RAINBOW AWARDS
A comprehensive collection of distance awards ranging from 5 metres through to 5,000 metres. Older children may be better suited to the Adult Distance Awards, or in some cases you may find that the Blank Certificates are more appropriate.
SWIMMING CHALLENGE AWARDS
In this scheme, pupils are challenged to achieve targets for which they need an efficient performance using a wide range of skills including diving. Stamina is important as is technical quality of the strokes, particularly in the higher awards.
Throughout this scheme ALL strokes must be swum in good style. This implies that the stroke is easily recognisable as one of the four major competitive strokes but does not necessarily comply with ASA Law. The strokes should be smooth, co-ordinated, efficient and completed without undue stress. The wearing of extra clothes is only required for Challenge 2.
For levels 1 and 2, pupils may rest between sections. For Bronze, Silver, Gold and Honours awards, Sections A and B may be completed on two separate occasions, but each section must be completed without pause and in the order listed as per the ASA Teachers Toolkit.
DIVING SKILL AWARDS
PRELIMINARY DIVER AWARD (SHALLOW WATER DIVING SKILLS)
1. Forward push and glide straight
Start with shoulders submerged, knees bent and feet on wall. Hands to grip poolside edge. Stong push with legs to form a stretched body position.
2. Mushroom float to stretch position
The mushroom float should be held in a tuck shape for a minimum of 3 seconds, before stretching out to a horizontal straight position.
3. Forward push and glide to surface dive
Start with Knees bent and feet on wall. Hands to grip poolside edge. Strong leg push to stretch position, bend at waist so that the trunk and head are immersed in water. Touch bottom of pool with either feet or hands.
4. Back push and glide straight
Start facing the poolside with knees bent and feet on wall. Hands to grip poolside. Strong leg push, arms to be brought over head to resume a stretched body position.
5. Spring Header to glide
Forward start position standing on pool floor. Strong leg push and hip lift, to bring legs up to stretched body position on top of water and glide.
6. Forward Push and glide to handstand
Start with knees bent and feet on wall. Hands to grip poolside. Strong leg push and hip lift, as legs extend the diver bends at waist such that the trunk and head are immersed in water. Take body weight on hands, toes should be pointed in the handstand, which should show a balance momentarily.
For more information on the ASA awards please visit www.swimming.org