Exceptional Swimming Lessons - Tendring Leisure

Build Confidence in the Water

Starting off with a half hour session per week for Adult and Baby our swimming lessons will help you to build confidence in the water whilst you progress onto advanced skills and techniques as you progress throughout the stages. Our classes are inclusive for all and a fun way to keep active whilst learning new skills.

Looking to get started with swimming lessons, look no further with all you need to know to get you started. Running throughout 50 weeks of the year with a break for Christmas our lessons can be purchased at

Clacton Leisure Centre, Walton-On-The-Naze Lifestyles and Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles.

Our easy option direct debit allows you to spread the cost of the 50 weeks across 12 equal monthly payments.

Looking to book swimming lessons? Click the button below!

Swimming Lesson Prices

Type	Junior Swimming	Adult Swimming
Direct Debit	£26.50	£29.85
One off Start Up Fee	£16.60	£16.60

Our CoursePro system allows you to view, book and move swimming lessons from the comfort of your own home. This interactive home portal provides a rolling assessment criteria so teachers can assess and move children as they progress without the need to wait until the end of their current course.

Not sure what stage or class to choose? Look below for more information on what each stage includes.

ADULT & BABY LESSONS (0-18 MONTHS)

These classes are aimed at giving your Baby their first experience of the water, along with your support. This initial introduction is provided through songs, games and support and it aims to promote water confidence, alongside offering a social environment for both parents and children.

ADULT & TODDLER LESSONS (18 MONTHS-3 YEARS)

When the child reaches 18 months, they are encouraged to start independent water movements with the support of an adult, leading to swimming on their own and, eventually, leading to the Pre-school class.

ADULT & TODDLER
(3 YEARS+)

This transition stage from the Adult and Toddler stages to Pre-School is aimed at more nervous children that would still require adults in the pool.

PRE-SCHOOL 1
(3 1/2 YEARS+)

The Pre-School 1 is designed to help toddlers enjoy learning to swim, growing water confidence with the help/support from the teacher. You will start to see your child move by themselves in the water, working to minimal support from parents or guardians.

PRE-SCHOOL 2
(3 1/2 YEARS+)

Within the Pre-School 2 Lessons the children work with minimal support from their teacher and will improve many of the aquatic skills learnt so far. By the end of this course, they will be jumping in, going underwater, floating and travel 5m without support ready to move onto Stage 1.

STAGE 1

Swim Stage 1 helps to build water confidence, while introducing water safety skills and the basic skills needed to build swimming ability. Learners will develop basic safety awareness, learn basic movement skills and water confidence skills. They will also be introduced to a structured class setting. Swimmers may use flotation equipment, such as armbands and floats, throughout this stage.

Stage 2

Stage 2 sees swimmers develop streamlining to their strokes and travel without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick. Swimmers are also introduced to aquatic breathing and taught to make safe entries into the water, including jumping. They will develop basic floating and learn how to rotate to regain an upright position without support. All travel must be achieved without the use of flotation equipment, though buoyancy aids may be used when swimmers aren’t travelling.

STAGE 3

During Stage 3, swimmers will develop their kicks, on both their front and their back. They streamline through push and glides, whilst also swimming underwater. Swimmers will develop safe entries into the water, including submersion, and travel up to 10 metres on their front and back. Water safety knowledge and rotation skills will also be progressed.

STAGE 4

Stage 4 sees swimmers perfect their leg kicks for all four strokes and further develop push and glides, while also being introduced to sculling. They will develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills and should swim 10 metres to the Swim England Expected Standards.

STAGE 5

During Stage 5, swimmers will develop their skills in treading water, learn the correct arm pulls for all four strokes and learn how to do handstands and somersaults. They will develop their technique and perform all strokes to the Swim England Expected Standards. The emphasis is on ensuring all work done in the previous stages is developed further.

STAGE 6

Swim Stage 6 teaches swimmers how to prepare for exercise, while developing an efficient technique for all four strokes and further developing surface dives.

The effective swimming skills taught include coordination, breathing and an understanding of water safety.

Within this stage, swimmers will work on all the other strokes, including streamlining, improving their technique with both their arms and their legs.

STAGE 7

Stage 7 focuses on fully developing all four swimming strokes, as well as building stamina and improving diving skills. Swimmers should develop a quality stroke technique for up to 100 metres, incorporating the skills they have learnt throughout the stages and combining them to develop a linked routine. They should successfully complete an obstacle course, which combines a variety of skills they have learnt from Stages 1 to 7.

STAGE 8

This class is aimed at children who are in the early stages of competitive swimming wishing to develop stamina and stroke technique. As well as the ability to swim 400m competently, this class teaches greater awareness of water safety and survival techniques.

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING (STAGE 9 & 10)

This stage delves even more deeply into teaching your child about speed and endurance. Aim is to be able to swim 1500 metres without stopping by the end of this stage.

ROOKIE LIFEGUARD - BRONZE, SILVER & GOLD

Once a swimmer has completed Stage 7, they may wish to learn the skills of lifesaving. Only available at certain centres. This fun and educational course will teach vital lifesaving skills and water confidence throughout each level.

ADULT BEGINNER
(30 MINUTE LESSON)

Suitable for those aged 16+. These classes take place in shallow water and give you an introduction to the pool, helping to build your confidence in the water alongside learning basic aquatic skills.

ADULT IMPROVER
(30 MINUTE LESSON)

You will be able to swim independently over short distances of 5 to 10 metres and you won’t need support or floatation equipment.

ADULT INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
(60 MINUTE LESSON)

Improve your stamina and stroke technique and gain confidence swimming in deeper water. The goal for these lessons is to support you to swim longer distances on your front and back with good technique. You’ll get fitter, as well as strengthening your joints without putting huge amounts of impact through them.

Tendring District Council Leisure

Swimming Lessons

Build Confidence in the Water