Class levels

Why a fun approach to learning is so important?

A question often asked at swimming lessons across the country is "Why is my child just playing games? They aren't learning."We can categorically say that this is a complete myth.

A fun approach to learning is so important for children and adults alike, whether for swimming lessons or for any other learning opportunity.

Adult and baby/Toddler/Child

Age: 4 months - 4 years
Aim: To introduce the adult and baby to a swimming environment and develop the confidence and skills of the adult to ensure the safe and effective handling of the baby in the water

Exit criteria:

• Demonstrate safe entries and exits
• Demonstrate three progressive supports/holds - prone position
• Demonstrate three progressive supports/holds - supine position
• Demonstrate rotation of baby from back to front/front to back in a horizontal/vertical position
• Baby demonstrates relaxed movements with their arms and legs
• Baby at ease with water near/over their face and will attempt to blow bubbles

Aim: To encourage independent movement and develop the water confidence and core aquatic skills of the toddler through structured play.

Exit criteria:

• With an adult in the water, demonstrate an independent standing and sitting entry into the pool
• Demonstrate independently placing face in the water and exhaling (blowing bubbles) into the water
• Float on front and back with or without buoyancy aids
• Rotate between front and back lying positions
• Push off wall to reach adult support on front and back
• Demonstrate a continuous leg action on front and back
• Show front and back paddle
• Exit the water safely with adult support

Aim: To further develop the core aquatic skills through structured play and develop the independence necessary for the next level (without an adult in the water).

Exit criteria:

• With an adult in the water, nearby but not supporting, make an independent standing and sitting entry into the pool
• Jump in and turn around, return to wall, monkey to steps and climb out
• Exit the pool safely without using the steps
• Blow an object across the surface of the water for 2 metres
• With buoyancy aids, rotate 360 degrees in a vertical position
• From front lying position rotate 180 degrees around horizontal axis to back lying, similar round longitudinal axis
• Float with buoyancy aids, on front and back for a minimum 5 seconds
• Use arms and legs to travel in any direction for approximately 5 metres

COMING SOON February 2022 PASN Classes - For school-aged children, these pre-ASN level classes include a parent in the water, helping children to learn skills more quickly. Parents will support their child and work with the teaching staff to set a training programme for their child. On completion, the child can move to ASN Aqua Fun, with basic swimming skills and confidence.

Aim: To further develop the core aquatic skills through structured play and develop the independence necessary for the next level (without an adult in the water).

Age 4+

Exit criteria:

• With an adult in the water, nearby but not supporting, make an independent standing and sitting entry into the pool
• Jump in and turn around, return to wall, monkey to steps and climb out
• Exit the pool safely without using the steps
• Blow an object across the surface of the water for 2 metres
• With buoyancy aids, rotate 360 degrees in a vertical position
• From front lying position rotate 180 degrees around horizontal axis to back lying, similar round longitudinal axis
• Float with buoyancy aids, on front and back for a minimum 5 seconds
• Use arms and legs to travel in any direction for approximately 5 metres

Aqua fun Mainstream and ASN

Age: 4+

Aim: To become water confident and develop core aquatic skills (without adult assistance but with buoyancy aids as required).

Exit criteria:

• Enter and exit the pool safely without assistance
• Display aquatic breathing with full submersion (blow bubbles through mouth and nose)
• Fully submerge body
• Demonstrate floatation on front and back with or without a buoyancy aid
• Demonstrate streamlining on front and back with or without a buoyancy aid
• Travel 5 metres on front or back with or without a buoyancy aid
• Jump in without assistance
• Demonstrate three different movements across the pool

Swim skills 1 Mainstream and ASN

Aim: To further develop water confidence and develop core aquatic skills without buoyancy aids.

Exit criteria:

• Demonstrate floatation on front and back without a buoyancy aid
• Demonstrate a mushroom float
• Demonstrate a push and glide
• Kick on front and back with or without a float for 10 metres
• Swim a minimum of 10 metres consistently demonstrating Frontcrawl
• Swim a minimum of 10 metres consistently demonstrating Backcrawl
• Show rotation from floating position front to back and back to front
• Demonstrate a sculling action
• Demonstrate repetitive bobbing for 30 seconds
• Swim 10 meters in depth 1.1 meters confidently

Swim skills 2 Mainstream and ASN

Aim: To increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique.

Exit criteria:

• Demonstrate a push and glide with leg kick for 5 metres holding streamline position
• Kick on front and back for a minimum 15 metres
• Swim Frontcrawl with regular breathing for a minimum 15 metres
• Swim Backcrawl consistently for a minimum 15 metres
• Demonstrate Breaststroke leg kick
• Scull for 10 metres head first on back supported
• Head first surface dive to collect object on bottom of pool (minimum depth 1.2 metres)

Swim skills 3 Mainstream and ASN

Aim: Introduce more advanced stroke technique and achieve Triple S standard.

Exit criteria:

• Travel on front and perform a somersault, finishing in a streamlined position
• Swim 25 metres Frontcrawl and Backcrawl consistently maintaining correct technique
• Demonstrate Breaststroke with simultaneous leg and simultaneous arm action
• Demonstrate basic Butterfly technique
• Travel 5 metres with an undulating body action
• Tread water for 30 seconds waving one hand above the head to attract attention
• Triple S standard - completing the award
• Enter and exit the pool without using the steps
• Scull for 10 metres

Triple S ALL Swimming classes

Aim: Achieve the Triple S award/Scotland Safer Swimmer Award.

Exit criteria:

• Jump in and submerge head under the water
• Keep head above the water for 30 seconds and attract attention. Swim to the side and hold onto the side safely
• Swim 25metres without stopping or putting feet on the floor
• Float on front and then rotate/transition on to back for 5 seconds on each

Swim skills 4 Mainstream and ASN

Aim: To improve the quality of stroke technique, introduce multi aquatic skills/disciplines and basic lifesaving skills.

Exit criteria:

• Swim minimum 50 metres of Frontcrawl demonstrating push and glide, competent technique with bi-lateral breathing, high elbow and reach and pull
• Swim minimum 50 metres of Backcrawl demonstrating push and glide, good technique, steady head position with rolling of the shoulders round the long axis
• Swim minimum 50 metres of Breaststroke demonstrating push and glide, good technique and basic undulation
• Swim minimum 15 metres of Butterfly demonstrating push and glide, competent technique and basic undulation
• Perform a dive with transition to any stroke
• Perform a straddle jump and tread water for 45 seconds

Club ready swim Mainstream and ASN

Aim: To improve and maintain stroke technique over distance and develop basic training and race skills producing a swimmer who is 'Club Ready'.

Exit criteria:

• Swim 100 metres of Frontcrawl. Maintain efficient technique and incorporate race skills
• Swim 100 metres of Backcrawl. Maintain efficient technique and incorporate race skills
• Swim 50 metres of Breaststroke. Maintain efficient technique and incorporate race skills
• Swim 25 metres of Butterfly. Maintain efficient technique and incorporate race skills
• Attempt 100 metres Individual Medley incorporate race skills
• Understand lane discipline and use of timing clock

ASN Swimming Lessons - All lessons require an assessment to be carried out prior to placement. This allows us to work with you to make the right class selection for your child. Assessements will be carried out within 6 months of joining our waiting list.

Deaf Swimming Lessons - Scottish Swimming Pathway Aqua Fun - Club Ready

1-2-1 Swimming Lessons - Remain suspended at this time. 

Transition Squad - For swimmers with a physical or sensory impairment, who can swim a minimum of 25 metres on front or back.

South Ayrshire Swim Team (Para Squad) - For swimmers who can achieve 1 or more strokes over 25m.

Adult beginner

Aim: To become water confident and develop core aquatic skills (without assistance but with buoyancy aids as required.

Exit criteria:

• Enter and exit the pool safely without assistance
• Display aquatic breathing while fully submerging (blowing bubbles through mouth and nose) 3 Fully submerge body
• Float on front and back with or without a buoyancy aid
• Streamline on front and back with or without a buoyancy aid
• Travel 5 metres without a buoyancy aid
• Demonstrate a push and glide without a buoyancy aid
• Kick on front and back with a float for 10 metres

Adult improver

Aim: To further develop core aquatic skills without buoyancy aids and develop basic stroke technique.

Exit criteria:

• Demonstrate a push and glide with leg kick for 5 metres holding streamline position
• Kick on front and back for a minimum 15 metres
• Swim Frontcrawl with breathing consistently for a minimum 15 metres
• Swim Backcrawl consistently for a minimum 15 metres
• Demonstrate Breaststroke leg kick
• Demonstrate a sculling action
• Head first surface dive to collect object on bottom of pool (minimum depth 1.2 metres)
• Show rotation from floating position front/back and back/front
• Tread water for 15 seconds