Swimming lessons are a must. Whatever your kids are keen to try – from ballet to basketball, gymnastics to German, forest schools to French, STEM to stirring (well, cooking), we’d put money on the fact that there’s a class in York for them (take a look at our selection of the best classes in York for kids here). For most parents, the one that’s non-negotiable is swimming lessons. After all, mastering a cartwheel might be satisfying but it’s not much help if you’re in trouble in the sea or a swimming pool. Thankfully there are plenty of places offering swimming classes in York, from leisure centres to private lessons at your local school swimming pool, and you can start almost as early as you like with some sessions running for babies as young as a month old. Older children are catered for too, with plenty of classes for kids of junior school age and beyond. Here’s our pick of swimming lessons to try in York, from York swim schools to classes at the leisure centres.
– Swimming classes in York for all ages –
Brightwater Swim School
Brightwater Swim School run swimming lessons at The Mount, York. They believe in providing a safe, fun and friendly environment for children aged 3.5 years+ to learn to swim in. Their focus on small classes ensures that lessons are personal and allow for that all-important one-to-one interactivity with the teacher.
Venues – The Mount School York and St Peter’s School York
Days – Saturday and Sunday
Age range – 3.5 years +
Contact – Visit the Brightwater Swim School website or email info@brightwaterswim.co.uk
Swimming at York Leisure Centre
Better Leisure runs the UK’s largest Swim School, and they have swimming lessons for all ages at York Leisure Centre at Monks Cross (York Stadium). They have baby swimming lessons (SWIMBiES), lessons for pre-school children and lessons for juniors, as well as adult lessons.
Day – Varies
Venue – York Leisure Centre, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross Dr, Huntington, York YO32 9AF
Age range – Baby to adult
Contact – Call 01904 403900 or visit the York Leisure Centre website
Pure Swim Yorkshire
Pure Swim Yorkshire provide gentle, sensory and child-centred swimming lessons in York from baby through to 11 years of age. They teach in small class sizes and develop the lessons around the individual’s learning style; their aim is to have happy and water confident babies and children.
Venue – Novotel York and Archbishop Holgate’s School
Age range – 20 months +
Contact – Email swimwithus@pureswim.uk or visit the Pure Swim Yorkshire Facebook page
Swimming with Linzi
Swimming with Linzi offers swimming lessons for babies and children in York. Classes focus on having fun in a safe environment and gaining water confidence. At this small independent York-based swim school, teachers get to know all the children individually. Teaching is adapted to suit every child who then happily progress at their own pace. Click here to book lessons with Swimming with Linzi.
Venue – Carr Junior Pool in Acomb, York
Days – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday
Age range – 1 month – 8 years
Contact & website – visit the Swimming with Linzi website email linzifitness@gmail.com
Swimming lessons at York Sport
York Sport’s extensive timetable of lessons follows the Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway. This structured pathway allows all learners to progress at their own pace, developing into confident swimmers. They have Ducklings sessions for 6 months +, ages 3-5, and then 5 years +.
Venue – York Sport, Lakeside Way, Heslington, York YO10 5FG
Age range – 6 months +
Contact – Email info@york-sport.com or visit the York Sport website
Baby Swimmers York
Baby Swimmers & Swimmers Academy run fun swimming classes for your little ones from 6 weeks upwards. They have put together a structured awards programme using STA Starfish and Stanley Awards so you can see your babies, toddlers and older children progress to confident swimmers.
Venues – New Earswick, Robert Wilkinson Primary School, Roko and Best Western Kilima Hotel
Age range – 6 weeks +
Contact – Email info@babyswimmers.co.uk or call 0333 3355388. Visit https://www.babyswimmers.co.uk/ for more info
Puddle Ducks York
Puddle Ducks run swimming classes for babies and pre-schoolers at a range of venues across York, seven days a week. They want every child to love swimming, respect the water and swim beautifully. At Puddle Ducks, their highly trained and qualified teachers are experts at identifying children’s levels of ability and adapting activities to the individual, nurturing confidence and encouraging natural ability. Check out their Swim Academy lessons for older children.
Venues – Kilima Hotel, New Earswick swimming pool, Energise, The Crown Hotel Boroughbridge
Age range – 0 to 4 years
Contact – 07825 269146 or york@puddleducks.com. Visit the Puddle Ducks website
Swim Academy York
As experts in teaching babies, toddlers and pre-school children to swim, Puddle Ducks have used their expertise to create Swim Academy, their swimming programme for 4-10-year-olds. Classes run at Archbishop Holgate’s School on Saturdays and the Kilima Hotel on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information please visit the website.
Venues – Kilima Hotel and Archbishop Holgate’s School
Age range – 4 to 10 years
Contact – 07825 269146 or york@puddleducks.com. Visit the Puddle Ducks website
