Your journey through the learn-to-swim stages towards Lane Swimming and more with Swimsound
Swimming lessons are much more than passing stages. Yes, the great achievement of growing up and reaching the stage or distance you’ve been working towards can feel fulfilling once it’s finally been conquered, but the real day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month accomplishments build gradually over time.
The improvement from being afraid of water to being able to dive in the deep end takes too long to celebrate with a family meal or a photo for social media, but is one example of the constant milestones which make our swimmers eventually some of the most confident and independent swimmers in the country.
Learning the Foundations – Stages 1-5
Developing the core techniques and skills required to swim competently in pool water happens during stages 1-5. Swimmers are able to balance well in the water and incorporate breathing techniques into the main four strokes: Front crawl, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly, all while starting to understand the safe practices needed around water. Our swimmers are encouraged to enter and exit the pool safely and are able to swim without support to any side of any pool to ensure they are as safe as possible.
However, the transition into the next step of your child’s swimming journey will offer them the freedom and confidence needed for the rest of their life…
Advanced Lane Swimming and Beyond the Stages
Completing the learn-to-swim stages doesn’t mean that your swimming journey has to finish. For many of our swimmers, it is actually where the next challenge begins.
Our Lane Swimming advanced lessons allow swimmers to take the skills they have already developed and begin improving their technique, stamina, speed and overall ability in the water. The focus moves away from simply being able to complete a distance and towards becoming a stronger, more efficient and more confident swimmer.
This is where children begin to understand what they are really capable of in the pool.
Lane Swimming
Once your child progresses into our advanced lane swimming, lessons begin to look and feel more like structured swimming training.
Swimmers complete longer distances, work on maintaining their technique when tired and learn how to swim continuously as part of a lane. They may begin using equipment such as floats, pull buoys or fins while developing their fitness and understanding of different training activities.
For many swimmers, reaching lane swimming is a huge achievement. It represents years of gradual progress from those first few supported movements in the water to confidently completing lengths independently.
Top Lane Swimming and Progression to Club
Our strongest swimmers can continue progressing into our top lanes, where sessions become more challenging, and swimmers begin working towards higher levels of endurance, speed and technical performance.
For some children, this may simply mean becoming the strongest swimmer they can be. For others, it can provide a stepping stone towards competitive swimming or joining a local swimming club.
Not every child needs to become a competitive swimmer, but having the ability to do so gives them another opportunity to take their swimming further if they choose.
Rookie Lifeguards
Swimming ability can also develop into something completely different.
Our Rookie Lifeguard programme gives swimmers the opportunity to learn important lifesaving and survival skills, including rescues, CPR, first aid awareness and how to respond safely in an emergency.
It helps children understand that being a strong swimmer is not only about swimming faster or further. It is also about having the confidence and knowledge to look after themselves and potentially help others around water.
Confidence That Lasts Beyond the Pool
Ultimately, the biggest achievement we want every Swimsound swimmer to leave with is confidence.
Whether they eventually swim competitively, take part in open-water events, go on holiday with friends, enjoy swimming for fitness or simply feel comfortable around water, the skills they develop during swimming lessons can stay with them for life.
There may not always be a certificate for every small improvement, but every length, every new skill and every moment of growing independence is another step towards becoming a safe, capable and confident swimmer.
