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Information on this site may be out of date and is only intended for use by DBC staff for testing. The live website is available at:

www.darlington.gov.uk


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Swimming lessons

Swim4Life

The Dolphin Centre Swim4Life Scheme is based upon a framework known as the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS). The NPTS has been produced by Swim England (formally ASA), the UK’s National Governing Body for all Aquatic Disciplines.

Our Swim4Life lessons are for children aged 4 and above, starting at foundation and going up to stage 10.

Once stage 7 is achieved we have other aquatic lessons available; diving and rookie lifeguard.

To book onto our swimming lessons please contact our reception team (01325 406000) who can advise on the correct stage for your child.

Once we have you booked on you will received a unique Swim4Life card, which will enable you to register onto our online swimming portal known as the Swim4Life Hub.

https://leisurebookings.darlington.gov.uk/homeportal 

If you have any queries about swimming lessons you can use our online form at the bottom of the page.

Click here to view our Swim4Life leaflet [pdf document] 

How to manage your child's swim lessons from you computer or smartphone

1. Log on to the Swim4Life hub

2. Track progress

View your child's progress and achievements at your own convenience

3. Top up credits

We will email you to remind you when your credits are running low. Simply login and top up.

4. Progression

We will notify you by email when your child is ready to progress to the next stage. You can view availability and simply book onto the next stage

Stages

There are ten stages - when you register your child we will determine what level your child is at.

Foundation: Lessons for children who are aged 4yrs - 5yrs, these lessons introduce the children to the 'class' scenario, while learning the basic movements on front and back through play. Children can earn their duckling 1 - 3 badges during this stage.

Stage 1: Developing basic safety awareness, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use aids such as arm bands and floats.

Stage 2: Developing safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel front and back up to a distance of 5 metres, plus rotation to regain upright positions. Swimmers may use aids such as arm bands and floats.

Stage 3: Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. At this stage the swimmer will be assessed without the use of aids or support.

Stage 4: Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by Swim England.

Stage 5: Developing 'watermanship' through sculling and treading water skills and complete rotation, also performing all strokes for a distance of 10 metres to the given standard as provided by Swim England.

Stage 6: Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing across all strokes plus swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of the swimmer's choice.

Stage 7: Developing quality stroke techniques up to 100 metres, swim a distance of 25 metres front crawl, breast stroke, back stroke and butterfly.

Stage 8 - 10: Once the swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water through stages 1 - 7, the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in different aquatic disciplines like diving, water polo and rookie lifeguard skills. 

Diving

Develop and build on basic diving skills, such as the concept of a dive, floats, glides and movements in the water. Work to refine the basic body positions for diving will also take place poolside.

Rookie Lifeguard

Teach children valuable survival, rescue and sports skills. They are all delivered in an exciting way that will get children involved and motivated.

Adult Swimming Lessons

  • Wednesday: 7.00pm - 8.00pm 

Throughout these lessons, the teachers will talk with each individual and offer advice and guidance on how the individual can become more water confident, improving their skill and stroke development at the same time.

How to Register

To register onto our lessons simply speak to a receptionist who will be able to advise you on the appropriate stage that your child should be on. A form will then need to be completed and handed into reception along with payment for the first 10 credits, a Swim4Life card will then be created for your child. With the unique card number you will then be able to register online and track your child's progress, purchase further credits and move your child to the next stage when ready.

For further information about the registration process or any other queries regarding the Swim4Life Scheme please contact reception on 01325 406000.

Payments and Bank Holidays

Swimming lesson credits are purchased in groups of 10, with one lesson per week, these can be topped up online or at reception. Please note first payment must be made at reception upon registration. Where a bank holiday occurs or a lesson is cancelled, no credit will be taken.

Awards

Badges and certificates will be awarded if the child has achieved the necessary distance or level (email notification will be sent). Awards are not included in the course fee and can be purchased at the Dolphin Centre Reception. This is not compulsory.

What happens if I cannot attend a lesson?

Unfortunately we cannot refund or credit lessons for occasional missed lessons. However, we do have a refund policy should any swimmer be unable to attend their lessons over a sustained period due to a medical condition. We would require proof in order to add credits back onto a swimmers account. 

If you have any queries about swimming lessons you can use our online form below.

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