Teaching groups
The aim of the swimming lessons is to provide the swimmers with a multi skilled approach to learning to swim. This means that the lessons will be varied and cover a range of stroke development and skill development practices suitable to the level of the swimmer. The teaching process begins at Beacon Hill Pool, Martlesham, where the swimmers learn water confidence and basic swimming movements with the assistance of helpers in the water. Once the swimmers have gained this level of confidence, and the ability to swim unaided in the water, both on front and back for a distance of 10 metres, they move to Deben Swimming Pool, Woodbridge. This is the swimmers first taste of the four main swimming strokes. All four swimming strokes are taught through progressive practices, which become more involved as they work their way through the teaching groups.
Please check the Teaching Section calendar for changes to session times and special events!
Once they have completed their path through the teaching section, they are able to move into the squads, where competitive swimming come to the fore in addition to the awards on offer.
To aid parents understanding of this process, and to show the level each group will be aspiring to, shown below are the awards and skills assigned to each group –
Stage 1 (NPTS Stage 1) | Stage 2 (NPTS Stage 2) (5 metres) | Suitable for children aged 3+ years with no previous experience. | Suitable for children who are rising 5 years with no previous experience. | | | Outcome: the development of water confidence and the ability to swim 5 metres on both front and back. | | | Stage 3 (NPTS Stage 3) (10 metres) | Stage 4 (NPTS Stage 4) (20 metres) | For children aged 5+ years who have completed Stage 2. This class introduces aquatic breathing and different methods of water mobility. | For children who can swim 10 metres on both front and back and have completed Stage 3. | Outcome: the ability to swim 10 metres on both front and back. | Outcome: the ability to tread water, swim under water and confidently swim 20 metres on both front and back showing basic technique. | | | Stage 5 (NPTS Stage 5) (25 metres) | Stage 6 (NPTS Stage 6) (50 & 100 metres) | For children who can swim 20 metres on front and back and completed Stage 4. This class will develop stroke and skills to a good standard. | For children who can swim 25 metres on both front and back and completed Stage 5. | Outcome: the ability to swim 25 metres on front and back. | Outcome: the ability to swim 50 & 100 metres on both front crawl and backstroke, with knowledge of breastsroke and butterfly. | | | Stage 7 (NPTS Stage 7) (200 metres) | Stage 8 (NPTS Stage 8) (400/800 metres) | For children who can competently swim 100 metres demonstrating 3 different strokes and completed Stage 6. | For children who can competently swim all four strokes and have understanding of touch turns and completed Stage 7. | Outcome: extended ability to swim butterfly, introduction of touch turns and the ability to swim 200 metres competently. | Outcome: ready to progress into first competitive squad - Transition. |
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