Scottish Academy of Swimming
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SCHOOL-AGE · AGES 5–16

Meet the crew.
Find their next level.

From Octopus to Shark, each character marks a stage in your swimmer’s journey. Six stages. So much to feel proud of.

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A swimmer jumps into the pool towards an instructor holding a pool noodle

THE SCHOOL-AGE PATHWAY

A new friend at every level.

Follow the characters below, then open a level to see all the skills needed to join.

Level 1Beginner

Octopus

A happy hello to the water.

Starting point

No previous swimming ability is needed.

All entry skills for Level 1: Octopus
  • No previous swimming ability is required.
Find Level 1 lessons
Level 2Beginner

Turtle

Little strokes. Growing confidence.

Starting point

For swimmers already floating independently and swimming 5 metres of front crawl and back crawl.

All entry skills for Level 2: Turtle
  • Demonstrate floatation on front without a buoyancy aid
  • Demonstrate floatation on back without a buoyancy aid
  • Understand Common Poolside Safety Rules
  • Demonstrate a push and glide
  • Kick on front with a float for 10 metres
  • Kick on back with a float for 10 metres
  • Swim a minimum of 5 metres consistently demonstrating Frontcrawl
  • Swim a minimum of 5 metres consistently demonstrating Backcrawl
  • Show rotation from floating position front to back and back to front with a buoyancy aid
Find Level 2 lessons
Level 3Improver

Seal

Finding their flow.

Starting point

For swimmers already swimming 10 metres of front crawl and back crawl, with developing independent water skills.

All entry skills for Level 3: Seal
  • Demonstrate a mushroom float
  • Kick on front without a float for 10 metres
  • Kick on back without a float for 10 metres
  • Demonstrate Breaststroke Leg Kick
  • Swim a minimum of 10 metres consistently demonstrating Frontcrawl
  • Swim a minimum of 10 metres consistently demonstrating Backcrawl
  • Show rotation from floating position front to back and back to front without a buoyancy aid
  • Demonstrate a sculling action
  • Demonstrate repetitive bobbing for 30 seconds
Find Level 3 lessons
Level 4Improver

Lobster

Bringing their skills together.

Starting point

For swimmers already swimming 15 metres of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke, alongside other water skills.

All entry skills for Level 4: Lobster
  • Demonstrate a push and glide with leg kick for 5 metres holding streamline position
  • Swim on front for a minimum of 5 metres demonstrating fly kick
  • Kick on front for a minimum 15 metres
  • Kick on back for a minimum 15 metres
  • Swim Frontcrawl with regular breathing for a minimum 15 metres
  • Swim Backcrawl consistently for a minimum 15 metres
  • Demonstrate Breaststroke for a minimum 15 metres
  • Scull for 10 metres head first on back supported
  • Head first surface dive to collect object on bottom of pool (minimum depth 1.2metres)
Find Level 4 lessons
Level 5Advanced

Hammerhead shark

Strong strokes. Bigger possibilities.

Starting point

For swimmers already swimming 25 metres of front crawl and back crawl with correct technique, plus further stroke and safety skills.

All entry skills for Level 5: Hammerhead shark
  • Travel on front and perform a somersault finishing in a streamlined position
  • Swim 25 metres Frontcrawl consistently maintaining correct technique
  • Swim 25 metres Backcrawl consistently maintaining correct technique
  • Demonstrate Breaststroke with simultaneous leg and simultaneous arm action
  • Demonstrate basic Butterfly technique
  • Travel 5 metres with an undulating body action
  • Tread water for 30 seconds waving one hand above the head to attract attention
  • Triple S standard – completing the award
  • Enter and exit the pool without using the steps
  • Scull for 10 metres
Find Level 5 lessons
Club ReadyAdvanced

Shark

Ready for the next adventure.

Starting point

For swimmers already swimming 50 metres of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke, and 15 metres of butterfly, with the required technique.

All entry skills for Club Ready: Shark
  • Swim minimum 50 metres of Frontcrawl demonstrating push and glide, competent technique with bi-lateral breathing, high elbow and reach and pull
  • Swim minimum 50 metres of Backcrawl demonstrating push and glide, good technique, steady head position with rolling of the shoulders round the long axis
  • Swim minimum 50 metres of Breaststroke demonstrating push and glide, good technique
  • Swim minimum 15 metres of Butterfly demonstrating push and glide, competent technique and basic undulation
  • Perform a dive with transition to any stroke
  • Perform a straddle jump and tread water for 45 seconds
Find Club Ready lessons

All standard groups have a maximum of 6 swimmers, including advanced levels. Premium groups have a maximum of 3 at selected pools; ask about stage availability.

CATCH-UP LESSONS · ALL VENUES

Miss a lesson? Catch up.

Mark your swimmer absent in the parent portal, then use a catch-up credit to book another lesson. Subject to space and booking rules.

Up to 5 catch-up creditsper swimmer, per year

How catch-ups work

LET’S GET STARTED

Ready for your next splash?

Find a pool, choose a lesson and take the next step.

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