The last stages of the learn to swim programme - stage 9 and 10 - can be very difficult to achieve and for some children it can take 2-3 terms for each. This can be disheartening for our swimmers and they can become frustrated with the struggle to achieve these last awards.
The criteria for these stages is as follows:
Stage 9
1. Swim a continuous 100m individual medley using recognisable starts and turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. Perform a front crawl start then kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15m. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25m.
3. Perform a backstroke start then butterfly kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15m. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25m.
4. Perform a butterfly start then kick in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15m. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25m.
5. Perform a breaststroke start with appropriate pull, kick, glide underwater. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25m. Stroke must be coordinated with appropriate breathing technique.
6. Dive from the start block and continue into stroke for all 4 swim strokes (where applicable).
7. Perform a backstroke turn from 10m in to 15m out with tumble turn at the wall and streamlined push off.
8. Perform a front crawl turn from 10m in to 15m out with tumble turn at the wall and streamlined push off.
9. Swim 800m continuously maintaining technique throughout. For classes lasting 45mins this is a compulsory requirement for stage 9.
Stage 10
1. Perform a continuous 100m individual medley using recognised turns.
2. Perform a continuous 200m individual medley using recognised turns.
3. Swim 400m continuous front crawl with tumble turns and streamline push off at each end.
4. Perform a front crawl relay take over (from dive block where applicable)
5. Dive from the start block and continue into stroke for all 4 swim strokes (where applicable).
6. Swim 1500m continuously maintaining technique throughout. For classes lasting 45mins this is a compulsory requirement for stage 10.
Is it worth continuing with our swimming journey to achieve these awards?
As you can see above the criteria is particularly difficult with focus on technique as well as stamina. However, at Big Blue we strongly feel that achieving stage 10; and completing the learn to swim programme is a very worthwhile achievement for children. It will allow them to be confident and competent swimmers for life. It is far more difficult to learn to swim as an adult than it is to complete the programme as a child.
Achieving stage 10 will allow a child to be confident enough in the water to be able to enjoy any water sports that they may wish to undertake in future including sailing, scuba diving, lifeguarding etc. The skills of diving and tumble turning are complex skills that are far easier learned as children and not forgotten as adults.
All children that have completed the majority of their learn to swim journey with Big Blue will receive a learn to swim medal on completion of the programme. Alternatively these can be purchased from us if you have joined us in the later stages of the programme.
After completing the learn to swim programme children can go on to enjoy rookie life guarding classes and our swim fit sessions if they wish.
What can I do to help my child achieve these last stages?
There are many things you can do to help your child complete stage 9 and 10:
It does not matter if you are not a competent swimmer yourself, taking your child to swim outside of lessons is very beneficial. It allows them to build stamina and work on their skills. You can set them a challenge to swim 10-20 lengths per visit, race them in the pool or help them practice their somersaults. If you don’t feel confident with correcting their technique feel free to ask us for help or leave it for their weekly lesson.
Unfortunately we are only able to run 30 minute advanced classes at a few of our venues. However, if you can make it to one of our 45minute advanced classes that can be very worthwhile. The additional 15 minutes allows the children to build stamina quicker and there is more time to focus on diving and tumble turns. Children that attend 45 minute advance classes will progress through the stages at a faster pace and finish the learn to swim programme quicker.
We do allow children to attend two lessons per week if they want to complete the programme quicker. We suggest attending 2 different venues in order get the most out of the additional lessons. If we feel that your child is able to complete the learn to swim programme in the current term with a few additional lessons we may offer you the option to attend a second weekly lesson free of charge. This would always be a 45 minute lesson that we would recommend and would likely be an alternative venue.
Children are taught to dive at our Currie High School venue. We therefore recommend trying to swim here at least one term prior to your child completing the learn to swim programme in order for them to be taught how to dive. Unfortunately due to the depth of the pool we are unable to teach diving at Energize.
It is important that your child attends lessons as regularly as possible. This is especially important in the later stages and during our distance assessment weeks. If your child is unable to attend the distance assessment they should attend an alternative lesson so they they always have the opportunity to complete a termly distance assessment.
If you would like to discuss any of the above with us please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help in any way we can.