Learn to swim
Swimming with Edinburgh Leisure is a safe, positive and inspirational 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 Level 2 teachers who are continually up-skilled, developed and monitored by a team of professionals. We offer classes for all ages (from birth to adults - see below), including lessons for children with additional support needs in a choice of centres. We have lessons in 10 pools across the City.
You can also log into our online Coaching Home Portal to get information about your child’s progress.
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. 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.
Smaller classes of 4 swimmers per teacher (1:4 ratio) are available for children who require a teacher in the water to help build confidence and become independent in the water.
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 with great skills for swimming for 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 Beginner 1
This class is for children 5 years (or have started primary school) and over who are new to swimming or for those who are not yet swimming confidently over 5 metres unaided.
Smaller classes of 4 swimmers per teacher (1:4 ratio) are available for children who require a teacher in the water to help build confidence and become independent in the water.
Swim Beginner 2
This class is for children aged 5 years and over (or have started primary school) who can swim confidently for 10 metres on their front and back unaided and have an understanding of sculling and treading water.
Again smaller classes of 4 swimmers per teacher (1:4 ratio) are available.
Swim Improver
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.
Smaller classes of 4 swimmers per teacher (1:4 ratio) are available.
Swim Bronze
For children who can maintain the correct technique over 25m in Front crawl, Back crawl and Breaststroke and can demonstrate basic Butterfly.
Swim Silver
For children who can demonstrate good technique over 50 metres in Front crawl, Back crawl and Breaststroke and 15 metres in Butterfly.
Swim Gold
For children who can maintain efficient technique over 100 metres in Front Crawl, Back Crawl and Breaststroke and 25 metres in Butterfly.
Swim Elite
For those who have graduated from the Swim Gold 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 at all of our 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, Power Swim and Masters classes.
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 over 5 metres unaided.
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. Teachers provide small ratios from 1:1 to 1:4 dependent upon the level of support required by each child.
Pre-School ASN
This class is suitable for children aged 3 ½ to 5 years old. This is a structured class which will build and develop your child’s water confidence and aquatic skills.
Swim Beginner 1 ASN
This class is for children aged 5 years and over who are new to swimming or who are not yet swimming confidently over 5 metres unaided.
Swim Beginner 2 ASN
This class is for children aged 5 years and over who can swim confidently for 10 metres on their front and back unaided and have an understanding of sculling and treading water.
Swim Improver ASN
This class is for children who have an understanding of stroke technique and can swim 10 metres adapted Front crawl and Back crawl as well as attempting Breaststroke and Butterfly leg actions.