Examination requirements swimming proficiency diplomas
On this page, you can consult the examination requirements of the swimming proficiency diplomas (zwemvaardigheidsdiploma’s).
We have conveniently put together the clothing requirements for the various diplomas on another page.
Zwemvaardigheid 1
Clothed swimming
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice (going completely under water) then treading water, making a buoyancy device out of a plastic bag (brought or thrown) and staying afloat with it for 30 seconds, completing the test by climbing out of the water onto the pool edge independently (without using a ladder or the aid of others).
- Diving into the water from the pool edge or a starting block, swimming underwater through a hole in a tarp hanging vertically in the water 9 metres from the (starting) edge, then swimming breaststroke through to 25 metres, followed by 50 metres of single backstroke, interrupted by 2 backward somersaults, then 50 metres of breaststroke, interrupted twice by: swimming under a raft in longitudinal direction (at least 1.5 metres), then climbing on it and getting off on the opposite side and swimming under the raft again, completing the test by climbing independently out of the water onto the pool edge.
- In pairs: Using a flexibeam or lesson board, pull a participant lying in the water to the pool edge.
In swimwear
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice and swimming 150 metres of breaststroke, making at least 2 turns, from the competitive sport.
- Starting in the water (hands on the bar, pool edge or starting block) and swimming 25 metres of samengestelde rugslag (a double arm variant of elementary backstroke).
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 25 metres of crawl (freestyle).
- Starting in the water (hands on bar, pool edge or starting block) with competition start and swim 25 metres of backstroke.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 8 metres of (beginner’s) butterfly.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice, swimming a number of breaststroke strokes, followed by a pike surface dive and then touching 3 pawns at least 2 metres below the surface.
- In the water in the supine position, wriggle 5 metres in the direction of the head; then make a crouching turn (360º).
- In the water in pairs passing the ball 4x.
- Start in the water and swim 10 metres of polo crawl, then 30 seconds of non-symmetrical water treading.

Zwemvaardigheid 2
Clothed swimming
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a leap forward (going completely underwater), making a buoyancy device out of a plastic bag (brought or thrown) and staying afloat with it for 1 minute, completing the test by climbing out of the water on to the pool edge independently (without using a ladder or the aid of others).
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a dive and swimming under water through a hole in a tarp hanging vertically in the water at 9 metres from the (starting) edge, then (without surfacing) touching a pylon at 12 metres (from the starting edge), then swimming breaststroke up to 25 metres, followed by 50 metres single backstroke, interrupted once by a somersault forward at the water surface and a somersault backwards, then 50 metres breaststroke, with the following element being performed once in pairs: participant A and B swim towards each other, participant A puts hands on participant B’s shoulders and pushes participant B briefly underwater while swimming over him/her. Participant B swims under participant A, completing trial by independently climbing out of the water onto the pool edge.
- In pairs. Enter the water from the shore with a squat jump with a flexibeam or lesson board in hand, then grab the pool edge, let flexibeam or lesson board be grabbed by the participant lying in the water and pull him/her to the shore.
In swimwear
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice and swimming 175 metres of breaststroke, making a minimum of 2 turns from the competition sport.
- Starting in the water (hands on the bar, pool edge or starting block) and swimming 50 metres of samengestelde rugslag (a double armed variant of elementary backstroke).
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 50 metres of crawl (freestyle).
- Starting in the water (hands on bar, pool edge or starting block) with competition start and swimming 50 metres of backstroke.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 10 metres of butterfly.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice, then swimming a number of breaststroke strokes, subsequently making a pike surface dive and then swimming underwater through 2 standing hoops at least 1.5 metres below the water surface at a distance of 2 metres.
- In the water in the supine position, wriggle (push) 5 metres in the direction of the feet, then make a crouched turn (360º) clockwise, stretch and a crouched turn (360º) counterclockwise.
- Start in the water and swim 10 metres of polo crawl with the ball.
- 30 seconds of non-symmetrical water treading and on signal come up 3 times.

Zwemvaardigheid 3
Clothed swimming
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump forward (going completely underwater) then treading water, making a buoyancy device out of a plastic bag (brought or thrown in) and using this to stay afloat for 30 seconds, then going underwater, emptying the plastic bag, coming back up and filling it with air again and floating for 30 seconds, completing the test by climbing out of the water onto the pool edge independently (without using a ladder or the aid of others).
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a dive and swimming underwater through a hole in a tarp hanging vertically in the water at 9 metres from the (starting) edge, then (without surfacing) touching a pylon at 15 metres (from the starting edge), hereafter swimming breaststroke up to 25 metres, followed by 50 metres single backstroke, interrupted once by two backward and two forward rolls, then 50 metres breaststroke, interrupted by: a pike surface dive, swimming underwater through a hoop, making a half-turn around the longitudinal axis to supine position and thus surfacing, finishing the test by climbing independently out of the water onto the pool edge.
- In pairs. Entering the water from the edge in a crouch jump with a flexibeam or board in hand, having the participant who is at least 10 metres from the shore in the water grab the flexibeam or board and pull them 10 metres backwards to the shore.
In swimwear
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice and swimming 200 metres of breaststroke, making a minimum of 3 turns from the competition sport.
- Starting in the water (hands on the bar, pool edge or starting block) and swimming 75 metres of samengestelde rugslag (A double armed variant of elementary backstroke).
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 75 metres of crawl (freestyle), making at least 1 tumbling turn.
- Starting in the water (hands on the bar, pool edge or starting block) with competition start and swimming 75 metres of backstroke, making at least 1 turn from competition sport.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a starting dive and swimming 15 metres of butterfly.
- Entering the water from the pool edge or a starting block with a jump of your choice, swimming a number of breaststroke strokes, then a pike surface dive and then lifting a hoop (lying horizontally on the bottom, at least 2 metres deep) from the bottom, swimming through it and then returning to the surface.
- In the water in the supine position, wriggle 5 metres in the direction of the head, followed by a crouching backward somersault.
- Start in the water and swim side by side in pairs 10 metres polo-crawl with ball, passing the ball to each other twice.
- 30 seconds of non-symmetrical water treading and passing the ball at least 3 times from one hand to the other, well above the water surface.

