Stage 6 teaches swimmers how to prepare for exercise, while developing an efficient technique for all four strokes and further developing surface dives.

The effective swimming skills taught include coordination, breathing and an understanding of water safety.

Within this stage, swimmers will work on all the other strokes, including streamlining, improving their technique with both their arms and their legs.

ANGELFISH 1

1. Be rescued by a reaching aid
2. Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull for 30 seconds.
3. Push and glide into a forward somersault
4. Scull head first for 5 metres and feet first for 5 metres
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s first choice
6. Swim 10 metres of front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s second choice
7. Swim 20 metres of back crawl
8. Swim 10 metres on the front, using dolphin leg kick, without aids
9. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up before gliding to bottom of pool, then glide to surface
10. Swim 5 metres of lifesaving backstroke without aids

ANGELFISH 2

1. Be rescued by catching a buoyant aid
2. Perform a straddle entry, tread water for 30 seconds, perform a 360° turn in a vertical position while wearing a T-shirt. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull for 30 seconds and a 360° turn in a vertical position while wearing a T-shirt
3. Swim 5 metres, perform a forward somersault and continue to swim forward for 5 metres
4. Swim 20 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s first choice
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s second choice
6. Swim 20 metres of back crawl using a correct touch finish
7. Swim 5 metres on the back using a double arm action and dolphin leg kick
8. Swim 5 metres on the side using a dolphin leg kick
9. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up before gliding to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place both feet on the bottom of the pool and spring up. Perform in chest-deep water
10. Swim underwater for 5 metres

ANGELFISH 3

1. Be rescued by catching a rope
2. Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds while wearing a T-shirt. Remove the T-shirt and climb out unassisted. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull
3. Perform a head-first and feet-first surface dive. If in shallow water, perform an underwater push and glide to pool floor
4. Scull feet first for 10 metres and head first for 10 metres
5. Swim 25 metres of back crawl using a correct finish
6. Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s first choice
7. Swim 20 metres of recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s second choice
8. Swim 5 metres of butterfly
9. Push and glide into a handstand – must be performed in tummy-deep or to chest-deep water
10. Perform a sitting dive, depending on the depth of water. If in shallow water, perform underwater push and glide, roll onto back while underwater and surface in a back glide

By completing Stage 6 Award, swimmers will be able to:

1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke.
3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.
4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes.
5. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
6. Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
7. Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
8. Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths.
9. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional (performed to expected standards).
10. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.
11. Perform a surface dive.