Taken from SingaporeAquatics
Singapore has launched an ambitious new national swimming framework set to revolutionise how people of all ages learn to swim. The new initiative, SwimSingapore presented by OCBC, aims to engage 500,000 participants over the next five years, creating a comprehensive pathway from infancy to competitive swimming.
This landmark program, led by Singapore Aquatics, officially launched on July 5, 2025. It moves beyond basic water safety to foster a lifelong love for swimming, with a structured, six-stage approach designed to cater to every skill level and age group.
“This is more than just a curriculum; it’s a cultural shift,” said a spokesperson for Singapore Aquatics. “We want to create a nation of competent, confident, and happy swimmers.”
The new framework is made possible with a significant S$1 million investment from OCBC, which will help cover crucial operational costs, including assessor fees and certification, making the program more accessible.
The Six Stages of SwimSingapore
SwimSingapore national framework: Six progressive swim segments to support every swimmer’s journey — from playful water confidence to competitive performance.
The core of the SwimSingapore framework is its six progressive segments, designed to guide a participant from their first splash to the competitive starting block.
- SwimStart: This introductory stage is designed for infants and toddlers (from under one year old), focusing on water familiarization and confidence-building with parental accompaniment.
- SwimFun: Aimed at young children aged four to six, this stage builds on water confidence through play-based learning and fundamental skill development, this time without parents in the water.
- SwimSafer: The well-established SwimSafer 2.0 program, Singapore’s national standard for water safety, is now fully integrated as the third stage. It continues to focus on vital survival skills.
- SwimFurther: For those who enjoy swimming recreationally, this stage encourages participants to build endurance and achieve distance-based milestones without the pressure of a stopwatch.
- SwimBetter: This stage is the bridge to competitive swimming. It is targeted at aspiring athletes who want to refine their strokes, techniques, and overall proficiency in the water.
- SwimFaster: Adapted from the former Singapore Swimming Proficiency Awards, this is the performance pathway for competitive swimmers, providing a clear system for benchmarking their speed and progress.
Dedicated Pathways for Kids and Adults
The SwimSingapore framework places a strong emphasis on creating positive and engaging learning experiences for all ages.
Kids Swimming Lessons
For children, the journey begins with SwimStart and SwimFun, which provide a nurturing environment for the youngest learners. As they grow, they will progress to SwimSafer to acquire crucial water safety skills. After completing SwimSafer, children have a choice: they can continue swimming for enjoyment and fitness through the SwimFurther stage, or they can pursue a more competitive route with SwimBetter and SwimFaster. This flexible pathway ensures that all children can continue to enjoy swimming in a way that best suits them.
Adult Swimming Lessons
Recognizing that it is never too late to learn, the framework also provides clear pathways for adults. Beginners can build water confidence and learn fundamental strokes through accredited programs. The SwimFurther stage serves as an excellent pathway for adults who want to swim for fitness and enjoy the water recreationally. Meanwhile, more advanced adult swimmers wanting to improve their technique or train for events can benefit from the SwimBetter and SwimFaster stages. This ensures that adults of all abilities can find a program that meets their goals.
What This Means for Everyone
The rollout of the new framework will be gradual. The curriculum for the SwimStart and SwimFun stages is available now through accredited swim schools and instructors. The remaining stages will be introduced progressively over the coming year.
This new, unified approach ensures a consistent standard of coaching across Singapore. It provides a clear roadmap for every swimmer’s journey, making the water safer and more enjoyable for the entire community.
