Learning to swim can be such a nerve racking experience for both the young and the old, but once mastered it is great fun. It will help create a healthier lifestyle if undertaken regularly and enable a safer environment when around water. All our classes have smaller pupil teacher ratios than those recommended by Swim England or the STA.
Babies & Toddlers Swimming Lessons
Babies can start swimming with us from birth as per NHS guidelines although we recommend joining our West Buckland pool from 3months. Our babies will follow the STA Starfish Series wth support from a parent in the water. Around the age of three, they will then continue onto the STA STAnley Series, where the children are encouraged to swim without a parent in the water. Our teachers are also qualified in Aqua Sensory and this will form part of our lessons ensuring that we meet the needs of the 'whole' child. Online Enquiry Form.
Children's Swimming Lessons
Lessons for children are taught using the STA Awards Scheme. This is an all-inclusive programme which takes the non-swimmer from his or her first splash to developing confidence to being competent in the water. The scheme emphasis is on learning through fun, developing fundamental multi-aquatic skills and safety. Teachers will teach non-swimmers and early beginners in the water, with an assistant. All classes will have no more than 8 in a group. Multiple classes are run at the same time for for siblings to swim together. Online Enquiry Form.
Adult's Swimming Lessons
Lessons for the most nervous adult to the more advanced. Small class ratios are ideal allowing more individual attention. An advantage with our adult lessons, is that there is no public swimming around you or watching you learn.*
* please note there may be other lessons at the same time being held. These may be child lessons and parents will be present on poolside as spectators.
Private Swimming Lessons
For whatever reason, we can offer private lessons to suit the individuals needs, whether this be for a nervous adult, someone needing extra support or working towards a competition or needing more technical guidance etc. Private lessons can be on a 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 ratio and are offered at our West Buckland pool during term time and crash courses.
Disability Swimming
Many of our teachers have undergone the additional STA People with Disabilities Swim Teacher course, to allow us to offer swimming lessons to all learners. Some of our teachers have advanced their knowledge with regards to communication, as they have also undergone Makaton workshops. Our swimschool is proud to be able to allow all inclusive lessons at our West Buckland School Pool. Those that require additional support, can receive this via private lessons or within group lessons, as our assistants and helpers offer that extra help. Online Enquiry Form.
General Adult Lane Swim
We are aware that there is limited general adult swimming oportunities within the North Devon area and have adapted our timetable and pool layout to offer the public a lane where swimmers can swim at their leisure. General Adult Lane Swim sessions are maxed at 6 per lane to reduce congestion. Swim at your leisure at our private pool, West Buckland School Pool. Plans can be written for you but this is not an Instructor led session. Pay as you go but booking is required to secure place in lane. To book or enquire, please complete our Online General Adult Lane Swim Enquiry Form.
Special Olympic Swimming
Our swimschool owner and swimschool Manager, Charlotte, is North Devon Special Olympics Head Swimming Coach. Charlotte, with the support from the team, currently train 4 down syndrome swimmers across all 4 stroke disciplines and in distances ranging from 25m to 100m. The team work together to support one another and travel the country competing in Special Olympic competitions, as well as the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, where our very own Millie won British Bronze in 25m Breaststroke back in Novemeber 2022!
Crash Courses
We aim to run Crash Courses at our West Buckland School Pool during the Easter and Summer holidays. These lessons are an hour in length, instead of the traditional half an hour lessons and are run over 3 consecutive days. These courses are good for swimmers who are moving up a level, thus preparing them for their move or allows those who require that extra support with regards to confidence or strength during the term break. Alternatively, new swimmers can join these courses, allowing them to experience our swimschool before enrolling into lessons. Crash Course Online Enquiry Form.
Mermaid Swim Sessions
Our swimschool owners are the Managing Director and Director of the National company MermaidsUK. Many of our staff are MermaidsUK Instructors allowing us to offer Mermaid Experiences, Mermaid Swim Lessons and Mermaid Parties at our West Buckland Pool. All participants must be 6 years and pass the MermaidsUK swim test. For more information or to book a Mermaid session, please Contact MermaidsUK by clicking here. Aquarius Swimschool can also offer Monofin training within lessons through using the MermaidsUK fins.
Birthday Parties
Looking for a fun activity for your child's Birthday Party?
Aquarius Swimschool can provide Pool Parties throughout the year. Our Pool Parties can run for up to two hours at our West Buckland School Pool. They will be manned by our swimming teachers who are Pool Lifeguard qualified to maintain safety for all. A fun relaxed session to help celebrate your special occascion for up to 60 swimmers in the water at one time. Swimming equipment, aids and inflatables can be avilable upon request. For more information please Contact Us.