Aqua 2 / 2a
Aqua 1-5 Programme
This syllabus has been developed in conjunction with the National Governing Body’s (Scottish Swimming) Learn to Swim Programme which is sponsored by the Bank of Scotland
Aqua 2
Aim: To develop the basic skills of water confidence and stroke technique. The importance of streamlining in all strokes will be emphasised. Early diving practices will be introduced
Swimmers should perform these skills consistently and competently within each level
| Aqua 2 Skills Required for Promotion | Aqua 2 Standards Expected |
|---|---|
| Answer two water safety / hygiene (See Swimmer and Parent Guide) | Two questions answered correctly questions from list of questions |
| Push and Glide and Streamline, kick 8m | Arms Extended, Hands on top |
| Kick 10m Frontcrawl showing correct breathing patterns with a float | Streamlined regular alternating leg action demonstrating breathe,blow action. Teacher to ensure that float is held in position which allows good body position |
| Swim 8m, of recognised front crawl (face in water) | Face in water - alternating arm action and leg action, attempting arms recovering over water |
| Kick 10m Backstroke, no float | Ears in water – tummy up, toes up regular alternating action, hands by side |
| Swim 8m Backstroke | Arms clearing water in regular or rhymthic action, attempting little finger first entry and windmilling action. Maintain good body position as above |
| Kick 5m Breaststroke with aid, attempting dorsifexion and eversion (feet turned out) | Continuous circling action, attempting dorsiflexion and eversion (Teacher can assist in the preparation for this skill by assisting the child with the foot turn out but not for the assessment) |
| Walk 5m Breaststroke, circling arms in front demonstrating stretch and pause / glide | Hands start together, finish together, kept in front of shoulders with pause |
| Swim 5m Breaststroke with dorsiflexion and eversion (feet turned out) attempting pause/glide | Simultaneous and circular arm and leg action attempting dorsiflexion and eversion.and arms in front of shoulders. Leg action to be narrow with knees in and feet out |
| Kick 5m Butterfly, hands by sides, face in water | Continuous undulating action, legs together. |
| Attempt Fly Full Stroke over small distance with no breathing | Head Down, Chin on Chest, Arms clearing water, undulating action |
| Attempt head scull for 3 metres - supine (with or without a floatation aid) | Ears in water, body flat, legs extended together, toes at surface - regular figure of 8 movement seen |
| Attempt Forward Roll | Assisted by teacher in water – progression from mushroom float |
| Introduction to surface Dive by attempting a handstand with straight position | Assisted by teacher in water necessary for support - action to be controlled. Teachers should: Ensure that the class is spaced out appropriately, Advise pupils to open eyes in order to see pool floor, Advise pupils that arms to be in front of head, encourage use of properly fitted goggles. |
| Demonstrate a stationary Scull | Body position may be supported by a pull bouy between the legs. Arms at side hands positioned just below the hips, palms face the pool floor fingertips point towards feet. Smooth controlled scull led by pinky on outwards scull, thumb on inwards scull. |
Aqua 2a
Aim: To develop all four strokes. To develop early diving, sculling and life saving practices.
Swimmers should perform these skills consistanly and competently within each level
| Aqua 2a Skills Required for Promotion | Aqua 2a Standards Expected |
|---|---|
| Answer two water safety /hygiene questions (questions with parents) | Two questions answered correctly from list of questions |
| Perform two different types of entries | All feet first, sit and swivel / step in / jump in / controlled |
| Kick 15m Frontcrawl showing correct breathing patterns with a float | Streamlined regular alternating leg action demonstrating correct breathing pattern – exhaling and inhaling MUST be seen |
| Swim 10m Frontcrawl (face in water) breathing to side with arms recovering over water | Face in water, alternating arm and leg action, arms recovering over water and attempting regular breathing to the side |
| Kick 5m Breaststroke with aids demonstrating Dorsiflexion and Eversion(feet turned out) | Continuous circling action, demonstrating dorsiflexion and eversion (Knees In/Feet Out. Encourage narrow push back kick) |
| Attempt to Swim 8m Breaststroke with glide demonstrating dorsiflexion and eversion (feet turned out) | Simultaneous and circular arm and leg action demonstrating dorsiflexion and eversion, attempting arms in front of shoulders with glide /pause after kick. Good foot turn out with Narrow push back kick |
| Swim 10 metres with aids using lifesaving backstroke leg kick (inverted breaststroke leg kick) | Simultaneous and circular movement of the legs with knees under the water and heels to hips. Knees stay flat and narrow on surface and that the heels drop down to the bottom, NOT wide knees |
| Kick 5m Butterfly, hands by sides | Continuous, undulating action, legs together – relaxed action |
| Attempt Swim 5m Full Stroke Fly no breathing | From Streamlined push and glide Head Down, Chin on Chest, Arms clearing water, undulating action |
| B/C push/glide from wall with hands at side - kick 10m | Push from wall on back into good body position. Continue to kick with continuous, alternating leg action |
| Push/Glide prone/supine in streamlined position with extended arms (hand on top of each other if possible) | Encourage tight streamling with hands on top of each other. |
| Swim 15m Backstroke from a streamlined push / glide | Maintain good body position and head still , continuous alternating arm and leg action |
| Perform a back float, tuck rotate to front and return to a standing position | Back Float - ears in water, body briefly motionless, tuck without touching floor. Front float - face in water, body briefly motionless - regain feet |
| Perform a mushroom float and hold for 3 seconds, extend to a Front Float and return to a standing position | Face in water, hands holding tucked legs - Front Float - straight body, body briefly motionless |
| Attempt a forward somersault | From a push / glide or standing, attempt a forward somersault in a tucked position |
| Perform a push and glide to the bottom of the pool and glide to the surface | In chest deep water. From wall - arms extended, hands together , head down push to floor. Glide to surface in same position (hold stretch) smooth streamlined action. May be to a target e.g. through a hoop |
| Push/glide, pike, pick up object from bottom of the pool | Bend at hips, arms extended in front of head, pick up object with two hands, keep legs together |
| Tread water for 20 seconds (dependant on pool depth) | Treading water - any leg action, sculling arm action, mouth clear of the water. Insist on correct hand action, figure of 8 |
| Scull 8m on back without aids | Feet or head first. |
Related Information
Aqua 1 to 2a Assessment Questions
Learn to Swim Programme
Aqua 1 / 1a
Aqua 3
Aqua 4
Aqua 5
