FAQs
Everything You Need to Know
Can’t find what you’re looking for? If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Do you offer lessons for babies?
| Yes we do, we start baby lessons from 6 weeks old, you can find out more here or please give us a call on 01202 031701 |
Do you offer non-swimmer classes?
| Yes, we offer a range of non-swimmer classes at various venues across the BCP area for both adults and children. These classes start from 3 years old. We also offer 8 yr plus Non- Swimmer classes for older children. |
How many children are in a group?
| There are no more that 5 children in a group lesson. Pre club and Fitness sessions have a maximum of 10. |
What is the notice period?
| We require a calander months notice to cancel, this needs to be in writing sent to info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk . Please read T&C’s for more information regarding our cancellation process. |
How do I book?
| You can book online or contact us on 01202 031701 or info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk |
Do you offer trial lessons?
| Yes we do, please call the office on 01202 031701 or email us on info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk to find out more. |
Do you offer adult lessons?
| Yes we offer a range of adult lessons – Group Beginner and Improver, and 1:1/2:1 lessons , you can find more info here. |
How far in advance can I book?
| We normally take booking 2 weeks in advance, however please call the office on 01202 031701 or email us at info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk |
Are the lessons termly?
| We offer both Term time only lessons aswell as all year round (50 weeks per year just closing for 2 weeks over the Christmas break), this is venue and day specific, for more information, please give us a call on 01202 031701 or email us at info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk |
What location are you based in?
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Our venues are located in the Poole, Bournemouth and Ferndown area’s, including: Bournemouth Collegiate School, College Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth BH5 2DY (Lessons at this venue run all year round, but will pause over the Summer Holidays) |
Can I book lessons pay as you go?
| We offer pay as you go for our Parent and Child classes as well as Adult group lessons, all other classes are bookable by direct debit or block of 4/8 lessons |
Can I book private lessons?
| Yes we offer 1:1 and 2:1 lessons across selected venues for children and adults. To Book, please contact us on 01202 031701 or info@individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk For more information, click here. |
How much are your lessons?
| Depending on your venue (Term tiome or Full time) or product these will vary. Please see our booking page for details. |
How does payment work?
| We use monthly direct debits taken on the 1st of each month, where the yearly cost is spread equally across each month. |
Where is the nearest location to me?
| We have pools across Poole, Bournemouth and Ferndown area’s. Find your closest venue here. |
Can I watch the lessons?
| You are able to watch lessons at all of our venues other than Victoria Education Centre, however we run a watching week every 8 weeks. |
How big is the pool?
| Our pools vary depending on location. Please take a look at our specific venues. |
How deep is the pool?
| Our pools vary depending on location. Please take a look at our specific venues. |
How warm is the pool?
| The lowest temp is 30 and the highest is around 32, Please take a look at our specific venues. |
What happens if I want to go on holiday?
| Your space will be reserved. As our courses are continuous you will just miss this specfic weeks class. We do not offer swap out lessons, however we can make permanent/ long term changes. |
Can I do a catch up session?
| Unfortuantly we do not offer catch up sessions due to continuity and the booking process. However we are able to make permanent class changes if the time/day/venue no longer suits. |
Do I need to get in the water with my child?
| From the age of 3, swimmers will be placed in independant classes with a teacher and helper in the water. For swimmers under 3, parents/guardian will be required to be in the water during lessons. |
Is there a waiting list?
| We do have an internal waiting list. Unfortuntely, due to demand we only offer the option of being added to our waiting list to our active customers |
Is the pool open to the public?
| None of our pools are open for public swimming. The Bournemouth Westcliff hotel does have a members swim option alongside |
What should I bring to the lesson?
| You will need a swim suit, towel and a swimming hat (free hat provided upon booking on a direct debit). You may also find goggles useful. We will provide all learning equipment. Please visit our shop to purchase hats, goggles etc: https://individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk/shop/ |
Is there parking on site?
| Most of our pools have either free on site parking, or nearby free road parking. Once booked you will receive all this information in your welcome email. |
What training do the teachers have?
| All of our teachers hold either their Level 2 STA teaching qualificaion or Swim England Level 2 as a minimum. They are also fully DBS checked and rescue qualified. |
Do you offer any sibling discount?
| We offer a 3rd child/swimmer 50% discount when on a direct debit payment plan. (same household) |
How can I track my / my child's progress?
| We have a homeportal where you can log in after each lesson and see your swimmers badge progression, once you have signed up, you will receive an email with details to log in. |
How do you handle students who are afraid of the water?
| Our staff have lots of experience with swimmers who are afraid of the water. We will take a slow approach and will have lots of support available for you. This is completely normal when starting lessons, it may take some time for them to settle, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can support you through this time. We are members of the Institure of Aquafobia. |
What equipment do I need for the lessons?
| All equipment used in lessons are provided, your swimmer just needs to come swim ready. Swimwear, swim hat, goggles |
Can both parents be in the water for baby lessons?
| We find that baby lessons are better with just 1 parent or guardian in the water as its a great 1:1 bonding time with lesson distractions for baby, however you are welcome to alternate each week and the other parent/ guardian are welcome to spectate. |
Does the price go up when the child moves up?
| No, our prices are the same throughout our group swimming lessons. (excluding fitness and pre club) We do offer a hour long class for a slight price increase once swimmers can swim 800m. |
What if I attend my first lesson and want to cancel?
| Our 14 day cooling off period allows swimmers to cancel with immediate effect with no direct debits to be taken. (lessons attended will be payable) Before we do this we would like to discuss your reasoning and see if we can help you. Lots of swimmers may need a few weeks to settle into the class so please give it time and call us if you have any concerns. |
What do I do about long term sickness? (Broken bones, Surgery)
| Should your swimmer get signed off activities from the hospital, we have a medical policy that freezes your account for up to 6 weeks, for broken bones or surgery. Any regular illness’ such as a cold, flu and sickness bugs are not covered in this. |
How often do you cancel lessons?
| Lesson cancellations are very rare. Occasionally a accident in a pool requires a cancellation but you will be notified and not charged for that lesson. |
Do you cancel lessons when staff are sick or on holiday?
| When a teacher is sick or away, we always try to supply a cover teacher to take their lesson, who has access to their progress portal. |
My child can swim a length with armbands so is not a non-swimmer. What class would they be in?
| Non-swimmer classes are for children that cannot swim 5m unaided, they work through 4 Duckling badges and a 5m distance badge. If youre unsure of their level please contact our team on 01202 031701 |
What if I book my child into a class and they are too good for it?
| Our teachers will assess a swimmer on their first lesson and let us know of any swimmers that need to move up to the next class. We will then be in contact to arrange this move. |
What is the £15 admin fee for?
| The admin fee covers admin set up costs, direct debit costs and insurance coverage. |
When does my direct debit come out?
| Direct Debit payments are taken from your account on the 1st of each calendar month . |
What is your telephone number?
| 01202 031701 |
Can I buy goggles from you ?
| Yes, we sell a range of children, junior and adult goggles, please click on our shop. |
When Can we start lessons with our baby?
| Children can start swimming lessons as early as 6 weeks old in our parent and child lessons. Then at 3 years old children can begin indipendent lessons. |
How do I choose the right swimming instructor or swim school?
| Look for certified instructors with experience teaching swimming. Research swim schools or instructors with positive reviews and ask about their teaching philosophy and methods, are they insured, are they using commercial pools? |
What are the different levels of swimming lessons available?
| Swimming lessons typically start with non-swimmer levels and progress to beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Each level focuses on different skills and strokes. Click here for more information of our ability levels. |
How long does it typically take to learn how to swim?
| The time it takes to learn how to swim varies depending on individual abilities, consistency of practice. Generally, basic skills can be learned within a few months with regular lessons however every individual is different. |
What should I expect during a typical swimming lesson?
| Swimming lessons typically include warm-up exercises, skill drills, practice of swimming strokes, and for higher abilities water safety skills. |
Are there swimming lessons specifically for adults?
| Yes we offer a range of adult lessons – Group Beginner and Improver, and 1:1/2:1 lessons , you can find more info here |
What safety measures are in place during swimming lessons?
| Swimming lessons are conducted under the supervision of certified instructors who prioritise safety. Our instructors hold a rescue qualification as do many of our helpers. We only use commercial pools that conform to regulations. |
How much do swimming lessons usually cost?
| This will depend on what type of class you are looking for, Our lessons start from £17.30 per session, offering excellent value with personalised teaching in a supportive group environment. For more information please contact us on 01202 031701 |
What should I bring to my first swimming lesson?
| Bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles, swim hat( provided free when booking on a monthly Direct Debit basis) Many people use towel robes, please shop robes on our website: https://individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk/shop/ |
What should I bring to my first parent and baby swimming lesson?
| Bring a swimsuit for you and baby, swimming nappy, warm towels for you both, shower soap, and a changing mat is always a good idea. |
What if my child is afraid of water? Can they still take swimming lessons?
| Yes, our teachers are experienced instructors who use gentle techniques to build confidence in the water. We are very child lead in our approach to lessons. |
Are there swimming lessons for individuals with disabilities?
| Yes, we teach individuals with disabilities, please contact us with some more detials and we can discuss this further, https://individualityswimmingandfitness.co.uk/contact-us/ |
How often should I attend swimming lessons for optimal progress?
| Attending swimming lessons at least once a week will deliver consistency and promote steady progress. Our program is designed around one lesson per week. |
What strokes and techniques will be taught during swimming lessons?
| Swimming lessons typically cover basic strokes such as front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, along with essential skills like floating, treading water, and diving. |
Can I observe my child's swimming lesson?
| We do allow parents to observe lessons from designated viewing areas to ensure transparency and provide reassurance where there is the facility to do so. Victoria Education Centre has restricted viewing due to the nature of the venue, we have watching week every 8 weeks. |
Can I join swimming lessons if I have a medical condition?
| Yes, please let us know of any medical conditions at the time of booking that could affect your swimming and we can find the best lesson suited to your needs. |
What is the instructor-to-student ratio in swimming lessons?
| In our small group classes, there is a maximum of 5 swimmers to teacher, in our non-swimmer classes, we generally have a teacher and a helper in the water. Our parent and baby classes can go up to 8 pairs with a teacher. |
Are there any additional fees besides the cost of lessons?
| There is a small admin/registration fee to cover of setting up your accounts/portal. Badges can be purchased via our shop once acheived. |
Can I schedule makeup lessons if I miss a session?
| Unfortuantly we do not offer catch up sessions if the usual session is missed due to continuity and the booking process. However we are able to make permanent class chnaces if the time/day/venue no longer suits. |
Are there different types of swimming lessons for competitive swimming versus recreational swimming?
| Yes, we offer specialised lessons for individuals interested in competitive swimming, focusing on advanced techniques, speed, and endurance. We offer both pre- club and fitness sessions, please contact us and we can find the most suitable class. |
How do swimming lessons accommodate different learning styles?
| Our instructors are trained to adapt teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. |
What age can my child start swimming lessons?
| Children can start from 6 weeks old in our parent and child lessons, and can start our indipendant lessons from 3 years old. |
How long is each swimming lesson?
| Majority of our lessons are 30 minuites long, we do offer 1 hour long lessons for more advanced swimmers. |