Adult & Children Swimming Lessons Cork
Daunted by swimming? Have you ever considered swimming lessons? Whether you’re a total beginner or want to improve your swimming stroke, at the LeisureWorld Swim School in Cork we have swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. Adult lessons are fun, enjoyable and structured to enable the individual swimmer to learn at his/her own pace.
Each person is assessed at the beginning of the course and is advised of which class will suitably reflect their ability so they are learning alongside adults of the same standard. We feel this is the best way to teach swimming as it allows you the opportunity to progress at your own pace.
Click adult or children’s lessons below to read more.
Adult Swimming Lessons
Group Lessons
LeisureWorld’s experienced instructors guide each person through the programme which covers the basics of swimming and helps improve your skills through a programme of gradual progression and motivation.
These are available at different times throughout the year, please contact your local LeisureWorld Facility to see when the next course is starting.
New Courses
One to One Swimming Lessons
These lessons are on a one to one basis with a qualified instructor. If you want to improve your water confidence, a particular stroke, skill or even train for an event, this individual session is suitable for you.
It is also useful for people that need extra practice & instruction to achieve & develop a particular skill.
Price
€35 for 30 mins
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Children's Swimming Lessons
Understand Our Courses at LeisureWorld
At LeisureWorld Bishopstown, we offer three main swimming programs tailored to suit different skill levels and interests:
- Water Safety and Fun: A beginner-level program for children aged 5 and above, focusing on water confidence, safety, and basic swimming techniques.
- Swimming Skills: An advanced program for passionate swimmers, designed to refine strokes, build endurance, and prepare for competitive-style swimming.
- Rookie Lifeguard Classes: A specialised program teaching lifesaving and rescue skills, ideal for children interested in learning essential water safety techniques.
Read on to learn more about each program and find the perfect fit for your child!
Water Safety and Fun
Our Water Safety and Fun program is designed for beginners, perfect for children aged 5 and above who have little to no prior swimming experience. This course introduces kids to swimming and gradually builds their skills in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Key competencies covered include:
- Learning water safety in shallow and deep areas.
- Mastering fundamental swim strokes: front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke.
- Engaging in fun and interactive water activities.
The program consists of four progressive levels: Starfish, Penguins, Turtles, and Dolphins. Each level focuses on specific skills and milestones. Children progress at their own pace, advancing to the next level only when they achieve the required competencies.
Main Goals of Each Level
Starfish: Ages 5 -7 years old
This level helps children build confidence in the water and introduces basic water skills.
- Putting their face in the water.
- Floating on their front and back.
- Gliding through the water with confidence.
Penguins: 5 – 9 year olds
At this stage, children adapt to larger pools, strengthen their coordination, and extend their water skills.
- Getting comfortable in a big pool.
- Kicking their legs to swim longer distances.
- Swimming on their back (belly up).
- Retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool.
- Swimming through hoops.
Turtles: 6 – 10 year olds
This level emphasises advanced swimming techniques and deep-water safety.
- Using arms for all swimming strokes.
- Treading water effectively.
- Safely jumping and diving in the deep end.
- Swimming full strokes (front crawl, back crawl).
- Introducing breaststroke.
Dolphins:
The final stage focuses on long-distance swimming and deep-water confidence.
- Mastering breathing techniques for all strokes.
- Staying confidently in the deep end for the entire class.
- Perfecting the breaststroke kick and timing.
- Swimming longer distances in all strokes.
- Retrieving objects from deep water.
- Performing kneeling and standing dives.
Upon completing the Dolphins level, your child will graduate from Water Safety and Fun.
What’s Next After Graduation?
If your child loves swimming and wishes to advance further, they can join our Swimming Skills program. This course is for passionate swimmers and focuses on:
- Practicing lane swimming.
- Perfecting all four main strokes: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, and butterfly.
- Learning starts, turns, and diving techniques.
- Building endurance and speed.
Age Range for Swimming Skills Levels
- Sharks 1: 8–12 years old.
- Sharks 2: 8–15 years old.
After completing Swimming Skills, students can join the LeisureWorld Sharks Swim Club, which focuses on competitive-style lane swimming.
Age Range for Swim Club: 10–17 years old.
While it’s not an official swim club for competitions, it’s an excellent pathway for future competitive swimmers.
Price
€52 Monthly Direct Debit
Rookie Lifeguard Classes
For children interested in lifesaving and rescue skills, our Rookie Lifeguard Classes are a fantastic option.
Key skills taught include:
- Lifesaving swimming strokes.
- Safely towing individuals out of the water.
- Administering CPR and using an AED.
- First-aid techniques like bandaging.
- Recognising and assisting different types of casualties.
Age Range for Rookie Lifeguard: 8–14 years old.
No matter your child’s interest or skill level, LeisureWorld has a course to help them develop confidence, competence, and a lifelong love for swimming.
How to Enrol
To join to the LeisureWorld Swim Courses here in Cork, all children will be given a FREE 5 – 10 minute assessment. This will identify the current swimming ability of the child and allow us to place them in the appropriate level.
Free assessments must be pre-booked HERE.
Price
€52 Monthly Direct Debit
LeisureWorld Swim Camps
During school holidays throughout the year, these courses are run over 4 or 5 days. Each swimming lesson lasts for 30 minutes. These courses give a boost to children’s swimming skills in a short period of time. They are also a fun and productive way of filling up holiday time.
Price
Please enquire with our reception team
One to One Swimming Lessons
*Currently Not available*
These lessons are on a one to one basis with a qualified instructor. These are ideal if group classes are not suitable for your child or even as an add-on to group classes. If you want your child to improve water confidence, a particular stroke or skill then these this individual sessions could be just the fit!
It is also useful for children that need extra practice & instruction to achieve & develop a particular skill.
Price
€35 for 30 mins
Two to One Swimming Lessons
*Currently Not available*
These lessons are on a Two to One basis with a qualified instructor. This offers the same support a One to One, but allows for two children of a similar level to take part together.
Price
FAQs
Assessments FAQ
How do I enroll my child in swimming lessons?
Before your child can be enrolled, an assessment needs to be completed. During this assessment, our swim instructors will evaluate not only your child’s abilities in the water but also how comfortable they are in the pool environment without their guardian being present. Afterward, the instructor will inform you of the most appropriate level for your child based on our competencies. Then, you can visit the reception, where they will be ready to enroll your child in one of our groups.
What do I need to bring for the assessment?
For the assessment, your child needs to wear their swimming gear, including a swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles (goggles are optional for the assessment but mandatory for the lessons). Don’t forget to bring a towel and any extra clothing items needed for after the assessment.
How long is the assessment?
The assessment itself takes no longer than 5 minutes, but you may need to wait for your child to be called by one of our teachers, as there could be a queue. It is the parent’s responsibility to stay on-site for the entire duration of the assessment and any necessary waiting time. Parents should remain in the shower area to hand their child over to the instructor, collect them afterward, and receive further instructions from the assessor.
What does my child need to start swimming lessons?
Your child does not need any previous swimming experience but must be at least 5 years old to enroll in our swimming school. Additionally, they need to be within the age range for our classes. This is because our learner’s pool is not suitable for older or taller children, and the shallow end of the main pool may be too small for them.
What if my child has a learning disability or any medical condition?
If your child has a learning disability or medical condition, please inform our reception staff when enrolling, so they can record the information. This will help the swim instructors tailor the lessons appropriately.
FAQ on Swim Lessons
My child has just finished Dolphins. Can they move to Sharks immediately?
No. The “Water Safety and Fun” course (Starfish, Penguins, Turtles, and Dolphins) and the “Swimming Skills” course (Sharks 1 and 2) are separate courses with different goals and skill levels. Once your child completes all competencies in the Water Safety and Fun group, they will graduate from that course. If, after finishing Dolphins, your child wants to further improve their technique, stamina, and
distance, we recommend contacting our reception team to check availability in the Swimming Skills course.
When will my child be ready to move to the next level?
Each child develops at their own pace and will progress through competencies in their own time. To track their progress, use the LeisureWorld app, where you can see if they have passed each competency. Once all competencies have been passed, the instructor will wait a couple of weeks to ensure the child can consistently perform all requirements before moving them up to the next level. This ensures they will be comfortable in the next group.
My child isn’t moving up, and I believe they have been in a group for too long. What should I do?
Half an hour of practice a week can only take you so far. Your child can swim for free at LeisureWorld as long as they are enrolled in classes. We recommend bringing them for extra swims to help them get more practice and become more comfortable with their swimming skills. This will support their progress, so we encourage parents to bring their children for extra practice as often as possible. Remember, you play an important role in your child’s progress.
Can I watch my child’s swimming lessons?
Yes, you should! Our facility has a viewing gallery where parents can watch the lessons. Please drop your child off at the shower area, then go around to reception to enter the viewing gallery. 5 minutes before the class ends, parents should return to the shower area to assist their child.
How do I know if my child is progressing?
To track your child’s progress, use the LeisureWorld app to view their competencies and see if they have passed them. Please note that if your child misses several lessons, some competencies they previously passed may be marked as “not passed” again. Be sure to keep bringing them to class to maintain progress. Click here for a step by step on how to log in to your account.
How do I receive updates about swimming lessons or any changes?
Please ensure that your contact information (phone number, email address, etc.) is up to date with our receptionists. This way, you’ll receive all our emails with updates about lessons, levels, and any other relevant information.
Contact your local LeisureWorld for more information.
