Age appropriate lessons for 12–16-year-olds aim to support late starters in a relaxed, supportive and social environment.
Leisure World is launching a brand-new early stages programme of teen swimming lessons, designed specifically for young people aged 12 to 16 year of age who are learning to swim later than usual or are still looking to build confidence in the water.
The new classes respond to a growing and often overlooked need. While swimming is a key life skill, many children reach their teenage years without feeling confident in the water, something experts say is far more common than most parents realise.
The new Teen Stage 1 and Stage 2 lessons follow the nationally recognised Swim England Learn to Swim Framework, ensuring young people develop core water skills, confidence and safety awareness in line with national standards.
What makes the new programme different is its age appropriate approach. Rather than learning alongside much younger children, teens will take part in lessons with others of a similar age, helping them feel more comfortable, more confident and more willing to take part.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure at Colchester City Council said: “There’s a real misconception that everyone learns to swim at a young age, but that simply isn’t the case. These teen lessons are about removing pressure and creating a positive experience. Learning alongside others of the same age helps young people feel at ease, enjoy themselves and build confidence while developing a skill that could genuinely save their life.”
Swimming is widely recognised as one of the most important life skills, not just for leisure but for safety, independence and wellbeing. Swim England’s Learn to Swim Framework supports children and young people to gain essential water skills while building confidence, resilience and a positive relationship with physical activity.
Lessons will focus on building water confidence and basic movement skills, developing essential swimming techniques, improving safety awareness in and around water, supporting physical and mental wellbeing and most importantly encouraging lifelong participation and enjoyment in and around water.
Classes will take place on Monday evenings from the 20 April at 7-7.30pm for Stage 1 and 7.30-8pm for Stage 2 making them easy to fit around school and after‑school commitments:
Each session is delivered by a Swim England qualified swimming instructor, experienced in working with beginners and supporting young people to progress at their own pace in a calm, friendly environment.
For parents, the programme offers reassurance that their child is gaining a vital life skill in a setting designed to prioritise confidence, comfort and enjoyment proving that it’s never too late to learn to swim.
Bookings for the new teen swimming lessons are now open, with limited spaces available.
For more information or to book a place click here