The Harrogate Borough Council Swimming Development Scheme covers a wide range of skills from learn to swim classes right through to competitive swimming at national events.
We also run a number of other lessons
The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) approved Rainbow Swim Scheme operates at all our five swimming pools in the Harrogate District and is taught by fully qualified and committed staff. Our scheme of works is recognised as operating in line with the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming.
Each colour band in the rainbow represents a level of swimming combining stroke technique, water safety, water skills, and stamina.
| Red | Orange | Yellow | Green |
| Blue | Indigo | Violet | Gold |
Swimming lesson
availability timetable (19KB, pdf)
Aim: Parent/carer education, basic submersions, building confidence in water leading to the transition to formal swimming lessons.
Awards: ASA Duckling 1, 2 and 3 awards; ASA Adult and Child Award.
Duration: 30 minutes
This lesson is for children aged 6 months to approximately 3 years. Lessons include structured play, songs and familiarisation with the environment, introduction to water and building confidence in preparation for more formal swimming tuition.
Aim: Full water confidence/orientation.
Awards: ASA Duckling 5 award; National Swim Award 1, and 2; 5 metres.
Duration: 30 minutes
For children aged 4 years+ who are absolute non-swimmers. Classes are for up to eight children, with a teacher in the water and an additional lifeguard on the side. The emphasis is on basic movement skills (multi-stroke) and fun! To move to the Orange group, children must be able to swim 5m front and back as well as complete other basic skills.
Aim: Develop Front Crawl and Back Crawl. Introducing Breaststroke and deep water.
Awards: ASA National Swim Awards 3 and 4; 10 metres.
Duration: 30 minutes
Classes of up to ten children, with the teacher now on poolside and children in shallow water. The emphasis is now on developing strokes. Children are taught a variety of different skills including breaststroke; children in this class are often taken into deep water to assist with confidence and distance swimming. To move up to the Yellow group, children must be able to swim 10m front and back, 5m basic breast stroke, as well as completing other skills such as floating.
Aim: Refining Front and Back Crawl and developing Breaststroke. Introduction to Butterfly and Diving.
Awards: ASA National Swim Awards 5 and 6; 25 and 50 metres (multi-stroke).
Duration: 30 minutes
Classes of up to twelve children. Children are now working towards swimming lengths of the pool. The emphasis is on developing stroke technique and the introduction of butterfly. Diving skills are introduced at this level. At this level, swimmers develop stamina and are expected to swim confidently out of their depth. To move up to Green group, children must be able to swim 50m using multi-strokes.
Aim: Advanced Front and Back Crawl practices. Breaststroke improvement and basic Butterfly.
Awards: ASA National Swim Awards 7 and 8; 100 metres(multi-stroke).
Duration: 30 minutes
Classes of up to twelve children. The Green swimmer develops further stroke technique and stamina building confidence and competence in all strokes. Skills such as streamlining, sculling and treading water are developed. These skills are building blocks on which other skills such as lifesaving, waterpolo or synchronised swimming can be developed. To move up to the Blue group, children must be able to swim 100m using multi-strokes.
Aim: Efficient Front and Back Crawl Technique. Advanced Breaststroke practices and basic Butterfly stroke.
Awards: ASA National Swim Award 9; 200 metres (multi-stroke).
Duration: 30 minutes
Classes of up to fifteen children. At this stage swimmers will be given a clear understanding of stroke technique which complies with ASA Laws. This level is also an exit route for swimmers interested in diving as the first element of the Flip and Fun Award is part of the Blue syllabus. Stamina at this level is important to prepare for the next colour groups where the lessons are of one-hour duration. To move up to the Indigo group, children must be able to swim 200m using multi-strokes efficiently and complying with ASA Laws.
Aim: Build stamina, efficient Breaststroke technique and efficient Butterfly timing.
Awards: ASA National Swim Awards 10; Bronze Challenge; 400 metres (multi-stroke).
Duration: 60 minutes
Classes of up to fifteen children. This stage focuses on efficient stroke technique and stamina work as well as introducing using the pace clock. Swimming turns, full stroke butterfly and racing starts are a requirement at this stage. To move up to the Violet group, children must be able to swim 400m using multi-strokes efficiently and complying with ASA Laws.
Aim: Maintain efficient technique in all four strokes. Introduce medley swimming and reinforce competitive elements.
Awards: ASA National Swim Award11; Silver Challenge; 800 metres (multi-stroke).
Duration: 60 minutes
Classes of up to fifteen children. This stage focuses on reinforcement of coaching and training principles preparing swimmers for competitive coaching or other water based activities. All swimming is to be completed with efficient technique throughout. Good stroke technique on all four strokes is now essential. Stamina is increased and starts and turns further developed. To move up to the Gold group, children must be able to swim 800m using multi-strokes effectively and complying with ASA Laws.
Aim: Reinforce coaching/training principles.
Awards: ASA Gold and Honours Challenge; National Swim Award 12; 1000 and 1500 metres (multi-stroke).
Duration: 60 minutes
Classes of up to fifteen children. Here we consolidate the competititive aspects of the sport, which include medley swimming, starts, turns and pulse rate work. This is the last challenge for our Rainbow swimmers.
Find out more
If you want to know more about the Scheme or you would
like to enrol, please contact your local pool, or just call in.