St Hilda’s Swim School

Stage 1

3-5m Distance, Under 5s

Pre-requisite:

• Child has a willingness to put their own face in the water.
• Child has a willingness to lie backwards with their ears in the water and attempt a float with assistance.

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 2

• Independent glide forward for 3m (unaided) while blowing bubbles, using correct technique.
• Glide backward and kick (5m) & independently recover to upright position, using correct technique.
• Back float 5 sec’s unassisted without floatation aid, using correct technique.

Stage 2

6m Distance / 12m Return Distance

Pre-requisite:

• Independent glide forward for 3m (unaided) while blowing bubbles, using correct technique.
• Glide backward and kick (5m) & independently recover to upright position, using correct technique.
• Back float 5 sec’s unassisted without floatation aid, using correct technique.

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 3

• Extended freestyle arm pull with face submerged to 3m / breathe & continue to 6m, using correct technique.
• Independent back sculling within independent start/finish to 6m, using correct technique.
• Continuous freestyle / backstroke kick action with strong hip drive & plantar / dorsi flexion 6m, using correct technique

Stage 3

12m / 24m Return Distance

Pre-requisite:

• Extended freestyle arm pull with face submerged to 3m / breathe & continue to 6m, using correct technique.
• Independent back sculling within independent start/finish to 6m, using correct technique.
• Continuous freestyle / backstroke kick action with strong hip drive & plantar / dorsi flexion 6m, using correct technique.

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 4

• Bubble & breathe, using correct technique (extended arms, head down, coordinated kicks and freestyle arms)
• Back Torpedo, using correct technique with independent start/finish
• Extended Arms Backstroke, using correct technique and strong kick
• Symmetrical Breaststroke, using correct technique, whip kick and board

Stage 4

15m Distance

Pre-requisite:

• Bubble & breathe, using correct technique (extended arms, head down, coordinated kicks and freestyle arms)
• Back Torpedo, using correct technique with independent start/finish
• Extended Arms Backstroke, using correct technique and strong kick
• Symmetrical Breaststroke, using correct technique, whip kick and board

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 5

• Bubble and breathe, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 15m. Performs catch up freestyle for 2x 15m without stopping or fatiguing.
• Backstroke, using correct technique, continuity of arms and shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 15 m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 15m (can be completed with a pool noddle)
• Skills in preparation for Level 5, including 7m dolphin kick, kneeling or standing dive and 15m streamline position kick

(All children in this level learn how to swim freestyle with a high elbow)

Stage 5

25m Distance / 50m Return Distance

Instructor in the water for the first few lessons as we transition swimmers to out of water learning.

Pre-requisite:

• Bubble and breathe, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 15m. Performs catch up freestyle for 2x 15m without stopping or fatiguing.
• Backstroke, using correct technique, continuity of arms and shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 15 m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 15m (can be completed with a pool noddle)
• Skills in preparation for Level 5, including 7m dolphin kick, kneeling or standing dive and 15m streamline position kick

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 6

• Freestyle, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 20m. Continuous swimming required.
• Backstroke, using correct technique, continuity of arms and shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 20m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 25m (2-hand finish required)
• Skills in preparation for Level 6, including freestyle lateral kick (Fins), backstroke rotation kicks (Fins), separation breaststroke, 12m dolphin kick with arms by side and standing dive

Stage 6

25m Distance / 50m Return Distance

Pre-requisite:

• Freestyle, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 20m. Continuous swimming required.
• Backstroke, using correct technique, continuity of arms and shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 20m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 25m (2-hand finish required)
• Skills in preparation for Level 6, including freestyle lateral kick (Fins), backstroke rotation kicks (Fins), separation breaststroke, 12m dolphin kick with arms by side and standing dive

Assessment requirements to move into Stage 7

• Freestyle, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 25m. Continuous swimming required.
• Backstroke, using correct technique continuity of arms. Shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 25m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 25m (2-hand finish required)
• Skills in preparation for Level 6, including drill 6 strokes-3 kicks-6 strokes (Fins) – freestyle and backstroke, lateral kick (Fins) – freestyle and backstroke, racing dive, 12m dolphin kick (arms by side) and swim on the left side of the lane

Stage 7

25m Length / 50m Return Length

Pre-requisite:

• Freestyle, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 25m. Continuous swimming required.
• Backstroke, using correct technique continuity of arms. Shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 25m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 25m (2-hand finish required)
• Skills in preparation for Level 6, including drill 6 strokes-3 kicks-6 strokes (Fins) – freestyle and backstroke, lateral kick (Fins) – freestyle and backstroke, racing dive, 12m dolphin kick (arms by side) and swim on the left side of the lane

Assessment requirements to move into Starter squad (correct technique & timing all strokes):

• Freestyle, using correct technique, timing, and endurance over a distance of 50m. Continuous swimming required.
• Backstroke, using correct technique continuity of arms. Shoulder-led recovery. Endurance over a distance of 50m required.
• Breaststroke, using correct technique and timing of stroke over 50m (2-hand finish required)
• Skills in preparation for Squad swimming, including streamline off walls, with slice entry (front and back), 15m dolphin kick (arms by side), racing dive, swim on the left side of the lane and understanding of time cycles (45s and 60s)