Swimming is a sport for all – it is an inclusive activity for people of all ages, all sizes, all abilities and all backgrounds, whether using this hugely popular sport for fun, fitness, health or wellbeing.
At The Pickaquoy Centre, we offer a range of classes to cater for all ages and abilities, from toddler to adult. Regardless of whether you are a complete beginner, or looking to improve your technique, our trained Swimming Instructors can help you to reach your goals.
Early Years Swimming Lessons
Early Years Swimming Lessons are designed to introduce your child to the water. It will provide the confidence and skills for parents to help teach their child to swim.
We are delighted to be bringing back early years classes to our swimming programme at Picky. The classes emphasis is on encouraging independent movement, developing water confidence and core aquatic skills through structured play using fun, games and songs. The Early Years Programme has three levels:
- Adult & Baby 3-12 Months
- Adult & Toddler - 12-24 Months
- Adult & Child 2-3.5 years
If you are interested in participating in these lessons or would like some more information, please contact our Courses team
Free Lessons (June/July)
Over the coming weeks we are training our next group of Swimming Instructors. As part of their training, we are offering free swimming lessons to help them build their skillset. We have free lessons scheduled for the 9th and 30th of June as well as the 7th and 28th of July. We are inviting current Learn to Swim children and those on our waiting list the opportunity to enrol in these extra sessions. The levels covered each week are as follows:
- Sunday 9th June Swim Skills Entry, 1a & 1b
- Sunday 30th June Swim Skills Entry, 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4 & Club Ready
- Sunday 7th of July Swim Skills 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4 & Club Ready
- Sunday 30th of July Swim Skills 2, 3, 4 & Club Ready
Click here for specific class times.
By enrolling your child into the swimming lessons, you are agreeing to allow The Pickaquoy Centre to take photos and/or videos of your child for Scottish Swimming instructor training and promotional purposes. In addition to swim instructor training, these images/videos may be used on Picky’s website or social media channels.
To book, contact our Customer Service team at reception or on 01856 879900. Alternatively, you can reply to this email courses@pickaquoy.com with your child’s level and the time you wish to book.
Learn to Swim
We run Learn to Swim courses during school term time throughout the year. The course content follows the National Framework for swimming in Scotland. Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in Scotland; representing affiliated clubs, swim schools, aquatic disciplines, and thousands of talented and committed volunteers across the entire swimmer pathway, from development and healthy living through to performance. The Learn to Swim courses are split into the following levels:
Pre-school (Age 3 - 5yrs)
To become water confident & develop core aquatic skills (without adult assistance but with buoyancy aids as required). Pre-school lessons are there to help the child with water confidence & to develop core aquatic skills essential for swimming lessons progression. These are done with no parent in the session, but at small ratio of 6:2. Children who complete their Pre-school lessons have an opportunity to progress onto Swim Skills 1 from the age of 4.
Swim Skills 1 (Age 4+ if completed Pre-school, 5+ without completing pre-school)
To further develop water confidence & develop core aquatic skills without aids.
Swim Skills 2
To increase the competency of the core aquatic skills & develop basic stroke technique.
Swim Skills 3
Introduce more advanced stroke technique & achieve Triple S standard.
Swim Skills 4
To improve the quality of stroke technique, introduce multi-aquatic skills/disciplines & basic lifesaving skills.
Club Ready
To improve & maintain stroke technique over distance & develop basic training & race skills producing a swimmer who is “Club Ready”.
Bronze, Silver & Gold
Through your child’s journey in the Learn to Swim Programme your child will be working towards attaining the National Standards, these are split into three levels - Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Bronze
Becoming Water Confident
Silver
Developing a Safer Swimmer
Gold
Achieving Aquatic Confidence
Click this link for more information in regards to the Learn to swim Frame programme & National Standards. For further information about Scottish Swimming, activities to enhance your child swimming & the Learn to Swim Programme please visit the Scottish Swimming Learn To Swim website.
Adult Swim Classes
This class is designed especially for those who would like some help and advice on their swimming technique and confidence in the water. Whether you are a complete beginner or would like to improve on your swimming, we aim to help you reach your goals while helping you to feel comfortable too. The adult swim classes are delivered weekly and the course block must be booked in advance.
Adult Beginners
To introduce adults to the swimming pool environment, where they can learn the core aquatic skills & early introduction to basic stroke techniques. This is a private session held out with public swimming times.
As well as the adult swim classes, we also offer Skills & Drills, Masters Swim and Power Swim which are coached swimming classes that run as part of our Group X classes. Please see the Pool Timetable for session times.
Any further information needed in regards to swimming lessons or your child's progress, please email the Courses team.