AY Honor Swimming - Beginner Requirements used by North American Division

Swimming - Beginner

Skill Level

1

Year

1944

Version

05.11.2024

Approval authority

North American Division

Prologue: Receive the American Red Cross Level 3 Stroke Development or YMCA equivalent in Swimming–Beginner's OR pass the following requirements:

1. Have completed the Water Safety Honor Requirements

2. Water Entry Skills:

a. Enter water by jumping from the side of the pool, or from into the water from a dock into a safe area for jumping.

b. Headfirst entry from the side in a sitting position.

c. Headfirst entry from the side in a kneeling position.

3. Breath Control and Submerging:

a. Bobbing while moving toward safety – demonstrate in chest-deep water at least 5 times.

b. Demonstrate rotary breathing, at least 10 times.

4. Buoyancy:

a. On front, calmly attempt to demonstrate the survival float, at least 30 seconds in deep water.

b. On back, calmly attempt to demonstrate moving into a back float in deep water and hold the float at least 30 seconds.

5. Changing Positions:

a. Change from a vertical to horizontal position on the front, in deep water.

b. Change from a vertical to horizontal position on the back, in deep water.

6. Treading Water:

a. Demonstrate treading water for at least 30 seconds in deep water.

7. Front Swim:

a. Push off in a streamline position, then begin the flutter kick. Kick in streamline position 3-5 body lengths.

b. Push off in a streamline position, then begin the dolphin kick. Demonstrate 3-5 body lengths.

c. Front crawl, at least 15 yards, with good rotary breathing.

8. Back Swim:

a. Elementary backstroke, demonstrate smooth finning and whip kick for at least 15 yards.

9. Side Swim:

a. Demonstrate, at least 10 yards, the side scissors kick.

10. Water Safety:

a. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go—reaching assists, demonstrate.

b. Think Twice Before Going Near Cold Water or Ice—discuss/demonstrate.

c. Look Before You Leap—understand and demonstrate.

11. Passing Skills:

a. Jump into chest-deep water from the side, swim front crawl for 15 yards, maintain positions by treading water or floating for 30 seconds, and swim elementary backstroke for 15 yards.