Learn to swim
Where you can learn to swim in the borough
There are five leisure centres in the borough where you can book swimming lessons. Visit their websites for prices, timetables and opening times.
You can also book lessons with the borough's swimming club, Saxon Crown.
All our swimming clubs and swimming lessons are delivered by qualified instructors from Swim England, the national governing body for swimming.
Find out what to expect from your swimming lessons.
Help your children gain confidence in the pool
The NHS has a range of tips and games to help you build your child's confidence, even before they have lessons.
Children aged 5 months to 4 years
These swimming lessons are a great first step and help children prepare for the next stage of swimming lessons. They are aimed at children aged 5 months to 4 years who are accompanied by an adult.
The sessions use guided games and activities to build water confidence and swimming skills.
Children aged 5 to 18 years
Children aged 5 and upwards are taught to swim without a parent in small groups. These lessons follow the ASA National Plan for teaching swimming and the children are assessed continually as they progress. They can gain badges and certificates for reaching each National Teaching Plan stage, as well as distance awards and skills based awards.
The National plan for teaching also teaches the fundamental principles of diving
Adults
It is never to late to learn to swim. Adults can learn to swim, or get help improving their swimming skills, technique and gain water confidence in either a group or one to one setting.
Lessons are not just for complete beginners, if you haven't swum for a long time, or just want to build your technique and strength in the water, there are lessons to suit your level and lifestyle. These lessons can take you through all swimming stages from complete beginner to the confident swimmer.
Some swimming courses for people aged 60 and over are available for as little as £1 per session.
Find out more about how swimming can be beneficial for health and wellbeing.
Swimming for people with disabilities
Disabled people of all ages can learn to swim with Saxon Crown Swimming Clubs dedicated disability swimming section. Tiger Sharks at Saxon Crown SC provide swimming lessons from complete beginners to competition level swimmers with any disability.
The teaching staff are fully qualified in teaching people with all forms of disability.
Learning to swim competitively
Many children who have learned to swim with Saxon Crown Swimming Club have gone on to represent Lewisham at regional, national and international swimming competitions. They have a Masters (over 18) section and a disability section, Saxon Crown Tiger Sharks.
People who learn to swim with Saxon Crown Swimming Club enjoy all the benefits of belonging to an affiliated club and have the opportunity to train for competition in all levels.