Which Class Do I Book?

Here is a simple breakdown of our classes and the ability levels required to join them.

Beginner  Improver  Intermediate  Advanced  Challenger  Explorer

 

Beginner

Note: These classes are for children aged 4+

To check the age ranges of different classes, please see our Award Scheme

 

Eel 1

  • Complete Beginner - No experience.

Eel 2

  • Swim 5m (front and back) with or without buoyancy aids
  • Blowing bubbles

  • Comfortable with water on face
  • Demonstrates propulsion in water (even if stop/start)

Eel 3

  • Swim 8m front/back - continuous movement without aids
  • Retrieve an object from pool floor
  • Arms and legs move in a circular motion

Improver

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Pufferfish 1-3

  • Swim 10m front/back with arms clearly coming out of the water, without buoyancy aids

  • Show very basic breaststroke ability

Pufferfish are mixed ability classes covering stages 1-3. Swimmers are likely to stay at this level for longer than the separate Eel levels.

Puffer fish transitions swimmers from swimming widths to lengths.


Intermediate

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Rockfish 1-3

  • Swim 25m front/back
  • Demonstrate breathing technique for front crawl
  • Perform butterfly legs for 10m
  • Tread water for 15 seconds

Rockfish is mixed ability covering stages 1-3

 

Advanced

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Stingray 1-2

  • Swim 150m (approx. 6 lengths) front, back and breast
  • Demonstrate turns and finishes
  • Swim 50m butterfly

 

Challenger

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Salmon 1-3

  • Swim 250m front, back and breast
  • Demonstrate turns and finishes
  • Swim 50m butterfly

 

Explorer

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Barracuda 1-3

  • Swim 900m continuously, split 3x300 across front, back and breast.
  • Speed swim 50m in 60 seconds

Barracuda covers 3 stages and is aimed at aspiring Lifeguards.