Lessons & Pathway
A journey through the water.
Every swimmer starts at the level that’s right for them and progresses when they’re ready building confidence, ability and independence along the way. Our lessons follow the Water Safety Ireland National Swimming Programme, a progressive pathway designed to develop water confidence, swimming technique and essential water safety skills.
The Water Safety Ireland National Swimming Programme is a progressive 10-stage pathway, helping swimmers build confidence, develop stroke technique and learn essential survival and water safety skills step by step.
Seal 1
Ages 3+ · First StepsBuilding confidence in the water. Water confidence, safe entry and exit, face immersion, pushing and gliding, and early movement through the water with support.
Outcome → Comfort and confidence in the water..
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Seal 2
Building independenceDeveloping independent movement through the water, floating, gliding and early kicking skills, while continuing to build water confidence and safe practices.
Outcome → Independent movement through the water..
See available sessionsSeal 3
Growing confidence and controlDeveloping stronger independent movement through floating, jumping, kicking and longer swims, while introducing early breaststroke skills.
Outcome → Confident floating and independent swimming..
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Seal 4
Developing the strokesIntroducing freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke while developing sculling, rolling and greater control and confidence in the water.
Outcome → Swimming the three main strokes independently..
See available sessionsSeal 5
Building strength and skillDeveloping all four strokes, including butterfly skills, alongside treading water, underwater movement and greater swimming stamina.
Outcome → Stronger, more confident swimming across all four strokes..
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Marlin 6
Developing control and techniqueBuilding all strokes over longer distances while introducing treading water, sculling, surface diving and greater control in the water.
Outcome → Stronger technique and confident swimming over longer distances..
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Marlin 7
Building stamina and versatilityIncreasing swimming distance across all strokes while developing butterfly, sidestroke, treading water and more advanced water skills.
Outcome → Stronger, more versatile swimming across a range of strokes..
See available sessionsMarlin 8
Strengthening technique and enduranceDeveloping greater stamina across all strokes alongside diving, underwater swimming, treading water and water safety skills.
Outcome → Confident swimming over longer distances with greater stamina and control..
See available sessionsMarlin 9
Developing lifesaving skillsCombining stronger swimming across all strokes with water safety, rescue awareness, emergency response skills and underwater swimming.
Outcome → Strong swimming ability with practical water safety and rescue skills..
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Star Squad
Junior · ages 9–11
Developing stroke technique, swimming fitness and endurance while progressing through advanced swimming skills, water safety, Junior Lifeguard and introductory rescue skills.
Senior · ages 12–15
Advanced stroke development, fitness and endurance alongside water safety, lifesaving and rescue skills, with opportunities to progress towards recognised Water Safety Ireland awards.
Water Safety & Beyond
The journey doesn’t end with strokes. Swimmers can continue into nationally recognised Water Safety Ireland pathways, from first awards to teaching the next generation.
- Rescue Awards 1–5
- Basic Life Support 1–3
- Cardiac First Response Community
- Junior Lifeguard
- Lifeguard
- Assistant Swim Teacher
- Full Swim Teacher
Adult Swimming
It’s never too late to get in the water.
Adult Beginner
Little or no experience, or returning after many years. Confidence, overcoming fear, and essential swimming and water-safety skills in a relaxed environment.
See sessions →Adult Intermediate
Comfortable in the water and able to swim short distances, improving technique, breathing, efficiency and confidence across strokes.
See sessions →Adult Advanced
Experienced swimmers refining technique, building fitness and endurance, and working towards personal distance and fitness goals.
See sessions →Private Lessons
More focused, more personal
Personalised one-to-one, two-to-one or three-to-one lessons for children and adults. Ideal for building confidence, developing technique, working towards a specific goal or simply progressing with more individual attention.
Not sure which lesson is right for you?
Our 15-minute assessment can help.