Stage Checker: Find the Right Swim Stage for Your Child

Our Adult & Baby class is designed for parents and carers introducing their 6-18-month-old babies to the water. Through gentle, playful activities, including songs and games, these sessions help build early water confidence and allow your baby to explore the water safely with you by their side. It's a wonderful way to bond and create positive first experiences with swimming while engaging in fun, interactive activities that foster a love for the water.

The Adult & Child class is perfect for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years starting their swimming journey. With a parent or carer in the water, your child will explore basic water skills like floating and kicking. Fun activities, songs, and games are incorporated to make learning enjoyable and help build water confidence in a safe, supportive environment.

The Ducklings class is designed for children aged 3 to 4 who are new to swimming or still a bit unsure in the water. It helps build confidence and teaches key skills like floating, kicking, and putting their face in the water. This nurturing class is a great introduction to swimming, ensuring children feel comfortable and happy in the pool.

Our Beginners 5+ class is designed for children aged 5 and above who may be new to swimming but are confident. This class introduces basic water skills such as floating, kicking, and swimming short distances. It helps bridge the gap between Ducklings and Stage 1, providing a supportive environment for older beginners.

Stage 1 is for children who are beginning to feel comfortable in the water but still need some assistance. The focus is on building core skills like floating unaided, basic arm movements, and swimming short distances. This stage lays the foundation for more independent swimming and prepares children for the next level.

In Stage 2, swimmers develop more independence and refine their technique. This class is for children who can swim 5 meters on their front and back without floatation aids. The focus is on improving strokes and building stamina, with the inclusion of engaging games and activities that make practice enjoyable and effective, ensuring swimmers are confident in deeper water.

By Stage 3, swimmers are refining their basic techniques and can confidently cover 10-15 meters on both their front and back. The lessons will also introduce more advanced techniques like dolphin kicks and breaststroke. This stage focuses on mastering these foundational skills and passing the WCSA Water Safety Award 1 and Stage 2 Water Skills Assessment, preparing swimmers for the next level of development.

At Stage 4, swimmers will work on mastering key skills and refining their techniques. Swimmers should be able to perform sitting or kneeling dives, be able to push and glide on both front and back an swim 10 meters breaststroke with a noodle, and 15-20 meters each of front crawl and backstroke. Stage 4 swimmers will need to demonstrate water safety skills by passing the WCSA Water Safety Award 2 and Stage 3 Water Skills Assessment. This stage solidifies their foundation and prepares them for more advanced swimming skills.

Stage 5+ is for advanced swimmers focused on mastering complex skills. Swimmers perform a standing dive, push and glide from the wall, and swim 25 meters each of front crawl and backstroke. They will also be required to cover 15 meters of breaststroke, 10-15 meters of butterfly, and demonstrate a feet-first sculling action, forward roll, and handstand. Additional skills include treading water for 1-2 minutes and completing the WCSA Water Safety Lesson in pyjamas. The stage concludes with the WCSA Stage 4 Water Skills Assessment, preparing swimmers for Stage 6 and 7 criteria and even competitive and advanced aquatic activities.