"Putting research into practice"
These standards should be used as a guide only as they are flexible and are subject to change from child to child depending on age, body shape, ability and buoyancy.
However, the 'promotion criteria' is a strict standard that must be kept when promoting children. Those who DO NOT meet the criteria for promotion to the next level are NOT ready to be promoted.
If you have any questions about the Uniswim learn-to-swim levels and/or our promotion criteria, please speak to the Uniswim coordinator.
Beginner Confident Water (BCW)
Children must be four years of age when they begin classes. This lesson level is taught with the teacher accompanying the swimmers in the water.
- Confident movement in water
- Object retrieval
- Kicking on front (with bubble)
- Kicking on back (with bubble)
- Floats, glides and recovery (shallow and deep water)
- Deep water confidence
- Dive from sitting position
Promotion criteria
- Bubbles and breathing (to preferred side) with kickboard (with or without bubble) without teacher in the water
- Good body position whilst kicking on back (with or without bubble) without teacher in the water
Beginner Confident (BC)
Children must be four years of age when they begin classes. This lesson level is taught with the teacher out of the water.
- Confident movement in water
- Object retrieval
- Kicking on front (with bubble)
- Kicking on back (with bubble)
- Floats, glides and recovery (shallow and deep water)
- Deep water confidence
- Dive from sitting position
Promotion criteria
- Bubbles and breathing (to preferred side) with kickboard (with or without bubble)
- Good body position whilst kicking on back (with or without bubble)
- Basic FRS and BKS arms
Beginner Progressed (BP)
When formal stroking has commenced, the pupil becomes a Beginner Progressed (BP) and uses bubbles, boards and flippers to develop freestyle and backstroke.
- Dog paddle
- Freestyle (with or without bubble)
- Backstroke (with or without bubble)
- Floats, glides and recovery
- Deep water confidence
- Dive from squatting position
Promotion criteria
- Complete one width of FRS (with or without bubble) with good body position and SLOW STRAIGHT arms
- Complete one width of BKS (with or without bubble) with good body position and SLOW STRAIGHT arms
Progressed (P)
A 'progressed' class refines arms, legs and breathing in backstroke, freestyle, diving and commences frog kick
- Dog paddle
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke kick or 'frog' kick
- Deep water confidence
- Dive - standing
Promotion criteria
- Complete two widths of SLOW STRAIGHT arm FRS
- Complete two widths of SLOW STRAIGHT arm BKS
- Complete two BRS kicks on stomach, with glide before and after
Progressed to Advanced (PA)
This lesson level further develops the breaststroke stroke and timing, perfects dives and works on stroke technique, endurance and deep water work.
- Dog paddle
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Deep water confidence
- Dive from mini block > big block
Promotion criteria
- Complete multiple lengths of SLOW STRAIGHT arm FRS with no bubbles or boards
- Complete multiple lengths of SLOW STRAIGHT arm BKS with no bubbles or boards
- Complete two lengths on BRS with correct timing
Advanced (A)
An 'advanced' class is working towards entry into a Tadpole squad. Swimmers will spend time doing lap work to improve endurance but with a continual focus on stroke technique.
- Dog paddle
- Freestyle (Bent arm)
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Deep water confidence
- Dive - mini block > big block
- Somersault
- Basic clock work
Promotion criteria
- Four × 25m of slow relaxed BENT arm FRS
- Four × 25m of slow BKS with good body position
- Four × 25m of slow BRS with glide and correct timing
- Forward somersault
New swimmer to Uniswim (2-BP)
A 2-BP class is for older children who may, or may not, have learnt to swim elsewhere and have no knowledge of Uniswim methods and techniques. These classes are aimed for people who require stroke technique work in one or more of the basic strokes. A 2-BP class is working towards entry into a Tadpole squad.
- Dog paddle
- Freestyle (Bent arm)
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Deep water confidence
- Dive - mini block > big block
- Somersault
- Basic clock work
Promotion criteria
- Four × 25m of slow relaxed BENT arm FRS
- Four × 25m of slow BKS with good body position
- Four × 25m of slow BRS with glide and correct timing
- Forward somersault
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
