What is the goal of the yellow star swim benchmark?

The yellow star swim benchmark is focused on developing essential water safety skills, particularly the ability to enter the water, submerge, and safely return to the wall. This benchmark emphasizes a swimmer's comfort with being in the water and teaches critical self-rescue skills. Submerging and returning to the wall are fundamental components that help build a swimmer’s confidence and competency in the water, effectively preparing them for more advanced swimming skills and safety practices.

While swimming in a straight line, floating on the back, and performing strokes without stopping are valuable skills in their own right, they do not capture the core objective of the yellow star benchmark. The emphasis on entering and submerging highlights the importance of safety and the ability to respond to emergencies in water, which is crucial for swimmers at any level.