Level: W H I T E

Focus: Readiness

Skill Steps:

  • Safely enter and exit the water

  • Pour water over the head and face

  • Tuck and stand from the front

  • Breath-hold and look underwater (with and without goggles)

Safety Skill Benchmark:

  • Always ask permission before getting in the water

Swim Skill Benchmark:

  • Assisted submersion, relaxed, for 5 seconds

Level: R E D

Focus: Body position and air exchange

Skill Steps:

  • Float on the front and back (assisted and unassisted)

  • Bobbing 5 times

  • Tuck and stand from the back

  • Kicking on the front and back

Safety Skill Benchmark:

  • Put on a lifejacket, jump in, float on back, kick 3 m/10 ft

Swim Skill Benchmark:

  • Jump or roll in, get onto the back, and float for 5 seconds*

Level: Y E L L O W

Focus: Streamlines and side breathing position

Skill Steps:

  • Beginner stroke on the front (face in)

  • Beginner stroke on the back

  • Beginner stroke with direction change

  • Roll to the back from the front beginner stroke

Safety Skill Benchmark:

  • Tread water for 10 seconds

Swim Skill Benchmark:

  • Swim-roll-swim 10 m/30 ft.

Level: B L U E

Focus: Streamlines and side breathing position

Skill Steps:

  • Front and back streamline with kick

  • Swim underwater 1 m/3 ft

  • Side breathing position with kick

  • Side-roll-side with kick 5 m/15 ft

Safety Skill Benchmark:

  • Reach or throw assist with flotation

Swim Skill Benchmark:

  • Side-roll-side with kick 10 m/30 ft

Level: G R E E N

Focus: Water Competency

Skill Steps:

  • 3 strokes STOP drill

  • 3 strokes ROLL & REST drill

  • 3 x 3 SWIM drill

  • Tread water 40 seconds

  • Headfirst entries if water depth over 6 ft/1.8 m available (sit/squat/stand)

Safety Skill Benchmark:

  • Disorienting entries and recoveR

Swim Skill Benchmark:

  • Starfish SaferSwimmer Award Ask permission and complete without stopping: jump or roll into water over the head, resurface and tread water 1 minute, swim 50 m/yd with any arm/leg actions on the front or back