Aquatic Skills – Learn to Swim
Special Olympics
Use this tool to establish a student’s starting skill level. If the student performs the skill correctly, 3 out of 5 times, check the box as it has been completed. Simmers may accomplish skills in any order.
Water Adjustment
q Sits on pool edge
q Sits on pool edge and kicks
Water Entry – Assisted
q Sits on pool edge
q Walks down ramp
q Enters pool using stairs
q Climbs down ladder
q Slides into pool from edge
Water Entry – Independent
q Walks down ramp
q Enters pool using stairs
q Climbs down ladder
q Slides into pool from edge
q Jumps into shallow end
Breathing-Blows Bubbles
q Blows into water
q Blows water away
q Makes noises in the water
q Hums under water through nose
Breathing – Controlled
q Demonstrates continuous breathing and exhalation pattern
q Exhales through nose and mouth in relaxed and rhythmical manner
Static Positions
q Stands in water with assistance
q Stands in water independently
q Stands in water against turbulence with assistance
q Lies on back in still position with assistance
q Lies on back in still position against turbulence with assistance
q Stands or sits in chair position with assistance
q Stands in chair position independently
q Stands or sits in chair position against turbulence with assistance
q Stands in chair position against turbulence independently
Water Confidence
q Puts face in water
q Shows enough confidence not to grip coach
Walking in Water-Head Control
q Walks across pool in shallow water (waist deep) with assistance
q Walks across pool holding onto the side with one hand
q Walks across pool independently
q Walks across pool independently in shallow water
q Walks across pool with assistance in chest-deep water
q Walks across pool undependably in chest deep water
q Slides sideways or changes direction with assistance
q Slides sideways or changes directions independently
q Walks forward and back with assistance
q Walks forward and backward independently
Jumping
q Jumps in shallow water with assistance
q Jumps in shallow water independently
Water Exit-Assisted or Independent
q Walks up ramp
q Climbs up ladder
q Maintains a safe position at side of pool
q Climbs out over side of pool
Forward Recovery
q Moves forward and backward while supported with feet off bottom
q Moves forward and backward suing two kickboards
Submerging in Water
q Submerges in shallow water with assistance
q Submerges in shallow water independently
q Submerges in chest-deep water with assistance
q Submerges in chest-deep water independently
Opening Eyes Underwater
q Opens eyes underwater with goggles
q Opens eyes underwater without goggles
Sitting on the Bottom
q Touches pool bottom in shallow water
q Touches pool bottom in chest-deep water
q Sits on pool bottom in shallow water
q Sits on pool bottom in chest-deep water
Prone Float
q Attempts to float on stomach
q Floats on stomach with assistance (buoyancy belt)
q Performs prone float for 5 seconds independently
q Recovers from front float with assistance
q Recovers from front float using two kickboards with assistance
q Recovers from front float using two kickboards independently
q Recovers from front float independently
q Performances prone float and recovers to standing position
q Performs prone float with flutter kick
Back Float
q Attempts to float on back
q Floats on back with assistance (buoyancy belt)
q Performs a back float for 5 seconds independently
q Recovers from back float with assistance
q Recovers from back float using two kickboards with assistance
q Recovers from back float using two kickboards independently
q Recovers from back float to stand independently
q Performs a back float and recovers to a standing position
q Performs a back float with a flutter kick
Rolling Recovery
q Recovers from front float to back float with assistance
q Recovers from front float to back float using flotation device with assistance
q Recovers from front float to back float using flotation device independently
q Recovers from front float to back float independently
q Moves from back float to front and returns with assistance
q Moves from back float to front and returns independently
Turbulent Gliding
q Floats on back while being propelled along
Push and Glide – Streamlined Position
q Pushes and glides on front with assistance
q Pushes and glides on front using floatation device, two kickboards, or noodle
q Pushes and glides on front suing one kickboard
q Push and glides on front independently
q Pushes and glides on back with assistance
q Pushes and glides on back using two kickboards
q Pushes and glides on back using one kickboard
q Pushes and glides on back independently
Sculling
q Sculls using small arm moments
q Sculls using full arm movements
Kicking
q Kicks while holding onto poolside or gutter
q Kicks legs with coach’s assistance
q Moves forward using kickboard and flutter kick on back with assistance
q Kicks on front with assistance
q Kicks on front in glide position with assistance
q Kicks on front in glide position independently
q Moves forwarding using flutter kick independently
q Moves forward using back flutter kick independently
Mushroom Float (Jellyfish)
q Supported, rolls forward, blows bubbles, and rolls back
q Mushroom floats
q From back float, mushroom floats and recovers
Water Safety
q Identifies swimming boundaries
q Understands and identifies pool safety rules
q Floats in neck-deep water
q Demonstrates a vertical float in deep water for 2 minutes
q Demonstrates sculling arm action, five strokes in neck-deep water