Class Descriptions
LEVEL 1: Introducing inexperienced swimmers to the water. This class will aim to develop water confidence by playing games, moving around the pool freely, get their faces wet, blow bubbles underwater and learn to swim on their front and backs with a buoyancy aid.
LEVEL 2: Children will be encouraged to push and glide both on their front and backs and aim to swim 5 metres by the end of this level without the use of buoyancy aids. They will continue working on developing underwater skills such as submerging and identifying objects underwater. Mushroom floating will be taught as well as developing more water safety awareness.
LEVEL 3: More emphasis is put upon developing the leg kick of the three main strokes, frontcrawl, backcrawl and breaststroke, whilst holding a float. More work is done on pushing and gliding. Swimmers should be able to swim 10 metres of a recognised stroke at the end of this level.
LEVEL 4: Swimmers should be able to kick 10m using all 4 of the competitive strokes. Experimenting with various floating techniques and sequences as well as sculling is taught. Water safety awareness is continued. The initial practices for diving are also taught at this level. A shallow end class with an introduction to deeper water.
LEVEL 5: A focus on swimming in deep water will be taught in Level 5. Water safety topics are discussed. The correct leg, and arm action will be expected to pass this level. More pre-diving practices will be worked on, including handstands, as well as more floating techniques. Dolphin kicking will be practised.
LEVEL 6: The children are introduced to swimming with a T shirt on as well as learning basic rescue techniques. The strokes are developed further by learning correct finishes for each stroke as well as introducing underwater swimming. Swimmers should be close to swimming 50m effectively.
LEVEL 7: Swimmers will need to aim for 100m without stopping to pass level 7. Sculling both head and feet first are covered. Swimmers will need to complete an obstacle course and a movement sequence covering all the skills they have been taught.
At all levels, a continuing emphasis is placed upon developing correct techniques on all strokes. Holmewood House Swim School follow the Swim England programme. More information can be found on the following link: https://www.swimming.org/learntoswim/asa-learn-to-swim-awards-1-7/
The Swim England Challenge Awards:
Bronze Challenge: This class can be attended once Level 7 has been completed. Students should be able to swim 400m using good technique in at least two strokes. Further work on stroke development takes place as well as a variety of skills such as treading water and swimming underwater.
Silver Challenge: Students should have completed Bronze Challenge. Activities include a timed swim over 4 lengths and various skills including surface dives and sculling and a swim of 800m using a variety of strokes.
Gold Challenge: Students must have completed Silver Challenge. Two-timed swims of 100m and 800m take place together with a variety of skills including sculling, treading water and somersaults.
Honours Challenge: Swimmers must have completed Gold Challenge. A timed swim over 40 lengths in 20 minutes to include 2 head first and two feet first dives and swimming through hoops under water plus various skill sequences are attempted.
More information can be found on the following link: https://www.swimming.org/learntoswim/asa-swimming-challenge-awards/
Lifesaving: The Rookie Lifeguard programme will inspire and embolden your child, helping them keep themselves, their friends and their family safe in the water through a range of fun activities that lead towards a series of awards. Children can attend from completing Level 8 onwards. From these classed children can move into competitive lifesaving, or becoming a fully qualified lifeguard.
Water Polo: The Mini Polo programme involves learning the basics of Water Polo sport from movement, shooting and passing to more complex skills and technique. Children can attend from completing Level 8 onwards. From this class children can move on to more competitive water polo.
Advanced Swimming: Advanced swimming is for children who may not want to commit to the demands of Swimming Clubs, and will teach children competitive starts, tumble turns, takeovers and finishes. Children can attend from completing Gold onwards.
Private Lessons: Holmewood Offer 1:1 lessons on a regular basis or as a one off to help the children complete the swimming classes as efficiently as possible. Please contact us for more information.