Stroke Development
Our Stoke Development Program develops our students who have progressed from the learn to swim program with technique and endurance. The program consists of three levels with the first level (Dory) being an extension of the Learn to Swim Program where students will will focus on refining their technique. The second level (Swordfish) reinforces these techniques through more difficult drills, while also introducing breaststroke and butterfly skills. The third level (Barracuda) runs for 45 minutes and focuses on building endurance and developing the four individual strokes. It also serves to bridge the gap between stroke development and squads.
DORY (1:5 RATIO)
Bilateral breathing is refined in freestyle and overall technique is developed in both freestyle and backstroke. With a more hands on approach to assist the transition from learn to swim to stroke development, students will aim to develop endurance and improve technique, as well as, further develop their water safety survival skills learnt from the previous level. In order to progress from Dory to Swordfish, children will need to demonstrate the following:
- Freestyle with bilateral breathing over 25 metres
- Backstroke over 25 metres
- Introduction to Breaststroke kick over 8 metres with a board
- Introduction to tumble turns and dolphin kick for 8 metres with a board
SWORDFISH (1:5 RATIO)
A relaxed arm recovery is introduced in freestyle, and body rotation is developed. Bilateral breathing is refined in freestyle and consistency of overall technique for a greater distance. Introductions to breaststroke and butterfly occur in this class, along with beginner dives and a more in-depth understanding of water survival skills will become a focus within this level. In order to progress from Swordfish to Barracuda, children will need to demonstrate the following:
- Freestyle with bilateral breathing over 50 metres
- Backstroke over 50 metres
- Breaststroke timing and kick over 25 metres
- Demonstrates butterfly arms and kick for 16 metres
- Demonstrate correct turns and streamline
BARRACUDA (1:8 RATIO)
The endurance expectation is increased for this level. Fins are provided for some drills, as the emphasis on butterfly and breaststroke is increased. Dives and tumble turns are also taught with the distance extended to 25 metres. Duration of the lesson also extends to 45 minutes to build on endurance and to ultimately bridge the gap between stroke development and squads. In order to progress from Barracuda to Bronze Squad, children will need to demonstrate the following:
- Freestyle with correct technique and turns over 100 metres in a specified time
- Backstroke over 50 metres
- Breaststroke over 50 metres
- Demonstrates butterfly arms and kick for 25 metres
- Able to swim 200 metres continuous with good technique
