Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club

No Lives Lost at Bondi Beach

Age Group Proficiency Swim

Age Group Proficiency
Swim and Float
Requirements 2022/2023

 

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:
  • wade through water for 5 metres;
  • float on back or front for 5 seconds, recover to stand;
  • submerge to retrieve object (eg. a dive ring) from bottom of water with hands and recover to stand;
  • push and glide from wall for 1-2 metres and recover to stand.
Under 7 No swim requirement
  • wade through water for 5 metres;
  • float on back or front for 5 seconds, recover to stand;
  • submerge to retrieve object (eg. a dive ring) from bottom of water with hands and recover to stand;
  • push and glide from wall, kick for 2-3 metres and recover to stand.
Under 8 50m swim (*any recognised (swim) stroke) (no touching sides or lane ropes) / 1 min survival float (no water competition, except for wade, which takes place in waist deep water)
  • 5 second back or front float;
  • submerge to retrieve object (ie. dive ring) from bottom of water with hands.
Under 9 100m swim (*any recognised (swim) stroke) in less than 4m:30s / 1 min survival float
Competitive evaluation min 150m open water swim – not timed
  • 10 second float: 5 seconds on back and 5 seconds on front;
  • 1 minute: treading water/sculling;
  • submerge to retrieve object (ie. dive ring) from bottom of water with hands.
Under 10 150m swim (freestyle) in swimming pool in less than 5 mins 30 secs / 1 minute 30 seconds survival float
Competitive evaluation min 150m open water swim – not timed
Under 11 200m swim (freestyle) in swimming pool in 6 mins 30 secs / 2 minute float in pool
Competitive evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed
  • 10 second float: 5 seconds on back and 5 seconds on front;
  • 2 minutes: treading water/sculling;
  • forward or backward roll / somersault underwater;
  • submerge to retrieve object (ie. dive ring) from bottom of water with hands.
Under 12 200 metre pool swim in 6 minutes / 2 minute float in pool
Competitive evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed
  • 10 second float: 5 seconds on back and 5 seconds on front;
  • 3 minutes: treading water / sculling;
  • forward or backward roll / somersault underwater;
  • submerge to retrieve object (ie. dive ring) from bottom of water with hands.
Under 13 200m swim in 5 mins 30 secs / 3 minute float in pool
Competitive evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed
Under 14/SRC 200 metre swim in 5 minutes (time must be recorded) / 3 minute float in pool
Competitive evaluation min 200m open water swim – not timed

* Recognised (swim) stroke definition: freestyle / breaststroke / backstroke

Return to Registration Information

Scroll to top