Learn to swim

Change your life...

Regular swimming will make you fitter and improve your health, it’s a very sociable activity and a great way to meet new friends and a wonderful way to play with your family.

It’s a perfect way to relax and de-stress yourself, learning to swim keeps you safe in and around water and it’s fun!

Download our Learn to Swim booklet to see what's on offer...

Learn to swim with us

National teaching plan for swimming

The national teaching plan provides a fun learning environment.

There are 10 stages:

seven core stages which develop basic swimming skills
three further stages which include mini polo, diving, synchronised swimming, rookie lifeguard and competitive swimming.

What are the benefits?

Competence, confidence and fun in the water - plus safe swimming.

We also hope you’ll enjoy a healthier lifestyle & a lifelong love of swimming.

Junior lessions

Aquababes (five months to three years old)

A foundation level programme for developing early water confidence which is encouraged through adult and child lessons. The emphasis is on development of basic movement skills andintroducing your child to the water through fun and games.

Tadpoles (three to five years)

Develop the skills learnt in Aquababes and begin to gain confidence without armbands

Puffins (four and half to five years)

A stepping stone between Tadpoles and Stage 1. This class is also helpful for nervous non-swimmers and some children with special needs.

Stage 1

Develop basic safety awareness, basic movement skills and water confidence, swimmers may use armbands and floats.

Stage 2

Basic floating, travel front & back to a distance of approximately five metres, rotation, developing underwater skills.

Stage 3

Developing safe entry into and out of the water, underwater skills, travelling up to 10 metres, front and back.

Progressing rotation skills and water safety knowledge. All assessments without aids or support.

Stage 4

Swim 10 metres, showing improved, technique. Develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills.

Stage 5

Introduction and development of deep water skills such as sculling and treading water, further improvement of strokes over 10 metres.

Stage 6

Co-ordinating strokes, swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of your choice and developing water safety skills.

Stage 7

Develop quality stroke technique up to 100 metres. Combine the skills you’ve learnt already into a linked routine. Complete an obstacle course using a variety of skills.

Once the swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe throughout these stages, the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in different aquatic disciplines in stages 8 – 10.

Personal survival

Learn basic survival skills in the water, including swimming fully clothed. Also builds stamina.

Stages 8 to 10

Fundamental sport skills:

Aquafun - Synchronised Swimming
Mini Polo - Water Polo
Flip n Fun - Diving (Victoria Park only)
Rookie Lifeguard
Introduction to Competitive Swimming

Adult lessons

Adult lessons are aimed at all ages and abilities – from the very nervous non-swimmer to those wishing to improve their strokes.

Lessons are at the swimmers own pace, in a friendly atmosphere, with experienced teachers.

One to one lessons

One to one lessons are aimed at both adults and children and are useful to:

help the long term non-swimmer move on to the next stage
give confidence and support to nervous swimmers by having a teacher in the water with them
teach water safety skills to swimmers unable to work in mainstream lessons
improve stroke technique for advanced swimmers
for adults who may never have learnt to swim.