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Awards

We offer the Amateur Swimming Association Awards. Children can achieve badges starting with the ducking awards which are designed to develop confidence and independence in the water before moving on to graded distance awards.

Duckling Awards

Duckling 1
  • Make a supervised safe entry with adult support
  • Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support
  • Float on the back with adult support behind the head
  • Blow bubbles at the water surface
  • Wet the head without submersion
  • Travel without assistance 2 metres to a floating object
Duckling 2
  • Make a sitting entry with adult support
  • Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres
  • Using a baby seat or other buoyancy aid, rotate through 180 degrees without assistance
  • Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without assistance
  • Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance
  • Submerge the face with confidence
Duckling 3
  • Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support
  • Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)
  • Blow bubbles with the mouth underwater
  • Float on front OR back without adult support
  • Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool
  • Show a torpedo shape on front or back when pushed to a partner
Duckling 4
  • Jump unaided, but supervised, into the water
  • Submerge completely
  • Rotate through 360 degrees either horizontally or vertically
  • Show a mushroom OR a star float
  • Travel without assistance 10 metres on the front OR back
  • Climb out of the water with assistance if required
Duckling 5
  • This grade must be achieved without the use of buoyancy aids or adult support and assistance.
  • Show the sequence to jump in the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold the rail or side
  • Submerge completely and blow bubbles under the water
  • Push and glide achieving a distance of 2 metres on the front or back
  • Float on the front or back and regain standing/vertical position
  • Swim 5 metres on the front or back using an over water arm recovery
  • Exit safely showing correct use of the ladder (or steps if no ladder is available)
Distance Awards
  • These range from 5 metres to upwards of a mile

NOTE: Each stage requires both an increase in distance and an improvement in stroke standard and variety. At higher levels, children may also work for personal survival and bronze, silver and gold awards.