AQUAED SWIM SCHOOL
SWIMMING PROSPECTUS
AquaEd is Stevenage Leisure Limited’s recognised brand for quality swimming lessons, delivering swimming lessons through the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming. All of our teachers are ASA qualified and regularly attend up-to-date courses to improve standards. Listed below are the classes we offer at Flitwick Leisure Centre:
Click here for Important AquaEd dates
*Ages are based on the age of the child on the first day of the swimming term. This rule has to be adhered to.
ADULT & CHILD
A child can begin their swimming career at Flitwick Leisure Centre by taking part in Adult & Child classes, in which the teacher will guide the parent to help their child gain water confidence and basic water skills. Toys are used to encourage enjoyment. Within Adult & Child classes, the swimmer has the opportunity to gain ‘Duckling Awards’, which are recognised as part of the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming.
Adult & Child classes are divided into 3 age groups:
6 months – 2 years*
2 years – 5 years*
5 years +
STAGE 1
This stage is for the swimmer who has just completed the Ducklings Awards, introducing the child to swim independently without a parent, but with floatation aids. Toys are used to encourage enjoyment.
Stage 1 classes are divided into 2 age groups:
3 years – 4 years*
5 years+*
STAGE 2
This stage naturally progresses from stage 1, encouraging the child to travel around the pool more confidently and without floatation aids. This stage teaches safe entries to the water, including jumping in; basic floating; travelling up to a distance of 5 metres; plus rotation to regain upright positions.
Stage 2 classes are also divided into 2 age groups:
3 years – 4 years*
5 years+*
STAGE 3
This stage aims to build confidence in the swimmer so that they are comfortable with complete submersion under water. This confidence then enables a swimmer to push and glide from the pool edge, collect an object from the pool floor and rotate in the water with ease.
STAGE 4
This stage introduces the child to the 4 strokes, focusing on the kicking element for a distance of 10 metres. This stage also gives the swimmer a better understanding of buoyancy in the water and introduces the water skill ‘sculling’; important for water based games such as water polo and Rookie lifesaving.
STAGE 5
This stage encourages a child to swim all 4 strokes for a distance of 10 metres, to the Amateur Swimming Association’s stroke standards. This stage introduces the swimmer to more advanced water skills, including treading water, performing a handstand and forwards somersaults.
STAGE 6
This stage introduces the swimmer to correct breathing techniques whilst swimming. By the end of this stage, swimmers will be able to swim 25 metres by one recognised stroke (ASA stroke standard).
STAGE 7
This stage develops quality stroke technique so that the swimmer will be able to complete 25 metres for all 4 strokes, progressing to 50 metres in one recognised stroke, and 100 metres using three different strokes. This stage also introduces the swimmer to diving.
FUNDAMENTAL SPORT SKILLS
Once the Swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water through stages 1 - 7, the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in different aquatic disciplines.
Stages 8 - 10 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming are now discipline specific. At Flitwick Leisure Centre we offer Rookie Lifesaving and Challenge Awards.
CHALLENGE AWARDS
Challenge awards include Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. These awards naturally progress from the stages, developing a swimmer’s water skills and stamina, important for a range of water activites.
ROOKIE LIFESAVING
The syllabus relating to the Rookie Lifesaving stages can be accessed through the RLSS website www.lifesavers.org.uk
MINI WATER-POLO
Suitable for those children who have passed Stage 7. A smaller, more basic than Water Polo itself. It is also a great multi-skill activity which teaches the fundamentals of aquatics and sport as a whole.
For bookings and further information please call on 01462 611575