Swimming Academy

Available at our Sunningdale, Somerset West and Imhoff campuses.

Swimming is not only a great life skill, but a great form of exercise as well. Swimming improves cardiovascular fitness, coordination and balance.

At Generation Swimming Academy, we want our swimmers to learn to feel confident and safe in the water, as well as to develop a love for swimming. Whether you join us for our Moms & Tots Class (applicable to Generation Schools Sunningdale and Generation Schools Imhoff), our Learn To Swim Programme or Squad Training, Generation Swimming Academy is the one stop swimming academy for you!

Moms & Tots

(From 6 months & older)
We aim to make your baby’s early swimming experience a memorable and happy time in a relaxed environment. During these lessons we present the babies with age appropriate learning challenges.

The key factor in bonding with a baby is for them to experience a loving environment, while still learning. Our lessons are fun, but structured. We use a gentle approach to allow the babies to become comfortable going underwater in a controlled manner. Cardiovascular fitness, coordination and balance are all improved through the baby’s movement in the water.

Learn to Swim

(From 3-6 years)

These lessons are taught without a parent in the water. We use the multi-stroke method which enables us to teach all the swimming strokes at an introductory level.

Through this method, our children will be introduced to the different swimming strokes. Once the children are competent in the introductory stage, they will proceed to stroke correction. These are paired lessons, with two children in the pool per lesson.  This structure has proven to be very effective as children enjoy the competitive aspect of swimming, as well as being able to watch and learn from their fellow swimmers.

Squad Training

(From 6 years – dependant on the swimmer)

We offer these lessons for children that are ready to participate in advanced drills and prepare for further training sessions. Our emphasis is on stroke technique and development which is later continued in the training sessions. The squad classes will consist of up to eight children per lesson.

This class is ideal for children who have a love for swimming and a competitive drive. When children begin to swim we are able to identify what their strongest stroke will be, right from the get-go. The lessons will promote correct swimming and stroke techniques, focussing on the total synchronisation of the arm movements, kicking and breathing. Swimming is an excellent form of fitness, rehabilitation and development as it utilises muscles that we would otherwise never have imagined we’d use.

More Information

*Refer to campus specific fee structures for swimming fees.

Frequently asked questions

How does the payment of fees work?

Fees are payable up front on a monthly basis. An invoice will be sent out with the fees for the month, including a breakdown of the number of lessons for the month.

What happens if one of our lessons fall on a public holiday?

The school will be closed for Public Holidays and for a period in December and January. We will also be closed for the Easter break. The lessons missed during these periods are normally accounted for during the months that consist of 5 weeks.

What happens if my child misses a lesson?

Unfortunately, children do fall ill or have other unforeseen commitments occur which may interfere with lessons, However, our staff have made the commitment to be at the pool, therefore fees are still payable for lessons missed.

 
What is the temperature of the pool?

The temperature fluctuates between 28°C & 30°C.

How long do children take before they can swim by themselves?

All children are different, and learn at a different rate. Some learn quickly (a few months), while others may take longer. It is impossible for us to say how long this learning period will be. It will depend on each child’s determination, level of concentration and confidence in the water.

What can we do at home to improve their ability to learn?

The more time that a child spends in the water in a safe and happy environment, the quicker they will learn. If you have access to a pool, practice anything that you can remember from their lessons. If you do not have a pool, get your child to lie in the bath and blow bubbles. 

Please ensure that your child is safe at all times.

Is it possible to drown proof a child?

No! No-one is ever drown proof. We do, however, say that a child is ‘water safe’ once they can swim by themselves. Different people react differently to different situations, and even the most experienced swimmers can drown in certain unexpected situations. The emphasis needs to be on safety – responsible adult supervision should be present at all times when children are swimming.

Is 15 minutes long enough for a lesson?

15 minutes is the perfect length of time for a productive swimming lesson. Children can’t concentrate on one thing for too long before losing focus. If the lesson were to be any longer than 15 minutes, the end of the lesson would be unproductive and a waste of fees, in most cases.

What is the perfect age to start lessons?

This differs from child to child due to the fact that they develop at different rates. We recommend that children start with us from two years of age.

Is it worth coming to Moms & Tots lessons?

The purpose of the Moms & Tots swimming lessons is to build the child’s comfort, confidence and familiarity with being in the water. This provides the basis for learning to swim and once they are strong enough to do so they will learn faster.

Does swimming make you sick?

No. Viruses are transmitted by direct contact between people and this is what causes illnesses. Cold weather does not influence this. People do tend to get sick more often in winter as a result of spending more time indoors, which creates the perfect opportunity for germs to spread.

Why do we insist on swimming caps in the water?

All children are required to wear swimming caps while in the swimming pool. This is for hygiene reasons, to ensure that hair does not block the pump and to keep the children’s hair out of their faces while they are swimming.

Should my child wear a swimming nappy?

We request that all children under the age of three years wear a waterproof swimming nappy. However, should your child be older than three years and not yet potty trained, we request that they also wear a waterproof nappy.