Swimming Level Progression
in Singapore for Skill Development

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Our Curriculum

10 Swim Levels, From Starfish to Manta Ray

Our curriculum offers two entry paths: the 10-level progression starting with parent-assisted infant and toddler classes, plus a dedicated Beginner Program for children aged 4+ who are new to swimming, including those with water phobia. Every swimmer is evaluated and deemed competent in all areas before progressing to the next stage.

Phase 1

Water Introduction

Foundational safety and comfort, with the parent in the water alongside the child.

01

Starfish

Level 1 · Parent-Assisted · Infant & Toddler

  • Parent and child enter and exit the water safely
  • Assisted monkey hold on parent for support
  • Voluntary arm and leg movements
  • Back float on a mat
  • Parents master the conditioning routine
  • Comfortable submersion up to 3 seconds
02

Seahorse

Level 2 · Parent-Assisted · Infant & Toddler

  • Swimmer enters and exits the water safely
  • Voluntary monkey hold on the wall
  • Comfortable submersion up to 10 seconds
  • Assisted glide to and from the coach
  • Assisted back float in water
  • Assisted turnaround
  • Assisted safety falls off the wall
Phase 2

First Solo Skills

Child performs skills on their own for the first time, still parent-assisted, with the parent in the water for safety and support.

03

Stingray

Level 3 · Parent-Assisted · Toddler

  • Perform basic digging arm movements
  • Swim 3 metres without breathing
  • Retrieve objects underwater at 1 metre depth
  • Back float with noodle for 10 seconds
  • Independent safety falls off the wall
04

Turtle

Level 4 · Parent-Assisted · Toddler

  • Streamline glide with correct body position for 3m
  • Front and back floats for 10 seconds each
  • Flutter kicks with board on front and back for 10m
  • Swim independently for 10m with controlled breaths
  • Perform the safety test independently

Older child new to swimming? Swimmers from our Beginner Program transition into Level 5 (Seal) once they’ve built the confidence and foundational skills needed for stroke work. Learn more about the Beginner Program ↓

Phase 3

The Four Strokes

Learning all four competitive strokes with proper technique.

05

Seal

Level 5 · Intermediate

  • Streamline flutter kicks on front and back for 5m
  • Safety roll-overs for 10m
  • Freestyle for 10m
  • Backstroke for 10m
  • Breaststroke arm movements for 10m
  • Seated dive off the wall
06

Dolphin

Level 6 · Intermediate

  • Freestyle streamline kicks for 15m
  • Freestyle with side breathing for 15m
  • Glide after performing a breaststroke kick
  • Butterfly kicks for 15m
  • Forward somersaults
  • Kneeling dives off the wall
Phase 4

Refinement & Endurance

Efficient technique, longer distances, and competitive turns.

07

Shark

Level 7 · Advanced

  • Freestyle with bilateral breathing for 25m
  • Backstroke for 25m
  • Breaststroke for 25m
  • Butterfly arms for 15m
  • Streamline kicking for 25m in all four strokes
  • Open turns performed confidently
  • Crouching dives off the wall
08

Barracuda

Level 8 · Advanced

  • Freestyle efficiently for 25m
  • Backstroke efficiently for 25m
  • Breaststroke efficiently for 50m
  • Butterfly for 15m
  • Freestyle tumble turn
  • Standing dives off the wall
Phase 5

The Swim Squad

Race-standard technique with FINA-compliant times.

09

Orca

Level 9 · Developmental Squad

  • 50m freestyle efficiently, under 48 seconds
  • 400m freestyle in under 7:35
  • 50m backstroke efficiently, under 57 seconds
  • Backstroke start and turn
  • 50m breaststroke efficiently, under 1:03
  • 25m butterfly efficiently, under 28 seconds
  • Diving off the blocks
10

Manta Ray

Level 10 · Junior / Senior Squad

  • 100m freestyle (FINA rules) under 100 strokes, under 1:35
  • 400m freestyle in under 7:35
  • 1000m freestyle in under 17:30
  • 100m backstroke (FINA rules) under 110 strokes, under 1:45
  • 100m breaststroke (FINA rules) under 50 strokes, under 1:55
  • 50m butterfly (FINA rules) under 30 strokes, under 46 seconds
  • 200m individual medley (FINA rules), under 3:41
Alternative Entry Path 4+ years old and new to swimming

Beginner Program

For children aged 4 and above who are new to swimming, especially those with water phobia or anxiety about getting into the water.

Not every swimmer starts as an infant. Our Beginner Program is built for older children stepping into the pool for the first time, including those who feel nervous or afraid of water. Coaches work at each child’s own pace, focusing on trust, comfort, and steady confidence-building rather than rushing to stroke work.

Once a swimmer is ready, they transition into Level 5 (Seal) and continue through the standard progression toward the four competitive strokes.

What makes it different

  • Age 4+ with no swimming background, a supportive starting point for older beginners
  • Ideal for water anxiety, coaches trained in reducing fear and building comfort gradually
  • Slower pace, extra time on foundational skills before moving to strokes
  • Direct bridge to Level 5 (Seal), swimmers transition seamlessly into the standard progression
Beginner Program
Level 5 · Seal

Interested in the Beginner Program for your child?

Ask Us About the Beginner Program

Ready to start your swim journey?

Whether your child is a nervous beginner or ready for competitive training, our certified coaches will assess and place them at the right level.

Enroll Today