INDEPENDENT SWIMMERS
From 3.5 years old
ALL INDEPENDENT SWIM LEVELS ARE SKILL-BASED AND DO NOT INCLUDE PARENTS IN THE WATER
Our independent swimming programme is designed for children who swim without parents in the pool. Based on the highly effective Australian model, this approach features small classes, warm water, and teachers in the pool, ensuring each child receives personal attention. Depending on the level, each instructor oversees between 3 and 7 children.
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We teach children a structured set of skills, guiding them through each level sequentially as they’re ready. Starting with Level 1 (Platypus), where children learn to put their heads under water, the programme progresses to Level 8 (Shark), where children master the butterfly stroke.
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A note for parents: Each child advances at their own pace, moving to the next level only when fully ready. The aim is for children to enjoy their lessons, looking forward to each week rather than feeling pressured. Progression should be encouraging, not competitive.
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Important: Swim levels for independent swimmers are skill-based, not age-based. While we have minimum age guidelines, as younger children rarely meet certain skill levels, it’s always best to choose classes based on skills rather than age.
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Please note: We do not teach diving at our facility, as our pool is not deep enough.
PLATYPUS - From 3,5 year old - no parent in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 3.5 years, beginner level.
- The child must be comfortable separating from a parent, willingly enter the water, and follow simple instructions in French or English.
- However, they are not yet able to float on their tummy or submerge their head for 5 seconds on request.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 3.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
PUFFERFISH - Only for children who have received a Pufferfish medal in the past.
This level is the same as sea otters but only from 3 to 4 years old and only open to children who have received this medal.
SEA OTTER - From 4 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 4 years.
- The child must be happy to be separated from parents for 30 minutes and willing to enter the water.
- Able to float on their tummy with face and ears submerged for 5 seconds when requested.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 3.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
CROCODILE - From 4 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 4 years.
- The child is able to swim 6 metres with their face in the water, maintaining a continuous kick without stopping or sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 4.
- Class duration: 30 minutes.
PENGUIN - From 5 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 5 years.
-Front: Able to swim 7 metres in a streamlined (rocket) position without breathing, using a strong, continuous kick.
-Back: Can swim 7 metres on their back, hands by their side, with a strong, continuous kick.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 5.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
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Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
SEAL - From 6 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 6 years.
- Must complete all previous level skills.
- Can swim 12 metres of freestyle (crawl) with straight arms, breathing on one side, maintaining a strong kick.
- Able to perform a strong, continuous kick for 10 metres on their back, with hands by their side, without sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 6.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
DOLPHIN - From 7 years old - No parents in the water
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 7 years.
- Able to swim 20 metres of freestyle, breathing bilaterally (on both sides) with correct lateral breathing technique (rolling the head, not lifting it).
- Can swim 20 metres of backstroke with straight arms, a strong continuous kick, and no sinking.
Class Information:
- Maximum children per teacher: 7.
- Class duration: 40 minutes.
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Please note that this is a technical level, and it may take your child several months or even a year or more to progress.
The following two levels are taught together and represent our highest levels. They are only for children who can swim all three strokes proficiently over 20 metres.
These levels focus on technical refinement, and your child may remain at this stage for several months, a year, or longer. Only children already swimming at this level are eligible to enrol.
New children can only join at the Dolphin level, where they will be assessed at the pool. This is available from the age of 8.
MANTA RAY
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 8 years.
- Can swim 40 metres of controlled freestyle, using bilateral breathing every three strokes (rolling the head correctly without lifting it).
- Capable of 40 metres of backstroke.
- Can swim 20 metres of controlled breaststroke with correct timing.
- Able to perform a 10-metre dolphin kick underwater with flippers.
SHARK
Entry Skills:
- Minimum age: 8 years.
- Able to swim 100 metres of freestyle (crawl), 100 metres of backstroke, and 100 metres of breaststroke.
- Can swim 10 metres of butterfly.