Seal 1
- Answer questions on personal safety and pool rules.
• Safe entry.
• Show ability to immerse face in water.
• Demonstrate push and glide in prone position and regain standing position.
• Demonstrate propulsion with the aid of a kick board or other suitable support.
• Safe exit.
Seal 2
- Answer questions on personal safety in and around water focusing on
hygiene and rules of the local pool.
• Playing simple games (such as chasing, relays).
• Swim 2 metres prone without aid.
• Swim 2 metres supine with aid.
Seal 3
- Answer questions on personal safety.
• Jumping, side-stepping, running:
– jump across pool.
– side-step across pool.
– run across pool.
• Demonstrate mushroom and star float.
• Swim 4 metres prone.
• Swim 3 metres supine.
• Swim 3 metres breaststroke legs with aid.
Seal 4
- Answer questions on personal safety focusing on rivers and canals.
• Demonstrate entry for unknown conditions (sit down / slip in).
• Swim 5 metres basic freestyle.
• Swim 5 metres basic back crawl
• Swim 5 metres basic breaststroke.
• Scull 3 metres
• Show ability to turn from prone to supine.
• Show ability to turn from supine to prone
Seal 5
- Answer questions on personal safety focusing on inland waterways.
• Swim 8m front crawl.
• Swim 8m back crawl.
• Swim 8m breaststroke.
• Swim 8m Inverted breaststroke
• Swim 5m dolphin kick.
• Show ability to Tread water
• Push and glide underwater and pick up object.
Marlin 6
- Answer questions on personal safety focusing on rivers and canals.
- Demonstrate entry for unknown conditions (sit down / slip in).
- Swim 5 metres freestyle / doggy paddle.
- Swim 5 metres supine.
- Swim 5 metres breaststroke.
- Show ability to turn from prone to supine.
- Show ability to turn from supine to prone.
- Demonstrate ability to tread water.
- Hand stand in chest deep water.
Marlin 7
- Answer questions on personal safety in all water situations, including farm
safety.
• Entry by jumping into the water (feet first), if conditions allow
• Swim 15m front crawl.
• Swim 15m back crawl.
• Swim 15m breaststroke
• Swim 15m inverted breaststroke.
• Swim 15m side stroke
• Swim 5m butterfly
• Tread water for 15 seconds in deep water.
• Feet first surface dive.
Marlin 8
- Answer questions on personal safety.
• Demonstrate entry for unknown conditions where safe to do so
• Demonstrate early diving practices.
• Swim 20m front crawl.
• Swim 20m back crawl.
• Swim 20m breaststroke.
• Swim 20m inverted breaststroke.
• Swim 20m side stroke.
• Swim 10m butterfly.
• Show ability to tread water for 30seconds.
• Head first surface dive and swim underwater
Marlin 9
- Oral test focusing on how to contact the emergency services.
• Demonstrate reaching and voice rescues.
• Entry by straddle jump.
• Entry by simple dive (e.g. sitting or kneeling).
• Swim 25m front crawl.
• Swim 25m back crawl.
• Swim 25m breaststroke.
• Swim 25m inverted breaststroke.
• Swim 25m sidestroke
• Swim 15m butterfly.
• Show ability to signal for help while treading water for 1 min.
• Feet first surface dive and swim underwater.
Marlin 10
- Oral test: hypothermia, personal survival.
• Swim 50m front crawl using bilateral breathing.
• Swim 50m back crawl.
• Swim 50m breaststroke.
• Swim 25m butterfly
• Swim 25m inverted breaststroke.
• Swim 25m side stroke.
• Demonstrate reaching and throwing rescues.
CHALLENGE 1 AWARD
AIM: To introduce swimming in clothes, and to improve Candidate’s stamina.
PREREQUISITES: None.
AWARD: Certificate.
DRESS: Swimsuit, shirt, trousers and shoes,
Ratio – Recommended instruction and examination ratio of 16:1
(Examiner should ensure that safety is paramount)
Goggles may be used in this award.
TEST ITEMS
1. Oral test: –
(a) Personal Safety.
(b) Hazards in open water situations.
(c) Hypothermia.
2. Show ability to tread water for 2 minutes.
3. Swim 25 metres Freestyle.
4. Show ability to hold breath underwater for 10
seconds.
GUIDELINES
1. Basic safety rules.
2. Candidate is permitted to use both
arms and legs at all stages. Face
should not be submerged under water.
3. Freestyle implies any stroke.
4. Candidate’s head should be
underwater.
An Instructor may examine this award.
Water test items must be done in the order specified
CHALLENGE 2 AWARD
AIM: To further improve stamina while swimming in clothes.
PREREQUISITES: None.
AWARD: Certificate.
DRESS: Swimsuit, shirt, trousers and shoes,
Ratio – Recommended instruction and examination ratio of 16:1
(Examiner should ensure that safety is paramount)
Goggles may be used in this award.
TEST ITEMS
1. Oral test: –
(a) Personal Safety.
(b) Hazards in open water situations.
(c) Hypothermia.
2. Show safe entry by means of slipping in.
3. Swim 25 metres Freestyle.
4. Show ability to tread water for 1 minute and
then discard footwear.
5. Swim 50 metres using any combination of Front
crawl and Breaststroke.
6. Inflate one item of clothing and use as a
buoyancy aid for 1 minute. Then disrobe.
7. Swim 100 metres using any combination of
resting strokes.
8. Climb out of pool unaided.
GUIDELINES
1. Basic safety rules.
2. Sit down and slip in.
3. Freestyle implies any stroke.
4. Candidate is permitted to use both
arms and legs at all stages. Face
should not be submerged under water
while treading water.
5. Both strokes must be attempted.
6. One item of clothing must be inflated
satisfactorily before progressing to
next test item.
7. Stroke technique important.
8. Steps or a ladder cannot be used.
An Instructor may examine this award.
Water test items must be done in the order specified.
This test must be continuous from entry to finish, i.e. without touching any support (bottom, sides’ etc.)
Guidance with regard to the delivery of the National Swimming Awards in Open Water
The awards can be taught by any WSI Swimming Teacher or Water Safety Instructor who holds a
recognised Assistant Swimming Teachers Award.
Instructors who have only completed the WSI swimming Module can also teach the awards but under
the direction of a full Teacher or WSI Examiner.
Holders of Full Swim Teacher qualifications from other organisations can also teach the awards if they
have completed the WSI “ Teaching at Open Water Venues Module”, which is outlined at the end of
this document and which can be delivered by any WSI Examiner.
Class ratios
Recommended Pupil / Teacher Ratios are 10:1 for open water venues.
The ratios are based on those recommended for teaching swim awards at outtdoor venues and
outlined in the syllabus.
Class Organisation
ThIs progressive series of swim awards offers many different levels, which will ensure that it is possible
to recognise all Candidates.
The awards do not have to be presented in sequence. Swim Teachers and Instructors are advised to
select those which best suit their particular situation and stanadard of swimmers.
It is suggested that classes are organised in a manner that caters for a variety of abilities eg Group 1 –
aim to reach the stated criteria for Seal – Level 3. Those who do not achieve this can be awarded Seal
Level 2 or Seal Level 1- whichever is appropriate. Group 2 – aim at the Marlin- Level 6 standard. Those
who do not reach the stated standard can be awarded Seal – Levels 4 and 5. ETC
Each venue will differ and teachers can adapt the above suggestion to suit.
Entries and exits can be adapted to suit the venue. Teachers can change references to the pool and
pool floor to suit their particular venue.
Safety is paramount when teaching feet first and head first entries. Teachers must make judgements
based on their risk assessment of the sitaution. Any adaptation of award content must be in the
interests of participant safety.
The use of dryland practice is encouraged in advance of lessons.
Teaching Butterfly
Elements of this stroke are included from Marlin – Level 7 onwards. To make this relevant in the open
water situation this can be taught as dolphin style entries used by lifeguards and open water
competitors. The dolphin kick can also be used and taught as part of the skill of body surfing.
“Swim like a dolphin” is a teaching point often associated with this stroke. This is very relevant in
coastal open water venues.
WSI Teaching In Open Water Module
Can be delivered by any WSI Examiner who also holds a full Swimming Teachers qualification..
Contents: 1. Risk Assessments at Open Water venues. 2. Safety issues –EAPs, hypothermia. 3. Child
protection related issues eg changing, working in pairs. 4. Adapting Lesson Plans.5 Role of the local
WSAC contact person.
Insurance
WSACs are reminded that details of all courses being run must be recorded in the WSAC minute book
to ensure cover by WSI insurance.
Safety at Open Water Venues.
It is the responsibility of WSACs to ensure a full Risk Assessment is carried out at all venues. This
should take account of entries, exits, water clarity, topography, defining the area and access to safety
equipment. Issues relating to changing and toilets should also be considered.
A Normal Operational Plans (NOP) should be outlined and in place to ensure all interested parties are
aware of drop off and pick up times.