Progression through the Club

Beginners

For swimmers first beginning  Artistic swimming, lessons will focus on basic  skills.  This will the progress into working through the Swim England's Learn to Swim Framework Levels 8-10 in Artistic swimming.

Once completed swimmers will receive a certificate and badge.

Details of the Learn to Swim programme can be found here.


Swimmer Progression

Once swimmers have completed the Learn to Swim programme they will then start to work towards gaining their Artistic Swimming Grades.

Swim England currently runs a three-strand award system for athletes; Figure Grades, Routine Grades and Land Grades. 

As you progress as a Artistic swimmer you will need to have your Artistic grades tested before you can enter certain competitions. 

Assessments are completed externally and regional assessment days are held throughout the year.

Figure Grades

There are six Artistic Swimming grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their age group figures. 

These grades support swimmer long term athlete development (LTAD) and ensure each athlete performs to their very best standard before moving to their next grade. Each grade has three levels (gold, silver and bronze) so all athletes have the ability to perfect their figures before moving to the next grade.

Swim England's website has a full list of each grade in addition to video demonstrations.  Click here to view.

 The criteria for each grade can be found below.

Figure Grade 1

Figure Grade 2

Figure Grade 3

Figure Grade 4

Figure Grade 5

Figure Grade 6


Routine Grades

There are five routine grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their routine skills. 

These grades compliment the figure grades and ensure athletes are developing their transitions, speed of movement and hybrids ready for solos, teams and routines as they develop.  

Swim England's website has a full list of each grade in addition to video demonstrations. Click here to view. 

The criteria for each grade can be found below.

Routine Grade 1

Routine Grade 2

Routine Grade 3

Routine Grade 4

Routine Grade 5  


Land Grades

There are five land grades which provide an increasing test of ability for athletes on their land skills. More details for these will be released shortly. 

These grades compliment the figure and routine grades, and ensure athletes are developing core strength, flexibility and speed of movement on land which transfer to the pool through figures and routines.