With various locations spanning Dubai and open to nearly everyone, the Learn to Swim programme offered by Hamilton Aquatics is an ideal way to start off in the pool.
The 20-week programme, which runs from September 14 to February 13, ranges in age from ‘Aquatots’ for 3-year-olds and up. Swimmers will learn basic water safety, develop and understand the competitive strokes, skills and dives to prepare them for integration in the squad programme.
A swimmer’s level for learning is based on a brief in-water assessment that determines basic technique. From there, swimmers are placed into their respective levels to take part in the learning course, which is based on the framework of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) – England’s national governing body for swimming.
“It’s an ideal environment to gain water confidence and to develop excellent technique,” said Hannah Liscio, manager for Learn to Swim. “Our teachers are fully qualified, working within a structured programme, with small class sizes, allowing us to maintain a high quality swimming programme where our swimmers can excel.”
“We have set guidelines for each stage and as soon as the child has completed the criteria for that stage, they can move up to the next stage midterm.”
For parents wanting to expose their child to the water at an even earlier age, Hamilton Aquatics also has an Aqua Babies programme starting at just three months of age.
The thought of putting your child in the water that young is daunting, but Liscio feels it’s beneficial to develop their senses, as well as for parents to feel more comfortable.
“It’s really good for the bonding experience between the baby and the parent,” Liscio said. “A lot of what we’re doing is trying to give parents confidence. Obviously, some parents can be quite nervous the first time they take their child into the water, so we’re trying to offer a bit of advice on how to actually encourage babies into the water, the earlier the better.
“Also it’s helping to develop their movements in the water and it’s a good social environment for the children to interact with each other and play. It’s really all about them having fun in the water.”
Hamilton Aquatics’ programmes can be experienced at 16 locations across Dubai, including GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis, Greenfield Community School Green Community, GEMS World Academy Al Barsha, GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, and now newly-launched at Emirates International School Jumeirah and GEMS Metropole School Motor City.
The times for Learn to Swim will vary depending on the location, but the programme generally happen between 14:30 to 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 08:00 to 12:00 on Friday, and the fee for the 20 weeks, which booking is open for, is Dh1,400. To enrol, contact [email protected].
Whether it’s learning how to swim or just honing your skills in the water, Hamilton Aquatics delivers. “We’re really finding that we can reach more people and offer our services to a wider range,” said Liscio. “It’s also nice now that we have classes for Aqua Babies to adults, we really are offering swimming to everybody.”
What: Hamilton Aquatics’ Learn to Swim programme
Where: Across Hamilton Aquatics’ various locations in Dubai
When: Timings vary depending on location, generally between 14:30 to 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 8:00 to 12:00 on Friday.
Contact: enquiry@hamiltonaquatics.ae for enrolment and call 04 450 8832 for more information.
