Our awards structure starts with Duckling Awards and then moves through Seven Stages of learning predefined by the Ameteur Swimming Association.
Duckling Awards
Each grade of the Duckling Awards contains six components that must be passed before the Award is given but the outcomes may be accumulated over a number of sessions. These are:
Duckling Grade 1
1. Make a supervised safe entry with adult support
2. Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support
3. Float on the back with adult support behind the head
4. Blow bubbles at the water surface
5. Wet the head without submersion
6. Travel without assistance 2 metres to a floating object.
(It is recommended that appropriate buoyancy aid be used).
Duckling Grade 2
1. Make a sitting entry with adult support
2. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres
3. Using a baby seat or other buoyancy aid, rotate through 180degrees without assistance
4. Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without assistance
5. Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance
6. Submerge the face with confidence
Duckling Grade 3
1. Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support
2. Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)
3. Blow bubbles with the mouth underwater
4. Float on front OR back without adult support
5. Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool
6. Show a torpedo shape on front or back when pushed to a partner
Duckling Grade 4
1. Jump unaided, but supervised, into the water
2. Submerge completely
3. Rotate through 360° either horizontally or vertically
4. Show a mushroom OR a star float
5. Travel without assistance 10 metres on the front OR back
6. Climb out of the water with assistance if required
Duckling Grade 5 (without the use of buoyany aids or adult support)
1. Show the sequence - to jump in the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold the rail or side
2. Submerge completely and blow bubbles under the water
3. Push and glide achieving a distance of 2 metres on the front or back
4. Float on the front or back and regain standing/vertical position
5. Swim 5 metres on the front or back using an over water arm recovery
6. Exit safely showing correct use of the ladder (or steps if no ladder is available).
ASA Stages
1. Enter the water safely
2. Move forwards for a distance of 5 metres
3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres
4. Move sideways for distance of 5 metres
5. Scoop the water and wash face
6. Be at ease with water showered from overhead
7. Move into a stretched floating position using aids,equipment or support
8. Regain an upright position from on the back with support
9. Regain an upright position from on the front with support
10. Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall
11. Take part in a teacher-led partner orientated game
12. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules
13. Exit the water safely
Stage 2
1. Jump in from poolside safely
2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged
3. Regain upright position from the back without support
4. Regain an upright position from the front without support
5. Push from wall and glide on the back
6. Push from wall and glide on the front
7. Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used
8. Travel on the front for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used
9. Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position
10. Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position
Stage 3
1. Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9m)
2. Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a
streamlined position
3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back
4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front
5. Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back.
6. Fully submerge to pick up an object
7. Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code
8. Travel 10 metres on the back
9. Travel 10 metres on the front
Stage 4
1. Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy
2. Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
3. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface
4. Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor
5. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional)
6. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional)
7. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back
8. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back (equipment optional)
9. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (equipment optional)
10. Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position
11. Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front
12. Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back
13. Swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional
Stage 5
1. Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back
2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on the back
3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation
4. Tread water for 30 seconds
5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water
6. Swim 10 metres backstroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
7. Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
8. Swim 10 metres breaststroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
9. Swim 10 metres butterfly (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds
11. Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water
12. Demonstrate an action for getting help
Stage 6
1. Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise
2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke
3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl
4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes
5. Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
6. Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
7. Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
8. Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke • is optional (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
9. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue
10. Perform a surface dive**
11. Exit the water without using steps
Stage 7
1. Swim 25 metres backstroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
2. Swim 25 metres front crawl (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
3. Swim 25 metres breaststroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
4. Swim 25 metres butterfly (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
5. Perform a movement sequence of 1 minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of
the following skills:
• Sculling: head first, feet first
• Rotation: forward/backward somersault, log roll
• Floating: star on the front/on the back, tuck float, create own
• Eggbeater: moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water link skills with strokes and sculls
6. Perform a sitting dive
7. Swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke
8. Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes
9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds
10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout