PoolSchools have been delivering the AquaQuacks swim scheme since 2003 . Teaching swimming to over 100 000 children and adults over this time.

We teach gradually, encouraging growth in key areas to increase confidence and competence.

The scheme has been created to focus on developing core skills; in a natural order for learning, prioritising technique over attaining a random distance. Our approach develops strong and technical swimmers , who, as a result can swim greater distances.

Children begin their aquatic journey in our FUNdamental classes, developing confidence and simple key skills, travelling around the pool. Progression classes come next, when children are more confident and independent in the water we focus on aspects of all four strokes.

The AquaQuacks scheme uses floatation  aids at ALL levels to assist with the development of technique, before swimmers try a skill without aids.

We use floats to teach some elements of strokes at every level.

What makes the AquaQuacks swim scheme different?

• We develop technique and confidence allowing distance and stamina to increase naturally.
• We engage all swimmers throughout a lesson, repetition of an activity increases the distance they travel and swimming time.
• The pool area and how it is used is important to us. Swimmers are not forced to travel distances beyond their ability but are encouraged early to practice in deeper water.

Within the scheme, all skills are developed from the start of the swimmers journey. The scheme has been created with the end goal in mind, specifically aiming towards an effective and strong technique in all four recognised strokes.

Swimmers are encouraged to remain on the top of the water, walking or putting feet down is discouraged, we are delivering a swimming lesson after all.

Layering skills throughout the scheme avoids complex teaching at higher levels. Elements and key skills for all four stokes and for diving and tumble turns are taught at every level.

Full details of teaching points for your swimming level are available via the Portal.

The Foundation

The AquaQuacks swim scheme works on the foundation of, BLABTTS 

B – Body Position
Swimmers work towards a streamline body position in the water, before adding the leg kick.

L – Leg Kicking
Having achieved a good streamline position we then focus on legs until the kick delivers a positive movement through the water.

A – Arms
Adding arms to a stable body with positive movement from a kick, allows the swimmer to concentrate on the technical element of arm motions.

B – Breathing
While swimmers’ breath at each level, we cannot teach the correct technique until arms are coordinated with the legs.

T – Timing
Combining a streamlined body position, effective kicking, coordinated arms and breathing into the full accurate stroke.

T – Technique
Techniques are refined.

S – Stamina
Stamina is increased.

Learning Groups

There are 5 learning groups :-

• Parent and Child 2- 4 years
• Fundamentals 4 years +
• Progression P1-5 (Swimmers are considered safe in pools, having attained a ability for unsupervised activity. However always be aware of specific risks )
• Progression P6 -P7  Hi level techniques including Starts turning and dives
• Gulls. Targeting speed and endurance over 1 mile
• Adults (Non-Swimmers to Advanced)

We also offer 1to1 private lessons and lessons for swimmers needing additional assistance.

(Please ask for information)

Key aims at a glace :

Swimmers completing F1 to 4 will travel with confidence in the the pool but do NOT have all the skills to SWIM

F1 Swimmers: (Swimmers is in a Body Belt)

Enter and exit the pool safely without assistance.

Be happy in the water.

Travel with a float

F2 Swimmers: (We aim to remove the Body Belt in week 2/3)

Face in the water on demand. Blow Bubbles.

Moving and travelling freely around the water.

F3 Swimmers:

Single skills. Push or  Glide or Kick or float with & without float

Face in the water automatically.

F4 Swimmers:

Combined skills.

Deep water confidence.

Jumping into deep end. 

Each Progression level addresses an element of the BLABTTS.

Progression levels:

Swimmers learn a key skills at each leave , combining all the skills and strokes in P5  

P1 Swimmers:

Swimmers learn a good body position within all four strokes building confidence without a teacher in the water.

P2 Swimmers:

We continue to work on good body position, swimmers learn to kick effectively and move through the water with ease.

P3 Swimmers:

We start to introduce the arms.

P4 Swimmers:

We continue the development of the arms, now making sure we are breathing at the correct point of the stroke.

P5 Swimmers:

We pull the full stroke/s together, specifically the timing of each action.

P6 Swimmers: Swimming for Fun Fitness and Leisure

Technical efficiency of the stroke is now key as we expand our distances, with a  warm up of 6 lengths comprising of all four strokes.

P7 Swimmers: Swimming for Fun Fitness and Leisure

Our Swimmers are now focussing on stamina, the whole stoke should now be technically accurate, with a warm up of 11 lengths comprising of all four stokes.

Gulls

Gulls enjoy! 1 hour lessons, comprising of a 22 length warm up, aiming to swim one mile in 45 mins and reduce their “GOLF” score (Stroke efficiency rating).

Adult Lessons:

Adults may learn to swim or return to swimming.

Lessons are in small groups and focus on a smaller range of skills.

Many new adult swimmers have to overcome lifelong anxiety or correction of bad habits.

Lessons focus on the swimmers needs, more than working towards a standard outcome, based on health, fitness and pre-existing knowledge / muscle memory.

Objectives:

Beginners… Enter & exit the pool, floating and feeling comfortable in the water.

Improvers… Travelling 10metres with positive movement.

Intermediate… Swimming 25m of 2 or more strokes.

Advances… Multiple lengths of multiple strokes.

What do we not address in the AQS

Single stoke development.

Infants under 2 years who have not developed the communication and cognitive skills to learn to swim in the pool we use.

We do not teach elements that are not required for swimming ie Walking across the pool?

Targets of specific distances until Gulls

We are a non-competitive school and do not feed a swimming club.