Bridport Swim School

Teaching your child to swim encourages an active lifestyle and builds a strong foundation for good health. Swimming enhances strength and flexibility, and it helps keep lungs and hearts healthy. It also promotes self-esteem and confidence, as children progress, make friends and have fun in a new environment.

DISCOVERY DUCKLINGS

A drop-in swimming classes for babies 0-18 months and toddlers 18-mths to 3yrs.

Wonderful sessions for parent/carer and child, as you discover the joys of being in the water together through fun songs and games, helping your baby develop vital water confidence along the way.

Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am – 0 to 18 months.

Tuesdays 10am to 10.30am – 18 months to 3 years.

Sessions cost £6 and are bookable up to 7 days in advance.

This is a pay as you go class, but pre-booking is advisable due to limited numbers.

DUCKLINGS 1 & 2 – Swimming lessons for kids from 2 to 4 years.

The next step on from Discovery Ducklings, our swimming class for babies and children under 5yrs.

The Duckling Awards are the start of the learn to swim experience for all children. These awards are perfect for toddlers and pre-school children who are new to swimming lessons.

Ideal for gaining water confidence while staying close to adult support, these awards will see children start to move by themselves in the water.

Ducklings promotes increased independence and water confidence, helping to prepare for Stage 1 of Bridport Swim School.

Parents/carers to accompany their child in the pool. Ducklings is an ongoing course which costs £33.50 per month payable by direct debit.

Saturdays 10.15am to 10.45am

Contact: [email protected] or call (01308) 427464  for info or to book your place.

DUCKLINGS 3 & 4 – Swimming lessons for kids from 3 to 4 years.

Classes are designed to help toddlers enjoy learning to swim without parents or guardian’s. Children will build in confidence and will be jumping in, going underwater, floating and will travel 10 meters without support.

Small class numbers means more individual attention, faster progress, and a safer, more supportive learning environment.

Ducklings promotes increased independence and water confidence, helping to prepare for Stage 1 of Bridport Swim School.

Ducklings is an ongoing course which costs £33.50 per month payable by direct debit.

Tuesdays 10.30am to 11am

Saturdays 9.40am to 10.10am

All Ducklings run 50 weeks of the year and benefit from FREE swimming on weekends and school holidays.

Contact: [email protected] or call (01308) 427464  for info or to book your place.

Bridport Swim School provides swimming lessons for children in Bridport. It runs throughout the year from Mondays to Saturdays (with a 2-week break at Christmas). Lessons are delivered by our team of qualified, expert swim instructors.

We follow the award-winning SWIM ENGLAND National Plan for teaching swimming. This well-structured and progressive scheme is constantly reviewed in line with good practise guidelines and feedback, encouraging continuous learning and a love of swimming. In addition, Bridport Swim School students (under 16) benefit from FREE swimming on weekends and school holidays.

SWIM SCHOOL STAGES 1 – 8

The Learn to Swim Framework is is the most widely known nationwide, and is the backbone of swimming lessons for primary school-aged children.  It aims to develop confident and competent swimmers through fun and enjoyment, and Learn to Swim Stages 1-8 are at the heart of the Bridport Swim School.

In small classes of no larger than 10:1, the qualified swim instructors guide children through criteria aimed to improve their confidence and technique, whilst having fun with friends.

Children can join the swim school from any age or stage; our instructors will assess their ability and place them in the stage they are best suited to.

Each of the eight stages of the Learn to Swim Framework has a clear set of targets for the pupil to meet, with various awards given as they progress through the levels.

Bridport Swim School runs 50 weeks of the year with a 2-week break over Christmas and benefit from FREE swimming on weekends and school holidays.

Swim School is an ongoing course which costs £33.50 per month payable by direct debit.

Swim England further information

BEGINNERS SWIM PROGRAMME for Ages 7 to 15 years

Our friendly, supportive beginner swim classes are designed specifically for older children who are new to the water.

✅ Build water confidence
✅ Learn essential swim skills
✅ Experienced instructors
✅ Fun, safe, and age-appropriate sessions – Stages 1, 2 & 3 mixed.

Whether it’s their first time in the pool or they’re ready to overcome fears, we’re here to help them thrive.

Classes take place in the main pool on Fridays at 5.10pm to 5.40pm. This is an ongoing course which is payable monthly by direct debit. The cost is £33.50 per month.

Bridport Swim School runs 50 weeks of the year with a 2-week break over Christmas and benefit from FREE swimming on weekends and school holidays.

Limited spaces available – Enrol now and let the swimming journey begin!

SEN SWIMMING SESSIONS 

Bridport Swim School also offers specially tailored swimming sessions offering extra support for swimmers with additional needs. These sessions are inclusive, patient, and confidence-building.

For full details visit: https://bridportleisure.com/sen-swimming-sessions/

Once swimmers have completed all stages, they can continue their journey in the water with our exciting post-stage programmes:

ROOKIE LIFEGUARD PROGRAMME

Learn essential lifesaving skills, water safety, and first aid in a fun, practical way – perfect for budding lifeguards.

For full details visit: https://bridportleisure.com/childrens-activities/rookie-lifeguard/

WATER POLO

Develop teamwork, water confidence, fitness, and ball skills in our fast-paced, exciting Water Polo sessions for juniors.

For full details visit: https://bridportleisure.com/childrens-activities/water-polo/

JUNIOR SWIM FIT

Boost endurance, technique, and overall fitness through structured swim training in a supportive, motivating environment.

For full details visit: https://bridportleisure.com/childrens-activities/junior-swim-fit/

As a Swim School or Aquatic Course member you will receive the following:

• Friendly qualified staff who are all DBS checked.
• FREE swimming all year – during public sessions.
• FREE certificates and badges.
• Parents Swim FREE whilst your child is in their activity.
• Parents swim for £1 during holidays when accompanying your child during public sessions.
• Half Price fitness suite session, whilst your child is in their activity.
• 5% discount on swim costumes and accessories from our shop – this excludes food and drink.
• No joining fee for siblings or extra activities.
• Access Home Portal to check on your child’s progress.

For all Bridport Swim School enquiries please fill in the form below and our membership team will contact you. Alternatively please contact reception on 01308 427464.

Bridport Swim School enquiry

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Private swimming lessons

If you’re looking for private swimming lessons in Bridport, the leisure centre has fully qualified instructors who can help children with all aspects of swimming, from learning the basics to improving technique.

We offer one-to-one and two-to-one lessons, for those who want to come with a friend.  Book on an individual basis or as a block. Contact reception or call 01308 427464 for more information.

Private swimming lesson prices (30 minutes)

1:1 private lesson                                       £21

1:1 private lesson (block of 5)                 £105

2:1 private lesson                                       £32

2:1 private lesson (block of 5)                 £160

Learning to swim

Swimming is an essential life-saving skill. Drowning remains one of the most common causes of accidental death for children in the UK – teaching them to swim could one day save their life.

Children can start to learn to swim from an early age.  If you’re thinking of teaching your child to swim but don’t know where to start, here are some tips for making the transition to the pool go smoothly:

• Make bath time fun, so they associate water with having a good time. Sing songs, play games, splash around.
• Let them pick their new swimming costume or try on a new swim nappy in the bath, so they get used to the feeling. Fewer issues around clothes = more relaxed swimmers.
• Familiarise them with the pool before they start lessons, either with a family splash about or just taking a look around. New sounds and smells can sometimes be overwhelming.
• Introduce them to our swim teachers before their first lesson. You can usually do this when you sign up for Bridport swim school.
• Give them plenty of time to get changed beforehand – being in a rush makes everyone flustered. Meeting other children in the changing rooms before a lesson can also help them make new friends.
• Make sure they’re not hungry or thirsty before the lesson as this can be distracting. And have a snack ready for afterwards as they’re guaranteed to use plenty of energy.