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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 have a selection of swimwear and accessories to buy ranging from costumes to swim nappies. Please note this is subject to availability.
30 minutes of activity is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land due to the resistance of the water making your body work harder. The water also holds your weight so swimming is great for people who require low impact exercise.
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.
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. As 75% of our planet is water, it is vital that young people are given the opportunity to learn to swim for their own safety. Swimming is also one of the safest and most popular forms of exercise. It is a whole family activity, one that we participate in during our free time, whilst on holiday, at the beach and at our local pool. By learning to swim and getting the essentials right at an early age, a child is more likely to enjoy swimming in the future.
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)
This will vary depending on skills and experience, if they started in an adult and child session they may move faster initially as they are familiar with the framework. Some children are also more naturally competent and confident in the water so will progress faster.
If you have any concerns, please speak with the Swim Teacher or our Front of House team.
This will depend on their strengths and weaknesses to help the teachers focus on their individual needs.
The 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.
Most of our group swimming lessons are 30 minutes. However, they increase to 45 minutes from Stage 7 onwards.
Please note, this does include, drop off and pick up time, getting in and out of the swimming pool, as well as the teacher taking a 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.
Don’t forget – your child is entitled to FREE swimming at any of our general swim sessions (at any of our venues!)
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.
We allocate 30 minutes for a lesson (45 minutes for Stage 7 and above) but that does not mean that your child will be in the pool for the whole 30 minutes. The teacher is required to take a register at the start of every lesson for safeguarding and health and safety reasons. We also like to inform your child of what they will be hoping to achieve in the lessons before starting. It does also include drop off and pick up time and getting in and out of the swimming pool.
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 on 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.
Teachers are able to assess for the 5m badge during lessons as there is sufficient space 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, you can then purchase the certificate and badge from Front of House. 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, you can pop us an email to info@mvtlc.org.
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.
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