At school, at the latest, you come into contact with swimming lessons and the various badges in Germany. From seahorses to gold – but what do you actually have to do with it? Here is an overview of the swimming badges and their requirements.
Since January 1st, 2020 there is no longer a separation between youth and adult swimming badges. Proof of safe swimming are now – regardless of age – the swimming badges bronze, silver and gold of the German Swimming Association (DSV).
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One thing is clear: children should be introduced to swimming as early as possible. With the swimming courses offered by the DSV or the DLRG, you are on the safe side. They are not only comparatively inexpensive, but also ensure well-trained trainers who are always well trained in pedagogical and didactic terms. FITBOOK has summarized the requirements of the individual swimming badges below:
Seahorse (Beginner Swim)
Photo: FSO
requirements
- Jump from the edge of the pool and swim 25 meters lying on your stomach or back
- Retrieving an object with your hands from shoulder-deep water (shoulder depth related to the examinee)
- Knowledge of bathing rules
According to DLRG spokesman Achim Wiese, the seahorse should be completed by school age.
Seal «Trixi» (event swimmer)
Photo: FSO
requirements
- 25 meter breaststroke
- 25 meter backstroke or crawl
- Lead a water polo 15 meters
- dive forward
- 7 meters distance diving
- 1 Roll forwards or backwards around the lateral or longitudinal axis in the water
As with seahorses, swimming or diving goggles are not allowed.
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German swimming badge bronze
Photo: FSO
requirements
- Jump headfirst off the edge of the pool and swim at least 200 meters in no more than 15 minutes
- Once about 2 m deep diving from the water surface with retrieval of an object
- Jump from the starting block or 1 meter board
- Knowledge of bathing rules
German swimming badge silver
Photo: FSO
requirements
- Starting jump and at least 400 meters swim in no more than 20 minutes, of which 300 meters lying on the stomach and 100 meters lying on the back
- Twice about 2 meters deep diving from the water surface with retrieval of an object
- Jump from 3 meters or two different jumps from 1 meter
- 10 meter distance dive with push off from the edge of the pool in the water
- Knowledge of bathing rules and self-rescue behavior
German swimming badge gold
Photo: FSO
- Jump headfirst and swim 800 meters in no more than 30 minutes, including 650 meters in the prone or supine position and 150 meters in the other position
- Starting jump and 25 meter freestyle swimming
- 50 meter backstroke
- 10 meter distance diving without pushing off from the edge of the pool
- Three deep dives of approx. 2 meters each with retrieval of an object within 3 minutes
- Jump from 3 meters or 2 different jumps from 1 meter
- 50 meter transport swim: push or pull
- Starting jump and 50 meter breaststroke in a maximum of 1:15 minutes
- Knowledge of bathing rules and help with bathing, boating and ice accidents (self-rescue and simple rescue by others)
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In addition, there is the German competitive swimming pass in the categories «Shark», «Silver» and «Gold» for ambitious people. Further information can be found on the website of the German Swimming Association.