RYKNELD SWIMMING CLUB
LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM
GUIDE TO REVISED PROGRAM 2015
The ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) was first launched in 1997 and as part of ongoing
Improvement and ensuring that the ASA products are in line with current thinking, a review has taken
Place resulting in a revised product (Launched in 2007). The revised National Plan for Teaching Swimming
(NPTS) takes the non-swimmer on a journey, from the first splash to developing confidence and
Competence in the water and links swimmers into grass root aquatic sports.
Changes to the revised NPTS have focused particularly on
• Synergy and streamlining the programmes which embrace FUNdamentals of movement in the
‘Learn to Swim’ environment
• A revision of the outcomes that are required to achieve each Stage to ensure that the expectations
of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) are reflected
• Acquiring skills that are essential to enable confidence and competence in the water
• Improving the consistency in assessment of outcomes at each Stage of an athlete’s development
Here at Rykneld we are proud to offer a revamped ‘Learn to Swim’ program that is active and fun for all abilities, prepared
and delivered by our ASA qualified staff which will start at stage 1 and take you along a journey of aquatic development
through to stage 7, Teaching the FUNdamentals and preparing you for the various aquatic disciplines including: Competitive
Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Lifesaving,
Not yet convinced? we didn’t think that would be enough and so incorporated into your lessons you will have the
opportunity to achieve extra awards including: SWIM Challenge (Bronze,Silver,Gold,Honors) , Water Skills Stages 1-6 ,
Rainbow Distance Awards, Rainbow Stroke/Distance Awards, these are just to name a few.
Stages 1-7
Stage 1 (Tadpoles)
Developing basic movement skills, water confidence and safety awareness, incorporated within a ‘class’ and familiarizing
swimmers with such environment. (Support Aids: Floats, armbands may be used at teachers instruction)
Stage 2 (Tadpoles)
Develop safe entries to the water and will continue to practice basic floating, travel on front and back up to a distance of 5m and
practice rotations in the water to regain upright positions. Remember swimmers can still use aids e.g. arm bands and floats to
help complete this stage.
Stage 3 (Goldfish)
Developing on the swimmers water safety knowledge, they will progress and work towards being able to swim 10
meters on their fronts and backs whilst also be able to swim underwater to retrieve objects of the pool floor,
rotations are a key part of this stage and swimmers will be assessed without aids/floats or supports.
Stage 4 (Goldfish)
At this point swimmers will be developing buoyancy through a range of techniques and also improving their leg
kick on all 4 strokes, they will also be required to swim 10 meters to ASA standards.
Stage 5 (Dolphins)
Developing skills on all 4 strokes and being able to perform 10 meters on each stroke to ASA Standards, also
covering ‘watermanship’ through a variety of actions including sculling and treading water and complete
rotations.
Stage 6 (Dolphins)
During Stage 6 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, your pupils will focus on developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing, water safety and an understanding of how to prepare for exercise.
Stage 7 (Sharks)
During Stage 7 of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, your swimmers will develop quality stroke technique whilst swimming up
to 100m.
We love to celebrate success at Rykneld and we think you do too, with that in mind we can offer for you to purchase a ASA
Certificate and Badge for each award you successfully complete, these awards look fab in a folder or stitched onto one of our
individually personalized Rykneld Towels (please enquire for prices).