Skills Tracking and Reporting
Learn how Seal Swimming tracks swimmer progress using SplashChecks — our 1–5 star skill rating system. Find out what each rating means, how to view evaluations in the Swim Portal, and how skill tracking supports level progression.
Understanding SplashChecks: Your Guide to 1–5 Star Ratings
At Seal Swimming, we believe in celebrating progress — not just outcomes. That's why we use SplashChecks, our simple, swimmer-friendly system to track skill development and keep families informed every step of the way.
What's a SplashCheck?
A SplashCheck is a quick, skill-based evaluation completed by your swimmer's swim teacher during lessons. It's like a mini progress report — designed to show how your swimmer is developing key skills in their current level. SplashChecks help us:
- Celebrate every achievement (big and small)
- Identify areas where your swimmer might need a little extra support
- Track growth week by week, not just at the end of a session
They're not tests — they're positive, encouraging snapshots of your swimmer's journey.
What Do the Ratings Mean?
We use an easy-to-understand 1–5 star system for each key skill in your swimmer's current level:
| Stars | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ★ | Just starting to learn this skill — keep practising |
| ★★ | Showing improvement, but still building consistency |
| ★★★ | Competent and gaining confidence — almost there |
| ★★★★ | Nearly mastered — just fine-tuning needed |
| ★★★★★ | Skill fully mastered — ready for the next challenge |
Most swimmers will have a mix of stars across different skills, and that's perfectly normal. We celebrate the journey, not just the finish line.
How to View Your Swimmer's SplashChecks
You can track your swimmer's progress anytime through the Swim Portal:
- Log into your Seal Swimming account
- Go to the Account section
- Click the Star Icon (Evaluations)
- View your swimmer's most recent SplashCheck and skill ratings
You'll also see swim teacher comments and updates on how your swimmer is doing in class.
Which Programs Use SplashChecks?
SplashChecks are used across our swim programs wherever structured skill progression applies:
- Seal Pups — foundational water comfort and independence skills
- Swim Stars (3–5) — early stroke development and water safety
- Swim Stars (5–12) — progressive levels with detailed skill tracking
- Swim Squads — advanced technique and performance milestones
- Teen and Adult Swim Training — goal-based skill tracking for older swimmers
How Skills Align with Level Progression
Each of our swim levels has a defined set of skills that swimmers work towards. When a swimmer achieves 5 stars across all skills in their level, they're ready to progress to the next stage. You can learn more about our curriculum and skill expectations in our Curriculum Goals and Objectives article.
Have Questions?
We love talking about progress. If you'd like help understanding your swimmer's evaluation, or want to talk more about next steps, just contact us or speak to a Shift Lead on site. You can also read about our Teaching Methodologies to understand how our swim teachers support skill development in every lesson.
Progress Happens One Splash at a Time
Every swimmer's journey is different — but each star is a sign of growth, courage, and fun. Thank you for trusting us to guide your swimmer's success, one splash at a time.
Related answers
Know before you swim
How we keep swimmers safe
Lifeguards, assistant lifeguards and swim teachers on every shift, with one team leader per deck and Water Safety Standards taught at every level.
Read our safety protocolsReady to find a class?
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