Learn to Swim Programme
Waves 1 to 7
Children aged 4 and above are taught the necessary swimming and aquatic skills to swim and take part in other aquatic activities such as Rookie Lifesaving and Link.
They are also taught vital skills of water competence where they learn how to be safe in and around water, such as swimming in clothes, treading water and swimming with no goggles.
A badge and certificate are available for successfully completing each level.
Why does my child need to learn to swim?
Ensuring your child learns to swim at an early age not only provides endless health and social benefits, but could one day save their life. Sadly, drowning is still the third most common form of accidental death in children. Learning to swim really is an essential life skill.
The great thing about swimming is that children of any age, size or ability can take part. Swimming is more accessible to children with disabilities than most other sports.
Learning to swim has plenty of benefits for children of all ages and abilities:
  • Swimming keeps your child’s heart and lungs healthy, improves their strengths and flexibility, increases their stamina and even improves their balance and posture
  • It gives your child more opportunities to make friends and gain confidence
  • Swimming opens the door to countless other sports and activities, including swimming with dolphins, scuba diving in exotic locations, rowing and sailing or even becoming the next Olympic champion
  • It is a skill for life that once learned is rarely forgotten (there are even events for swimmers aged over 100!)
  • And it can provide useful challenges for your child as they develop

Wave 1

I know the pool and lesson rules

I can get into and out of the water safely

I can play a teacher-led game in the pool

Without wearing goggles, I can scoop and splash water over my face and am confidence when water is showered over my head

I can float on my front

I can float on my back

I can push off the wall on my front or back

I can swim using an alternating action on my front

I can swim using a simultaneous action on my front

I can swim using an alternating action on my back

I can scull in a vertical body position

Wave 2

I can answer questions about water safety

I can jump into the pool without goggles

I can float on my front

I can float on my back

Whilst kicking, I can blow bubbles

I can push and glide on my front

I can push and glide on my back

I can swim 5m frontcrawl

I can swim 5m backstroke

I can swim 5m Breaststroke or Butterfly

I can rotate 360 degree

I can scull head-first on my back

Wave 3

I know the four water safety messages and beach flags

Without goggles, I can jump in, tread water for 15 seconds and climb out of the pool

I can fully submerge to collect and object from the pool floor

I can push and glide and rotate

I can swim 10m Frontcrawl

I can swim 10m Backstroke

I can swim 5m Breaststroke

I can swim 5m Butterfly

I can perform a series of floating shapes

I can change direction whilst swimming

I can scull feet-first on my back

Wave 4

I know the four water safety messages and beach flags

I can demonstrate the HELP Position

Without goggles, I can jump in, tread water for 30 seconds and climb out of the pool

I can swim 10m wearing clothes

I can demonstrate underwater dolphin kicks

I can travel 10m using frontcrawl kick

I can travel 10m using backstroke kick

I can swim 10m Frontcrawl or Backstroke to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can travel 10m using Breaststroke kick

I can travel 10m using Butterfly kick

I can swim 10m Breaststroke or Butterfly to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

As part of a team, I can demonstrate a series of skills

Wave 5

I know the four water safety messages and beach flags

I can demonstrate different jumps into the pool

I can swim 15m wearing clothes

I can demonstrate an action for attracting help in the water

I can demonstrate a reach rescue

I can swim 15m Frontcrawl to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 15m Backstroke to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 10m Breaststroke to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 10m Butterfly to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 25m

I can perform a series of sculling movements

I can forward somersault in the water

I can perform a handstand in the water

Wave 6

I know the four water safety messages and beach flags

I can swim 25m wearing clothes

I can tread water and move into the HUDDLE position

I can demonstrate an effective throwing rescue

I can swim 20m Frontcrawl to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 20m Backstroke to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 15m Breaststroke to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 15m Butterfly to the Swim Wales Stroke Standard

I can swim 50 metres

I can perform a sitting dive

I can backward somersault in the water

I can pass and catch a ball whilst treading water