Group Stages

Duck Stage 1

By the end of this stage participants will be able to, with or without aids, equipment or support:

1. Enter the water safely.

2. Move forwards for a distance of 5 meters.

3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 meters.

4. Move sideways for a distance of 5 meters.

5. Scoop the water and wash face.

6. Be at ease with the water showered from overhead.

7. Move into a stretched floating position using aids, equipment or support.

8. Regain an upright position from on the back with support.

9. Regain an upright position from on the front with support.

10. Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall.

11. Take part in a teacher led partner orientated game.

12. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules.

13. Exit the water safely.

Frog Stage 2

1. By the end of this stage participants will be able to, without aids, equipment or support:

2. Jump in from poolside safely.

3. Blow bubbles a minimum of 3 times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged.

4. Regain an upright position from on the back, with support.

5. Regain an upright position from on the front, with support.

6. Push from wall and glide on the back.

7. Push from wall and glide on the front.

8. Travel on the back for 5 meters, without aids or equipment.

9. Travel on the front for 5 meters, withoutaids or equipment.

10. Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position.

11. Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position.

Starish Stage 3

By the end of this stage participants will be able to, without support:

1. Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position.

2. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll on to the back.

3. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll on to the front.

4. Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back.

5. Fully submerged pick up an object.

6. Travel 10 meters on the back.

7. Travel 10 meters on the front.

Fish Stage 4

By the end of this stage participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy.

2. Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds.

3. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of 3) whilst floating at the surface.

4. Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor.

5. Kick 10 meters backstroke (one item of equipment optional).

6. Kick 10 meters front crawl (one item of equipment optional).

7. Kick 10 meters butterfly on the front or on the back (one item of equipment optional).

8. Kick 10 meters breaststroke on the back (equipment optional).

9. Kick 10 meters breaststroke on the front (equipment optional).

10. Perform on the back a head-first sculling action for 5 meters in a horizontal position.

11. Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement on to front.

12. Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement on to back.

13. Have an understanding of sculling, being able to explain it and be able to tread water(height depending)

14. Swim 10 meters, choice of stroke is optional.

Penguin Stage 5

By the end of this stage participants will be able to, without aids:

1. Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back.

2. Perform a feet-first sculling action for 5 meters whilst horizontal on the back.

3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.

4. Tread water for 30 seconds.

5. Swim 20 meters backstroke.

6. Swim 20 meters front crawl face in the water.

7. Swim 20 meters breaststroke.

8. Swim 20 meters butterfly leg kick with undulation.

9. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of 3 seconds.

10. Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water.

11. Demonstrate an action for getting help.

Dolphin Stage 6

By the end of this stage participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding for preparation for exercise.

2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke.

3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.

4. Swim 10 meters with clothes on.

5. Swim front crawl to include at least 6 rhythmical breaths.

6. Swim breaststroke to include at least 6 rhythmical breaths.

7. Swim butterfly to include at least 3 rhythmical breaths.

8. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.

9. Perform a surface dive.

Whale Stage 7

By the end of this stage participants will be able to:

1. Swim 40 meters backstroke.

2. Swim 40 meters front crawl.

3. Swim 40 meters breaststroke.

4. Swim 25 meters butterfly.

5. Perform a movement sequence of 1 minute duration, in a group of 3 or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:

• Sculling – head first, feet first
• Rotation – forward/backward somersault, log roll
• Floating – star on the front/on the back, tuck float, create own
• Egg beater – moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water linking skills with strokes and sculls

6. Perform a sitting dive.

8. Swim 200 meters, using a minimum of 3 different strokes.

9. Tread water using egg-beater action for 30 seconds (height depending).

10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of 4 objects) with feet off the bottom throughout.

Shark Stage 8

By the end of this stage participants will be able to:

1. Complete a set lasting 400m (e.g. 16 x 25m) on a specific turnaround time set by the coach

Assessment test sets will be devised and published by the coach.

2. Swim 400m continuously using one stroke.

3. Perform a backstroke turn from 10m in to 15m out.

4. Perform a breaststroke turn from 10m in to 15m out.

5. Perform a butterfly turn from 10m in to 15m out.

6. Perform a front crawl turn from 10m in to 15m out.