These two levels of award help to develop the skill and confidence needed for those who want to enter swimming competitions – and succeed. The focus is initially on revising and consolidating the efficient performance of the four competitive strokes and the racing skills associated with them.

The awards lay the foundations for young swimmers who want to attend the coaching and training programmes which would prepare them for competitive swimming. The awards are designed to help with stroke development, kicking, turns and using a pace clock. Once the standard of stroke and skill performance has been achieved, the final stages introduce the more demanding aspects of training development and can be undertaken with confidence.