Rockhopper

The Penguin Series is the most comprehensive and progressive swim scheme for people of all ages with disabilities, and has two distinct programmes - the Emperor Penguin Series that develops strength and stamina and the Rockhopper Penguin Series that develops skills.

The Rockhopper Penguin Series consists of 9 progressive levels each with its own full-colour A4 certificate and woven badge.

All the Rockhopper lessons are shown below:

Rockhopper 1

The Penguin Series is the most comprehensive and progressive swim scheme for people of all ages with disabilities, and has two distinct programmes - the Emperor Penguin Series that develops strength and stamina and the Rockhopper Penguin Series that develops skills.

The Rockhopper Penguin Series consists of 9 progressive levels each with its own full-colour A4 certificate and woven badge.

What you will learn

  1. Enter the water with support or from a hoist
  2. Splash water
  3. Show enjoyment of being in water-smile, eye movement, verbal expression
  4. Lay on back or front with adult support and move around pool
  5. Push a floating object around pool using any part of body
  6. Blow an object around pool, chin on water
  7. Respond to the emergency signal

Rockhopper 2

What you will learn

  1. Enter the water using any means
  2. Have water poured over head
  3. Move limbs whilst moving around pool
  4. Float on back or front in a relaxed manner
  5. Blow bubbles in the water
  6. Swing from supine to prone and back to supine
  7. Respond to light and/or sound changes
  8. Exit safely

Rockhopper 3

What you will learn

  1. Kick legs on front or back
  2. Propel oneself for 5 metres by any method
  3. Identify 3 objects under the water
  4. Float on back for 10 secs then sit up
  5. Roll from supine to prone and back to supine - horizontal axis
  6. Hum in the water, nose in the water for 5 secs
  7. Travel through a hoop at the water surface
  8. Participate in a group activity
  9. Move across pool in an upright position

Rockhopper 4

What you will learn

  1. Enter the water independently, with a supervised jump, if possible
  2. Perform a jellyfish or mushroom float
  3. Swim 5 metres on front, roll onto back and float
  4. Pick up an object from the bottom of the pool
  5. Swim 5 metres on back, stand up or find a safe position at poolside
  6. Participate in a group activity

Rockhopper 5

What you will learn

  1. Enter the water safely, submerge and swim to the poolside and support yourself
  2. Tread water in an upright position for 10 secs
  3. Swim through a hoop held just below the water surface
  4. Float on back for 10 secs
  5. Swim 10 metres using any style
  6. Push and glide on front
  7. Participate in a group activity

Rockhopper 6

What you will learn

  1. Participate in a group activity
  2. Enter water safely, using any method, roll onto back and float for 10 secs
  3. Tread water for 20 secs
  4. Swim 15 metres using any style
  5. Push and glide through a hopp held below water surface, swim and adopt a safe breathing position
  6. Swim 5 metres on front, roll onto back and swim 5 metres
  7. Breathe rythmically while swimming 10 metres on your front, or 10 metres on your back

Rockhopper 7

What you will learn

  1. Holding the poolside, rail or woggle, submerge completely under the water and blow bubbles
  2. Float for a minimum of 15 secs
  3. Swim 20 metres using any style
  4. Perform one of the following three exercises: a. Recover an object from chest depth water b. From a push and glide, change body position from supine ro prone OR prone to supine c. Propel a floating object for a distance of 2 metres

Rockhopper 8

What you will learn

  1. Submerge the face and exhale under the water 4 times
  2. Float in a relaxed manner for 20 secs
  3. Swim 25 metres using any style
  4. Perform TWO of the following four Exercises; pupil choice. a. Recover an object from the pool bottom, from a swimming position. b. Swim 10 metres on front, roll onto back and swim 10 metres. Regain feet or secure a safe position at poolside. c. Swim 25m to a floating object and return with the object to the starting position. d. Rotate on the surface of the water (as a turntable) with the body sitting or lying back, for two complete revolutions by using the hands and/or feet.

Rockhopper 9

What you will learn

  1. Submerge the face and exhale under the water 6 times
  2. Perform ONE of the following TWO exercises; pupil's choice. a. float for 30 secs without limb movement b. maintain a vertical position in the water for 60 secs.
  3. Perform ONE from the following TWO exercises; pupils choice. a. Swim 100m in the prone position and 25m in the supine position. b. Swim 100m in the supine position and 25m in the prone position.
  4. Perform THREE fromt he following FIVE exercises; pupils' choice. a. Enter the water unaided and recover to a swimming position. Swim a distance of 10m then leave the water unaided. (Steps may be used for both entry and exit) b. Recover an object from the bottom of the pool, from a swimming position, in chest deep water. c. Tow an able bodied subject a distance of 10m. d. Swim 25m and show the ability to change position from prone to supine and back again. e. Swim 25m and show the ability to change position from supine to prone and back again.