Learn To Swim
- Garnock CC small pool will remain closed today, Thursday 30th November due to low pool temperatures. Swimming lessons will also be cancelled.
- The small pool at Vikingar will remain closed today, Wednesday 29th November. Swimming lessons will run as normal
- The small pool at Auchenharvie will be closed this evening, Monday 27th November
- There will be no public swimming after 2.30pm at The Portal on Saturday 2nd December due to a private booking
- The Fun Run is back at The Portal on Friday 1st December 7.30-8.30pm. No floats or public swimming sessions will run at this time.
Learn to Swim with KA Leisure
For parents, encouraging your child to learn to swim is one of the most important skills you will teach them. If you get children interested in swimming when they’re young there’s a good chance they’ll enjoy the water for the rest of their life and remain safe, fit and healthy.
Scottish Swimming’s Learn to Swim National Framework provides a clear set of National Standards and a pathway which allows parents to see how their child is progressing, and what this actually means in terms of their swimming ability.
Read on to learn more about the pathway or contact your local facility reception or complete the registration form to be added to our waiting lists.
Our Learn to Swim programme is extremely popular and places are in high demand. When registering for our lessons, you are securing a place on the waiting list at your chosen venue. Due to the high demand, waiting list times can vary and we aim to get all customers in as promptly as possible, thank you for your patience.
The Pathway
Children move through our progressive pathway from Pre-School to Swim Skills 1–4 to Club Ready, learning the basic skills through to water competence and technical efficiency. Please see below for details.
Pre-School
For children aged 3-5 (not at school), your child will work independently learning through structured play and will develop their water confidence and ability to perform a range of aquatic skills without the support of buoyancy aids.
Swim Skills 1
An introductory level aimed at developing water confidence of children with little/no prior experience of learning to swim. This class is for children who have started primary school and who are new to swimming or for those who are not yet swimming confidently over 3 metres unaided.
Aim: To develop water confidence and core aquatic skills without aids.
Objectives:
- Develop confidence and ability to perform a wide range of core aquatic skills without buoyancy aids
- Develop the basic technique of the four strokes
- Introduce the basic technique of sculling
- Develop balance and buoyancy through a variety of activities.
Swim Skills 1 (8 years +)
An introductory level aimed at developing water confidence of children with little/no prior experience of learning to swim. This class is for children 8 years and over who are new to swimming or for those who are not yet swimming confidently over 3 meters unaided.
Swim Skills 2
In Swim Skills 2, children will increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique without aids. This class is for children aged 5 years and above. This class is suitable for children who understand stroke technique and who can swim 10 metres front crawl and back crawl as well as attempting breaststroke and butterfly leg actions.
Aim: To increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique.
Objectives:
- Introduce and progress new core aquatic skills
- Develop stroke technique to include all four strokes
- Introduction to diving (pool permitting)
- Develop awareness and feel for the water through a variety of core aquatic skills.
Swim Skills 3
Children who are competent at swimming 15 meters in a ‘recognisable’ stroke e.g. front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke, will be introduced to a more advanced stroke technique. Children will continue to develop a quality technique while gradually increasing distance.
Aim: To increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique.
Objectives:
- Introduce and progress new core aquatic skills
- Develop stroke technique to include all four strokes
- Introduction to diving (pool permitting)
- Develop awareness and feel for the water through a variety of core aquatic skills.
Swim Skills 4
Children who can maintain the correct technique over 25m in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke and can demonstrate basic butterfly. Children will continue to develop a quality technique while gradually increasing distance.
Aim: To improve the quality of stroke technique, introduce multi-aquatic skills/disciplines and basic lifesaving skills.
Objectives:
- To demonstrate competent technique in all four strokes
- Introduce lifesaving skills and basic aquatic discipline skills
- To provide basic skills to enable progression in to all aquatic disciplines including lifesaving.
Club Ready
Strokes, distance, and technique will be developed as well as an introduction to starts, turns, diving, racing and a club environment. Club Ready class will be a 50-minute session.
Aim: To improve and maintain stroke technique over distance and develop basic training and race skills producing a swimmer who is ready to progress to a swimming club.
Objectives:
- Increase swimming stamina in all four strokes while maintaining technique
- Improve efficiency in all four strokes
- Develop turn technique for all four strokes
- Knowledge and understanding of club training practices in a variety of core aquatic skills.
Adult Lessons
It’s never too late to consider learning to swim or returning to the pool after a long time away. We have lessons for all abilities that focus on what you want to achieve (swimming for health, overcoming fear of water etc) These sessions can be used for building up water confidence, learning to swim or for developing pre-existing swim skills by enhancing stroke and swim technique.
Swimming Lesson FAQ’s
I am new to the area, and I am interested in learning to swim.
Complete an application on our website; Learn to swim registration form – KA Leisure or using our QR code available at all of our reception area’s to be registered onto our waiting list and we will contact you when spaces at your chosen pool become available.
What if I am new to the area and I have participated in lessons before?
Telephone reception or use the QR code or website link at Learn to swim registration form – KA Leisure and leave these details in the info box. We will contact you to arrange an assessment.
When are the re-enrolment forms distributed?
The Scottish Swimming LTS framework is based on ongoing assessment so there are no re-enrolment periods, as long as you are paying the monthly DD your child will be on the system until you decide otherwise.
How do I pay for lessons?
You will sign up to the LTS programme at the cost £25.00 per month, this guarantees 48 weeks of lessons over the course of the year. This can be cancelled at anytime by putting it writing to customerservice@kaleisure.com
How does my child progress and what options are available if they need to change class?
As assessments are ongoing, if your child meets the exit criteria to move up a level, the Teacher will give you a movers form which you can take to reception, and they will let you know the dates and times of the classes that are available to you. We cannot always guarantee that these classes will be on the same day and time as the current session you are booked but we will always try to be as accommodating as possible.
What happens if I don’t get my 1st or 2nd choice?
We will try and accommodate you as much as possible and while it’s unlikely you won’t find a place with either your first or second choice, we will do what we can and move you to a more suitable slot if it becomes available.
When do I make payment for the next course?
Payments are taken on an ongoing basis on the first of every month. Your first payment will be prorated to the week you join.
What if I miss a payment?
If for any reason, there are no funds in your account we will attempt payment again on the 15th of the month. Failure to ensure sufficient funds are available could lead to additional administrative charges.
When do I receive my achievement certificate?
When your child has completed all of the necessary criteria at the current level, they will then receive the appropriate certification prior to progressing to the next stage.
If I miss more than 1 course of lessons do I have to be re-assessed or do I return to the level I was last in?
In most cases you will return to the class you left but if you feel you would prefer to be re-assessed please inform us when you register for lessons again.
I am 3, 4, 5 years of age. What class should I enrol for?
If your child is 3 or 4 and not at School then they should enrol for Pre School-Level. If your Child is 5 (or 4 and already attending School) then you should re-enrol for Swim Skills 1.
Why have I not been moved up a class?
You must meet the agreed criteria for your present class before progressing to the next stage. Scottish Swimming focus on stroke technique and skill across all the different strokes.
Can I stay in the same class if I don’t feel I am ready to move up?
If the instructor recommends you progress to the next stage you must do so. To remain in the present class and have met the necessary criteria will only restrict your future progress.
What refunds are available should my child not complete the course or be unable to attend some sessions?
Only under very extenuating circumstances (i.e. injury or illness) and upon receipt of verification from your G.P will refunds be offered.
What if my child is unable to settle in at lessons?
It is not unusual, especially amongst children attending entry level lessons for the first time for them to feel nervous, apprehensive, or scared. Our teachers are used to dealing with this and will always try to encourage any child.
It’s my first time at lessons and the class appears unorganised?
Especially in classes with youngsters at entry level, it is often the first time they have participated in a structured group activity, 30 minutes is a long time to concentrate, and it can take kids and the class a couple of sessions to find its rhythm.
Why has my child been asked to sit out?
If a child becomes disruptive during a class, a teacher may give them a “time out” for a few moments. Lessons should be fun but misbehaviour/failure to take instruction can lead to disruption for other pupils. This is a temporary measure and is not a major issue. If we do have any lasting concerns with regards to behaviour, we will speak to parents.
At Lessons will I always have the same teacher?
Due to the very nature of these lessons we strive to be consistent with teachers, however like any other Part Time Employee, they will be entitled to periods of leave. In these circumstances we will endeavour to provide qualified cover. If for any other reason a teachers availability changes, again we will work towards providing a new teacher, however this can result in teacher changes over the short term.
Please be aware Teachers can often change when a child progresses to the next level.
Once my child feels comfortable in the main pool why should I continue to attend the later stages of Learn to Swim?
SS3 and SS4 play an important part in developing the basic swim skills your child has acquired at the earlier stages of their swim development, these classes will ensure they will be able to build up stamina, confidence and develop their own fitness, allowing them to swim further and in all depths, further enhancing the enjoyability of swimming whilst potentially opening up the opportunity to take this life skill and utilise it for swimming in a club ready environment.
Find Our More and Signup
Contact your local facility to find out more and sign up