Start of main Content
Group of children in a swimming lesson

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!

Young boy learning to swim in pool

November 2024 Course

Weekly lessons from 23 November 2024 to 28 February 2025

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

For men and women 14 years old and over

Adult Beginner
For non-swimmers working on water confidence across widths of the Minor Pool (7 metres), progressing to longer distances. The focus is on confidence and technique over multiple strokes.
Class ratio 1:12, water depth 1.2 metres.

Adult Improver 
Swimmers must be able to swim a 25 metre length and be confident enough in the water to put their face in and fully submerge. Swimmers will be working towards swimming all 4 strokes over lengths.
Class ratio 1:10. Lesson takes place in the Main Pool in a water depth of 1.4 metres.

Adult Advanced
Swimming multiple lengths, developing good stroke technique and building stamina across multiple strokes.
Class ratio 1:10. Lesson takes place in the Main Pool in a water depth of 1.6 metres.

Adult Mixed
These lessons follow the same format as Ripples to Stroke & Stamina but are structured to reflect the different needs and abilities of adult non-swimmers and improvers. Lessons take place in the Minor Pool with a ratio of 1:12.

Course Dates and Enrolment

2024/25 Course Dates
CourseDateWeeksEnrolment for new pupils
November 202423 November to 28 February12Opens online 22 November
March 20251 March to 30 May12Opens online 28 February
June 202531 May to 29 August12Opens online 30 May

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

Lesson Price

Lesson Prices from September 2024
LessonsPer LessonMonthly by Direct Debit
Baby Wave
Toddler Wave
Juniors
£7.50£30
Adults£8£32

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. Belongings must not be left in the cubicles whilst lessons are taking place.

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 not permitted on poolside.

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