The Learn to Swim programme, part of the National Framework for Swimming in Scotland, aims to raise standards and achieve consistency in Leisure and Culture Dundee's Learn to Swim programmes.  Working closely with our partners, Scottish Swimming we provide an inclusive an progressive pathway for all ages and abilities.

Scottish Swimming have secured sponsorship from Scottish Water, Proud to Support the Learn to Swim programme enabling Scottish Swimming to develop the programme across Scotland over the next few years and roll it out to help 100,000 children to develop the skills they need to be safe, competent and confident swimmers.

Scottish Swimming have a brand new site specific to learn to swim, with advice for parents and water games for children, and you can sign up for regular updates too! Visit here: https://learntoswim.scot/

For parents, encouraging your child to learn to swim is one of the most important skills you will teach them. If you get children interested in swimming when they’re young there’s a good chance they’ll enjoy the water for the rest of their life, and remain fit and healthy.

Due to high demand for learn to swim, Leisure and Culture operate waiting lists which are opened periodicaly as spaces become available.  Please find details on what waiting lists are currently open ...

Swimming lessons are included within the Junior and Full Fit Leisureactive memberships. Other Leisueactive, Golf Dundee and Active Lifestyle members also receive a discount on swimming lessons.

Developing Water Confidence and Core Aquatic Skills Pre-school

Adult & Child Preschool (3-4 yrs)

TThese classes require a supervising adult accompanying the child in the water. Water confidence and independence will improve through wet play and games. Our Swim Teachers will be on poolside making the learn to swim experience

Pre-school ( 4 yrs to school age) 

This class is for children ready to work independently through wet play to build water confidence, with our Swim Teacher on the poolside.  Children will learn a range of aquatic skills without support or buoyance aids, working on a range of aquatic skills.

Please note - children 4 years who aren't ready to learn independently, have a fear of water or little experience in water would be best suited to an Adult & Child preschool class, where the supervising adult is on hand for 'in water' support. If you're unsure where your child would be best suited, please get in touch and we can advise.

School Age Learn to Swim Programme

Aim: This programme is designed to enable teachers to plan, deliver and assess progressive programmes that produce swimmers that, depending on their ambitions, are either 'club ready' or 'ready for lifelong swimming'.

Our programme has developed to accommodate older children (10 Years & over) who haven't yet learned to swim. Our inclusive programme is suited to children with additional support needs who can cope within a group setting.

Developing Water Confidence and Core Aquatic Skills Swim Skills 1

Aim: To further develop water confidence and develop core aquatic skills without buoyancy aids.

Becoming a Safer Swimmer Swim Skills 2

Aim: To increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique.

Becoming a Safer Swimmer Swim Skills 3

Aim: Introduce more advanced stroke technique and achieve Triple S standard.

Becoming 'Club Ready' or 'Ready for Lifelong Swimming' Swim Skills 4

Aim: To improve the quality of stroke technique, introduce multi aquatic skills/disciplines and basic lifesaving skills.

Becoming 'Club Ready' or 'Ready for Lifelong Swimming' Club Ready Swim

Aim: To improve and maintain stroke technique over distance and develop basic training and race skills producing a swimmer who is 'Club Ready'.

Adults Programme Learn to Swim programme

Aim: This programme is designed to help teachers formulate an all-inclusive pathway, providing opportunities for all adults to participate in swimming from beginners to Masters. It follows the same template as the Learn to Swim framework.

Developing Water Confidence and Core Aquatic Skills Adult Beginner

This stage is primarily focussed on water confidence, relaxation, streamlining and an introduction to core aquatic skills, including aquatic breathing.

Aim: To become water confident and develop core aquatic skills (without assistance but with buoyancy aids as required).

Developing a Confident Swimmer Adult Improver

Aim: To improve the quality of stroke technique.

This is a broad stage which will continue to build water confidence and will develop stroke technique and bi-lateral breathing.

Aim: To further develop core aquatic skills without buoyancy aids and develop basic stroke technique.

Adult Skills and Drills 1 & 2

Aim: To introduce more advanced stroke technique.

This stage will develop lane etiquette, learning to use equipment such as kickboards/pull buoys/fins, efficient stroke technique (four strokes optional) along with use of the clock. These stages will also introduce basic training programmes to develop fitness and stamina as well as continuing to improve technique.

Rookie Lifeguard

Aim:To 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.

Rookie Lifeguard is aimed at children – though the skills learned through the course of the programme are just as valuable to people of all ages. The scheme begins with Stage 1 of the Bronze Award and progresses to Stage 3 of the Gold Award, starting off at an ability level suitable for brand-new swimmers and progressing to the level where our Rookie Lifeguards perform impressive lifesaving tows.