Learn to swim stages 1-7

Learn to swim stages 1-7

At stages 1-7 the swimmer learns fundamental movement skills.

Children receive an Award Passport where they can collect stickers as they progress and up to 25 badges and certificates across the 7 stages.

Call 01733 864 000
swimacademy@vivacity-peterborough.com

Complete all 7 stages for the Complete Swimmer Medal which can be purchased from reception

The Seven Stages

Stage 1

Start your child’s swimming journey with our Learn to Swim programme. Stage 1 is suitable for non-swimmers and teaches basic water safety awareness, basic movement and water confidence with the use of swimming aids such as armbands and floats.

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Stage 1 competencies

  • Enter the water safely
  • Move forwards for a distance of 5 metres
  • Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres
  • Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres
  • Scoop the water and wash the face
  • Be at ease with water showered from overhead
  • Move into a stretched, floating position using aids, equipment or support
  • Regain an upright position from on the front with support
  • Regain an upright position from on the back with support
  • Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from wall
  • Take part in a teacher or partner led game
  • Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules
  • Exit the water safely

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 1.

Stage 2

At this stage children learn safe entries to the water, jumping in, basic floating, travelling on front and back to 5 metres, rotating the body and regaining an upright position in the water – children can use swimming aids.

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Stage 2 competencies

  • Jump in from pool side safely
  • Blow bubbles a minimum of 3 times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged
  • Regain an upright position from the back without support
  • Regain an upright position from the front without support
  • Push from the wall and glide on the back
  • Push from the wall and glide on the front
  • Travel on the back for 5 metres; aids or equipment may be used
  • Travel on the front for 5 metres; aids or equipment may be used
  • Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position
  • Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 2.

Stage 3

At this stage children learn safe entries into the water including submersion, travelling on front and back to 10 metres, water safety knowledge and rotation skills.

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Stage 3 competencies

  • Jump in from pool side and submerge (minimum depth 0.9m)
  • Sink and push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position
  • Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll on to the back
  • Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll on to the front
  • Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back
  • Fully submerge to pick up an object
  • Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code
  • Travel 10 metres on the back
  • Travel 10 metres on the front
  • Exit the pool safely

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 4.

Stage 4

At this stage children learn buoyancy through a range of skills, refining their kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 10 metres to ASA standard.

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Stage 4 competencies

  • Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy
  • Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
  • Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of 3) whilst floating at the surface
  • Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor
  • Kick 10 metres backstroke
  • Kick 10 metres front crawl
  • Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or back
  • Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front
  • Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back
  • Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position
  • Travel on the back and roll in one continuous movement onto front
  • Travel on the front and roll in one
  • Continuous movement onto back Swim 10 metres – choice of stroke is optional

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 1.

Stage 5

Developing ‘watermanship’ through sculling and treading water skills, and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by the ASA.

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Stage 5 Competencies

  • Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back
  • Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on the back
  • Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation
  • Tread water for 30 seconds
  • Perform 3 different shaped jumps into deep water
  • Swim 10 metres backstroke
  • Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water
  • Swim 10 metres breaststroke
  • Swim 10 metres butterfly
  • Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of 3 seconds
  • Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water
  • Demonstrate an action for getting help

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 5.

Stage 6

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing; developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise.

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Stage 6 competencies

  • Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise
  • Sink, push off the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke
  • Sink, push off the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl
  • Swim 10 metres with clothes on
  • Swim front crawl to include at least 6 rhythmical breaths
  • Swim breaststroke to include at least 6 rhythmical breaths
  • Swim butterfly to include at least 3 rhythmical breaths
  • Swim 25 metres choice of stroke is optional
  • Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue
  • Perform a surface dive
  • Exit the water without using the steps

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 6.

Stage 7

Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout stages 1 – 7.

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Stage 7 competencies

  • Swim 25 metres backstroke
  • Swim 25 metres breaststroke
  • Swim 25 metres butterfly
  • Swim 25 metres front crawl
  • Perform a movement sequence of 1 minute duration, in a group of 3 or more, incorporating a number of the following skills: Sculling, Rotation, Eggbeater, Floating.
  • Perform a sitting dive
  • Swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke
  • Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of 3 different strokes
  • Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds
  • Complete an obstacle course (using a minimum of 4 objects) with feet off the bottom throughout

Upon confident completion of all the above skills, your child will have completed Stage 7.

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Foundation Stage

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Learn to Swim Stages 1-7

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Aquatic Skills Stages 8-10

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