Dive back into swimming with confidence at Queen’s Leisure Centre

Mon 5 Oct 2020

As phased reopening of our leisure facilities continues, Derby Active has increased the range of Learn to Swim sessions available at Queen’s Leisure Centre, supporting swimmers of all ages as they return to the pool.

It is never too early for children to start learning about being safe in and around water, and the littlest ones can now enjoy splashing around as much as their older siblings as pre-school classes launch in the Teaching Pool for babies and tots.

Mother and baby swimming

Classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are separate sessions for babies up to 18 months, and children from 18 months to age 3. They are designed to help children build confidence in the water, and a parent is required to stay in the water with their child whilst an instructor teaches from the poolside.

According to Swim England, swimming also helps to develop babies’ joints and muscles, as well as the heart and brain. It also helps them develop their balance, as well as providing some quality, uninterrupted bonding time with their parent or carer.

Swimming lessons for adult beginners have also resumed. As well as being excellent exercise, swimming is also a valuable life skill which is never too late to learn. Like all our Learn to Swim classes, our adult programme is based on the Swim England Adult Swimming Framework, and will help you build confidence in the water as you develop your skills. New additional classes are now being taught in the Teaching Pool on Monday mornings, with a ladies-only beginners’ class on Wednesday mornings.

Due to social distancing measures, places are limited so all lessons have to be booked in advance. A number of measures have been brought in to make our facilities Covid secure. Our reintroduction of Learn to Swim classes for older children after lockdown was recently highlighted by Swim England as an example of best practice, so anyone nervous about dipping their toes back into the water after lockdown can feel confident about jumping straight back in.

Customers must arrive ‘beach-ready’ with their swimwear already on underneath their clothes and undress on poolside as changing rooms will not be available before the session. All showering facilities will be out of action until further notice. Customers must follow social distancing throughout their visit, and stay two metres apart from other customers and staff at all times. The lifeguards will be on poolside to answer any questions you have. 

As well as lessons, family swimming sessions are also available in our teaching pool. For these sessions, the pool is roped off to make four pods. Each family can book their own pod which up to five people from the same household or social bubble can enjoy together. Customers may bring their own small toys for children to play with, and some will be made available for use by the centre.

For children aged five plus, sessions can now be booked for Atlantis Splash Run, our inflatable obstacle course which stretches the length of the Gala Pool. The number of users per session is limited in accordance with Covid rules, and all participants are asked to follow social distancing. The slide is not currently in use.

Lane swimming sessions for adults, aqua fitness classes and This Girl Can (ladies only) session are also available at Queen’s Leisure Centre.

Before attending casual swim sessions, please book your space in advance, by: