Learn to Swim Stage 2

Swim England Learn to Swim Stage 2 sees swimmers develop streamlining to their strokes and travel without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick.

Swimmers are also introduced to aquatic breathing and taught to make safe entries into the water, including jumping.

They will develop basic floating and learn how to rotate to regain an upright position without support. All travel must be achieved without the use of flotation equipment, though buoyancy aids may be used when swimmers aren’t travelling.

Stage 2 further develops water confidence and teaches swimmers to breathe confidently while in the water.

Being confident with the face in the water, or having water on the face, is crucial to stroke development. Learning to be happy in the water at an early stage will allow swimmers to develop other skills more quickly later on.

This stage also introduces various safety skills, such as being able to float, while also developing a swimmer’s kicking ability, leading to independent travel in water.

Learn to Swim Stage 2 Outcomes

By completing the Learn to Swim Stage 2 Award, swimmers will be able to:

1. Jump in from poolside safely.

2. Headfirst entry from the side in seated position. 

3. Monkey Crawl.

4. Bobbing for 5 metres.

5. Floating on back for 15 seconds.

6. Jump into water turn around get back to the wall and climb out.

7. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.

8. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing without support.

9. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing without support.

10. Push from a wall and glide on the back – arms can be by the side or above the head in position-11.

11. Push from a wall and glide on the front with arms extended in streamline position. 

12. Finning on back for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment. 

13. Streamline kicking on front for 5 metres.

14. Floating position on the front, roll to a back floating position, then return to standing. 

15. Floating position on the back, roll to a front floating position, then return to standing. 

16. Perform a log roll from the back to the front while kicking. 

17. Perform a log roll from the front to the back while kicking. 

18. Perform a mushroom float and hold for 3 seconds then rock float 5 seconds. 

19. Exit the water without support.