General Information

Swim Borders is Borders Sport and Leisure Trust’s award winning programme which will improve the provision and standard of swimming in the Borders. One of the main aspects of this is to continue to develop and improve our excellent ‘Learn to Swim’ scheme in partnership with Scottish Swimming, the national governing body for swimming in Scotland. We aim, through Swim Borders, to offer the highest quality instruction to all ages at an affordable price.

Under 8's Rule

To ensure swimming remains fun for everyone, we operate a strict ratio policy for children under 8 years.

All under 8's must be accompanied in the water by an adult (over 16 years of age).

An adult can only be responsible for:

• A maximum of 2 children aged 4 years and over but under 8 years

• A maximum of 1 child aged under 4 years

This adult must remain within reach of the child/ren at all times. Children who have achieved Borders Sport and Leisure's Passport may be exempt from this. Please contact a member of staff should you be uncertain of this policy.

Babies to Pre-School

The younger your child is introduced to swimming the more their confidence and ability will grow. We have four specially tailored levels for babies as young as 6 months through to pre-school children.

School Age Children

With 8 progressive levels from complete beginner right through to the pre-competitive swimmer, your child will not only learn and develop the four main swimming strokes but will also gain valuable skills that could keep them safe in the water.

What We Have To Offer

Levels are designed to suit your child’s skills and challenges them at the right pace.
Lessons promote quality and skills in the strokes with emphasis on excellent technique which leads to achieving increased distance. progression is smooth and continuous. All classes are taught by qualified instructors. All classes are backed by a nationally recognised award and recognition scheme.

Swim Borders Classes

ADULT & CHILD AWARDS
The Adult & Child Swimming Programme has been designed for the Swimming teacher or parent to introduce babies to the water environment in a structured and safe way. Full of activities and explanations, this programme will provide the knowledge, ideas and fun ways to introduce swimming to babies and very young children.

 

LEARN TO SWIM Scottish Swimming’s children, Splish & Splash (featured below), who love the water, motivate and encourage swimmers as they progress through the eight levels of the Learn to Swim Programme. Level 1 Introduces the young non swimmer to the water environment. Establishes early floating and breathing practices whilst being supported by an adult in the water. Level 2 The underwater environment is introduced with the introduction of submerging whilst building on the swimmer’s confidence in being safe around and, moving through the water. Level 3 Early swimming stroke technique is incorporated into this level with beginner freestyle and backstroke practices. Floatation skills, confidence underwater and on entering and exiting the water are reinforced and progressed. Level 4 Continues to build on spatial awareness with having the swimmer perform tasks upside down. Treading water with different techniques is introduced and the swimming strokes are taken further with the addition of early breaststroke pull. Level 5 Basics of tumbling and streamlining provide the swimmer with the ability to refine their orientation and movement through the water. Fundamentals of swimming and kicking for a set distance are also introduced. Level 6 Undulation and sculling techniques are essential to level 6. Swimmers can also build on their motor skill patterns being developed in the swimming strokes, diving practices and general manoeuvrability through the water. Level 7 This level introduces early endurance swimming practices including a 50m swim and builds on personal safety skills in water. The swimmer will be able to demonstrate full stroke technique in all 4 competitive swimming strokes. Level 8 The final level introduces elements of rhythm to the swimming stroke technique and builds upon skills learned in streamlining, sculling, kick and pull to provide the swimmer with all the necessary skills to pursue activity in any of the aquatic disciplines. Information on class awards © Scottish Swimming

Information