Age Group Proficiency Swim

Age Group Proficiency Swim, Floatation, Submersion & Propulsion Requirements 2023/24

Your child must meet the proficiency requirements applicable to their Age Group before they can become a member of Bondi Nippers.  We do not accept swim certificates as proof of competency.

Proficiency Assessment Criteria

Age Group Swim requirement Skills evaluation: continuous sequence
Under 6 No swim requirement In minimum 1 metre water depth:
  • back or front float for 5 seconds, recover to stand;
  • submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • from standing posion in waist deep water, perform a front glide (1-2m) & recover to stand.
Under 7 No swim requirement In minimum 1 metre water depth:
  • back or front float for 5 seconds, recover to stand;
  • submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • from standing posion in waist deep water, perform a front glide (2-3m) & recover to stand.
Under 8 50m swim (*any recognised swim stroke) (no touching sides or lane ropes) (no water compeon, except for wade, which takes place in waist deep water)
  • back or front float for 5 seconds, recover to stand;
  • submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • swim on front any stroke for 20m followed by swim underwater for 2-3m
Under 9 100m swim (freestyle – not timed) Complete on evaluation min 150m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 1 minute;
  • submerge to touch the boom with hands
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 25m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 10m
Under 10 150m swim (freestyle – not timed) Complete on evaluation min 150m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 1 minute;
  • submerge to touch the boom with hands
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 25m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 25m
Under 11 200m swim (freestyle – not timed) Complete on evaluation min 150m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 2 minutes;
  • submerge to to perform forward or backward roll / somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 25m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50m
Under 12 200m swim (freestyle – not timed) Complete on evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 3 minutes;
  • submerge to to perform forward or backward roll / somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 100m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50m.
Under 13 200m swim (freestyle – not timed) Complete on evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 3 minutes;
  • submerge to to perform forward or backward roll / somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 100m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50m.
Under 14/SRC TIMED 200m swim in 5 mins (time must be recorded) Complete on evaluation min 288m open water swim – not timed
  • front to back float or back to front float for 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or sculling for minimum 3 minutes;
  • submerge to to perform forward or backward roll / somersault underwater, do not recover to surface, submerge to touch the boom with hands;
  • swim on front through water any stroke for 100m followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 100m.
* Recognised (swim) stroke definition: freestyle / breaststroke / backstroke Return to Registration Information
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