Swimmer Staged Activity Badge

Learn about where to swim safely in different locations and find out about the four key water safety messages.
Take part in a warm up before getting in the pool.
Demonstrate how to get in and out of the water safely without support.
Tread water for 15 seconds.
Swim 15 metres on your front without support.
Swim 15 metres on your back without support.
Swim 25 metres in a stroke of your choice, with or without support.
Show a push and glide movement into a swim, then swim for 5 metres.
From a floating position, move into a standing position without support. Do this on both your front and back.
Pick up an object from the floor of the pool.

If you need to print a version of the requirements to take to a swimming instructor, we have created this Stage 3 document you can use.
The Swim England equivalent for this stage is Stage 5.

If you have achieved this award, you can gain your Stage 3 Activity Badge.
The Swim Wales equivalent for this stage is Wave 5.

If you have achieved this award, you can gain your Stage 3 Activity Badge.
The Swim Ulster equivalent for this stage is Level 6.

If you have achieved this award, you can gain your Stage 3 Activity Badge.
The Scottish Swimming equivalent for this stage is Swim Skills 2.

If you have achieved this award, you can gain your Stage 3 Activity Badge.
The STA equivalent for this stage is Angelfish 2.

If you have achieved this award, you can gain your Stage 3 Activity Badge.

June 2026.

Requirements can be adapted to suit each young persons abilities. See our guidance on flexibility.