Off the Hoek Swim School has developed a ‘Learn to Swim’ programme which takes swimmers from infants through to a basic competitive standard. The emphasis is to have fun in the water through recognised swimming practices, ensuring all those joining the programme learn a consistent level of skill at each stage of their personal development. 

The programme centres on three stages: Young Swimmers (Foundation 12 months to approximately 3 years), Learn to Swim (FUNdamentals; approximately 4-8 years) and Club Swimmers (Aquatic Skills; Approximately 8 years and older). The programme encompasses the SSA (Swimming South-Africa)  “Learn to Swim” Pathway. 

The first South-African National Swimming Association was established in 1899 and was called the South African Amateur Swimming Union (SAASU) and is now Swim SA. The programme takes swimmers from a beginner to advanced level developing a wide range of skills in the water.

The aim is to ensure that swimmers feel ‘comfortable’ at each stage of their development, ensuring that the correct progression can be made whilst completing the Swimmer Pathway. Each stage focuses on safe Entry and Exit to water, Buoyancy and Balance, Rotation and Orientation, Streamlining, Aquatic Breathing, Travel and Coordination, Water Safety and Health and Fitness.

 

Off the Hoek Swim School follows the Learn to Swim Pathway from the foundation Stages (Adult & Child, Pre-school); “Learn to Swim” level (OTH Levels 1-4), Through to Club Level Swimmers (OTH Levels 5-7) as follows:

1.  Foundation Stage (0-3years):

 This is the stage for early years Water Confidence, such as Moms & Tots and pre-school classes. The emphasis is on developing basic motor skills and an introduction to water and the swimming environment through fun and games.

      2.  FUNdamental Movement Skills (3-8 years):

Off the Hoek (OTH) Levels 1-4.

 

Level 1 (Beginner 1): Developing basic safety awareness, the ‘class’ scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills.  Swimmers may use aids e.g. instructor support, arm bands, noodles, kickboards etc.

Level 2 (Beginner 2): Developing safe entries into water including jumping in, basic floating, aided travel and rotation to regain upright positions.  Swimmers may use aids, e.g. instructor support, arm bands, noodles and kickboards etc. 

Level 3 (Beginner 3): Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. Swimmers use swimming aids less frequently.

 

Level 4 (Intermediate 1): Further development of buoyancy control through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes, and swimming 10 metres to a basic standard as directed by SWIMSA. 

Level 5 (Intermediate 2): Developing ‘watermanship’ through sculling and treading water skills, and complete rotation, swimming 12.5m unaided and performing all strokes to a basic standard as directed by SWIMSA. 

3.  Off the Hoek Junior and Senior Club Swimmers:

 

Level 6 (Improver/Junior Swim Club): Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing; developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise.  Swimming up to 25m unaided.

Level 7 (Improver/Senior Swim Club): Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout stages 1 – 7. A confident Swimmer.

Off the Hoek Swim School aims to prepare the Swimmer through OTH Level 1-7 by the end of Primary School, to be able to continue their Aquatic Skills Framework at High School and beyond. Once the swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water through OTH Levels  1 – 7, the swimmer can focus on the development of serious competitive swimming techniques such as advanced skills for speed on all four strokes, starts, turns and following specified training sets and programmes. 

(*Reports look similar to the below listed levels and the students’ progress on each task is marked, and details noted accordingly).

 

 *FA (Flotation Aid)

Learning water orientation and the basics in all areas below

 

 

Strength & Coordination :  

 

Legs : Kick with FA forward

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Strength & Coordination: 

  

Level 4 (very little Instructor support)                                              

 

Safety Basics: Entry and exits into the pool: 

 

 

Level 5 (Independent Swimmer)                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

Safety Basics: Good      Very Good     Excellent

Life Saving Basics from the pool side

Life Saving Kick

 

Stroke Technique: Good     Very Good     Excellent :  

Freestyle:                                                  Backstroke: 

Breaststroke:                                            Butterfly:

 

12.5m Basic Butterfly 

Treading Water for 2 minutes

 

 

Standing Dive

Racing Dive

  

Polishing technique in all 4 strokes 

Increasing Strength, Stamina and Cardiovascular Fitness

 

Safety Basics: Good      Very Good     Excellent

Life Saving Straddle Jump

Life Saving Basics from the pool side

Life Saving Kick

 

Stroke Technique: Good     Very Good     Excellent :  

Freestyle:                                                   Backstroke:

Breaststroke:                                             Butterfly:

 

Stamina and Speed:  Good     Very Good     Excellent

50m Freestyle

50m Backstroke 

50m Breaststroke 

25m Butterfly 

Treading Water for 3 minutes

 

Buoyancy Control & Breathing:    Good     Very Good     Excellent

Tumble Turn 

Swimming through multiple hoops underwater

Finding multiple small objects underwater in one breath with various instructions

 

Diving Technique: Good     Very Good     Excellent

Standing Dive

Racing Dive