Learn to Swim
Interested in your child learning to swim?
Sign them up to our Learn to Swim lessons

Core Skills
Core Skills consist of 4 different stages where the goal is to develop a strong, foundational swimming ability. As these stages are large and cover more ground, progression through them may be more gradual but the end result will be a swimmer confident in deep water with a good swimming technique!
Once swimmers have completed Core Skills, they’ll have the option of progressing to our club progression:
Branch 1: Club progression
Club progression starts with our Advanced Swim Skills stage, providing swimmers with the skills and technique needed to proceed into one of our Dolphins club squads. For the swimmer who wants to develop their technique and continue breaking personal best times, club progression will set them up to the challenge!
Younger Years
We hope to run pre-school lessons that will include Adult & Baby, Adult & Toddler and Adult & Child stages. These will provide introductory confidence for both parents and young swimmers, giving even the youngest of swimmers a fantastic introduction to the world of swimming! These lessons, along with our Junior Core Skills (for children from the age of 4), will serve to pave the way into the core stages.
Also, stay tuned for our future Aquanatal class, which will equip future parents with gentle aquatic exercise and confidence!
Adult Lessons
We are also planning to provide a variety of led sessions for adults in the future, including Basic Water Confidence for beginners and Stroke Development for those wanting to improve on or learn a particular swimming stroke!
Finally, look out for our SwimFit sessions, with training plans intended to really work the fitness and technique of those already confident in the water!
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can my child start swimming lessons?
We believe that the earlier a child is introduced to the aquatic environment, the better! For our Preschool programme your child can start at any age, however to begin entering lessons unattended by a parent, children must be 4 years old.
Can I book my child into lessons at any time?
All of our Learn to Swim classes are provided in 10 week blocks and lessons run in term-time in line with Argyll and Bute Councils School Holidays. Select the link below to fill out a questionnaire to place your child in the right level! Once completed, select a time and date that’s suits you!
How long will it take my child to learn to swim?
The time it takes each child to learn will vary, as children can find some skills easier to learn than others. It’s worth keeping in mind that it’s perfectly normal for children to plateau at certain stages as they develop their swimming skills and even to regress following circumstances such as a break from lessons.
Terms & Conditions
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1. Lessons will be delivered over 3 x 10-week block throughout the academic year, unless stated otherwise. Each class will have its own designated teacher scheduled per block; substitute teachers may be called upon on short notice.
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2. Lesson fees are non-refundable where the swimmer has missed lessons. Refunds will only be given for serious health issue or illness where the lessons will be missed for 4 or more consecutive weeks, and only if the absence is supported by a healthcare provider. Forms for this purpose can be collected from reception on MACPool Activity Hub.
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3. If you child is unwell, we recommend that you do not bring them to their swimming lesson. If you child has had diarrhoea and/or vomiting, they should not be brough to lessons as it can be contagious. Please wait until at least two weeks after it has cleared up before returning to lessons.
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4. Swim Teachers will perform on-going assessments of each swimmer. Progression of the swimmer will be at the discretion of the Swim Teacher and swimmers will be moved up to the next level once they have met the required criteria.
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5. All long hair should be tied back or put in a swim cap. Please ensure that your children have well-fitting goggles that do not cover their noses.
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6. Cancelled lessons will be re-scheduled at the end of each block of lessons. If a new date cannot be provided a refund will be issued. No refund will be given if the re-scheduled lessons is unattended.
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7. All payments must be made by direct debit. Initial payment will be the cost of lessons outstanding in the current month. Thereafter, the direct debit will be the annual cost of the 3 blocks, spread over 12 months.
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8. Management reserves the right to modify these conditions at their discretion.
- 9. Management reserves the right to revoke any bookings, if payment is not made after 2 e-mail prompts, or for any other reason applicable.
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10. Verbal and/or physical abuse towards MACPool staX will not be tolerated and, may lead to the forfeiting of any bookings within the Learn to Swim program, without the option of a refund.
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11. Withdrawing your child from the program must be done in writing and e-mailed to learntoswim@macpool.org.uk Failure to do so, may result in further payments and fees.
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12. Each child on the Learn to Swim program will be entitled to a free child membership. Memberships may only be used for the named child. If a child has withdrawn from the program, the membership will be de-activated. Membership terms and conditionals apply.
CLICK HERE to enroll your child in our Learn to Swim Program today!