03 – Octopus Group (Beginner)

Group description:
This group is primarily for children aged 5-10 years.
The group is level 03 – the level above the Crab group (water familiarisation) and below the Seal group.

We continue working on water confidence through exercises and activities, while introducing basic swimming skills and self-rescue.

The main focus of this group is further development of front crawl and backstroke, as well as an introduction to the butterfly movement.

Training takes place once a week for 30 minutes in the 90 cm pool at Hørsholm Swimming Pool, where the water temperature is 27°C.

Requirements to join the group:

• Swimmers should generally be between 5 and 10 years old

• The swimmer must be able to get into and out of the water independently

• The swimmer must feel safe and be comfortable in the water

• The swimmer must be able to move independently from a standing to a horizontal position in the water and back again

• Be able to move independently in the water using a swimming aid to reach the pool edge

Season goals – what is required to move up:

• The swimmer must be able to swim from wall to wall (15 m) using front crawl and/or backstroke without contact with flotation aids, equipment, the pool bottom, or the pool wall

• Controlled and relaxed breathing while swimming and diving

• Glide and float on both stomach and back

• Basic motor skills in front crawl and backstroke

• Dive and orient underwater with and without goggles

Lifesaving learning objectives:

• Be able to climb onto floating objects independently (without support or pushing off from the pool bottom)

• Knowledge of the Danish Safety Council’s (TrygFonden) five bathing rules

Equipment:

• We recommend that swimmers wear swimming goggles

• Swimmers with long hair should use a hair tie and wear a swim cap

• It is possible to use a flotation belt during lessons; however, we do not recommend arm bands, as they make certain exercises impossible and create imbalance in buoyancy

Please note:

• The group will only be established with a minimum of 6 registered swimmers

• Occasionally, a pool may be closed due to accidents or technical issues. Unfortunately, this is beyond the control of Hørsholm Swimming Association and is considered force majeure. As a general rule, no compensation is given for missed sessions due to pool closures.