Water confidence and first shapes
Ready when: Paper sculling on land (b1) and Counting to music and a split on land (b2) done.
What the coach teaches
Bubbles and humming under water (it stops water going up the nose); pushing off and gliding long like an arrow; the star float on the back; rolling from front to back; sculling to stay up and to travel head first on the back. Then the first figure positions: back layout, front layout, tuck and ballet leg at the wall. Breath control is built calmly, never as a contest.
At home, safe only
Paper sculling on land (b1), Counting to music and a split on land (b2) and Shapes on land (b4); supervised play at a pool.
Ask the club
Which grade scheme the club tests; the pool depth for beginners; who watches from the side.
What you can see from the side
The child puts the face in the water willingly and comes up calm.
Self-check what the coach confirms
The child holds a back layout for 5 seconds with the coach near; later sculls 10 m head first on the back, body straight and arms by the sides.
Stop and get a coach when
The child coughs, gasps or is dizzy after going under.
awiseathlete.com/sports/artistic-swimming/artistic-swimming-b3