What does achieving the blue star swim benchmark indicate?

Achieving the blue star swim benchmark indicates a swimmer's capability to enter the water, submerge their body, and surface without assistance. This benchmark is essential as it reflects a fundamental level of comfort and safety in the water. It demonstrates that the swimmer has developed the skills necessary to manage their own buoyancy and to navigate underwater, which are crucial for ensuring their own safety during swimming activities. This benchmark serves as a foundational skill, allowing students to build further on their swimming abilities in subsequent levels or benchmarks, such as learning more complex strokes or handling different water conditions.