Learning to swim is an important basic requirement for children and adults to be able to stay safely near water without the risk of drowning. However, learning to swim takes time and should take place in a stress-free and safe environment, ideally with trained swimming coaches or swimming instructors who have mastered the techniques and can teach them professionally, helping your child to develop their skills step by step from getting used to the water to diving, jumping into the water, backstroke, crawl and breaststroke.

Swimming courses are divided according to ability level so that each child is supported according to their abilities. Once the water familiarization has been completed, swimming badges can be obtained, which are usually completed with a basic test according to swimsport.ch. Budding swimmers gradually achieve different swimming badges, from level 1, the crab, to the seahorse, the frog, the penguin badge, the octopus badge, up to level 7, the crocodile and level 7, the polar bear badge with WSC water safety check.

In addition to these swimming badges, which are primarily aimed at children from the age of four, combined tests and advanced swimming tests are also offered (whale, pike, shark, dolphin, swimming test 5 to 8), but these usually take place as part of a swimming club and are accompanied by regular swimming training.

If you would like your child to attend a swimming course and learn the basics of swimming, you will find a number of competent providers for children's swimming, toddler swimming or baby swimming here on the Swiss education portal. Please enquire directly with the individual swimming schools whether it is possible to obtain a swimming badge as part of the course, so that your son or daughter's achievements can be documented by such a certificate.