The First Step · Complete Beginners Welcome
SwimSafer Stage 1
SwimSafer is Singapore's national water safety and learn-to-swim programme — the six-stage framework most children first meet in Primary 3, when schools enrol the whole cohort as part of PE, fully funded by MOE. It's owned by Sport Singapore and run operationally by Singapore Aquatics, and it's open to private learners of any age too, not just through school. Here's what it actually involves, and how SG Sink or Swim fits in.
Why It Helps to Have One Coach Explain It All
SwimSafer can feel like a maze of stages, certificates and an online portal the first time you encounter it — and a coach who rotates weekly rarely explains the bigger picture, they just run the next drill. Every SG Sink or Swim family gets one certified, SwimSafer-qualified coach who can actually walk you through the whole system, not just the skill in front of them that day.
In The Water
What's Actually in the Stage 1 Assessment
SwimSafer is a comprehensive swimming program developed by the Singapore Sports Council to improve swimming proficiency and water safety among children and youth. SwimSafer Stage 1 is the first stage of the program and is designed for beginners who are new to swimming.
During SwimSafer Stage 1, participants will learn basic water safety and survival skills such as how to enter and exit the pool safely, how to recover after falling into the water, and how to tread water for a short period of time. They will also learn basic swimming strokes such as the freestyle and breaststroke, and how to perform basic water skills such as floating and gliding. Participants will be assessed based on their ability to perform these skills in a safe and competent manner, and upon completion of the stage, they will receive a certificate indicating their proficiency level. Overall, SwimSafer Stage 1 is an excellent starting point for beginners to learn essential swimming skills and develop a foundation for further advancement in the program. With certification upon completion, Swim Safer Stage 1 is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to develop lifelong swimming skills while promoting physical fitness and mental well-being. Join Swim Safer Stage 1 today to learn essential swimming skills and enjoy the many benefits of swimming!
Sequence 1A: (with or w/o goggles)
The Core Skills
-
Enter the water with slide-in entry
-
Swim on the back 5m (alternating arms & legs or simultaneous arms and legs)
-
Submerge head in water, open eyes, blow bubbles and identify object on pool floor (w/o
goggles)
-
Perform a front float for 5 seconds and stand to recover
-
Then perform a back float for 5 seconds and stand to recover
-
Swim 10m (alternating arm and leg action on front or simultaneous arm and leg action on
front)
-
Signal distress and call for help (w/o goggles)
-
Grasp the float and float for 10 seconds (w/o goggles)
-
Then move (with the float) to the pool’s edge and
-
Exit safely from pool (either by ladder or pool’s edge)
Sequence 1B: (w/o goggles)
Dressed in Swimwear, Shorts & T-Shirt
-
Correctly fit a PFD (assistance allowed)
-
Jump in with PFD to water and float for 30 seconds, and then climb out of the water
The Why
Why It Matters
The Real Foundation for Everything After
Every later stage assumes Stage 1's skills are already solid — floating, basic breath control, safe entry and exit. Rushing this stage tends to show up as gaps two or three stages later, which is exactly why we don't rush it.
A Genuine First Taste of Water Safety
Signalling for help, grasping a float, and safely exiting a pool aren't abstract skills for a future test — they're exactly the reflexes that matter if a child ever ends up in water unexpectedly, at any age.
Two Sequences, Properly Practised
Both Sequence 1A and 1B get real, dedicated practice time — including the PFD-specific skills in 1B, which some programmes rush past since they don't look as impressive as swimming itself.
A Coach Who Knows When You're Actually Ready
Stage 1 is often a child's first real assessment experience, and knowing whether they're truly ready — not just capable on a good day — takes a coach who's watched them consistently, not a single trial session.
Before You Book
Getting Started
There's very little to prepare beyond showing up. Here's what's useful to know.
What to Bring
-
Swimwear and a towel
-
Shorts and a t-shirt to wear over swimwear, needed specifically for the Sequence 1B assessment
-
Goggles for most of the lesson — though several specific skills are practised and assessed without them
-
Nothing else to prepare — the PFD and any other equipment used are provided
Before Your First Lesson
-
No prior swimming experience is needed or expected — Stage 1 is built for complete beginners
-
We start every new student with an assessment, so there's nothing to prepare beyond showing up
-
If your child has any specific fears or physical considerations, mention them before the first session
-
Once your coach confirms Stage 1 is genuinely solid, the actual CAMS assessment gets booked by you directly
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue the Guide
Where to Go Next
This page is the starting point — here's where the fuller SwimSafer guide continues.
SwimSafer Stage 2
SwimSafer Preparation
Ready to Start From the Very Beginning?
Whether your child has never been in a pool or just needs the fundamentals properly solidified, Stage 1 is built to start from exactly zero. The first step is a relaxed assessment with a coach who'll be there through Sequence 1A, Sequence 1B, and everything after.