HomeSwimmingABC Swim Lessons

The goal of the A certificate is to establish a solid base of general in-water movements that will attribute to swim safety. These include floating, turning, treading, getting in and out of the water as well as the ability to comfortably stay under the surface. Upon completing the A certificate, swimmers will also have an idea about the four (4) swimming techniques: Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and front crawl (better known as freestyle).

Requirements for Completion of Certificate A:

Water Safety: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Entering the water
  • Seated
  • Jump
• Exiting the water (without use of stairs)
• Floating
  • Back float (10 seconds)
  • Front float (10 seconds)
• Exhaling underwater (not holding breath)

Water Coordination: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Treading and turning
  • 10 second tread – 180 degree turn – 10 second tread
  • 10 second tread – 360 degree turn – 10 second tread
• Floating and turning
  • 10 second front float – turn to back – 10 second back float
  • 10 second back float – turn to stomach – 10 second front float
• Object retrieval from bottom (shallow side / 5m out)

Swim Technique: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• ½  lap without stopping:
  • Backstroke
  • Breaststroke
  • Freestyle

Conditioning: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

60 seconds treading while maintaining the head above water

The goal of the B certificate is to improve conditioning and swimming ability that will attribute to swim safety. These include floating, turning, treading, getting in and out of the water as well as the ability to comfortably stay under the surface. Upon completing the B certificate, swimmers will be able to swim by themselves in a shallow pool with adult supervision.

Requirements for Completion of Certificate B:

Water Safety: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Entering the water
  • Backwards jump
  • Diving (kneeling position)
• Floating
  • Back float, feet stay up (20 seconds)
  • Front float, feet stay up (20 seconds) 

Water Coordination: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Jump in → head up tread → 180 turn → head up tread → 180 turn → climb out

• Object retrieval from bottom (deep side / 10m out)

Swim Technique: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• 25 yards without stopping:
  • Backstroke
  • Breaststroke
  • Freestyle
• Kickboard test
  • 25 yards flutter kick
  • 25 yards breaststroke kick
• Streamline position floating 
  • 10 second back float
  • 10 second front float

Conditioning: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• 50 yard swim (any stroke)
• 60 second treading with movements (right / left) every 10 seconds
• 25 yard swim including touching bottom of deep end halfway through

The goal of the C certificate is to complete swim safety requirements as well as prepare the individuals for swim-team training.  These include floating, turning, swim technique, treading, getting in and out of the water as well as the ability to comfortably stay under the surface. Upon completing the C certificate, swimmers will be able to swim by themselves in most still-water pools and lakes with adult supervision.

Requirements for Completion of Certificate C:

Water Safety: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Entering the water.
  • Diving (Standing position)
• Floating
  • Back float, feet stay up. Pull buoy allowed at hands. (60 seconds)
  • Front float, feet stay up. Pull buoy allowed at hands. (60 seconds) 

Water Coordination: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• Jump in → head up tread → 180 turn → touch bottom → 180 turn → climb out

• Diving  object retrieval from bottom (deep side / 10m out)
• Streamline position
  • Dive into 10 second back float
  • Dive into 10 second front float

Swim Technique: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• 50 yards without stopping:
  • Backstroke
  • Breaststroke
  • Freestyle
• 25 yards without stopping
  • Butterfly
• Kickboard test
  • 100 yards flutter kick
  • 100 yards breaststroke kick

Conditioning: Excellent / Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory

• 100 yard swim (any stroke).
• 50 yard swim including touching bottom of the deep end with the hands at half of every length.