Stages and awards

Pool or calm water

VacSwim offers up to 16 stages at pool or calm water centres in accordance with the Department of Education Swimming and Water Safety Continuum (stages 1-9), Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) personal survival (stages 10 to 12) and Rescue Awards (stages 13 to 16). 

Beach or surf centres

The skill progression in the 'surf' differs slightly to 'calm water' because of the variable conditions children and instructors encounter in this environment.

As a result, at beach and surf centres,  VacSwim offers stages 1-15.  (Stage 16 (Bronze Medallion) is only offered at calm water/pool centres.)

Higher stages at beach or surf centres include advanced surf awareness, which is similar to surf clubs.

For specific information on the higher awards contact VacSwim.

Select the correct stage for your child

Please take care to enrol your child in the appropriate stage.

• All children will be re–assessed on the first day one of class to confirm their placement in the appropriate stage. You must not rely on this re–assessment to grade your children.
• If your child will be completing Department of Education swimming lessons after the close of enrolments, ie Interm school swimming or VacSwim, it is recommended that you anticipate your child passing and enrol him/her in the next higher stage for the January program.
• Stage 16 classes (Bronze Medallion) at calm water/pool centres and stage 15 classes at surf/beach centres are conducted as double lessons. Age restrictions apply and these stages do not operate at all centres.

Stages summary: A one-off fee is payable to the VacSwim centre supervisor (which will be forwarded to RLSSWA) during lessons for stages 13-16 at calm water/pool centres.

Stage	Title	Fee	Guidelines for students entering the stage
1	Beginner	NIL	None required
2	Water/Surf Discovery	NIL	Glide forward and glide backward and recover to a stand.
3	Preliminary	NIL	Swim 5m freestyle. Glide backward, kick and recover to a stand.
4	Water/Surf Intro Awareness	NIL	Swim 10m freestyle, face in water. Swim 5m breaststroke kick.
5	Water/Surf Sense	NIL	Swim 15m freestyle, 10m backstroke and 10m survival backstroke.
6	Junior	NIL	Swim 25m freestyle plus 15m breaststroke or 15m survival backstroke.
7	Intermediate	NIL	Swim 50m freestyle, or freestyle and one other stroke, continuously.
8	Water/Surf Wise	NIL	Capacity to swim effectively using a range of strokes over 150m.
9	Senior	NIL	Capacity to swim effectively using a range of strokes over 200m.
10	Junior Swim and Survive Surf stage 10	NIL NIL	Effective swimming skills with a sound knowledge and understanding of water safety.
11	Swim and Survive Surf stage 11	NIL NIL	Effective swimming skills with a developing knowledge and understanding of personal safety and survival skills.
12	Senior Swim and Survive Surf stage 12	NIL NIL	Effective swimming skills including the ability to complete a clothed swim and a sound understanding of personal safety and survival skills.
13	Wade Rescue Surf stage 13	$6.00 NIL	Sound swimming and personal survival skills, knowledge and understanding.
14	Accompanied Rescue Surf stage 14	$7.00 NIL	Sound swimming and personal survival skills, and knowledge plus an understanding of non–contact rescues.
15	Bronze Star Surf stage 14	$17.50 NIL	Sound knowledge and practice of water safety and non–contact rescue skills. Effective swimming skills in a range of strokes.
16	Bronze Medallion	$17.50	Capacity to use initiative and effect a contact rescue.
NB. The Royal Life Saving Society’s Swimming and Life Saving Manual is the preferred text for Stage 16. Although not compulsory the Society strongly suggests that if purchasing a manual, do so before lessons commence. Copies may be purchased from the Society by telephoning 9383 8200 or fax 9383 9922.