Swimming Lessons
We offer a variety of swimming lessons to suit an array of ages and abilities at Riverside Leisure Centre and St Sidwell's Point.
Swimming lessons are still running during Bank Holidays permitting the centre is open during your lesson time slot.
If you would like further information or to book, please contact swimming@exeter.gov.uk
To view your child's swimming progress, click here! Your login details will be the email used for the swimmer's membership and the membership number.
A Junior or Family Membership is required in order to have swimming lessons.
The different classes we offer are:
Adult & Child
A perfect start to swimming. This class is for babies, toddlers and pre-school children whether they are new to swimming or progressing on their journey. Ideal for gaining water confidence while staying close to their adult, as their grown up goes in the water with them.
Duckling
A fun and interactive class for pre-school children aged 3 and 4 years old, who are new to swimming or working towards their Duckling 1, 2, 3 or 4.
A games led approach taking swimmers from Duckling 1, where children start to move by themselves to Duckling 4, where they will be jumping in, going underwater, floating and travel 10 metres without support. Learning to swim with their grown-up in the water with them.
Cygnets
An invitation only class for our 3 and 4 year old swimmers who have achieved Duckling 1-4 with us. Cygnets is a smaller class tailored for our younger swimmers working towards their Stage 1 and 2 criteria. When turning 5 swimmers will move into the Stage class they are working towards.
Stage 1
Suitable for swimmers aged 5-7 Years old where they can build water confidence through fun and games, while introducing water safety skills and the basic skills needed to build swimming ability.
Stage 2
Starting with the ability to move 5 metres with or without buoyancy aids, Stage 2 sees swimmers develop streamlining, aquatic breathing, floating and travel competently without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick.
Beginners 8+
A dedicated class for beginners aged 8-15 years. Stage 1 and 2 criteria are taught in water suitable for their height. Once completed swimmers will move into a Stage 3 class.
Stage 3
Progressing leg kick and introducing over arm on front and back. Stage 3 builds technique over 5-10 metres. Whilst streamlining develops under water, rotation skills built on and water safety discussed.
Stage 4
This class sees swimmers perfect their leg kicks for all four strokes and further develop push and glides, while also being introduced to sculling. They will develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills and should swim 10 metres to expected standards.
Stage 5
Swimmers will develop their skills in treading water, learn the correct arm pulls for all four strokes and learn how to do handstands and somersaults. This means they will develop their technique and perform all strokes to the expected standards.
Stage 6
Enhancing skills learnt in the previous stages swimmers are taught an efficient technique for all four swim strokes. Skills taught include coordination, breathing and an understanding of water safety.
Stage 7
Focuses on fully developing all four swimming strokes, as well as building stamina and improving diving skills. Swimmers should develop a quality stroke technique for up to 100 metres.
Adult Swimming Lessons (No Membership Required) £60
Lesson Duration: 30 minutes
Location: 20 metre Pool St Sidwell’s Point max depth 1.20 metres. With opportunities to try the main pool 2 metre depth
Adult Beginners
This Beginners Course will focus on gaining water confidence teaching the ability to move around the pool with confidence and to achieve basic core aquatic skills. These are entries, exits, buoyancy, balance and aquatic breathing.
This would be suitable for total beginners who have never been in a pool before, including swimmers who are attempting short distances of up to about 5 metres.
Lesson Duration: 30 minutes
Location: 20 metre Pool St Sidwell’s Point max depth 1.20 metres
Adult Improvers
This Improvers Course builds on independence, teaching efficient leg kicks and the correct arm movements to develop the full stroke.
Swimmers have the option to learn all four strokes of specialise in their preferred option. The course also includes learning to scull and tread water and opportunities to practice jumping into 2 metre pool depth.
A course for those who are confident to put their faces/head in the water, can float without buoyancy aids and have learnt the necessary skills to swim short distances from 5 – 25 metres.
Lesson Duration: 30 minutes
Location: 20 metre Pool St Sidwell’s Point max depth 1.20 metres. With opportunities to try the main pool 2 metre depth
Adult Intermediate
This Intermediate Course focuses on the four strokes or your stroke of preference. Teaching rhythmical breaths in front crawl and backstroke and/or progressing butterfly and breaststroke from 25 metres to 400 metres. This class includes sculling, treading water, diving and tumble turns.
Adult Intermediate lessons are suitable for swimmers who can safely swim 25 metres, whilst maintaining a horizontal position without buoyancy aids or holding onto the side/touching the floor.
Swimmers will not be able to touch the floor in this lesson.
To book into the adult classes, please visit the reception at St Sidwell's Point or Riverside Leisure Centre.