Learn to Swim Stage 4: Strokes and skills

Swim England Learn to Swim Stage 4 sees swimmers perfect their leg kicks for all four strokes and further develop push and glides, while also being introduced to sculling.

Introduction: Swim England Learn To Swim Stage 4

They will develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills and should swim 10 metres.

By the end of this stage, swimmers are expected to have a clear ability to perform recognisable leg kicks for all four strokes.

If not achieved in Learn to Swim Stage 3, swimmers should claim their 10 metre Distance Award, while also attaining the 5m Award in front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. 

Learn To Swim Stage 4 Key Outcomes

By completing the Learn to Swim Stage 4 Award, swimmers will be able to:

  1. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.

  2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.

  3. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).

  4. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).

  5. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.

  6. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).

  7. Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.

  8. Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.

  9. Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.

  10. Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional.

Once they have completed this stage, learners can move on to Learn To Swim Stage 5 and continue to develop their swimming skills.