What is the ABC swim diploma?

If you're an expat parent, this system may be new. In many countries, there's no national standard for kids' swimming — but in the Netherlands, the ABC Zwemdiploma is the official benchmark for water safety.

This isn't something most of us are used to, so here’s a clear layout of what the Dutch expect, how it works, and why it matters.

The Zwemdiploma A, B, and C are part of the Nationale Zwemdiploma system the official Dutch standard for swimming proficiency. It's governed by Nationale Raad Zwemveiligheid (NRZ) and is meant to make sure children are truly water-safe, especially in a country full of canals, lakes, and pools.

The Three Diplomas: What They Mean?

Diploma A – Basic Survival

• Entry-level diploma (usually achieved around age 5-6).

• Focus: self-rescue, basic strokes, orientation in water.

• Skills:

  • Jump in, swim 50 meters (breaststroke and backstroke), go underwater.

  • Retrieve an object from chest-deep water.

  • Swim with clothes on (shirt, shorts, shoes).

• Goal: Survive if they fall into water and swim to safety.

Diploma B – Expanded Skills

• Builds on A.

• Focus: Endurance and added control in the water.

• Skills:

  • Swim 75 meters (multiple strokes), float, rotate, swim underwater.

  • Clothes: longer swims fully clothed (shirt, pants, shoes).

• Goal: Handle more complex water situations with confidence.

Diploma C – Full Water Safety

• Final diploma in the ABC sequence.

• Often considered the “real water safety” level.

• Skills:

  • Swim 100+ meters, dive through a hole in a sail, swim underwater 9 meters.

  • Handle emergencies like unexpected falls and swimming in clothes.

• Required for some public water activities (sailing camps, canoeing, etc.).

How Kids Learn?

• Lessons usually start from age 4 or 5 (I personally think starting at 6 is better).

• Most swim schools use weekly lessons, typically 30–45 minutes.

• It takes 6 months to 2 years to get diploma A depending on age, frequency, and readiness.

• B and C go faster, often a few months each.

• Some schools offer fast tracks or year-long ABC programs.

What Kids Learn?

• Water orientation: Jumping in, turning in water, getting to the edge.

• Clothed swimming: Because falling in the canals won’t happen in a swimsuit.

• Breaststroke, backstroke, and some elementary front crawl.

• Underwater skills: Eyes open, breath control, navigating obstacles.

• Rescue basics: Floating, signaling for help.

Why It Matters?

• Insurance and school trips sometimes ask for Diploma A, B, or C.

• Many Dutch parents won’t let their kid do water activities without at least Diploma B.

• It's not just about “learning to swim” it's about not drowning in a country surrounded by water.

How Can Cub Club Help?

At Cub Club, we don’t award the official ABC diploma but we do prepare kids to succeed in diploma courses, and to be safe, confident swimmers. Here's how:

✅ Preparation Courses for Diploma Swimming

• We teach foundational skills that match ABC diploma requirements:

  • Floating, rotation, breath control.

  • Basic strokes: breaststroke, backstroke.

  • Water safety.

  • Comfort with underwater swimming.

• Our courses help younger children (0–4) build the right skills early so when they start formal ABC lessons, they're ahead of the game.

• For older kids (4–6) we focus on:

  • Technique refinement.

  • Confidence without parents in the water.

✅ One-on-One Lessons

• Tailored support for kids who need extra help:

  • Fear of water.

  • Difficulty with certain skills (floating, submerging, strokes).

  • Neurodivergent or special needs learners.

• Private sessions mean we work at your child's pace, with zero pressure.

Bottom Line

If you want your child to walk into ABC lessons with a head start, or if they’re struggling in regular group classes, Cub Club can bridge that gap. We’re not here to hand out diplomas, we’re here to make sure your child can actually swim safely, confidently, and happily.