YOUR GUIDE TO THE SWIMMING LESSON PROGRAMME AT WESTPORT LEISURE PARK
July 2023
WELCOME
The team at Westport Leisure Park is delighted to welcome you to our swimming lesson programme. We look forward to working with you and your child to progress their swimming ability through skill and stroke development via our extensive Swimming and Water Safety Programme.
PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY
Our objective is to offer expert swim instruction to all participants while delivering a quality learning experience, instilling fair play and respect in all our swimming classes.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
Our 10 level swimming programme is designed with a progressional approach to swim instruction, with each level following on from the previous, building skills, technique and endurance in all four swimming strokes.
DUCKLING LESSONS
This programme is designed for children at least 4 ½ years of age who are not yet water confident. With an instructor in the water your child will be taught the basic water skills and gain water confidence as they progress from the learner pool to the main pool.
Classes run for 30 mins
CHILDRENS LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 10
For children aged 5 years and over
This structured programme, which is based on the best practice international teaching model, aims to take your child from Levels 1 to 10 teaching them a range of aquatic skills including all four swimming strokes, whilst also building their fitness and endurance as they progress from level to level.
Levels 1 and 2 run for 30mins
Levels 3-10 run for 40mins
ENDURANCE SWIM
Following on from Level 10 of our Swimming Programme we have introduced an Endurance Swim for those
who wish to continue to build on their swim fitness in all 4 strokes as well as introduce basic Water
Safety techniques. It will replace our previous levels 11 and 12.
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS
CHILDREN NEW TO THE LEISURE PARK PROGRAMME
All children new to our swimming lesson programme MUST be assessed by a qualified teacher in order to identify the level best suited for their ability. This takes just ten minutes and is free of charge. Assessments should be booked at reception.
If we have space in the level the child is assessed at and a new term is about to commence the child can be enrolled. If there is no space your child’s name will be added to the waiting list for that level and you will be contacted when there is space.
If your child is a sibling of a child already in lessons they will receive preference over other members of the public on the waiting list.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Please ensure that your child is on time and appropriately dressed for their lesson, with swimming togs hat and goggles. Body suits/tee shirts are not suitable swimwear as they make swimming more difficult. Swim socks may be worn but should be removed before entering the water as they hamper progress. All children must shower prior to entering our pool. This allows us to continue to keep high levels of cleanliness within our pool and changing areas.
PLEASE NOTE:
Refunds are ONLY issued for medical reasons and on presentation of a medical certificate. Missed classes cannot be taken on any other day.
Should you have any queries in relation to your child's progress please do not hesitate to contact reception who will ensure it is possible to speak to your child's teacher.
After the second week of lessons it is not possible to enrol a new child or change days/times of lessons.
WATER SAFETY
For persons aged 12 yrs and over who are able to swim at least 4 consecutive lengths of our 25m pool or have achieved Level 9 of our swim lesson programme.
This structured Irish Water Safety programme is delivered by appropriately qualified instructors, who are Garda Vetted and have received Child Protection Training. Water safety classes teach skills in rescue, survival and resuscitation
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes.
PARENTS
In order to help ensure children/young people's safety & welfare we ask you to:
* Bring and collect children on time for the activities. Westport Leisure Park is not responsible for children outside of programmed hours.
* Give us any relevant information: (e.g. medical, learning difficulties/disabilities, emergency contact etc).
* Follow directions of staff (teachers/instructors) when requested.
* Respect Teachers and Lifeguards.
* Complete and sign registration and consent forms for programmes as requested.
CHILDREN
In order to help ensure children/young people's safety and welfare we ask them to:
* Respect fellow swimmers, teachers, lifeguards and other facility users.
* Play fairly, do their best and have fun!
* Listen to their Swim Teacher.
* Adhere to the pool rules...no pushing, no jumping, no running on pool deck etc.
COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE
Should you have a complaint/grievance, please to speak to a member of staff or complete a comment card.
Should you wish to speak to a manager please ask at reception. If however, a manager is not available, please leave your name and phone number and they will contact you at the earliest opportunity.
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION
Westport Leisure Park is committed to providing a safe environment for all users and particularly children and young people.
Children's safety and welfare is our top priority.
We comply with the Children First National Guidelines for Child Protection and Welfare.
To help us achieve this, we have a Child Protection Policy and Procedures which guide our work.
Copies of our Child Protection Policy is available on request.
Designated Liaison Person:
Westport Leisure Park, in accordance with section 3.3.1 of the 'Children First - National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children' (2011), has selected and appointed a Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
The Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) for Westport Leisure Park are:
Paul Feeney - (098) 29160 or at feeney@westportleisure.com
If the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is unavailable, the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (D-DLP) is:
Yvonne Byrne - (098) 29160 or at byrne@westportleisure.com
ADULT LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 4
For persons age 16 years and over. This structured programme, which is also based on the best practice international teaching model, is designed for all levels of ability, from complete beginners to lengths swimmers.
July 2023
WELCOME
The team at Westport Leisure Park is delighted to welcome you to our swimming lesson programme. We look forward to working with you and your child to progress their swimming ability through skill and stroke development via our extensive Swimming and Water Safety Programme.
PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY
Our objective is to offer expert swim instruction to all participants while delivering a quality learning experience, instilling fair play and respect in all our swimming classes.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
Our 10 level swimming programme is designed with a progressional approach to swim instruction, with each level following on from the previous, building skills, technique and endurance in all four swimming strokes.
DUCKLING LESSONS
This programme is designed for children at least 4 ½ years of age who are not yet water confident. With an instructor in the water your child will be taught the basic water skills and gain water confidence as they progress from the learner pool to the main pool.
Classes run for 30 mins
CHILDRENS LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 10
For children aged 5 years and over
This structured programme, which is based on the best practice international teaching model, aims to take your child from Levels 1 to 10 teaching them a range of aquatic skills including all four swimming strokes, whilst also building their fitness and endurance as they progress from level to level.
Levels 1 and 2 run for 30mins
Levels 3-10 run for 40mins
ENDURANCE SWIM
Following on from Level 10 of our Swimming Programme we have introduced an Endurance Swim for those
who wish to continue to build on their swim fitness in all 4 strokes as well as introduce basic Water
Safety techniques. It will replace our previous levels 11 and 12.
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS
- Midway through the block of lessons we perform an informal assessment/review on all swimmers.
- We then offer parents an opportunity to speak to swim teachers about their child’s progress. Swim teachers will make themselves available for a few minutes after class on the day of review to speak to parents.
- Final swim assessments take place on the last day of the block of lessons.
- This comprises of an assessment to determine if your child meets all the criteria of that level (swim strokes/skills) and is ready to move up to the next level.
- Should your child require more time to achieve the criteria, they will remain in that same level for the next block of lessons and are automatically re-enrolled into the same day and time slot.
- If your child meets all the criteria and is ready to move up to the next level you will need to arrange a day/time for their new level by speaking to reception after the assessment.
- Children progressing from Ducklings must be 5 years of age before moving to level.
- All children in lessons are guaranteed a place in the next course of lessons, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee the same time or day when your child moves up a level.
- All children re-enrolling in lessons, whether staying in the same level or moving up MUST be booked and paid for at reception immediately after their assessment has taken place
- If you wish to skip a term of lessons, you no longer have preference for places and you can only register again when bookings are open to the public.
CHILDREN NEW TO THE LEISURE PARK PROGRAMME
All children new to our swimming lesson programme MUST be assessed by a qualified teacher in order to identify the level best suited for their ability. This takes just ten minutes and is free of charge. Assessments should be booked at reception.
If we have space in the level the child is assessed at and a new term is about to commence the child can be enrolled. If there is no space your child’s name will be added to the waiting list for that level and you will be contacted when there is space.
If your child is a sibling of a child already in lessons they will receive preference over other members of the public on the waiting list.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Please ensure that your child is on time and appropriately dressed for their lesson, with swimming togs hat and goggles. Body suits/tee shirts are not suitable swimwear as they make swimming more difficult. Swim socks may be worn but should be removed before entering the water as they hamper progress. All children must shower prior to entering our pool. This allows us to continue to keep high levels of cleanliness within our pool and changing areas.
PLEASE NOTE:
Refunds are ONLY issued for medical reasons and on presentation of a medical certificate. Missed classes cannot be taken on any other day.
Should you have any queries in relation to your child's progress please do not hesitate to contact reception who will ensure it is possible to speak to your child's teacher.
After the second week of lessons it is not possible to enrol a new child or change days/times of lessons.
WATER SAFETY
For persons aged 12 yrs and over who are able to swim at least 4 consecutive lengths of our 25m pool or have achieved Level 9 of our swim lesson programme.
This structured Irish Water Safety programme is delivered by appropriately qualified instructors, who are Garda Vetted and have received Child Protection Training. Water safety classes teach skills in rescue, survival and resuscitation
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes.
PARENTS
In order to help ensure children/young people's safety & welfare we ask you to:
* Bring and collect children on time for the activities. Westport Leisure Park is not responsible for children outside of programmed hours.
* Give us any relevant information: (e.g. medical, learning difficulties/disabilities, emergency contact etc).
* Follow directions of staff (teachers/instructors) when requested.
* Respect Teachers and Lifeguards.
* Complete and sign registration and consent forms for programmes as requested.
CHILDREN
In order to help ensure children/young people's safety and welfare we ask them to:
* Respect fellow swimmers, teachers, lifeguards and other facility users.
* Play fairly, do their best and have fun!
* Listen to their Swim Teacher.
* Adhere to the pool rules...no pushing, no jumping, no running on pool deck etc.
COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE
Should you have a complaint/grievance, please to speak to a member of staff or complete a comment card.
Should you wish to speak to a manager please ask at reception. If however, a manager is not available, please leave your name and phone number and they will contact you at the earliest opportunity.
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION
Westport Leisure Park is committed to providing a safe environment for all users and particularly children and young people.
Children's safety and welfare is our top priority.
We comply with the Children First National Guidelines for Child Protection and Welfare.
To help us achieve this, we have a Child Protection Policy and Procedures which guide our work.
Copies of our Child Protection Policy is available on request.
Designated Liaison Person:
Westport Leisure Park, in accordance with section 3.3.1 of the 'Children First - National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children' (2011), has selected and appointed a Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
The Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) for Westport Leisure Park are:
Paul Feeney - (098) 29160 or at feeney@westportleisure.com
If the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is unavailable, the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (D-DLP) is:
Yvonne Byrne - (098) 29160 or at byrne@westportleisure.com
ADULT LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 4
For persons age 16 years and over. This structured programme, which is also based on the best practice international teaching model, is designed for all levels of ability, from complete beginners to lengths swimmers.
The following is a list of the criteria that must be achieved in order to register for each level:-
Level 1
- Is your child 5 years of age when starting Level 1
- Can the child participate in the class without parental assistance
- Show willingness and discipline to take instruction from teacher
- Can the child put their full face in the water
- Kick across main pool on front with woggle having a reasonable kick
- Kick across main pool on back woggle and having a reasonable kick
- Jump into main pool with armbands but without assistance
- Demonstrate confidence and independence in the water
Level 2
- Enter water confidently and unaided using a swivel entry
- Can child put full face in the water and blow bubbles
- Submerge head completely underwater at least once
- Jump into the water unaided and pick up a ring from pool floor
- Climb out of pool unaided without use of steps
- Star float on front (in steps area)
- Star float on back with assistance (in steps area)
- Travel 10m Frontcrawl kick, with float and without stopping (No Armbands & face in water)
- Travel 10m Backcrawl kick, with float and without stopping (No Armbands)
Level 3
- Push & glide on front, arms extended in front and face in water
- Push & glide on back, attempting horizontal body position (arms extended)
- Demonstrate star float on front and back unaided
- Pick up an object such as a ring from pool floor in shallow water
- Demonstrate a pencil jump keeping feet together & arms by sides
- Demonstrate a mushroom float for 5 seconds
- Travel 10m consistently on Frontcrawl kick without stopping (no float, arms extended keeping hands together while breathing)
- Travel 10m consistently on Backcrawl kick without stopping (no floats, arms extended over head)
- Will the child be safe in deeper water based on their ability to stand up or on their ability to swim consistently across the pool unaided?
Level 4
- Kick 10m on front with a streamlined horizontal body position
- Kick 10m on back with a streamlined horizontal body position
- Swim 10m Frontcrawl with a horizontal body position and face in water
- Demonstrate basic Backcrawl arm action for 10m
- Kick 5m streamline on front and rotate onto back and kick to wall
- Demonstrate basic Dolphin kick on front for 10 m
- Swim through a hoop and pick up a brick
- Tread water for 20 seconds
Level 5
- Push and glide underwater on front for 5m, streamlined body
- Push and glide underwater on back for 5m ,streamlined body
- Swim 10m Backcrawl with a horizontal body position
- Swim 10m Frontcrawl with a horizontal body position and face in water
- Dolphin kick on front for 10m (arms by sides)
- Demonstrate basic Dolphin kick on back for 10m (arms by sides)
- Demonstrate a forward tumble
- Attempt a handstand in shallow water
- Tread water for 30 seconds
Level 6
- Swim 2 widths efficient Frontcrawl with breathing
- Swim 2 widths efficient Backcrawl (continuous arms)
- Roll from front to back while swimming continuously
- Roll from back to front while swimming continuously
- Dolphin kick on front for 20m (arms by sides)
- Dolphin kick on back for 10m (arms by sides)
- Introduce basic Breaststroke kick
- Demonstrate a headfirst surface dive.
- Demonstrate 2 forward somersaults (continuous)
- Tread water for 1 minute showing 2 x 360 turns, one in each direction
Level 7
- Swim 2 widths Frontcrawl with bi-lateral breathing
- Swim 2 widths Backcrawl (touch wall on back each time
- Kick 1 width Breaststroke with good propulsion and glide
- Attempt 1 width full Breaststroke with basic timing
- Underwater push and glide and transition into frontcrawl stroke
- Underwater push and glide and transition into backcrawl stroke
- Demonstrate a head-first surface dive and swim 5m underwater
- Demonstrate a forward tumble from frontcrawl swim
- Tread water for 1 minute signalling for help with raised arm and clenched fist at least 4 times using both arms alternately
Level 8
- Swim 4 widths Frontcrawl with bi-lateral breathing
- Swim 4 widths Backcrawl continuous arms
- Kick 2 widths Breaststroke with float
- Swim 2 widths full Breaststroke with basic timing
- Swim 1 width full Butterfly, demonstrating basic stroke
- Scull 10m head first and 10m feet first
- Demonstrate a frontcrawl tumble with push off from wall
- Tread water for 2 minutes signalling for help with raised arms and clenched fist
Level 9
- Demonstrate underwater push-offs on front and back
- Kick 25m continuously of each of the following
- Frontcrawl head up with float
- Breaststroke head up with float
- Butterfly arms by sides
- Backcrawl arms extended
- Swim 50m Frontcrawl efficiently with bilateral breathing
- Swim 25m Backcrawl with efficient technique and demonstrating backcrawl finish
- Swim 25m Breaststroke demonstrating efficient technique, timing and glide
- Attempt 25m Butterfly with underwater push and kick for 5m
- Demonstrate a frontcrawl tumble turn
- Demonstrate a Straddle Jump into deep water
- Tread water for 2 mins raising both arms for last 30 secs.
Level 10
- Swim 100m efficient Frontcrawl with turns
- Swim 50m Backcrawl with efficient technique and back crawl finish
- Perform Backcrawl tumble turn
- Swim 50m Breaststroke with efficient technique
- Swim 25m Butterfly with reasonable technique (2 kicks per stroke)
- Kick 25m Inverted Breaststroke
- Straddle jump into water and swim 25m headup FAST
