15 mins on front, 5 mins survival, 10 mins on back. Survival skills practised without goggles.
Platypus is the bridge between the pre-school levels and the structured stroke program that follows. It's often where school-age beginners start, even without a pre-school background at Neptune.
What your child learns in Platypus
1. Safe Entry
A safe, controlled pool entry — the consistent starting habit at every level.
2. 10 Second Bubbles
A 10-second breath hold with the face in the water, confirming the breath control needed before stroke work begins in earnest.
3. Push & Glide (with and without board)
Gliding with and without support, the last checkpoint before real freestyle technique starts.
4. Freestyle Kicking & Introduction to Freestyle Arms
The first real freestyle technique — kicking paired with an introduction to the arm stroke, first supported, then unaided. This is where “swimming” properly begins.
5. Survival Sequence
The same push-glide-into-starfish, reach-and-pull, one real jump-in sequence as Penguin, reinforced at this level as a non-negotiable safety skill.
6. Back Float
A calm, relaxed float on the back — still one of the most important safety skills a child can have.
7. Push & Glide on Back (with and without board)
Gliding on the back with and without support, building toward independent backstroke.
8. Kicking on Back (with and without board)
Backstroke kicking practised independently, developing the leg drive used throughout the stroke pathway.
9. Submerge for Ring on Ground
Retrieving a ring from the pool floor, confirming confidence with full submersion.
10. Safe Exit
Exiting the pool safely and independently.
What's next: Platypus graduates lead into Sea Otter, where freestyle is expected without any aid at all and formal breathing technique is introduced.
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