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Water Activities

23 skills across all age groups in this category

The Explorer

The Explorer

Ages 2-3

2 skills

#65 Swimming

Role Model: Michael Phelps
Resource: "How to Swim" (Skills NT YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Comfortable in water, blows bubbles, kicks with support
2
Developing
Floats on back with assistance and kicks to move
3
Mastery
Swims a short distance without assistance
Click to see sub-goals

#385 Swimming Basics

Role Model: Michael Phelps
Resource: Local swim lessons, "Swimming for Dummies"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Comfortable in water, can float with assistance
2
Developing
Swims short distances with basic strokes
3
Mastery
Swims confidently, treads water, and knows basic water safety
Click to see sub-goals
The Apprentice

The Apprentice

Ages 4-5

3 skills

#130 Swimming Proficiency

Role Model: Katie Ledecky
Resource: "How to Swim" (Skills NT YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Swims across pool using basic strokes
2
Developing
Swims in open water, treads water 2+ minutes
3
Mastery
Swims confidently in various conditions
Click to see sub-goals

#131 Kayaking Basics

Role Model: Joe Jacobi
Resource: "How to Kayak for Beginners" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Sits properly in kayak and holds paddle correctly
2
Developing
Paddles kayak in calm water with adult
3
Mastery
Paddles kayak independently in calm water
Click to see sub-goals

#132 Boogie Boarding

Role Model: Mike Stewart and Tom Morey
Resource: "How to Boogie Board" (YouTube) / "The Bodyboard Manual"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Lies on board and rides whitewater to shore
2
Developing
Catches unbroken waves and rides them
3
Mastery
Performs basic maneuvers (bottom turns, cutbacks)
4
Advanced
Rides larger waves and performs aerial maneuvers
Click to see sub-goals
The Maker

The Maker

Ages 6-8

3 skills

#186 Sailing

Role Model: Jessica Watson (solo circumnavigation at 16)
Resource: "Sailing for Kids" (Book)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Rigs a small sailboat independently
2
Developing
Sails upwind and downwind, tacking and gybing
3
Mastery
Capsizes and rights the boat
Click to see sub-goals

#187 Canoeing

Role Model: Bill Mason (legendary canoeist)
Resource: "Path of the Paddle" (Film)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Paddles canoe in calm water with partner
2
Developing
Performs J-stroke and other steering strokes
3
Mastery
Navigates moving water (Class I rapids)
Click to see sub-goals

#188 Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Role Model: Laird Hamilton
Resource: "How to Stand Up Paddle Board" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Balances on paddleboard in calm water
2
Developing
Paddles confidently in various conditions
3
Mastery
Paddleboards for extended distances
Click to see sub-goals
The Innovator

The Innovator

Ages 9-12

11 skills

#255 Advanced Sailing

Role Model: Laura Dekker (youngest solo circumnavigator)
Resource: "One Girl One Dream" (Book)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Skippers a small keelboat
2
Developing
Learns basic navigation rules, uses VHF radio
3
Mastery
Participates in a local sailing race
Click to see sub-goals

#256 Waterskiing/Wakeboarding

Role Model: Shaun Murray
Resource: "How to Waterski" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Puts on skis/board correctly
2
Developing
Gets up and rides for short distances
3
Mastery
Skis/wakeboards confidently, crosses wake
Click to see sub-goals

#257 Snorkeling

Role Model: Jacques Cousteau
Resource: "The Silent World" (Documentary)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Uses mask, snorkel, and fins properly
2
Developing
Snorkels in open water, identifies marine life
3
Mastery
Snorkels confidently in various conditions
Click to see sub-goals

#258 Freediving

Role Model: Guillaume Néry
Resource: "One Breath Around the World" (Film)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Performs breath-hold dives to 10+ feet
2
Developing
Understands freediving physiology, equalization
3
Mastery
Freedives to 20+ feet confidently
Click to see sub-goals

#259 Scuba Diving

Role Model: Sylvia Earle (legendary oceanographer)
Resource: PADI Junior Open Water Diver course

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Completes classroom and pool training
2
Developing
Completes open water dives, obtains certification
3
Mastery
Pursues advanced certifications
Click to see sub-goals

#260 Water Foraging - Shellfish

Role Model: Robert McCloskey
Resource: "Stalking the Blue-Eyed Scallop" by Euell Gibbons / Local foraging guides

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Identifies common edible shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters)
2
Developing
Understands tides, seasons, and safe harvesting areas
3
Mastery
Harvests shellfish legally and safely
4
Advanced
Prepares and cooks shellfish properly
Click to see sub-goals

#261 Water Foraging - Sea Urchin

Role Model: Jacques Cousteau
Resource: "The Sea Urchin Handbook" / Diving and foraging courses

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Identifies edible sea urchin species
2
Developing
Harvests sea urchins while snorkeling or freediving
3
Mastery
Opens and prepares uni (sea urchin roe) properly
4
Advanced
Understands sustainable harvesting practices
Click to see sub-goals

#262 Water Foraging - Seaweed

Role Model: Heidi Herrmann
Resource: "Seaweeds: Edible, Available & Sustainable" / Coastal foraging guides

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Identifies common edible seaweeds (kelp, nori, dulse)
2
Developing
Harvests seaweed sustainably at appropriate tides
3
Mastery
Dries and prepares seaweed for cooking
4
Advanced
Creates seaweed-based dishes and products
Click to see sub-goals

#263 Surfing

Role Model: Duke Kahanamoku (father of modern surfing) / Kelly Slater (11x World Champion)
Resource: "Learn to Surf" (YouTube) / Local surf schools

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Pops up on board and rides whitewater
2
Developing
Catches unbroken waves and rides along the face
3
Mastery
Performs basic maneuvers (bottom turns, top turns)
4
Advanced
Surfs in various conditions and wave types
Click to see sub-goals

#408 Sailing Basics

Role Model: Ellen MacArthur
Resource: "Sailing Fundamentals" by Gary Jobson

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Learns parts of sailboat and basic terminology
2
Developing
Sails small boat with supervision
3
Mastery
Sails independently in light conditions
Click to see sub-goals

#409 Waterskiing

Role Model: Sammy Duvall
Resource: "The Complete Guide to Waterskiing"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Gets up on two skis with assistance
2
Developing
Skis confidently and crosses wake
3
Mastery
Drops a ski and slaloms
Click to see sub-goals
The Polymath

The Polymath

Ages 16-18

2 skills

#349 Offshore Sailing

Role Model: Jessica Watson
Resource: "True Spirit" (Book)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Skippers a keelboat overnight
2
Developing
Provisions a boat for a multi-day passage
3
Mastery
Completes a significant offshore journey
Click to see sub-goals

#350 Professional Diving

Role Model: Sylvia Earle
Resource: PADI Rescue Diver / Divemaster courses

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Achieves PADI Rescue Diver or Divemaster certification
2
Developing
Plans and executes complex dives
3
Mastery
Spearfishes while diving, following all regulations
Click to see sub-goals
The Trailblazer

The Trailblazer

Ages 13-15

2 skills

#424 Sailing Certification

Role Model: Dennis Conner
Resource: US Sailing certification courses

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Enrolls in sailing certification program
2
Developing
Completes required sailing hours
3
Mastery
Earns official sailing certification
Click to see sub-goals

#425 Spearfishing

Role Model: Kimi Werner
Resource: "Spearfishing" by Terry Maas

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Learns freediving and breath-hold techniques
2
Developing
Practices with pole spear in safe conditions
3
Mastery
Successfully harvests fish while spearfishing
Click to see sub-goals

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