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Belfast - swim school

Learn to Swim with Better

Thinking of taking the plunge and learning to swim?

Whether you’re learning for the first time, or you just want to improve your technique, we have the lesson to suit you in a fun and safe environment.

Our full and varied programme means that we offer lessons for children as young as three years old right through to adulthood.

The programme is delivered by our experienced swimming instructors and you can choose from one-to-one or group swimming lessons.

Teach your child a life skill from as little as £4.70 per lesson (£18 per month direct debit).  Our Swim School pupils get a weekly swimming lesson and also benefit from full use of our swimming pools as part of their membership.  

Enrolling in the Better swim couldn’t be easier. You can book online today. 

 

BOOK SWIMMING LESSONS 

Swim school programme

Our swim school is a continuous 46 week rolling programme, with a break at Easter, July and the Christmas period.

You can book your child on to a lesson without any assessment at any time of the year.  As each child progresses they will be moved up through the stages.  Our swimming instructors will update your child’s progress through our website so you can check your child’s progress online by registering to the home portal.

Assessments

Pupils can move to the next stage at their own pace, but the assessment of each pupil is completed by the swimming coach on a weekly basis.

Find out what stage you or your child is at by downloading the swimming lesson course structure.

Pupils will move onto the next stage as soon as they pass the assessment criteria for their current stage. You will be contacted by a Better member of staff when a space becomes available for your child to move onto the next stage of our Better swim school.

The current days and times of stage levels do not change, except in exceptional circumstances.

One to one swimming lessons

If you prefer a one to one swimming lesson, our qualified swimming instructors are available at a time and day to suit you.

From just £15 per half hour, you or your child will be able to learn and improve stroke, technique and confidence over a short period of time.

To find out more information, please email belfastswimminglessons@gll.org with your name, day and time that you are available, your age, your preferred leisure centre pool, any special requirements you may have and how you found out about the Better swimming lessons.

Learn to Swim Framework

 

Level

Entry requirements

ASA Learn to Swim Award

Adult & Infant

This class is aimed at infants from 3 months until they are able to walk with no support from an adult. An adult must accompany the child in the water. The lesson focuses on promoting early water confidence and basic motor skills in a fun and friendly environment.

Discovery Duckling 1 and 2

Adult & Toddler

This class is aimed at Toddlers who can walk with no support from an adult up to 3 years old. An adult must accompany the child in the water. The lesson focuses on promoting early water confidence, basic motor skills and introduces independent movement in a fun and friendly environment.

Discovery Duckling 3 and 4

Pre School 1

This class is aimed at children between 3 – 5 years who are new to swimming lessons or are not yet water confident e.g. unable to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided.

Duckling 1 and 2

I CAN Awards:

Enter the water

Exit the water

Blow bubbles

Float on front

Float on back

Pre School 2

This class is aimed at children between 3 – 4 years who have previously attended adult and child swimming lessons or are water confident e.g. able to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided and paddle/kick a short distance unaided.

Duckling 3 and 4

I CAN Awards:

Roll over

Swim

Enter-turn-return

Jump in

Stage 1

For children 5 years and over who are new to swimming lessons and are not yet water confident e.g. unable to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided.

Stage 1

Stage 2

For children 4 years old and over who have passed Pre School 2 or Stage 1 and are water confident e.g. able to submerge their face confidently, float on their front and back unaided and paddle/kick a short distance unaided.

Stage 2

Stage 3

For children who have passed Stage 2 or able to travel 5 metres on both the front and back without the use of buoyancy aids, able to regain standing and blow bubbles into the water.

Stage 3

Stage 4

For children who have passed Stage 3 or are able to travel 10 metres on their front and back unaided with a basic technique. Confident to jump in and submerge under water and have experience in deep water.

Stage 4

Stage 5

For children who have passed Stage 4 or are able to kick 10 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly with good technique and swim 10 metres of a stroke.

Stage 5

Stage 6

For children who have passed Stage 5 or able to swim 10 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly with good technique and are able to confidently tread water and perform somersaults in the water.

Stage 6

Stage 7

For children who have passed Stage 6 or are able to swim 10 metres with clothes on, swim frontcrawl, breaststroke and butterfly with rhythmical breathing, swim 25 metres correct technique of at least 1 stroke, able to surface dive to the bottom of the pool, confident in deep water and able to swim with clothes on confidently.

Stage 7

Stage 8 - 10

For children who have passed Stage 7 or are able to swim 25 metres of frontcrawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly demonstrating correct technique, swim 100 metres using 3 different strokes, perform a competent sitting dive and tread water using eggbeater leg action.

There are several aquatic routes to choose from:

Rookie Lifesaving, Swimming Challenge, Multi Aquatics, Mini Polo, Synchronised Swimming, Diving, and Competitive Swimming.

Please contact your local Leisure Centre to see which of these are on offer.

Stage 8, 9 and 10

Adult Beginner

For pupils aged 16 years old and over to promote water confidence and develop core aquatic skills which enable a solid foundation to start learning the strokes.

Adult Swimming Stage 1, 2 and 3

Adult improver

For pupils aged 16 years old and over who are able to swim at least 10 metres on their front and back. This lesson will further improve stroke technique and develop on previous core skills learnt with an introduction to deep water.

Adult Swimming Stage 4 and 5

Adult Advance

For pupils aged 16 years old and over who are able to swim at least 25 metres. This lesson will focus on stroke development and endurance.

Adult Swimming Stage 6 and 7