Our Program

Levels

At Yarraville Swim Centre we run the nationally recognised Royal Lifesaving Swim and Survive Program.

The program is designed to ‘increase the swimming and water safety skills of all Australian children in order to prevent drowning and increase participation in safe aquatic activity.’

For more details and additional information, please visit the Swim and Survive website

Below we have outlined the various levels that we run at the centre and the skills children need to fulfill in order to pass each level.

If you have any concerns or believe that your child has fulfilled the skills in their current level, please ask the manager on duty to assess your child. Our levels (other than wonder 1, 2 and 3) are ability based, not age based.

Wonder 1 (W1)

Age group: 6-18 months

In this level parents are in the water with their children.

Wonder 2 (W2)

Age group: 19-36 months

In this level parents are in the water with their children.

Wonder 3 (W3)

Age Group: 2.5-3.5 years

Description: This level is used as a transitional class for children from parent/toddler classes into the D1 class.

Requirements to pass:

With support, enter the water with a slide in entry and hold onto the pool edge
With minimal assistance, attempt to climb out independently
Float on back with board – minimal assistance
Eyes in and blow bubbles for three seconds, take breath, and repeat
Kicking on front with noodle/backpack & noodle unassisted for 3m
Kick on back with noodle 3m – minimal assistance
Slide to instructor from platform upon instruction – without assistance
Be confident and safe in class environment

Level D1

Description: The major focuses in this level include increasing the child’s independence and confidence, and learning to propel themselves through the water. It is crucial that children are able to allow the water to support them, and confidently blow bubbles with their face in the water before being passed to the next level.

Requirements to pass:

Submerge in waist deep water and blow bubbles
Float on back with board/noodle without assistance and recover
Float on front 3 seconds without assistance and recover
Front glide and kick for three metres with instructor assistance
Back glide and kick for three metres with instructor assistance

Level 1

Description: The focus of this level is to further build children’s confidence in the water, and to increase their independence so that they can comfortably swim 5 metres by themselves.

Requirements to pass:

Enter and exit water safely and confidently
Submerge in waist deep water, open eyes and blow bubbles
Float by self on back without board for 5 seconds and recover
Float by self on back with board for 15 seconds and recover
Torpedo 3m unassisted
Torpedo 5m with board
Kick on back for 5m with board held at chest/over legs
Swim 5m basic freestyle arms (no breathing needed)
Basic dolphin kick
Swim 5m breaststroke arms (no breathing necessary)

Level D2

Description: In this level the major focus is the introduction of breathing and the co-ordination of kicking and arm movements.

Requirements to pass:

Move from a back float to a front float and to a back float again. Float for approximately 5 seconds in each position.
Demonstrate breathing to the side in a horizontal position with board
Kick on the side for 5m
Swim 5m Freestyle with no co-ordinated breathing (no board)
Swim 5m Backstroke with ears in the water (no board)
Demonstrate arm sculling actions
Swim through a submerged obstacle (eg. Hoola hoop)
Move through the water for 30 seconds while holding a floatation aid and kick to safety
Demonstrate 5m breaststroke arms
Demonstrate 5m dolphin kick
Introduce Breaststroke kick

Level 2

Description: aim of this level is to begin to co-ordinate breathing, kicking and arm strokes. In this level the distance swum by students is increased but the focus remains on maintaining correct technique. Parents should note that students may spend a little longer in this level than previous levels due to the difficulty of co-ordinating freestyle arms, legs and breathing.

Requirements to pas:

Demonstrate treading water arm action, supporting the body in an upright position (no floatation aid or assistance)
Swim 10m Freestyle with basic side breathing
Swim 10m Backstroke with correct body position
Demonstrate 10m Survival Backstroke Kick
Demonstrate 10m Breaststroke Kick on front with noodle/board
Demonstrate 3 complete Butterfly arm strokes
Demonstrate 10m dolphin kick – arms crossed across chest or in a streamline position
Demonstrate the following continuous sequence
Submerge and recover an object from water of chest depth

Level D3

Description: The aim of this level is to increase the distance swum by children, while maintaining technique. At this level, we also look to develop the children’s butterfly and breaststroke skills, particularly the timing of the stroke as well as an introduction to diving.

Requirements to pass level:

Demonstrate head first sculling
Swim 15m Freestyle with coordinated side breathing
Swim 15m Backstroke with continuous arm action
Swim 10m Survival Backstroke with under water arm recovery
Swim 15m Breaststroke with glide
Swim 10m Butterfly
Surface dive and recover an object from water of chest depth
Demonstrate a forward somersault in the water

Level 3

Description: this level is to increase the distance children are swimming while still maintaining technique. When children reach this level they are eligible to participate in our Sunday morning competitions.

Requirements to pass level:

At least 25m freestyle with correct breathing and good technique and ability to make 50m
At least 25m backstroke with correct technique and the ability to make 50m
At least 15m butterfly with good technique (with the ability to make 25m without stopping)
At least 25m breaststroke good technique
Scull head first on the back in a streamlined body position
Surface dive, swim underwater and recover an object from water of chest depth
Demonstrate a kneeling dive
Survival skills –
- While wearing a t-shirt and shorts (to be tested in water safety week)

Level 4

Description: The aim of this level is to increase the distance children are swimming while still maintaining technique and introducing some of the more technical aspects of swimming. There is also more focus on things such as doing dives and turns correctly.

Requirements to pass level:

At least 50m Freestyle continuous swimming with good technique
At least 50m Backstroke continuous swimming with good technique
Demonstrate feet first sculling on back
25m butterfly without stopping
50m correct breaststroke with glide at the front
Crouch dive
Surface dive, swim underwater and recover an object from water depth equivalent to the candidates height
Survival skills:

Throw rescue aid to partner 5m away and instruct them to kick to the edge

Demonstrate the following (dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt)
Sculling, floating or treading water for 2 minutes
Swim slowly for three minutes, changing survival strokes after each minute
Float for one minute using an open ended floatation aid

Level 5

Requirements to pass level:

At least 100m continuously using correct stroke technique:
Freestyle
Backstroke
Breaststroke
50 metres of Butterfly
Correct turns for Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. Introduction to medley turns.
Demonstrate egg beater kick
Demonstrate a shallow dive
Survival skills:

Dressed in swimwear, long pants and a long sleeved shirt. Must perform these continuously.

Survival sculling, floating or treading water for 4 minutes
Perform feet first surface dive and swim underwater for a short distance
Swim slowly for 6 minutes using the three survival strokes, changing strokes after each minute. Clothing may be removed.
Correctly fit a PFD, enter the water using a compact jump, float for 30 seconds and then climb out of deep water.

After passing level 5 students have the option to move into one of our squad classes.