SWIMMING LESSONS FAQ

Getting Started

Where are lessons held?

Lessons take place at the Basingstoke Country Hotel, on A30 between Hook and Basingstoke. 
Free parking is available at the rear of the hotel, close to the swimming pool entrance.
Please allow enough time to park and arrive ready for your lesson

At what age can my child start swimming lessons?

We welcome babies from birth – after their first set of immunisations. Our baby and toddler classes run until approximately age four, at which point children move into our children’s swimming lessons. Children’s classes continue through the primary school years and beyond.

My child has never had lessons – where do they start?

At the beginning – and that is absolutely fine. When you enquire, we will ask about your child’s current confidence and ability in the water, and we will place them in the right group from the start. There is no minimum ability required to join. We have taught nervous complete beginners of all ages and the starting point is never something to worry about.

How do I book a place?

The easiest way is to fill in our enquiry form or call Tanya or Kirstie directly. We will get back to you quickly, discuss your child’s or your own needs, and confirm availability. We do not have an online booking system – every new swimmer joins through a personal conversation, which we believe gives everyone a better start.

Is there a waiting list?

There can be, particularly for our baby and toddler classes and for private lessons. Getting in touch sooner rather than later is always advisable. We will always let you know honestly where you stand and give you a realistic timeline.

Can you teach at our own swimming pool?

Yes, where availability allows.
We are happy to teach private lessons at your home or family pool during school holidays or at times when we are not teaching at our usual venue.
Our private lesson fee remains £40 for a 30-minute lesson.
Travel is included within a 5-mile radius of RG27. Beyond this, mileage is charged at £ 0.45p per mile
Lessons at your own pool can be a fantastic way to build confidence in a familiar environment or prepare for holidays and family swimming.

About Our Lessons

What is your approach – do you use badges and certificates?

We don’t use badge or certificate schemes, and this is a deliberate choice that we feel very strongly about. Graded assessment systems can turn swimming – which should be joyful – into a source of anxiety, particularly for children who develop at a slightly different pace or who find assessment situations stressful. We believe that children who feel genuine, internal confidence in the water develop better swimmers and happier relationships with swimming for life. We teach all four strokes to a high technical standard, including tumble turns. Our children learn exactly the same content – and often more – than graded scheme swimmers. They just do not sit an assessment at the end of a term. Progress is noticed, celebrated, and communicated to parents regularly. The swimming itself is the reward.

Are lessons term time only or do you run year round?

Our scheduled classes run during the school term. We will always communicate term dates clearly and in advance.
We operate according to the Hampshire School Term Dates.
Private lessons can sometimes be arranged outside of term time – please ask if this is something you need.

What happens if we miss a lesson?

Unfortunately, missed lessons cannot normally be refunded. However, if we need to cancel a lesson, a credit or replacement lesson will be offered.

How long are lessons?

Group lessons are 30 minutes long.
Private lessons are also 30 minutes long.

Do parents/carers need to be in the water?

For baby and toddler classes – yes. Parents or carers are in the water throughout the lesson. This is not optional – it’s central to how baby swimming works, and to the bond the class builds between you and your baby.

Do parents stay and watch?

Preferably not, there is a Bather capacity load in the UK. Bather load is the maximum number of people that can safely be in the pool and around poolside at one time. It affects:

• Swimmer safety
• Lifeguard visibility
• Water quality
• Filtration performance
• Emergency evacuation procedures
• Comfort and teaching effectiveness

What if my child is nervous?

That’s completely normal.
Many children are nervous when they first start swimming lessons. We use a calm, supportive approach, and work at each child’s pace to help build confidence and trust in the water.

How do children move up to the next stage?

Progression is based on skill, confidence, and readiness rather than age alone.
We assess swimmers and move them into the most appropriate class if we feel they need to more. Usually the class moves on, in an organic and developing way, as they are ready.

Why do you teach in the water with the children?

We believe children learn best when their teacher is alongside them. Being in the water allows us to give hands-on support, build trust, notice the smallest technical details and respond immediately when a child needs encouragement or reassurance.
It’s one of the things that makes SwimFish different, and many families tell us it’s one of the reasons their children become such confident swimmers.

Why aren’t you always in the water?

Our philosophy is to teach in the water whenever it benefits the swimmer. Being alongside children allows us to build trust, provide hands-on support when appropriate, and give immediate feedback. It is one of the things that makes SwimFish different.
However, there are occasions when we deliberately teach from the poolside.
Watching swimmers from above gives us a completely different perspective. From the side of the pool, we can clearly see body position, alignment, head position, arm recovery, kick width, timing and symmetry – details that are often more tricky to assess accurately while standing in the water beside a swimmer.
As children become more independent, it is also important for them to swim without relying on a teacher being next to them. Teaching from the poolside allows us to assess how they really swim on their own, just as they would in a school lesson, at a swimming club or while enjoying time in the pool with family.
We use both approaches throughout a swimmer’s journey. Our decision to teach in the water or from the poolside is always based on what will help that swimmer learn most effectively on that particular day.

Why do you encourage children to work things out for themselves?

At SwimFish, we believe that learning to swim is about far more than learning strokes. It is also about developing confidence, resilience and independence in the water.
Where appropriate, we will gently encourage children to solve small challenges for themselves rather than stepping in immediately. These moments are carefully judged, always safe, and matched to each child’s age, confidence and ability.
Often, a child doesn’t realise they have just achieved something they thought they couldn’t do – and that’s where genuine confidence begins. Rather than relying on a teacher to rescue or reassure them every time, they begin to trust their own abilities.
This approach helps children develop an instinctive sense of confidence in the water. It isn’t about pushing children beyond what they can manage; it’s about giving them the opportunity to discover that they are capable of more than they thought.
Parents may simply notice that, over time, their child becomes calmer, more independent and more willing to have a go. These qualities often transfer beyond swimming too, helping children develop resilience that benefits them in many areas of life.
Our aim is not just to teach children how to swim, but to help them become confident, capable and happy in the water for life.

Do you teach a proper breaststroke whip kick from the beginning?

Yes. Absolutely.
At SwimFish, we teach the correct breaststroke whip kick right from the early stages of learning. We believe that introducing good technique from the start helps children develop an efficient, powerful, natural breaststroke, rather than having to relearn bad habits later.
Every child progresses at their own pace, but our aim is always to build strong technique alongside confidence and enjoyment in the water.

Practical Information

What should my child wear for swimming lessons?

Please ensure your child wears a well-fitting swimming costume or swim shorts. We strongly recommend brightly coloured or neon swimwear, as it makes children much easier to see underwater in any pool environment.

What are the changing rooms like?

The changing facilities are clean, simple and perfectly adequate for swimming lessons.
Facilities include:
• Hot showers
• Individual changing cubicles
• Hairdryers
• Baby changing stations in both the ladies’ and gentlemen’s changing rooms.
As the pool is within a hotel, the facilities may occasionally be busier at peak hotel times, but they generally provide everything families need before and after lessons.

Does my child need goggles?

Yes, we recommend that all swimmers wear goggles.
Being comfortable with their face in the water is an important swimming skill, and goggles can help children gain confidence while learning.
Please make sure goggles fit correctly before the lesson. We are unable to spend lesson time adjusting equipment.

What if my child wears glasses?

Glasses cannot be worn in the pool, so prescription goggles may be beneficial if your child relies heavily on their glasses for vision.
Please speak to us if you are unsure.

Does my child need a swim hat?

Swim hats are not compulsory, but they are preferred.
They help keep hair out of the eyes, improve comfort while swimming, and make it easier for teachers to see a swimmer’s face and body position.
Long hair must be tied back.

What should I bring to lessons?

Please bring:

• Swimwear
• Goggles
• Swim hat (preferred)
• Towel
• Drink for afterwards
• Nappy products for babies if required

Please arrive ready to swim, kit on wherever possible.

Should my child eat before swimming?

We recommend that children avoid arriving with a very full stomach.
A light snack 1–2 hours before swimming is usually ideal. Swimming can be tiring, and children often perform best when they are neither hungry nor overly full.
Please bring a drink for after the lesson if required.

Is the pool warm?

Yes.
The pool is maintained at approximately 30–32°C throughout the year, making it comfortable for babies, children and adults.
One thing worth mentioning is that the air temperature around the pool can vary. Because of the hotel’s design, sunshine can quickly warm the pool area – even during winter – or make it feel cooler on overcast days. This can affect how warm the water feels, even though the pool temperature itself remains consistent.
For babies and younger children, we recommend bringing a warm towel or changing robe for after swimming, particularly during the cooler months.

Does my child need a wetsuit?

Tanya would say yes, Kirstie would say not necessarily!
A wetsuit is most helpful if a person feels the cold and therefore that may affect enjoyment of the lesson, so yes it is recommended in the winter months.