Beginners courses

Oslo idrettslag swimming offers courses in compliance with the Norwegian school of swimming’s plan for education in water. The beginner courses are built around getting used to water and the four core skills that are central for becoming a sufficient swimmer. At the courses Hval, Skilpadde, Pingvin and selunge, the focus is to master both diving underwater, gliding, floating and propulsion. The participant will perform exercises that contain elements needed to master swimming.

There will be a natural transition from each level to the next. Each level will be taking the teachings from the previous level to the next step, and as you transition through the levels, the different skills will be combined to make you a complete swimmer. To make sure the participant masters every step, the goal for each level will be the requirements for the next.

Vannmerket (getting used to water)

From 4 years and up. The course is for children with little to no previous experience in water. The goal of this course is for the child to feel comfortable and safe in the water, and to be comfortable being taught how to swim. The course is held at Bergtunet Kindergarten.

After completing the course, the particiant will be able to:

  1. Move in the water
  2. Keep their head under water
  3. Feel safe in their surroundings

Parents are not allowed in the pool. (except for Vanntilvenning W/parents)

PS! there may be multiple courses running simultaneously in the pool

You can sign up here

 Hvalmerket (diving)

From 4 years and up. The course is held at Bergtunet kindergarten, Møllergata skolebad and Sogn bad.

The “Hvalmerke” corses focus on diving. This means that the participant should be able to completely submerge their body by the en of this course. To be a capable swimmer, one needs to be able to stay under water and orient themselves.

After completing the course, the particiant will be able to:

  1. Orient themselves under water
  2. Diving and orienting themselves under water, rythmic breathing
  3. Jumping from the edge of the pool

No parents in the pool.

PS! there may be multiple courses running simultaneously in the pool

You can sign up here

 Skilpaddemerket (Floating)

From 5 years and up. The course is held at Bergtunet kindergarten, Møllergata skolebad and Sogn bad

The “Skilpadde” course focuses on the core exercise “floating”, which means the participant will experience and utilize the waters buoyancy. The prerequisite for floating is to submerge your body in the water. This is why floating comes after diving.

After completing the course, the particiant will be able to:

  1. Float on their back and belly
  2. Maintain a straight line on their back and belly
  3. Jump from edge of pool and float controllably
  4. Hold their breath, take deep breaths

No parents in the pool

PS! there may be multiple courses running simultaneously in the pool

You can sign up here

Pingvinmerket (Gliding)

From 5 years and up. This course is held at Møllergate skolebad, At the shallow end of Sogn bad and at Bergtunet Kindergarten. There is a height requirement for Sogn bad which is 120cm.

The penguin courses focus on the basic exercise “gliding”, which means floating while in movement.

After completing the course, the particiant will be able to:

  1. Maintain a controlled line with straight arms
  2. Rotate from their belly too their back with a straight body
  3. Crawl kicks on both belly and back with a kickboard
  4. Dive into pool -> Float back up -> Maintain their line -> Kick -> Turn to back -> Kick

No parents are allowed in the pool

PS! there may be multiple courses running simultaneously in the pool

You can sign up here

Selungemerket (Propulsion)

From 6 years and up. The course is held in a large pool and the participants must be able to float. The course is held at Bergtunet Kindergarten. Møllergata skolebad and Sogn bad.

“Selunge” is the course where we try to transition into fluent swimming. We combine strokes, kick and eventually proper breathing technique. The participants will also attempt real diving form the edge of the pool.

After completing the course, the participant will be able to:

  1. Swim crawl kicks on both belly and back without a kickboard
  2. Swim Crawl and Backstroke
  3. Dive from the edge
  4. Complete a 10 meter crawl and backstroke.

No parents are allowed in the pool

PS! there may be multiple courses running simultaneously in the pool

You can sign up here