Octopus Series
The Octopus series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards specifically designed for child aged between 5 to 8 years old.
This enables older children to access the Learn to Swim pathway and develop their confidence, knowledge and skills. We believe the best way to achieve this is to create safe environments in which children can be introduced to the water whilst having fun and by providing a progressive learn to swim programme that is both challenging and rewarding.
On completion of the Octopus series, learners can progress through the Learn to Swim journey and move on to the Goldfish, Angelfish and Shark series. A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest.
- Answer 2 water safety questions
- Enter the pool safely, steps, ramp, swivel
- Move through the water confidently in different ways – walk, hop, jump, skip, gallop, march
- Use a woggle to swim front paddle and back paddle for 5 metres
- Push and glide on the front and back
- Attempt a simultaneous circle action with legs while on the back for 2 metres, using a woggle or floats
- Travel under a woggle waterfall, experiencing water over the head
- Return to standing from a star float on the back
- Perform a treading water action with legs using a woggle (sea horses), or floats
- Exit the pool safely and unassisted
- Answer 2 water safety questions
- Enter the pool safely with a step or jump
- Swim 2 metres of front paddle, and 2 metres of back paddle, unaided
- Use a woggle to kick across pool while blowing bubbles
- Demonstrate front crawl arm action while standing
- Demonstrate back crawl arm action while standing
- Push and glide on the front with face in the water
- Push and glide on the back arms by the side
- Rotate from back float to front float, and return back to a back float, using a woggle
- Submerge under water and retrieve an object
Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.
- Answer 2 water safety questions
- Enter the water with a step or jump entry, turn around and swim back to poolside
- Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 5 metres
- Push and glide into back crawl, and swim for 5 metres
- Perform a star float on the front or back, and hold for 3 seconds
- Perform dolphin leg kick on the front or back for 2 metres
- Scull head first, using a woggle
- Attempt breaststroke – may use a woggle for support
- Tread water for 10 seconds
- Swim forward for 2 metres and then roll onto back, swim on the back for 2 metres and roll into a standing position (regaining feet)
