YOUR GUIDE TO THESWIMMING LESSONS PROGRAMME AT
WESTPORT LEISURE PARK
WELCOME
The team at Westport Leisure Park is delighted to welcome you to our swimming lessons 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 Lesson 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 12 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.
OUR TEAM
Our Swimming Lesson and Water Safety programmes are delivered by appropriately qualified instructors, who are Garda Vetted and have received Child Protection Training.
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. Maximum of 6 children per class.
Classes run for 30 mins in 11 week blocks.
CHILDRENS LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 12
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 12 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.
Classes run for 40mins in 11 week blocks.
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS
A midterm review takes place on week 6 of lessons. This offers an opportunity for parents to speak to swim teachers about their child's progress.
Swim teachers will make themselves available for a few minutes after the class on week SIX to speak to parents.
Formal swim assessments take place on the last day of lessons (Week 11). This comprises of a test to see if your child is ready to move to the next level.
If they meet ALL the criteria on the assessment then they are ready to progress. Should children require more time to achieve the appropriate level of ability, they stay in that level and are automatically re-enrolled into the same time slot. All children progressing from Ducklings must be 5 years of age before moving to Level 1 regardless of ability.
LESSON REGISTRATION
CHILDREN ALREADY IN LESSONS
Children already in our lesson programme may re-register on the last day of their current course of lessons for the following term. Those moving to the next level must book-in and pay at reception immediately after their class. Those remaining in the same level are automatically re-enrolled back into that time slot and payment must be made at reception or over the phone or via our App within 24 hours. If the payment is not received within the stated time the place is forfeited.
If you cannot attend registration and your child moves to the next level then you must nominate someone to attend in person and register for you. You cannot under any circumstances register in advance.
Children in our swim lesson programme have preference over the general public.
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.
We do not keep waiting lists for classes.
SIBLINGS
Siblings of children in our swim lesson programme have preference over the general public. If you wish to register a sibling, you can do so once they have been assessed AND when everyone already in lessons has re-registered.
CHILDREN NEW TO THE LEISURE PARK PROGRAMME
All new children 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. Please book an assessment at reception.
Registration for new children takes place once all the children currently in our lesson programme have registered. Following the registration week any remaining places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
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.
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.
All personal belongings must be placed in the lockers provided and not left in the changing cubicles during lessons.
Parents must not hold changing cubicles while their child is in their swimming lesson.
REFUNDS POLICY
Refunds/Credit Notes are ONLY issued for medical reasons and on presentation of a medical certificate. Missed classes cannot be taken on any other day.
PLEASE NOTE
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.
From 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.
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes. Classes run for 1 hour in 12 week blocks.
CHILD SUPERVISION
*Parents/Guardians MUST remain on the premises during their child's lesson.
*Children are not permitted to enter the changing rooms until 10 mins before the start of their lesson. The gate to the pool area will be opened at the start of the lesson to allow all children to enter the pool.
*At the end of the lesson your child will be returned to the shower/changing area where they should be collected immediately.
*Children should not be left unsupervised in the shower area or in the changing rooms.
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 (facilitators/leaders) 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.
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.
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes. Classes run for 1 hour in 12 week blocks.
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. Assessment and re-registration take place on week 8.
Classes run for 40 mins in 8 week blocks.
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.
WESTPORT LEISURE PARK
WELCOME
The team at Westport Leisure Park is delighted to welcome you to our swimming lessons 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 Lesson 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 12 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.
OUR TEAM
Our Swimming Lesson and Water Safety programmes are delivered by appropriately qualified instructors, who are Garda Vetted and have received Child Protection Training.
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. Maximum of 6 children per class.
Classes run for 30 mins in 11 week blocks.
CHILDRENS LESSONS - LEVELS 1 – 12
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 12 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.
Classes run for 40mins in 11 week blocks.
OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS
A midterm review takes place on week 6 of lessons. This offers an opportunity for parents to speak to swim teachers about their child's progress.
Swim teachers will make themselves available for a few minutes after the class on week SIX to speak to parents.
Formal swim assessments take place on the last day of lessons (Week 11). This comprises of a test to see if your child is ready to move to the next level.
If they meet ALL the criteria on the assessment then they are ready to progress. Should children require more time to achieve the appropriate level of ability, they stay in that level and are automatically re-enrolled into the same time slot. All children progressing from Ducklings must be 5 years of age before moving to Level 1 regardless of ability.
LESSON REGISTRATION
CHILDREN ALREADY IN LESSONS
Children already in our lesson programme may re-register on the last day of their current course of lessons for the following term. Those moving to the next level must book-in and pay at reception immediately after their class. Those remaining in the same level are automatically re-enrolled back into that time slot and payment must be made at reception or over the phone or via our App within 24 hours. If the payment is not received within the stated time the place is forfeited.
If you cannot attend registration and your child moves to the next level then you must nominate someone to attend in person and register for you. You cannot under any circumstances register in advance.
Children in our swim lesson programme have preference over the general public.
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.
We do not keep waiting lists for classes.
SIBLINGS
Siblings of children in our swim lesson programme have preference over the general public. If you wish to register a sibling, you can do so once they have been assessed AND when everyone already in lessons has re-registered.
CHILDREN NEW TO THE LEISURE PARK PROGRAMME
All new children 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. Please book an assessment at reception.
Registration for new children takes place once all the children currently in our lesson programme have registered. Following the registration week any remaining places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
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.
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.
All personal belongings must be placed in the lockers provided and not left in the changing cubicles during lessons.
Parents must not hold changing cubicles while their child is in their swimming lesson.
REFUNDS POLICY
Refunds/Credit Notes are ONLY issued for medical reasons and on presentation of a medical certificate. Missed classes cannot be taken on any other day.
PLEASE NOTE
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.
From 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.
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes. Classes run for 1 hour in 12 week blocks.
CHILD SUPERVISION
*Parents/Guardians MUST remain on the premises during their child's lesson.
*Children are not permitted to enter the changing rooms until 10 mins before the start of their lesson. The gate to the pool area will be opened at the start of the lesson to allow all children to enter the pool.
*At the end of the lesson your child will be returned to the shower/changing area where they should be collected immediately.
*Children should not be left unsupervised in the shower area or in the changing rooms.
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 (facilitators/leaders) 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.
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.
Registration takes place at the beginning of each block of classes. Classes run for 1 hour in 12 week blocks.
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. Assessment and re-registration take place on week 8.
Classes run for 40 mins in 8 week blocks.
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.
In order to register for swimming Lessons at Westport Leisure Park all children must be assessed to determine their correct swimming level.
The following is a list of the criteria that must be achieved in order to register for each level.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 8
Level 9
Level 10
Level 11
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 10 m (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
- 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
Level 11
- Swim 200m Frontcrawl with tumble turns
- Swim 100m Backcrawl with turns and backcrawl finish
- Swim 100m breaststroke
- Swim 2 x 25m butterfly with 30 sec rest after each 25m
- Kick 50m Inverted Breaststroke carrying block for first 25m
- Swim 25m Sidestroke (top leg back, upper hand on hip)
- Demonstrate sitting or kneeling dive
- Kick 100m IM (Backcrawl, Breastroke, Butterfly & Frontcrawl)
- Swim 400m Frontcrawl with tumble turns
- Swim 200m Backcrawl with turns (demonstrating use of flags)
- Swim 200m Breaststroke
- Swim 50m Butterfly
- Kick 100m Inverted Breaststroke without use of hands
- Swim 50m Sidestroke (alternate sides)
- Demonstrate a dive
