Progression
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We are the first providers of swimming tuition in Wales to be awarded the nationally recognised STAmark of excellence.

 

Poseidon Swim School Ltd. use the following Awards to mark and encourage a swimmers progression.  There is a huge range of Awards made available by both the S.T.A. and A.S.A., but we believe the Awards we use mark important stages in skills progression.

 

Aquatic Development Plan for Children

 The following is a brief outline of the aims and objectives of the different stages of aquatic development within the swim school.

 Adult & Baby

To encourage confident handling of the child by the parent in the water;
To educate adults as to aquatic development of their child;
To practice skills included in Stage 1 and 2, occasionally Stage 3;
To ensure instruction is presented through games/fun/play.

Stage 1

To allow a period of settling in.  Getting the pupil happy to enter the water and be left by the parent with the teacher during the lesson;
Working toward getting child onto poolside, sitting on the pool edge and entering the water;
To provide a safe, happy and friendly environment for the pupil to build enough confidence and trust in the teacher so the parent can stand back from the pool and eventually leave the poolside.   How this is best achieved, is a joint decision by the parent, teacher and pupil;
To start to learn class discipline.  Looking and listening skills.

 

Stage 2  (Ducklings)

To learn safe entry and exit from pool, sit and twist, jump, using the steps;
To learn to balance in the water vertically, and float on prone and supine;
Introduce: Wetting face, putting face in water and progress to submersion.
To learn to exhale and breath holding under the water;
To introduce body position for swimming on prone and supine;
To float horizontally on prone and supine;
To rotate from prone to supine to standing and horizontal rotation;
To introduce a propulsive arm and leg action on prone and supine;
To progressively reduce air in armbands and teacher support;
To encourage a 3 second face submersion practice in bath or with parents

 

Stage 3 (Poolfrog 1, 3m, 5m)

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2
To increase water confidence through complete submersion, 3 seconds +;
To allow the pupil to feel the buoyancy properties of the water;
To introduce Star Floats and Mushroom Floats for 5 seconds +;
To increase breath holding and aquatic breathing for 10 seconds +;
To teach a streamlined body position on prone and supine;
To increase distance, propulsion and strength of leg kick on prone and supine;
To increase distance, propulsion and technique of arm action on prone.

 

Stage 4 (Waterskills 1, 10m)

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2 and 3;
To increase ability to float on prone and supine for up to 10 seconds +;
To improve submersion and breath holding  / exhale for 3 seconds +;
To improve on correct body position on prone and supine;
The continued improvement of technique and stamina of leg action on prone and supine;
To continue to improve technique and stamina in arm action on prone;
The introduction of supine arm action;
To work on being competently able to regain feet from prone and supine;
To rotate from prone to supine horizontally;
To continue with safe entrance and exits including supervised jumping in.

 

Stage 5 (20m, 25m)

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2-4;
To increased emphasis on backstroke in the areas of: Body position, Improving arm action and improving leg action.
The continued improvement of frontcrawl / frontstroke in the areas of: Body position, improving leg action and improving arm action.
To continue to increase confidence in submersion through play / activities;
This stage is planned to concentrate on one stroke being swum correctly.

Stage 6 (Poolfrog 2, Waterskills 2, 50M, 100M)

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2-5;

The continued improvement of stamina and technique for backstroke;

To improve frontcrawl leg and arm action.  Introduction of breathing ( for Pf2);

To work on the ability to swim 1 width frontcrawl confidently without major faults, with breathing, and being out of their depth ( for Ws2);

The introduction of lifesaving leg kick on supine (for Pf2);

The introduction of breastroke leg action on prone (For Ws2);

To improve on rhythmical breathing;

 To increase the depth of submersion through play / activities leading to increased confidence in deeper water;

 Transition of pupils from Pennard moving to larger / deeper pools;

The introduction of basic treading water up to 10 seconds;

To be working toward enough pupil confidence and stroke technique to have teacher on the side;

To provide the opportunity to undertake learn-to-dive courses during holidays for swimmers nearing the end of this stage.

 

Stage 7 (Poolfrog 3 – Waterskills 4,  200m – 800m)

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2-5;
For the pupil to be accustomed to having the teacher on the side;
To continue to improve on technique and stamina on froncrawl and backstroke;
To introduce and improve on breastroke arm action;
To introduce and improve on breastroke breathing;
To improve on breastroke timing;
The Introduction of butterfly leg action;
To continue to improve on stamina and technique for treading water;
To learn to scull, head first, feet first and stationary tuck scull;
To introduce forward rolls and frontcrawl tumble turn;
To learn to dive, progressing from sitting dives to standing dives;
To learn to surface dive, head and feet first;
To learn to swim 5 metres underwater;
To have the opportunity to undertake dive, snorkelling and survival courses during holidays.

 

Stage 8  (Waterskill5 – Honours, ASA  Challenge awards,1000m – 5000m)  

To work and build on the skills in Stage 2-5;
To allow pupil to adjust to swimming in lanes down the length of the pool;
To continue to improve on finer technical details of frontcrawl, backstroke and breastroke within A.S.A. laws;
To learn and perfect butterfly;
To learn and perfect, frontcrawl tumble turn, backstroke roll over turn;
To learn and perfect breastroke and butterfly turns;
To learn competitive starts and finishing techniques for the four strokes;
To increase stamina, fitness and speed in the four main strokes;
To learn age appropriate life saving skills and techniques;
To continue to perfect deep watermanship skills of surface dives, sculling, underwater swimming;
To provide the opportunity to learn and practice relays and medleys;
To provide the opportunity to undertake dive, snorkelling survival courses and the Rookie lifesaving courses during holidays;
To provide the opportunity to move to competitive clubs, lifesaving clubs or other specialisms or our Adult classes.

 

Aquatic Development Plan for Adults

Stage 1

To provide assistance in entering and exiting the pool;

To provide the opportunity to discuss previous swimming experience with teacher and learn what they want to achieve within their lessons;

Learning to move in water (walking) change direction, get used to their body being in the water;

 Getting used to face wetting, submerging face, breath holding and exhaling;

Achieving horizontal and streamlined body position prone and supine;

Learning to float, prone and supine;

Learning to regain feet from prone and supine body position;

Experiment with leg and arm actions on prone and supine;

Achieve 5 -10 metres unaided swim.

Stage 2

To increase water confidence, through submersion, floating and rotation;

To learn the basics of frontcrawl, backstroke and breastroke as they choose;

To increase the stamina and technique for frontcrawl to include body position, leg action, arm action, breathing technique to cover a distance of up to 30 metres.

To increase the stamina and technique for backstroke to include body position, leg action, arm action, to cover a distance of up to 150 metres.

To increase the stamina and technique for breaststroke to include: body position, leg action, arm action, breathing and timing.

To learn to scull, float and rotate;

In this stage adults are encouraged to practice their most comfortable stroke;

When confident to do so, adults are encouraged to move up to the 1 hour lengths class.

Stage 3

To become accustomed to swimming in lanes and being out of their depth;

To learn and improve on treading water, rotating into horizontal swimming position and returning to the side of the pool;

 To gradually increase stamina, technique to achieve a one length + swim of frontcrawl, backstroke and breastroke as they wish;

 To have the opportunity to learn how to jump in and dive into deep water;

To have the opportunity to learn surface dives and sculling;

To give the pupil the opportunity to set their own goals and be able to receive instruction on how best to gain them.

To provide a comfortable, social environment for pupils.

 

Awards and badges

Instructor is in the water with pupil

Duckling 1

Make a safe entry with adult support;

Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support;

Float on the back with adult support behind head;

Blow bubbles at the water surface;

Wet the head without submersion;

Travel 2 metres without assistance to a floating object;

Buoyancy aids may have been used during this award.

Duckling 2

Make a sitting entry with adult support;

Blow an object for 2 metres;

Rotate horizontally through 180° without assistance;

Move 5 metres along pool edge without assistance;

Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance;

Submerge the face with confidence;

Buoyancy aids may have been used during this award.

Duckling 3

Make a supervised jump to an adult;

Kick 5 metres using a float;

Blow bubbles with mouth underwater;

Float on Back or front without adult support;

Travel 5 metres on front to the side of pool;

Show a torpedo shape on front or back;

buoyancy aids may have been used during this award.

3 or 5 Metre Distance

3 or 5 metre unaided swim on front or back;

On front, face in using propulsive arms and legs;

On back, legs only, showing good body position;

Supervision from instructor in the water;

Little assistance to start and stand up.

Pool Frog 1

Enter water unaided without using steps and swim 5 metres;

Submerge face rhythmically, exhaling beneath the surface;

Pick up an object from the pool bottom with both hands;

Perform a mushroom float for 5 seconds;

Perform a front glide and stand up;

Kick 10 metres on the front using a float(s);

This award is performed in shallow water.

10 Metre Distance

 

10 metre unaided swim on back;

Good body position, legs only;

Older pupils may do this on front;

Supervision from Instructor in the water;

No assistance to start or stand up.

Water Skills 1

Safe entry into shallow water;

Submerge face and blow bubbles for 3 seconds;

Push & Glide on front and back;

Travel 5 metres on front and back;

Rotate from front to back - regain to standing;

10 second vertical or horizontal float;

Propel a floating object 3 metres.

20 or 25 Metre Distance

20 or 25 metre unaided swim;

Excellent body position on back;

Straight arm recovery and propulsive leg action;

Supervision from Instructor in the water;

No assistance to start or stand up.

Pool Frog 2

Jump in and swim 10 metres;

Submerge head rhythmically 10 times, exhaling beneath the surface;

Sit on the bottom of the pool;

Push & Glide on the back and return to standing position;

Swim front paddle, head up, for 10 metres;

Swim back paddle for 10 metres;

Swim lifesaving leg kick with floats for 10 metres;

Swim 10 metres, breastroke, front crawl or back crawl;

This award is performed in shallow water.

50 Metre and above Distance

These Awards will be awarded upon reaching the required standard;

Supervision will be provided from an instructor on the side;

These Awards are only carried out during specific 'Badge Days'

 

Water Skills 2

Enter water without steps into shallow water;

Submerge fully and exhale for 3 seconds;

5 seconds tucked float;

1 width swim, crawl legs, paddle arms on front;

1 width swim, crawl legs on back;

1 width swim, breastroke action;

1 width swim, on front or back, with over arm recovery;

20 second horizontal or vertical float;

360° turn or roll without touching bottom;

2 width swim without pausing, and stroke.

Pupil is ready for Instruction from the Poolside.  Pupils may now enrol on any Diving and Snorkelling courses being run, details of these courses are posted here.

Pool Frog 3

Jump in and touch pool bottom;

Tread water for 20 seconds;

Support scull in a sitting position for 20 seconds;

Support scull in a vertical position for 5 seconds;

float on back for 90 seconds;

Kick 15 meters, using a float, front crawl legs only;

Kick 15 meters, back crawl legs only, hands crossed on chest;

Swim 25 metres, breastroke, front crawl or back crawl;

This award is performed in deep water.

Water Skills 3

Jump in and swim 4 widths, any stroke(s);

Retrieve object from shallow depth;

Tread water for 20 seconds;

2 width swim on front and back, good technique;

10 metre swim with 3 direction changes;

5 metres scull head first;

Swim through submerged hoop;

1 minute continuous swim using 2 strokes in good style.

Water Skills 4

Jump in and swim 25 metres;

Surface dive with good technique;

Forward somersault;

2 x 25 metre swims, choice of breastroke or front crawl;

2 x 5 metre sculls, head and feat first;

5 metre swim with dolphin leg action;

2 width swim with correct A.S.A. turn, any stroke;

20 seconds treading water, then 25 metre swim;

5 metre swim underwater.

Pupil is ready to join an Improver Length Class.  Pupils may now participate in our Royal Life Saving Society Rookie Lifesavers Programme.  Further details on the Rookie Programme can be found here.

Challenge One

 

Jump in and swim for 2 minutes, achieving minimum 50 metres;

50 metre swim on front crawl or breastroke and backstroke;

 

 

Challenge Two

Jump in fully clothed and swim 50 metres;

Exit without steps and remove clothing;

Surface dive to retrieve object, swim 8 metres on back with it;

Surface dive and swim 5 metres under water;

200 metre swim with 2 strokes, minimum 50 metres on each.

Bronze Challenge

Jump in, 10 metre swim with surface dive & 5 metre underwater swim;

3 minutes treading water in vertical position;

15 metre head first scull with feet near surface of water;

400 metre swim with 2 strokes, minimum 100 metres on each;

Exit deep end without assistance.

Water Skills 5

30 seconds treading water, then 25 metre swim;

Backward somersault;

Surface dive with 5 metre underwater swim;

50 metre swim in 90 seconds;

25 metres swim, inverted breastroke or backstroke;

Head first entry to 25 metre swim;

1 width swim to forward somersault, push off from wall;

1 width butterfly;

Upright jump into water, attaining good height.

Silver Challenge

 

Plunge dive, swim 100 metres in under 5 minutes, any stroke;

Tread water for 2 minutes with 1 hand behind back;

10 metre swim, then 2 surface dives, head & feet first to retrieve object;

2 x 10 metre swims sculling head then feet first;

800 metre swim, 400 metre each on back and front;

Exit deep end without assistance.

Gold Challenge

Plunge dive & swim 100 metre with 2 different strokes in under 2.5 minutes;

Tread water for 3 minutes with arm above head;

10 metre scull head first, tucked 360° turn then 10 metre scull feet first;

10 metre swim, forward somersault, then further 10 metre swim;

800 metre swim using 3 strokes, minimum 200 metre on each in under 25 minutes;

Exit from deep end without assistance.

Water Skills 6

75 metre swim in 2 minutes showing good technique;

Scull 5 metres head first, somersault, scull feet first 5 metres, rotate 360°;

3 width swim on front, back and breastroke with turns and good technique;

2 width swim, butterfly;

2 jumps into water, with different positions in flight;

Plunge dive with glide, then plunge dive and tread water for 1 minute.

Honours Challenge

 

Straddle jump into water, swim 5 metres, then;

Pike surface dive to retrieve object, then swim 20 metre with object to side;

Scull 10 metres head first on back, backward somersault, roll to front, then;

Front somersault, tuck and rotate and continue to scull 15 metre feet first;

Complete all the following continuously in under 20 minutes;

200 metre front crawl, 200 metre back crawl, 100 metre breastroke;

500 metre freestyle to include 2 head first and 2 feet first surface dives;