Swimmer Levels
**Swimmer must be at least 5 years of age**
(Participants are evaluated based on performance criteria
and progress to the next level once all criteria are met)
SWIMMER 1 - These beginners will become comfortable jumping into the water without a lifejacket. They will learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They will work on floats, glides and kicking on their front and back.
SWIMMER 2 - Swimmers will learn to support themselves at the surface without an aid. They will also learn the whip kick, swim 10m on their front and back and be introduced to flutter kick interval training for 20m.
SWIMMER 3 - These junior swimmers will dive, do in-water front somersaults and handstands. They will work on 15m of their front and back crawls and 10m of whip kick. They will also increase their flutter kick training to 60m.
SWIMMER 4 - These intermediate swimmers will swim 5m underwater and lengths of front and back crawl, whip kick and breaststroke. They will also perform front crawl sprints over 25m and 100m of front or back crawl interval training. This level also includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard.
SWIMMER 5 - Swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks and in-water backward somersaults. They will refine their front and back crawls over 50m swims of each and breaststroke over 25m. They will increase their front and back crawl to 200m and breaststroke sprints.
SWIMMER 6 - Swimmers will learn stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks. They will develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25m. Endurance is built with a 300m swim.
SWIMMER 7/ROOKIE PATROL - Swimmers continue to perfect their stroke development. Lifesaving sport skills include a 25m obstacle swim and a 15m object carry. Basic first aid training begins. Fitness improves in 350m workouts and 100m timed swims.
SWIMMER 8/RANGER PATROL - Swimmers develop better strokes over 75m swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures.
SWIMMER 9/STAR PATROL - Swimmers are challenged with 600m swims, 300m timed swims and 25m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of injuries and respiratory emergencies. Lifesaving skills include defence methods and victim removals.
