Frequently Asked Questions

Filter by location

Filter by FAQ topic

Search FAQs

All topics FAQ’s

When visiting our venues, lockers require a refundable £1 coin or trolley token to operate.

At Meridian Leisure Centre in Louth, if you plan to use the Health Suite changing rooms, please note that these lockers are secured with padlocks. You will need to bring your own padlock to use them, as they are not coin-operated.

Please be aware that personal belongings cannot be left in lockers overnight. Magna Vitae reserves the right to remove any items left in lockers after hours for security reasons.

You can find our swimming pool temperatures at our venues below:

Meridian Leisure Centre

Our main pool is an average of around 29 degrees and our leisure pool (baby pool) is 31 degrees.

Horncastle Pool & Fitness Suite

Our pool is an average of around 29 – 30 degrees

Skegness Pool & Fitness Suite

Our pool is an average of around 29 – 30 degrees

Station Leisure & Learning Centre

Our pool is an average of around 29 – 30 degrees

Yes, we offer a selection of swimwear and accessories available for purchase at our venues. This includes swimsuits, goggles, swim caps and essential items like swim nappies for younger children. Our range is designed to cover all ages and swimming needs, whether you’re just starting lessons or coming in for a casual swim.

Please note that stock may vary between locations and is subject to availability, so if you’re looking for something specific, it’s a good idea to check with your local venue in advance.

Swimming is one of the most effective full-body workouts you can do. Just 30 minutes of swimming can provide the same benefits as 45 minutes of land-based exercise. That’s because water provides natural resistance, making your muscles work harder with every movement—without the strain that high-impact exercises can cause.

Swimming is also low impact, meaning it’s gentle on the joints and ideal for people recovering from injury, managing chronic conditions, or simply looking for a safe, sustainable way to stay active. In addition to building strength and endurance, swimming improves cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and mental well-being. It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and it’s a skill that can be enjoyed for life.

You can sign up for swimming lessons via our website! Click here for more information.

We appreciate that illness can happen, especially with little ones. Sadly we are not able to refund/or replace missed classes as yours/your child’s space is held regardless of attendance. This is to ensure that the space is always guaranteed. If you/your child is going to be off for a significant period of time, please do contact us so we can discuss options.

We advise you to wait until your baby has had its 12 week injections before you bring them to swimming lessons. They can start lessons after this in our Discovery Ducklings programme.

Please get in contact with us if you are wanting to enquire about one-to-one swimming lessons. You can email us at info@mvtlc.org or contact the specific venue directly. Provide us with your name/your child/children’s name, date of birth, current swimming ability (including any distance badges that may have been awarded), any SEN/medical needs, as well as any days and times your are unavailable. You can also let us know the reasons you/your child are wanting to do one-to-one lessons so we can help you decide whether one-to-one lessons are the best option for you/your child. Unfortunately, spaces are very limited so there may be a waiting list in place.

Swimming is a vital life skill.
With 75% of the planet covered in water, it’s essential that all young people have the opportunity to learn to swim—not just for enjoyment, but for their own safety. Swimming is also one of the safest and most accessible forms of exercise, suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s a lifelong, family-friendly activity that we often enjoy during our free time—whether at the beach, on holiday, or at the local pool. By learning to swim early and mastering the fundamentals, children are more likely to build confidence and develop a lifelong love of swimming.

Living in a coastal community, swimming is more than just a recreational activity — it’s a critical life skill. According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK, around 400 people drown in the UK each year, with many incidents occurring in open water. Our swimming lessons are designed not only to teach strong swimming technique, but also to build vital water safety knowledge and awareness. This ensures children grow up confident, capable, and better prepared to stay safe in and around water

Why your child should learn to swim

Learn to Swim information for parents

When booking into swimming lessons please let us know if your child has any medical conditions. This will then be uploaded on to their profile on the Swimming Lesson portal so your child’s teacher is aware. Please pop any medical conditions we need to be aware of over to us via email to info@mvtlc.org.

Your child should not attend swimming lessons if they have ear infections, infectious diseases, open wounds or sore eyes. We also advise you do not swim 48 hours after a sickness bug.

We do not advise people swim on a full stomach. Do not eat in the hour you are coming swimming. If children are coming straight from school for swimming lessons they may need a small snack to maintain energy levels.

You/your child will need the following items for swimming lessons:

Swimming costume/trunks/shorts
Towel
Shampoo & shower gel
Hair clips/hair bands
Swimming cap if desired
Goggles
Armbands (if child has their own) – however, we do provide swimming aids during lessons.
Any medication that may be required (such as inhaler, epi pen etc.)
For Rookie Lifeguard Awards you are required to bring a T-shirt with you (Rookie Lifeguard Awards is only available at certain venues)

Progress through each stage of the WaterWise programme varies for every child. Factors such as previous experience, natural confidence in the water and individual ability all play a role. Children who have participated in adult and child sessions (Discovery Ducklings or Ducklings) often progress more quickly at first, as they’re already familiar with the structure and environment.

Every child learns at their own pace and our programme is designed to support that. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to speak with a member of our Front of House team.

Within each WaterWise group, swimmers may be at slightly different stages in their development or may need to focus on specific skills. Our teachers tailor activities to meet each child’s individual needs, ensuring they are appropriately challenged and supported. This personalised approach helps every swimmer make steady progress, even if they are working on different exercises during the same session.

Our WaterWise lessons are led by a Swim England (formerly ASA) qualified swimming teacher with a class including a maximum of 12 swimmers. The teacher will provide a variety of fun based activities to help the swimmers learn new skills and provide feedback and instruction to help each individual swimmer develop. As the lessons progress the teacher will record this and update the Go Learn portal. On the portal you will be able to see the completed disciplines for that stage, their percentage to completion, any badges the child may have been awarded, as well as if the child is ready to move to the next stage. To take a look at the criteria we follow, please take a look at our Swimming Lesson page.

Our WaterWise group swimming lessons are 30 minutes for Discovery Ducklings, Ducklings and Stages 1-6. However, they then increase to 45 minutes from Stage 7 onwards.

Please note that this time includes drop-off and pick-up, entering and exiting the pool and the teacher taking the register.

It is possible to swim before and after your lesson/your child’s lesson, if there is a general swim session available. If your child is under the age of 8, they must be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware that outside of your child’s scheduled lesson times — including the day of your child’s lesson — parents or guardians accompanying their child for any general swimming access will be required to pay the applicable swimming fee. Don’t forget – your child/you are entitled to FREE swimming at any of our general swim sessions (at any of our venues!) if your our a WaterWise member.

We ask that all spectators use our spectator areas to view their child’s swimming lesson. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

Each lesson is allocated 30 minutes (or 45 minutes for Stage 7 and above). This total time includes more than just swimming — it also covers essential activities such as taking the register for safeguarding purposes, explaining the lesson goals, and allowing time for your child to enter and exit the pool safely. As a result, your child may not be in the water for the full duration of the session.

If we have to cancel a lesson due to a pool closure we will contact you via phone/email. As is stated in the terms and conditions agreed at the time of sign-up, we guarantee you will reive 48 lessons within the financial year and we will keep track of all cancelled lessons. If you receive less that 48 lessons we will then be in contact to discuss options.

If there is not any space for your child to move into the next group, please speak with our Front of House team. We recommend for your child to stay in the same group until a space becomes available. The teacher will ensure that your child is still being challenged in the lesson. Remember, all swimmers need practice and no-one’s stroke is perfect!

You will be able to regularly check the spaces available on the Go Learn portal. This is a live portal, so once you see a space available please move your child into this group. If you are unable to move your child via the portal, please speak with the Front of House team and they will be able to give you access.

You can see this information in the Swimming Lesson portal. This will show progression, the criteria of the stage and much more!

We offer FREE badge sessions for our WaterWise members. Our badge sessions differ per venue, so please get in contact with the specific venue to find out their available badge sessions days/times.

Teachers are able to assess for the 5m badge during lessons as there is sufficient space/time to do so. There are occasions where we can assess further distances however, it depends on time restraints and pool space.

If your child is wanting to attempt a long distance badge, 200m and above, please get in contact with your venue directly.

Stage 1 & Stage 2 classes have an additional teacher in the water. The additional teacher supports the non-swimmers in gaining water confidence and learning to float unaided. They also demonstrate to the swimmers how to do the skill, giving the swimmer a visual representation of what is required. A combination of the above can increase a nervous swimmer’s self-esteem and encourage them to give it a go.

Yes. Once your child has been awarded a badge via our Swimming Lesson portal, or by their one-to-one swimming teacher, you can then purchase the certificate and badge from our Front of House team. They will then move your child into the next stage with you, or you can do this yourself via the portal.

When you sign your child up online, the stage also has a description of what distance your child would be required to swim. If you are still unsure, please speak with Front of House regarding which group would suit your child best.

If your child would feel more comfortable in aids, by all means bring them with you. Our swimming teachers may take them off/replace them, as some aid can restrict movement and we may have a beneficial alternative.

Feedback/survey emails are sent out twice a year, should you require more urgent attention, please speak with Front of House or a Duty Manager. Alternatively, please take a look at our feedback procedure.

You are able to take photos of your children swimming as long as you have filled out a photograph permission form, which can be acquired at reception. Please ensure you are taking a picture of your child ONLY and that the image does not include any other children. This is for GDPR and Safeguarding reasons. Please do not be offended if you are asked by a member of staff to show the picture you have taken. We ask all customers to be respectful of this policy to help ensure the safety and protection of all people and children within our venues.

Unfortunately, most of our swim teachers teach back-to-back lessons. Therefore, they are unable to discuss anything at length in between lessons. However, if you urgently need to speak to a swim teacher, please leave a message with Front of House and the teacher can then get in contact with you directly. Alternatively, pop an email over to info@mvtlc.org.

The Rookie Lifeguard programme offers children valuable survival, rescue, and sports skills in an engaging way that complements their current swimming lessons. It inspires confidence and independence through fun activities, leading to a series of awards from the Bronze to Gold level. Part of the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme, it fulfils Key Stage 2 water safety requirements and is taught by RLSS UK approved instructors. The programme also fosters teamwork and peer support, helping even the shyest kids make new friends.

Please note this is currently only available at our venues in Louth, Horncastle and Skegness.

Your child can enrol on Rookie Lifeguard Awards from Stage 5 onwards and between the ages of 8-15 – available at our venues in Louth, Horncastle & Skegness. Alternatively, we are affiliated with Louth Swimming Club and Skegness Swimming Club if your child would like to pursue swimming further.

For the safety and wellbeing of all our customers, we ask that individuals disclose any pre-existing medical conditions that could be affected by exercise before using our facilities or taking part in activities. This helps our team provide appropriate guidance, ensure activities are safe and suitable, and, where necessary, request medical clearance from a health professional. All information shared will be treated confidentially and used solely to support your safe participation.

What’s On Now

See our latest cultural events and shows

Explore our latest cultural events, performances, and shows, where there’s always something to captivate and inspire. From SO Festival that celebrates local and international cultures to mesmerising theatre productions and live performances, we offer a diverse line-up that caters to all tastes. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in the arts and culture, where each event promises to be a memorable and engaging experience.

Events