Following is information provided by Anton Jordaan, the President of Aquatics Gauteng (AG). Their program has been customized to fit the parameters of the Alexandra Youth Swim Academy.

Who are we and where do we fit in

• The National Federation responsible for Aquatics in South Africa is “Swimming South Africa” who is affiliated to FINA.
• Aquatics in each of the nine provinces in South Africa is managed by an affiliate of Swimming South Africa.
• For Gauteng, our affiliate is Aquatics Gauteng (AG), which is responsible for the administration and control of aquatics and its disciplines of diving, masters, open water swimming, swimming, artistic swimming, and water polo in the Gauteng Province.

Water safety and Learn to Swim project of AG

• We work closely with our Provincial Government as this collaboration gives us easy access to funding and schools.

• The AG Water safety and Learn to Swim project in collaboration with Gauteng Provincial Department of Education and Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is called:

“My safety in water – a dream can come true!”

• The project is divided in four phases:

Phase 1 – To listen and learn!

• Our team members visit schools and do a 30-minute presentation, using a poster as a guideline.  We have also developed a workbook and give each learner a pack of crayons as well.  (both to enhance learning through practical participation).

• We concentrate on Grade 1 and Grade 2 (the first two years of schooling).  So far, we have reached just over 400 schools in the Province and just over 110 000 learners.

Phase 2 – To be safe in water!

• The learner will be considered to have this phase successfully completed when:
• the learner shows no fear when getting into and in contact with the water.
• the learner can float dorsal and ventral positions
• the learner can move about with no technique in both positions and can change positions without the adi of the instructor
• the learner can move about totally submerged (underwater action)
• the learner can inhale through mouth out of water and exhale through mouth and nose in the water
• the learner can enter and exit water safely
• the learner is aware of safe rescue methods

Phase 3 – Learn to swim!

• Once the learner has adapted to water and deemed to be safe in the water, the learner will be taught the different swimming styles: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.  The main aim is that the learner masters each style and be able to apply the rules as is prescribed by FINA.

Phase 4 – To have fun swimming a race!

During the year AG hosts several LTS gala’s – the purpose of this gala is for the learner to show that he/she has mastered the swimming styles.  The gala has a referee and starter and judges – thus the learner is also taught on what is expected from them when they continue and swim age group galas.