A Journey Begins in the Pool
Whether you're an adult learning to swim for the first time or enrolling your child in their first swimming class, the experience can feel exciting and slightly overwhelming. At Swim Design Space, we specialise in supporting both kids and adults in Cheltenham and Gloucester through structured, friendly, and results-driven lessons. This blog walks you through what to expect in the first four weeks, offering realistic goals, emotional reassurance, and gear suggestions to make the most of your journey.
Week 1: Getting Comfortable in the Water
Goals for Week 1:
The main goal is simple: help swimmers become familiar with the pool in a relaxed, non-intimidating way. For children, this usually involves fun and playful activities like splashing, blowing bubbles, and holding onto floatation toys. For adults, it’s more about mentally adjusting to the water learning to trust it, understanding the way your body behaves in it, and reducing any lingering anxiety. A big win this week is simply being comfortable in the water.
We also aim to introduce simple rules and etiquette. Understanding pool boundaries and personal space is as important as learning to swim. Swimmers are encouraged to feel safe, supported, and free to ask questions without pressure.
Key Skills Introduced:
Early skills are basic but foundational. Swimmers start by learning how to float with help and begin practicing breathing while partially submerged. Kicking from the wall or poolside introduces body movement, and breath-holding games help build water comfort. This week sets the tone for everything that follows.
We also introduce visual and verbal cues for following instructor commands. For children, these often take the form of games. For adults, we build rapport and rhythm through clear guidance and empathy-based coaching.
Tip: Parents of younger children may want to pick up a swim cap and anti-fog goggles for better visibility and comfort. Shop our beginner gear collection.
Week 2: Foundations of Movement
Goals for Week 2:
Now that basic water confidence is in place, swimmers are ready to start moving through the water. The focus here is on discovering how to glide, kick, and maintain balance while supported. For kids, this might involve games and instructor-assisted swimming. Adults start working more on controlled body movement, initiating swim-like motions. The goal is not perfect form—it’s discovering how movement feels in the water.
This week also introduces key principles of buoyancy, resistance, and body posture. The concept of streamlining the body is introduced through simplified visuals and demonstrations.
What You’ll Experience:
Expect lots of forward and backward gliding this week, both with and without floatation aids. Rhythmic kicking becomes more familiar. For kids, there may be more time spent floating on their backs with stretched arms to develop balance and comfort. Adults will likely begin combining kicking and arm movement while learning how to breathe more rhythmically.
Instructors will also help swimmers become more self-aware of their movements. This includes feedback on body alignment and kick patterns. Swimmers will begin identifying when they are relaxed and when they are tense, helping improve water efficiency.
For added control and comfort, many learners prefer using kickboards or short fins during these early stages. Explore swim training tools.
Week 3: Skill Building and Coordination
Goals for Week 3:
At this point, swimmers are gaining a sense of how their bodies move through water. This week’s goal is to coordinate kicking, arm movement, and breathing into structured swim strokes. We begin introducing the front crawl and backstroke in basic form. Body alignment becomes important, and swimmers work on staying streamlined. For adults, timing and breath control are key areas of improvement. For kids, playful drills help embed the core movements.
We also aim to build muscle memory through repetition and positive reinforcement. Instructors may work one-on-one with learners to correct form and introduce stroke sequences that gradually become more fluid.
Key Improvements:
You’ll likely notice progress this week. Most swimmers can float and glide independently for short distances. The front crawl starts to take shape, even if it’s not yet refined. Kicking becomes more efficient, and swimmers get better at maintaining a horizontal body position. Adults may start breathing to the side with more ease, while kids develop better stroke rhythm.
Instructors often incorporate swim drills that alternate between skill isolation and full-stroke practice. This blended learning approach ensures that individual components are strong and integrated effectively into full swim movement.
Consider upgrading goggles or trying out swimwear designed for performance. Check our curated gear for both adults and kids.
Week 4: Putting It All Together
Goals for Week 4:
By week four, learners have built the basic tools for swimming. The focus now is on bringing all these elements together confidence, coordination, and controlled movement—to swim short distances without help. Swimmers also learn how to navigate swim lanes and respect shared pool space. At this stage, instructors assess each swimmer's readiness to move on to more advanced lessons.
For children, the goal is to ensure swimming feels fun and empowering, while for adults, it's about skill mastery and motivation to continue. Lane etiquette, breathing patterns, and swimming with intent are core themes this week.
Progress Milestones:
It’s common to see swimmers cover 5–10 meters using front crawl or backstroke. They should be able to enter and exit the pool independently, float unaided, and transition between strokes. Some may begin experimenting with breaststroke. Most importantly, there’s visible growth in comfort, independence, and confidence in the water.
You might also notice better pacing and a willingness to challenge personal limits. Swimmers often express a sense of pride and a growing passion for the sport. These first victories pave the way for long-term aquatic development.
Want to take your practice further? Join our next-level swim classes in Cheltenham and Gloucester to continue your progress!
What Makes Swim Design Space Different?
We don’t just teach strokes. We design every class to create a supportive, safe, and fun environment where adults and kids feel empowered to grow.
At our locations in:
- Dean Close School, Cheltenham
- Everlast Fitness Gloucester
- Everlast Gym Cheltenham
- Etloe House Farms, Blakeney
- Sir Thomas Rich's School, Gloucester
You’ll experience friendly instructors, small group sessions, and personal guidance tailored to your level.
Book a class now and take the first step toward swimming with confidence.
FAQs: Common Questions in the First Month
- What if I (or my child) feel nervous?
That’s completely normal. Our instructors are trained to ease first-time jitters using gentle techniques and positive reinforcement.- What gear do I need?
Swimwear, cap, and goggles are recommended. We also suggest flip-flops and a towel. Shop our full beginner collection here.- How fast will I see progress?
Progress varies, but most learners see noticeable improvements within 2–4 lessons. Consistency is key.- Are there separate classes for adults and kids?
Yes. We tailor each group to the age and skill level of participants.- What if I miss a class?
We know things don’t always go to plan, and we truly wish we could accommodate every change. However, as your space is reserved ahead of time and cannot easily be filled last-minute, we’re unable to offer make-up lessons or credits for missed sessions. We appreciate your understanding..
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Early (or Too Late) to Learn
Whether you're aiming to conquer your fear of water or giving your child a lifelong skill, the first 4 weeks of swim lessons set the foundation for something truly empowering. The water is a place of freedom, health, and fun and your journey starts here.
Let’s get swimming. Book your first class today.
Written for Swim Design Space: Expert swim instruction in Cheltenham, Gloucester, and beyond. Shop gear and book classes online.