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Swimming Lessons
Lessons for all ages and abilities, from the very young, to those who might think they are too old to learn - don't worry, you're not!
Current Lessons
View timetable and application information for current or next available lessons.
Learning to swim with us
Delivered by friendly, professional teachers, our swimming lessons build confidence in swimmers of all ages and abilities - babies to adults, complete beginners to improvers.
Lessons run in courses of 10 weeks from September to June, starting in September, November, February and April. During July and August weekly Crash Course lessons are available.
We endeavour to provide the same teacher throughout your course when possible. Lessons for the youngest pupils take place in our Minor Pool which is separate from the Main Pool, so it is quiet and more conducive to learning with an ideal pool temperature for teaching.
Follow pupil progress on our Swim Portal.
See below for a description of our lessons and view the timetable for the current course.
Which lesson should I pick?
New pupils can join in the first four weeks of a course. Toddler Wave, Ripples and Personal Survival pupils move to the next level when 100% assessment is achieved at their current level.
Please see our levels below and the skills taught at each.
Lesson Levels
See the teacher/pupil ratios and skills taught at each level.
Baby Wave - 3 months to 18 months
Involves babies and parent/carer in the Minor Pool.
This gives young ones a gentle introduction to water. Parents/carers and children learn skills to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the pool.
Please note: children under 3 months will not be allowed in lessons.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Baby Wave - 18 months to 3 years
Involves babies and parent/carer in the Minor Pool
Children continue to develop their water skills until they are able to submerge and swim unaided.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Toddler Wave
For 3 to 5 year olds new to the pool and non-swimmers, lessons take place in the Minor Pool.
Armbands used.
An introduction to the pool. Children learn water confidence and propulsive skills they need to progress to Toddler Wave 1.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 1.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Toddler Wave 1
For 3 to 5 year olds, non-swimmers, lessons take place in the Minor Pool.
Armbands used.
Children develop their water skills, swimming a width of the pool on their front, then their back to progress to Toddler Wave 2.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 2.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Toddler Wave 2
For 3 to 5 year olds, swimmers in the Minor Pool. No armbands.
An introduction to the frontcrawl. Children swim front and back unaided to progress to Toddler Wave 3.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples, pupils under that age move to Toddler Wave 3.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Toddler Wave 3
For 3 to 5 year olds, swimmers in the Minor Pool. No armbands.
Development of frontcrawl and backcrawl skills to 3 metres.
Those in Primary 1 move to Ripples 1, pupils under that age stay in Toddler Wave 3.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Ripples
Non-swimmers in the Minor Pool
For children in Primary 1 and above. This introduces pupils to the pool environment and develops their confidence in water. They must demonstrate a 3 metres swim on their front unaided to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Ripples 1
Swimmers in the Minor Pool
For school age children. This class develops frontcrawl skills. Children must swim 5 metres frontcrawl to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Ripples 2
For school age children. More development of frontcrawl and breathing skills. Pupils must swim one width frontcrawl with correct breathing to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Ripples 3
Swimmers in the Minor Pool
For school age children. This class develops backcrawl and refines frontcrawl to 10 metres to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Ripples 4
Swimmers in the Minor Pool
Develops butterfly and continued development of front and backcrawl to 15 metres to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Ripples 5
Swimmers in the Minor Pool
Develops breaststroke and continued development of front and backcrawl to 20 metres to progress.
Lesson ratio 1:12
Ripples 6
Main Pool, deep water
Lessons take place in 2 metres deep water to ensure swimmers are competent in deep water before they progress to Personal Survival Bronze.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Personal Survival Bronze, Silver & Gold
Main Pool. Clothes worn throughout the lesson
Successful completion of personal survival at Bronze level leads on to the Silver and Gold levels. All three require a clothed skills assessment - T shirt at Bronze and Silver level and long sleeved top at Gold level. Those achieving Gold can progress to Stroke & Stamina.
Bronze level lessons take place in 2 metres deep water to ensure swimmers are competent in deep water before they progress.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Stroke & Stamina Training
For swimmers able to swim 100 metres Frontcrawl without stopping.
Pupils receive instruction on how to improve their stroke technique whilst swimming drills. Stamina improved through gradual progression in distance for aerobic fitness.
Lesson ratio 1:10
Adults 14 year olds & over
Beginner and Improver lessons in the Minor and Main Pool
These lessons follow the same format as Ripples to Stroke & Stamina but they are structured to reflect the different needs and abilities of adult non-swimmers and improvers.
Beginner and Mixed lessons take place in the Minor Pool with a ratio of 1:12
Improver lessons take place in the Main Pool with a ratio of 1:10
Course Dates and Enrolment
Our Waves Swim Programme runs from September to June.
2023/24 Course Dates |
Crash Course Swimming Lessons Weeks of: 3, 17, 24 and 31 July, 7 and 14 August Click here for timetable and enrolment details. |
Enrolment
New Pupils - application for lessons for those new to the programme opens online a few weeks before the course starts. Details for each course can be found on the Lesson Timetable page.
Existing Pupils
Pupils already in lessons will be automatically moved up or held in their current level for the next course.
Pupils must inform the complex if they do not wish to continue to the next course by emailing leisure@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Payment and Price
Lesson Prices from September 2022 |
Baby Wave, Toddler Wave, Juniors Monthly direct debit payment: £26.52 Based on £6.80 per lesson |
Adults Monthly direct debit payment: £28.66 Based on £7.35 per lesson |
We are unable to issue refunds under any circumstances.
Please refer to the Leisure Admissions Policy for terms and conditions of lesson payments and membership.
Free swims - one weekly free swim in the Main or Minor pool public sessions is available to all pupils enrolled in lessons on production of their membership card. Parents of pupils aged 4 years or under may swim for free when accompanying their child and on production of the child's membership card.
For your information
Follow Progress Online - parents/guardians can follow their child’s progress on the online Swim Portal.
Pool Changing - is located in the Aqua Zone.
For lessons in the Minor Pool changing is in the blue zone, located immediately left when entering the Aqua Zone. Access to the Minor Pool is from this area.
For lessons in the Main Pool changing is in the purple and green zones with access to the Main Pool via the yellow showers.
No Outdoor Footwear Policy
To improve the hygiene of the Aqua Zone a No Outdoor Footwear policy is in place.
All footwear worn on arrival to the complex must be changed before entering the Aqua Zone.
Seats are provided outside the entrance to the zone to sit on to take off your shoes. You may bring ‘clean’ footwear (flipflops, sliders or sandals) to use while in the changing area. Please ensure you bring all your belongings into the zone when ready.
When leaving the Aqua Zone please remember not to put your outdoor shoes on until outside the zone.
Lockers - our lockers are operated using £1 coin, which is refunded.
Buggies/prams - to limit cross contamination and congestion in the Aqua Zone, where possible buggies/prams should be left in the Buggie Park at the bottom of the stairs on the ground floor.
Spectating - Toddler Wave lessons - parents may stay poolside in the spectator area. Ripples lessons - in the interest of pupils’ progress, parents/guardians are only allowed on poolside for 15 minutes in the first and last weeks of lessons. Please note: due to current Covid-19 regulations parents are not permitted poolside at any time for Ripples lessons.
Please refer to our Admissions Policy for full details.
Please Note: The pool temperature will be between 27 degrees and 32 degrees and the air temperature between 28 degrees and 31 degrees for all lessons. Changing facilities will be maintained to agreed standards at all times.
Terms and Conditions
Full terms and conditions for swimming lessons are available in the Waves Swim Programme (swimming lessons) section in the Leisure Admissions Policy