Learn to swim
Swimming with Edinburgh Leisure is a safe and positive experience for all children in Edinburgh, of all ages and all abilities.
We have over 20 years of experience in helping the children of Edinburgh learn to swim, so we know a thing or two about children in the water. Our swim teams are led by highly qualified SSTQ and Level 2 teachers who are continually up-skilled, developed and monitored by a team of professionals.
Find out more about:
Our Classes
We offer classes for all ages (from birth to adults), including lessons for children with additional support needs in a choice of centres. We have lessons in 9 pools across the City. Click from the list below to find the right class for your or your child:
Find Swim classes for Early Years (Ages 0 to 4)
Find Swim classes for Juniors (From P1 to age 18)
Find Swim classes for ASN (Ages 3 to 18)
Getting back to the water after a long break means stepping back initially to build water confidence again so please don’t worry if your child has regressed a little during lockdown. Be patient and they will soon be back to where they were.
Reach your targets quicker with our expert 1-2-1 lessons!
Hone your skills in the water with our 1-2-1 swim and dive lessons.
Whether you are looking to build confidence in the pool or perfect your technique our enthusiastic team will help guide, support and encourage you to achieve your goals - fast. Our lessons are open to all ages and abilities, although the swim 1-2-1 session times are more suitable for adults.
Prices are £20 for a 25 minute session or £40 for 50 minutes. Bookings can be made up to a week in advance (or 8 days in advance if you have a membership card). Book via our App, or click here to book online.
Learn to Swim - Early Years
Our Pre-School programme specifically designed for ages 0 - 4 years aims teaches you how to safely handle your baby in water and gently introduces your child to the exciting world of aquatics. It will take your child through a seamless journey to becoming a safer independent, confident swimmer.
Swim Baby
A fun relaxed class for both you and your baby. The use of songs and structured play will encourage safe handling of your baby in the water and will ensure a great start to your babies swimming journey. This class is suitable for children from 0 to 1 year with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water.
Swim Toddler
The class again uses songs and structured play to encourage your toddler to become more independent and confident in the water. This class is suitable for children aged 1 to 2 years with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water.
Swim Nippers
For children aged 2 to 4 years with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water. Children's water confidence and independence will grow and grow through structured play, songs, and games.
Swim Pre-School
For children aged 3.5+, your child will work independently learning through structured play and will develop their water confidence and ability to perform a range of aquatic skills without the support of buoyancy aids.
Learn to Swim - Junior
Children will move from a basic understanding of the strokes and how to move through water through to developed stroke techniques, tumble turns and race starts.
They'll be confident swimmers and able to develop both skill and fitness. They'll also have the skills to diversify into other aquatic options such as diving, water polo and synchronised swimming should they wish to do so.
Swim Skills 1
Swim Skills 1+
Swim Skills 2
In Swim Skills 2, children will increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique. This class is suitable for children who have an understanding of stroke technique and who can swim 10 metres Front crawl and Back crawl as well as attempting Breaststroke and Butterfly leg actions.
Depending on the venue, this level may take place in deep water so children need to be both confident in the water and able
to tread water when out of their depth.
Swim Skills 3
Children who are competent at swimming 15m in a 'recognisable' stroke e.g front crawl, back crawl or breaststroke, will be introduced to a more advanced stroke technique
Swim Skills 4
Children who can maintain the correct technique over 25m in Front crawl, Back crawl and Breaststroke and can demonstrate basic Butterfly will continue to develop a quality technique while gradually increasing distance.
Club Ready
Suitable for children who can demonstrate good technique over 50 metres in Front crawl, Back crawl and Breaststroke and 15 metres in Butterfly.
Please note that children will need to be able
to maintain criteria over 50 mins.
Junior Skills & Drills
For those who have graduated from the Club Ready class. A great session to continue working on technique, maintaining fitness and developing other areas of advanced aquatics.
Learn to Swim - Adults
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to swim and we are proud to offer adult swimming lessons in selected venues. Whether you’ve never swam before or are looking to improve your stroke technique and fitness, our lesson programme will support you. For adults looking to refine their stroke technique further and build their fitness beyond swimming lessons why not try out our Skills and Drills classes, a class designed to improve your technique, make you a stronger swimmer and introduce you to key aquatic drills.
Beginner
Our beginners classes look to build water confidence, introduce a range of aquatic skills, and develop the basics of all swimming strokes. This class is for adults who are new to swimming or for those who are not yet swimming confidently.
Improver
Our improvers class aims to develop more efficient swimming technique in the four strokes. This class is for adults who – want to develop their swimming skills over a greater distance and be more proficient in deep water.
Stroke Development
Our stroke development class refines effective technique in the swimming strokes, develops effective starts/ turns, and involves more advanced aquatic skills. This class is for adults who can swim lengths of different strokes.
Learn to Swim - ASN
The water provides a fantastic environment for children with additional needs to experience freedom of movement, buoyancy and stimulation. Our experienced teachers will work with you to determine the best approach to swimming lessons for your child. We have a variety of ASN specific classes which are details below, however where appropriate we may recommend and encourage integrating within our main group lessons.
At this time we are
unable to provide a teacher in the water so if your child requires this level
of support a parent/ carer will be required in the water
Adult Stroke Development ASN
Our stroke development class refines effective technique in the swimming strokes. This class is for adults who can swim lengths.
Swim Skills ASN & Carer
A class specific to children within Swim Skills who require additional support in the water by parent/ guardian.