Swimming Classes
Starfish
0-12 months
– Parent & Child Class
Here at Mini Swimming in Colchester our Starfish classes start from just 6 weeks old. Our Starfish swimmers and their parent/guardian are given a beautiful introduction to the water. The classes take all of the amazing reflexes that babies are born with but lose as they grow into learned skills! Introducing your baby to swimming early can build water confidence that lasts a lifetime. Our Starfish classes contain songs and games and lots of theory and explanations so the grown ups feel completely confident in what they are doing. Our Starfish classes go at your pace and your happiness and comfort is the most important thing to us.
Clownfish
12-24 months
– Parent & Child Class
Our Clownfish classes here in Colchester are for our toddlers aged 1-2years who have certainly found their feet and their voices! Our themed classes are based on learning through play. We love to play games and see them interact with us and we sing lots of songs with actions. we are teaching toddlers the fundamentals of swimming; how to swim to a bar for safety, how to progress through the water and how to float. We work on lots of skills that we take into our preschool classes like confidence, water safety and jumping in! Our toddlers are becoming skilled and safety conscious. They love to blow bubbles (the first step to learning to exhale in the water) and playing with the various water toys we provide. Our teachers are also amazing at working with new swimmers at this age who might not be so confident in the water.
Seahorse
2-3 year olds
– Parent & Child Class
Our Colchester Seahorse class is designed for 2-3yr olds. They are focused on teaching your pre-schooler how to move in the water on their front and back by using a series of specially designed games and activities that teaches the skills through play. Our Colchester Seahorse class for pre-schoolers are perfect for developing your child’s confidence and independence in the water. Now able to take instructions themselves, your child will love interacting with their teacher directly whilst still enjoying the comfort and guidance of having you by their side. These classes will take the fun and engaging format of our younger classes whilst gently introducing swimming techniques that will see them starting to independently swim around the pool. Your teacher will constantly monitor your child’s progress and will let you know as soon as they are ready to move up.
Octopus
3-6 year olds
– Parent & Child Class
Our parent and child Octopus classes at our Lexden and Stanway Pools are designed for children who are ready for a more formal swimming lesson that are focused on proper swimming but aren’t quite ready to go it alone in the pool without a parent. The classes run at our Lexden or Stanway Pools are designed to take a non or new swimmer and get them ready for an independent child only class. Your child will learn, independence from you in the water, correct body position along with the proper leg and arm technique. This class is perfect for developing water confidence and getting your child swimming in the pool without you. Children must be at least 3 years old. Parents are there to support, encourage, repeat instructions given by the teacher.
Mini Sea Turtle
3-4 year olds
Once a child is ready to swim without mum or dad, which is usually (if they have previous swimming experience around 3) The key is to create a positive and enjoyable experience that builds a foundation for future swimming skills. We always prioritize safety, and make the classes a fun and exciting adventure for the young swimmers. Mini Turtle classes are a structured class where parents/guardians are poolside spectating, We are focusing on water confidence and learning to swim without aids on our fronts and backs in a paddle action. This class uses language specifically for 3-4yr olds and has a pace to match. Each child is given individual attention and we adapt teaching our methods based on their comfort and progress. It is important to be patient and understanding, as each child may have different comfort levels in the water. We keep open lines of communication with parents and update them on their child’s progress and provide tips for reinforcing skills at home.
Sea Turtle
New Swimmers (4+ years)
Our Sea Turtle classes are for children who are school aged who cannot yet swim unaided. Teaching swimming to beginners requires a thoughtful and patient approach. Classes are small in size and we focus on making sure we build your child’s water confidence and basic skills. Key skills are focused on in this class. Floating Techniques: We teach basic floating techniques, such as back floating and front floating. Floating is an essential skill that helps beginners feel more secure in the water.
Breath Control: We practice breath control exercises. Teaching beginners to exhale underwater and inhale quickly. This is crucial for various swimming strokes.
Strokes: We break down each stroke into manageable steps and allow beginners to practice one element at a time. In this class we will learn front and back paddle. This allows progression at the pace of the learners. Some beginners may advance more quickly than others, so patience is the key.
We offer positive reinforcement and constructive feedback. Celebrate small achievements, and encourage a positive attitude toward learning to swim!
Consistent practice is key to reinforce their skills and build muscle memory
Eagle Ray
Progressing Swimmers
Our Eagle Ray Classes are designed for those children who are water confident and are able to travel 5-10m in a paddle front and back and now need to master the crawl techniques and work on stamina. Your child will learn correct body position along with the proper leg and arm technique. This class is perfect for developing correct body position and working on breathing correctly.
In order for your child to join this class we ask the following:
- Child can consistently swim 5m unaided using front paddle and back paddle
- Child can jump into the water (with or without a woggle) unaided (no hand holding or catching)
- Child is comfortable swimming without a woggle
- Child can climb out of the pool safely unaided
- Child is confident in the water
Sea lion
Developing Swimmers
Our Sea Lion classes build on the foundations set out at the Sea Turtle levels. Arm and leg technique will progress whilst developing good breathing techniques. This class will also introduce Breast Stroke and lifesaving skills. We would expect all Sealions to be able to swim at least 25m front crawl and back stroke before they enter the class.
In order for your child to join this class we ask the following:
- Child can consistently & competently swim 20 metres front and back crawl comfortably (using correct techniques).
- Child can jump in unaided and return to the bar unaided
- Child swims with face in the water for front crawl using rhythmic breathing
Dolphin
Competent Swimmers
At Dolphin level, swimmers are now swimming at a competent level with their Front Crawl, Back Crawl, and Breaststroke. This class will work on technical improvements to each of these strokes whilst also working on stamina and strength. This class will also introduce swimmers to Butterfly.
In order for your child to join this class we ask the following:
- Child can swim a minimum of 75m front crawl & 25m breaststroke using correct technique
- Rhythmic side breathing for front crawl breathing every third arm pull
- Good quality front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke
Can retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool
Whale
Good Swimmers
Swimmers at Whale level should now be familiar with all four competitive strokes. Practices will be used to improve technique and pace to get swimmers swimming more efficiently and at a quicker pace.
In order for your child to join this class we ask the following:
- Can swim 4 x strokes (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly) competently & comfortably including breathing and timing.
- Can perform a forward roll in the water
- Can swim a minimum of 100m front crawl using good technique and correct side breathing.
- Good understanding of sculling action
- Beginning to show an understanding of correct starts and turns
*Whales will be learning a series of water skills and their contrasting activity will be one of the four strokes they can already perform so it is important those strokes are already being performed correctly with minimal correction required.