LEVELS

EC Sportz Swimming Levels

Want to find out your child's swimming level?

As a family-friendly provider of swimming lessons for people of all ages in Wollongong, EC Sportz follows a structured development pathway inspired by Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive program.

In the EC Sportz pathway, children progress through the pathway from swimming and water safety skills (Little Wonders - 6 months to 3 years old), to basic fundamentals (Levels 1 to 3 : 3 to 5 years old), to intermediate and advanced swimming skills (Levels 4 to 9 : 5 years to adult).

Children work through various requirements at each level and only advance to the next one once they have demonstrated their ability to meet all the given requirements in comfort. The ECSportz instructors will assess your child at each stage and are the ones who have the final say whether your child can move to the next level in the pathway.

The EC Sportz pathway allows you to track your child’s progression and their ability to swim. You can also use the pathway as a guide to determine what level your current level is as a swimmer.

View Full Pathway Progression

Full details of the requirements at each level can be found below. Simply click on the relevant age group to get more information.

Little Wonders

For babies and toddlers 6 months to 3 years of age.
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Preschool

Consists of 3 levels. For children ages 3 to 5 years old. [Levels 1 to 3]
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Primary School, Secondary School to Adults

Consists of 3 levels. For swimmers ages 5 to adults. [Levels 4 to 6]
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Marlins Squad

Consists of 3 levels. For swimmers ages 8 and over. [Levels 7 to 9]
Read More

Shark Squads

Consists of 3 levels. For swimmers ages 10 and above. [Levels 10 to 12]
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Dolphin Squads

Focuses on elite swimming and fitness. For swimmers ages 10 and above.
Find Out More
Adult Fitness

All-inclusive swim for fitness classes tailored for juniors, families, newer or former swimmers and athletes.
Read More

Little Wonders

EC Sportz gives babies and toddlers a fun and friendly introduction to the water.

Our baby swimming classes are ideal for gaining water confidence, learning essential water safety, and improving motor skills while having full adult support nearby.

We teach them skills that not only are appropriate to their age level, but are also necessary for a strong swimming foundation.

By the end of this program, your toddler will walk away feeling confident in the water and have knowledge of water safety. They will also be ready to transition to independent swimming.

Requirements

✔ Enter/Exit water safely (with full adult support)

✔ Back float and recover (with full adult support)

✔ Move up and down in the water in an upright position (with full adult support)

✔ Move smoothly through the water, in an upright position (with full adult support)

✔ Float using floatation equipment (with full adult support)

✔ Travel using floatation equipment (with full adult support)

✔ Be at ease with water making contact on the head and face

View Little Wonders Curriculum

Little Wonders

EC Sportz gives babies and toddlers a fun and friendly introduction to the water.

Our baby swimming classes are ideal for gaining water confidence, learning essential water safety, and improving motor skills while having full adult support nearby.

We teach them skills that not only are appropriate to their age level, but are also necessary for a strong swimming foundation.

By the end of this program, your toddler will walk away feeling confident in the water and have knowledge of water safety. They will also be ready to transition to independent swimming.

Requirements

✔ Enter/Exit water safely (with full adult support)

✔ Back float and recover (with full adult support)

✔ Move up and down in the water in an upright position (with full adult support)

✔ Move smoothly through the water, in an upright position (with full adult support)

✔ Float using floatation equipment (with full adult support)

✔ Travel using floatation equipment (with full adult support)

✔ Be at ease with water making contact on the head and face

View Little Wonders Curriculum

Preschool

At EC Sportz, we know that learning to swim is one of the most important life skills to have, especially at an early age. Not only does learning to swim give children an extra layer of protection against drowning, but it also opens up a new world of fun and opportunities.

In our swimming lessons for kids, they will learn floating techniques, breathing skills, foundation swimming strokes, and elementary survival skills, among many others.

The skills we teach in our children’s swimming lessons can be used by your child to meet the requirements in each level of preschool program. The levels are a great way to gauge your child’s ability and confidence in the water as they can only advance once they pass all the requirements in each level.

Once your child passes all three levels, they can move on to the next stage. And as a parent you will feel better knowing that your child has the skills he/she needs to become a relaxed and confident swimmer.

Level 1

Requirements

✔ Enter/Exit water safely

✔ Submerge face underwater - open eyes and blow bubbles

✔ Push, glide & recover (front rocket)

✔ Back float (with aid) & recover

✔ Kicking action with a kickboard

✔ Underwater arm paddle action

✔ Retrieve object from platform

Level 2

Requirements

✔ Kick action unassisted with a kickboard

✔ 3m front rocket: push, glide & kick

✔ 5m Freestyle arm action: No breath

✔ Kick on back

✔ Glide, roll on back & recover

✔ Basic scull/ tread water

Level 3

Requirements

✔ 10m Freestyle: with side breathing

✔ 5m Kick on back: arms by side

✔ Demonstrate breaststroke leg action on front

✔ Demonstrate breaststroke leg action on back

✔ Demonstrate survival sculling

✔ Demonstrate a forward roll

Download Full Curriculum Levels 01 to 09

Primary School, Secondary School & Adult (5 Years Above)

Continuous learning is required to become a stronger swimmer who’s comfortable navigating any type of aquatic environment.

In our programs for kids 5 years old to adults, we teach them an extensive range of knowledge and skills that we believe are necessary for them to enjoy a lifetime of safe aquatic recreation and active participation.

Students will learn everything from how to navigate different aquatic environments, floating skills in various positions, survival strategies for emergency situations, hazards and personal safety around the water, to vital swimming and lifesaving skills.

We have 3 levels in our program for primary, secondary, and adults. The requirements in each level are a fair and legitimate way to determine the ability level of a swimmer. Once a student reaches level 6, he or she is considered a strong and skilled swimmer.

Level 4

Requirements

✔ 15m freestyle: with side breathing

✔ 10m backstroke

✔ 10m survival backstroke

✔ 5m breaststroke kick with board

✔ Demonstrate survival sculling

✔ Recover an object from the floor

✔ Swim in deep water

Level 5

Requirements

✔ 25m freestyle

✔ 15m backstroke: alternating arms

✔ 15m survival backstroke

✔ 15m breaststroke: appropriate leg action

✔ Demonstrate appropriate surface dive

Level 6

Requirements

✔ 25m freestyle

✔ 25m backstroke

✔ 25m survival backstroke

✔ 25m breaststroke

✔ Appropriate dive entry

Download Full Curriculum Levels 01 to 09

Marlins (8 Years Above)

Our Marlins Squads are designed to teach swimmers ages 8 and over a range of knowledge and skills that will further enhance their ability to swim.

This program consists of 1-2 x 90 min sessions (First 30 Minutes of dry land exercises including weights, cardio, stretching, ball activities, boxing and parkour before swimming) in a 25 meter pool. Each week the focus is on technique, race scenarios, fitness, strength and confidence for swimmers who are ready for the next step from learn to swim.

Once a student has passed all three levels (Level 7 to 9), he or she is considered a more adept swimmer.

Get a shirt and water bottle when you signup!

Level 7

Requirements

Swim 150m continuous:

✔ 25m backstroke

✔ 50m breaststroke

✔ 50m freestyle

✔ 25m survival backstroke

Water Safety:

✔ Scull feet first on back

✔ Demonstrate eggbeater kick

Level 8

Requirements

Swim 200m continuous:

✔ 50m backstroke

✔ 50 breaststroke

✔ 50m freestyle

✔ 25m survival backstroke

✔ 25m sidestroke: scissor kick

✔ Demonstrate dolphin kick

Level 9

Requirements

Swim 300m:

✔ 50 freestyle

✔ 50m backstroke

✔ 50m breaststroke

✔ 25m butterfly/ 25m freestyle

✔ 50m survival backstroke

✔ 50m sidestroke

✔ Demonstrate a tumble turn

Download Full Curriculum Levels 01 to 09

Shark Squads (10 Years Above) - Levels 10 to 12

Our Squads program is comprised of time-based, 2-3 x 90-minute sessions in a 50 meter pool (First 30 minutes in dryland exercise including weights, cardio, stretching, ball activities, boxing, parkour). Each week we focus on personal time goals, speed, endurance, technique, strength, gym work, pool and surf race scenarios for ages 10 and over that are ready to go and work hard to be the best they can be.

Our Squads take a holistic approach incorporating training for personal and sport development and also educating the student why we do what we do.

Get a shirt and water bottle when you signup!

Dolphin Squads (10 Years Above) - Levels 10 to 12

Our Dolphin Squads program is comprised of time-based, 3-6 x 90-minute sessions (First 30 minutes in dryland exercise including weights, cardio, stretching, ball activities, boxing, parkour). Each week we focus on personal time goals, speed, endurance, technique, strength, gym work, pool and surf race scenarios for ages 10 and over who are ready to go and work hard to be the best they can be.

Our Dolphin Squads targets elite swimming and fitness requiring full commitment to succeed in local, state and national competitions.

Adult Fitness

An all-inclusive swim for fitness classes tailored for juniors, families, newer or former swimmers, and athletes. This class has it all – fitness, fun, and friendships!

Dryland Exercises along with Stroke Development tailored to suit people who have previous swimming experience and are looking to progress in weekly fitness. These classes are also valuable for weight loss, sports recovery and performance.

Learn more about our packages!

EC Sportz provides an environment supporting both children and adults to becoming confident, fitter, healthier and happier.

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Testimonials

Luke and Glenda Bryant

My husband and I can’t speak highly enough of EC Sportz Swim School. My three children who all attend Wollongong West Public School have learnt to swim there. They have become, through their one hour intelligently structured lessons, better-than confident, competent swimmers. The element of competition used by EC Sportz swim staff, has improved our children’s technique and fitness remarkably, indeed, a bonus compared to the mundane somewhat boring sessions of the previous swim school. The kids know they must work harder to improve. It must be said, these swim instructors are always enthusiastic, and good-humoured but never over the top. My husband and I are constantly surprised at the improvement of all the children at the EC Sportz Swim School sessions. The idea for a swim school to have warm-up sessions, for example, is great.
This swim club has been a good investment for us.

Jodie Wright

The following is a written support letter of EC Sportz Swim and Surf School. I have had my children engaged in swimming lessons at EC Sportz Swim and Surf School for over two years. During this time, I have found the staff to be incredibly professional, approachable and knowledgeable. They have been able to adapt their sessions and programs to suit the individual’s ability and personality without compromising the quality of lesson. They are even able to adapt based on the child’s mood on the day. The flexibility that they show in a single session and term is very impressive.
The program that they run consists of a warm up, which I believe helps engage the children in a light-hearted manner before they get in the pool. They often include “fun” activities and variations into their sessions which help keeps the kids engaged and stops the sessions from getting stale for the children. Lifesaving techniques and water safety activities are included in a subtle manner. This helps the children become more flexible in their adaptive strategies around pool safety as they aren’t consistently exposed to the same conditions and routines.
I highly recommend EC Sportz Swim and Surf School to all parents who are looking for a centre that provides a safe, flexible and conducive environment for their kids to not only become the strongest swimmer they can, but also to help develop their love of the water

Matthew Graham

I would like to endorse the services of Kenny Ewen Chappell and the EC Sportz Swim and Surf school which he operates within the Illawarra region. Kenny's diverse skill set across aquatics, health and fitness, coaching, mentoring, and personal development, ensure a well-run program with clear outcomes for the students he and his team teach. As a current Aquatics and Venue Manager within Shoalhaven City Council, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kenny on multiple fronts where his skills and values driven leadership have always shone through.
A naturally positive, genuine, and enthusiastic personality, Kenny is an outstanding individual, and I am more than happy to highly recommend EC Sportz Swim and Surf School to prospective clients. Yours sincerely

Jane S.

My 3 kids (ages 4, 7 & 9) swim with Kenny and absolutely love it, with his attention to detail and their individual personalities they have all advanced dramatically in just a few weeks. Highly recommended

Leah T.

My daughter started off very nervous about swimming, but thanks to Kenny’s patient and understanding approach, she is going from strength to strength and loves going to swimming each week!

Fiona A.

My 3 kids are loving swim lessons with Kenny. He's able to accommodate our range of abilities and confidence in the water. He has a great holistic approach to water confidence, safety and swimming skills. The hydrotherapy pool is bliss in winter.