Water Skills Awards

waterskillsbadges

Water skills awards -Grade 1 (Grade 1 test may be performed using any buoyancy aid)
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Enter shallow water from the poolside in a safe manner (assistance may be provided)
Move across the pool with the water surface no lower than shoulder level
Submerge the face in the water and blow bubbles for 3 seconds
Push and glide from the poolside or bottom, on the front and change to a resting or standing position
Push and glide from the poolside or bottom, on the back and change to a resting or standing position
Travel on the back a minimum distance of 5 metres
Travel on the front a minimum distance of 5 metres
Rotate from the back to the front position and gain a resting or standing / position
Propel a floating object (e.g. a ball) for 3 metres by any method
Demonstrate a horizontal or vertical stationary floating position for 10 seconds

Water skills awards -Grade 2
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Enter shallow water from a standing or sitting position without the use of steps
Submerge the head completely and blow out under water for a minimum of 3 seconds
Hold a tucked floating position for a minimum of 5 seconds
Swim 1 width on the front using a crawl type propulsive action
Swim 1 width on the back using a crawl type propulsive action
Swim 1 width on the front or back using a breaststroke type action
Swim 1 width full stroke on the front or the back
Demonstrate a horizontal or vertical floating position for 20 seconds
Demonstrate a 360 degree turn or roll without making contact with the pool bottom
Swim 2 widths without pausing using any stroke or strikes

Water skills awards -Grade 3
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Jump into deep water
Swim 4 widths without a pause using any stroke or strokes
Submerge in shallow water and retrieve an object from the pool bottom
Tread water out of standing depth using arms and / or legs for 20 seconds
Swim 2 widths on the front demonstrating good technique
Swim 2 widths on the back demonstrating good technique
Swim a minimum of 10 metres showing 3 changes of direction without touching the side or bottom of the pool
Scull head first for 5 metres
Swim through a hoop submerged in water of shoulder depth
Swim continuously for 1 minute using 2 different strokes

Water skills awards -Grade 4
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Jump into deep water and swim 25 metres without touching the side or the bottom of the pool
Surface dive in deep water demonstrating good technique
Perform a forward somersault using a push and glide if necessary
Swim breaststroke or front crawl for 25 metres showing good technique
Swim back crawl for 25 metres showing good technique
Scull head first for 5 metres and return sculling feet first
Swim minimum of 5 metres using a dolphin action (with a buoyancy aid if necessary)
Swim 2 widths of any stroke including a “correct” turn
Enter deep water (at least 1.8 metres deep) and tread water for 20 seconds followed by a 25 metres swim
Swim 5 metres under water

Water skills awards -Grade 5
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Tread water for 30 seconds followed by a 25 metres swim that includes passing through a submerged hoop
Perform a backward somersault using a push and glide if necessary
Perform a surface dive in deep water followed by a 10 metres swim under water
Swim 50 metres in 90 seconds
Swim 25 metres using an inverted breaststroke or backstroke
Perform a racing start and swim 25 metres of front crawl
Swim one width of front crawl finishing with a forward somersault into the poolside and a push and glide away on the back or front
Swim one width of butterfly
Jump into deep water attaining a good height and upright position in flight
Swim 25 metres propelling a ball and maintaining close control throughout

Water skills awards -Grade 6
This group of skills tests the pupil’s ability:-

Swim 75 metres within 2 minutes using 3 different strokes
Perform the following skills consecutively and without pause; head first scull for 5 metres
somersault; feet first scull for 5 metres and a rotation in a tucked position
Swim 3 widths of front crawl showing 2 appropriate turns
Swim 3 widths of back crawl showing 2 backstroke turns
Swim 3 widths of breaststroke showing 2 breast stroke turns
Swim 2 widths butterfly
Perform 2 jumps into deep water gaining height and taking up a different position in flight selected from straight, tuck, pike, turning, somersault
Propel a ball for a minimum distance of 25 metres, controlling it throughout and demonstrating 2 changes of direction of at least 90 degrees
Plunge dive into a minimum 1.8 metres and tread water for 1 minute

After School Classes