of 8 metres without any assistance. You will be working on your basic freestyle and demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position and backstroke with ears in the water. You will also demonstrate basic breaststroke throughout this level.

Criteria

1. Perform a slide in entry and exit the water using the edge.
2. Move from a back float to a front float and back again.
3. Demonstrate arm sculling action while standing.
4. Demonstrate treading water leg action using a buoyant aid.
5. Demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position, repeat action.
6. Swim 7 to 8 metres freestyle with no coordinated breathing.
7. Swim 7 to 8 metres backstroke with ears in the water.
8. Move through the water for 30 seconds while holding a flotation aid and kick to safety.
9. Swim through a submerged obstacle.
10. Demonstrate basic Breaststroke feet positioning (On the wall).

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 5 participants

Distance covered:  8 to 12.5 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +
 

Level Description

As a Sea Lion you are a developing swimmer aged between 5 to 12 years of age. You will have past swimming experience and must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for a 12.5mtrs without assistance. You will be working on your Butterfly and Breaststroke kick. You will demonstrate 5mtrs of survival backstroke and tumble turn. You will be developing the skills to perform basic Breaststroke arm action. This level focuses on stroke development and working on your competitive stroke kicks and freestyle breathing.

Criteria

1. Perform a compact jump entry and exit the water safely and confidently.
2. Demonstrate arm sculling action supporting the body in upright position for 10 seconds.
3. Demonstrate treading water leg action without assistance.
4. Swim 12.5 metres freestyle with bi-lateral breathing.
5. Swim 12.5 metres backstroke with correct body position.
6. Demonstrate 5 metres survival backstroke kick.
7. Demonstrate 5 metres breaststroke kick (kick-board optional).
8. Demonstrate 5 metres of butterfly kick (kick-board optional).
9. Demonstrate a basic tumble-turn.
10. Submerge and recover an object from water of chest depth.
11. Be pulled through the water with a rope for 5 metres to safety.

Class Duration: 45 Minutes

Class Size: 6 participants

Distance covered: 12.5 to 25 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a Marlin you are a competent swimmer aged between 5 to 14 years of age. You will have extensive past swimming experience and must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke with the correct technique. You should also have been introduced to your competitive strokes breaststroke and butterfly and be able to demonstrate a basic kick for each of these strokes. You will be working on all four swimming strokes and ensuring that they can be completed with correct technique for a distance of 12.5 to 25 metres. You will demonstrate effective underwater push-starts off the wall. Surface dive, swim underwater and recover an object from water of chest depth. You will develop the skill and demonstrate basic Butterfly arm action.

Criteria

1. Perform a step-in entry and exit the water safely and confidently.
2. Scull headfirst on the back in a streamlined body position.
3. Swim 25 metres freestyle using correct technique.
4. Swim 25 metres backstroke using correct technique.
5. Swim 12.5 metres survival backstroke using correct technique.
6. Swim 12.5 metres breaststroke using correct technique.
7. Demonstrate basic butterfly arm action.
8. Demonstrate effective underwater push-starts of the wall.
9. Demonstrate the following continuous sequence: 1. Clothed swim for 12.5 metres using any stroke, 2. Survival sculling or treading water for 1 minute, 3. Swim for 25 metres using any stroke.
10. Surface dive, swim underwater and demonstrate a search pattern.
11. Demonstrate a standing dive.
12. Using a rigid aid, pull a partner for 12.5 metres to safety (non-contact tow).

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 5 participants

Distance covered: 1 to 8 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As a Teenage Beginner you are a new student aged between 10 to 17 years of age. This will be your first-time experiencing swimming lessons, or you have had limited swimming practice in the past. You will be working on floating and gliding skills both with and without the assistance of the instructor and progressing to the skills required for movement in the water. You will be developing the skills by kicking both on your front and back. You will be developing basic freestyle arm action for 3 to 5 metres.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently.
2. Accidental fall in entry and recovery (unassisted).
3. Front float and recover to a secure position.
4. Back float and recover to a secure position.
5. Blow bubbles in water with face fully submerged and turn head to side, repeat action.
6. Front glide and kick for 7 to 8 metres unassisted (Torpedo).
7. Back kick for 7 to 8 metres unassisted.
8. Basic Freestyle arm action for 5 to 8 metres.
9. Float with flotation aid for 30 seconds.
10. Submerge in waist depth water, open eyes and blow bubbles.
11. Be pulled to safety by grasping a rescue aid.
12. Answer questions about dangers in the aquatic environment.

Class Duration: 30 Minutes

Class Size: 5 participants

Distance covered: 8 to 25 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

As a Teenage Intermediate you are a developing swimmer aged between 10 to 17 years of age. You will have past swimming experience and must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke for 8mtrs distance without assistance. You will be working on your basic freestyle and demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position and backstroke with ears in the water. You will also demonstrate basic breaststroke throughout this level. You will be working on your competitive strokes. You will develop the skills to submerge and swim through an obstacle.

Criteria

1. Perform a compact jump entry and exit the water safely and confidently.
2. Demonstrate arm sculling action supporting the body in upright position for 10 seconds.
3. Demonstrate treading water leg action without assistance.
4. Move from a back float to a front float and back again.
5. Demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position, repeat action.
6. Swim 12.5 metres freestyle with bi-lateral breathing.
7. Swim 12.5 metres backstroke with correct body position.
8. Demonstrate 5 metres survival backstroke kick.
9. Demonstrate 5 metres breaststroke kick (kick-board optional).
10. Demonstrate 5 metres of butterfly kick (kick-board optional).
11. Demonstrate a basic tumble-turn.
12. Swim through a submerged obstacle.

Class Duration: 45 Minutes

Class Size: 5 participants

Distance covered: 5 to 8 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As an Adult Beginner you are a new student aged 18+. This will be your first-time experiencing swimming lessons, or you have had limited swimming practice in the past. You will be working on floating and gliding skills both with and without the assistance of the instructor and progressing to the skills required for movement in the water, both on your front and back. You will be working on your basic freestyle and demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position and backstroke with ears in the water unassisted.

Criteria

1. Enter and exit the water safely and confidently.
2. Front float and recover to a secure position.
3. Back float and recover to a secure position.
4. Front glide and kick for 5 metres unassisted.
5. Back glide and kick for 5 metres unassisted using an arm-sculling motion.
6. Demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position, repeat action.
7. Swim 5 metres freestyle with no coordinated breathing.
8. Swim 5 metres backstroke with ears in the water.
9. Swim 8 metres freestyle with bi-lateral breathing.
10. Swim 8 metres backstroke with correct body position.

Class Duration: 45 Minutes

Class Size: 6 participants

Distance covered: 8 to 12.5 metres

Sessions per week: 1 +

Level Description

As an Adult Intermediate you are a student aged 18+. You will have past swimming experience and must be able to swim Freestyle and Backstroke for 25mtrs without assistance. You will be working on your Butterfly and Breaststroke kick. You will demonstrate 12.5mtrs of survival backstroke and tumble turn. You will be developing the skills to perform basic Breaststroke arm action. This level focuses on stroke development and working on your competitive stroke kicks and freestyle breathing.

Criteria

1. Swim 25mtrs Freestyle
2. Swim 25mtrs Backstroke
3. Swim 12.5mtrs Survival Backstroke (kick board optional)
4. Demonstrate 5mtrs  Breaststroke kick (kick board optional)
5. Demonstrate basic Breaststroke arm action
6. Demonstrate 5mtrs Butterfly kick (kick board optional)
7. Demonstrate basic Butterfly arm action