Stage 1 Swimming Journey
From 3 years – 5 metre distance
With a love for water and a good foundation in place, Kaia is ready to grow in her water confidence and the basic skills needed to build her swimming ability.
Practice proper position for kicking
Back float, push SB to wall, monkey walk, then pick up sinker
Vertical submersion
Pick up sinkers, then front SB to wall
Push off the wall, rhythmical breathing and kicking, then grabbing the wall
Front Speedboat with rhythmical breathing
Sitting dive into the pool, into back star fish
Dive to the floor to pick up sinkers
Jump into the pool into a back float
Ready to swim
Loving my new goggles
Superman, blowing bubbles
Superman, with face in
Practicing breathing in Superman
Speedboat arrow to wall
Grabbing wall safely
Listening intently to Franck
Cheesy sandwich, with roll over and grab the wall
Perfecting Jump into the water and float on back for 5
Speedboat dive to floor to retrieve sinker
Practicing Cheesy sandwich and kicking
Multitasking cheesy sandwich and kicking is tough!
Back pillow exercise
Getting better at kicking our legs and doing back pillow
Proper Speedboat arms
Introducing ‘Backstroke-Kick, Kick, Kick, Pull’. Ability to kick – gone!
Needs more practice ‘Backstroke-Kick, Kick, Kick, Pull’
Nearly a Back Speedboat with board
There’s our kick! Back pillow
Introducing ‘Front Pillow’ into ‘ Back Pillow’, such a tricky exercise!
Safety jump, NO goggles
Introducing waving under the water
Picking up sinker on the bottom step, then progressing it to the floor
Cheesy sandwich, two at a time
Push off step into glide, then Back pillow into front pillow with rhythmical breathing, then grab wall safely
Sinker off the floor, easy peasy!
Jump in and float on back for 5 counts – getting better!
Sitting dive into front Speedboat, then roll on back to breath in float for 5 count
‘Backstroke-Kick, Kick, Kick, Pull’ with board, roll and grab the wall in between
Look at my sand cake
Practicing our bubbles
Practicing our back float
Floating on our front for 5, then back for 5, then front for 5
Practicing holding onto the wall
Our super star!
Pushing off the wall into a back glide
Kicking on our backs, no board
Practicing a good arrow for Front Speedboat
Safety jump…
… into the pool, turn around…
…and grab the wall
Safety jump into the pool, turn around and grab the wall
Practicing pushing front Speedboat off step
Sitting dive into front Speedboat, then roll on back to breath in float for 5 count
Diving for sinkers, then front Speedboat to step
Still working on our confidence with Front Speedboat
Getting better at jumping in and doing a safety float!
Getting better at waving under the water with two swimmers
Working on blowing our bubbles when we go under the water
Practicing Front float blowing bubbles for 5, with no moving
Focussing on kicking on back rhythm, with board on knees
Introducing ‘Dolphin wiggles’
Waiting for our lesson to start
Practicing ‘Backstroke-Kick, Kick, Kick, Pull’ with board
Kicking improving
Superman with board
Watching Betty explain
Practicing our kick
National Drowning Prevention Week is a Life Saving Matter
At Cindy’s Swim School (CSS), we believe that learning to swim is about far more than just technique – it’s about safety, confidence, and giving children a skill that could one day save their life. That’s why we’re passionate about supporting National Drowning...
Celebrate International Learn to Swim Week 2026 (and win a crash course!)
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Why Swimming is Great for Your Mental Health! Children’s Mental Health Week 2026
Children’s Mental Health Week takes place from 9th to 15th February 2026. This year’s theme, “This Is My Place”, focuses on how communities can create an environment that gives children and young people a sense of belonging. Has your child found their happy place? At...
