BSA Swim Test

We offer private swimming lessons to help your child pass the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) swim test.

BSA Swimmer Test Requirements:

All youth participants are designated as swimmers, beginners, or nonswimmers based on swimming ability confirmed by standardized BSA swim classification tests. Each group is assigned a specific swimming area with depths consistent with those abilities. The classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) swim test requires participants to:

Swimmers pass this test:

  • Jump feet first into water that's over their head 

  • Swim 100 yards continuously, without stopping, and with at least one sharp turn 

  • Swim the first 75 yards using a strong stroke, like the breaststroke, side stroke, trudgen, or crawl 

  • Swim the last 25 yards using an easy backstroke 

  • Rest by floating after completing the swim

Beginners pass this test:

  • Jump feet first into water over the head in depth

  • swim 25 feet on the surface. Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming and return to the starting place.

Anyone who has not completed either the beginner or swimmer tests is classified as a nonswimmer.

The nonswimmer area should be no more than waist to chest deep.