Swimming lessons and baby swimming at Impivaara

Children’s swimming school groups

Swimming school groups are available for children aged 5–6 years, 6–7 years and over 7 years. The required age for the swimming school group must be reached no later than during the swimming school period.

Beginners A

• For children who cannot swim and/or are cautious and do not dare to put their head under water.
• Practising water familiarisation, submersion and diving, floating, gliding and the basics of swimming.
• The aim is independent movement in the water, confidence to put the head under water, and swimming skills of 0–5 metres.

Beginners B

• For children who cannot swim but dare to put their head under water.
• Practising floating, gliding, diving, kicking and the basics of swimming.
• The aim is swimming skills of 5–10 metres.

Continuation groups

• The City of Turku Sports Services Centre does not organise continuation swimming schools.
• When a child dares to put their head under water and can swim 10 metres, it is recommended to continue, for example, in courses offered by swimming clubs.

Adult swimming school groups

Beginners for water-shy participants

• Intended for adults with a fear of water and/or cautious adults who cannot swim.
• Practising, among other things, water familiarisation, floating, gliding and the basics of swimming.
• The aim is confidence in moving in the water, floating, submerging below the surface, and swimming a few metres.

Beginners

• Intended for adults who cannot swim but feel comfortable moving in the water and are not afraid of water.
• Practising, among other things, floating, gliding, kicking, the basics of swimming and diving.
• The aim is swimming skills of 10 metres.

Continuation

• Intended for adults who can swim approximately 10 metres.
• Swimming skills and the fundamentals of swimming are further developed.
• The aim is swimming skills of 25 metres and confidence to swim in deep water.

Arrival

• The course fee is paid at the cashier on the first swimming school session.
• Please keep the receipt for the entire duration of the swimming school.
• In addition to the course fee, an entrance fee is charged, either as a single payment or via a series wristband.
• The entrance fee is loaded onto a wristband, which is used for access through the gates and for locking the changing locker.

For accompanying persons

• One accompanying person may enter the swimming centre with the swimming school participant to assist in the changing and washing facilities.
• If the accompanying person swims or uses the gym themselves, an entrance fee must be paid.
• In the pool and washing areas, movement is allowed barefoot or wearing indoor footwear.
• If the accompanying person leaves the facility during the swimming school session, they must ask the cashier to open the gates when exiting and re-entering.

Before the lesson

• The accompanying person brings the swimming school participant, after showering, to the pool area.
• Participants gather in the swimming centre stands, where the swimming instructor conducts roll call.
• The accompanying person leaves the pool area immediately after roll call.
• The child may bring their own swimming goggles if desired.

After the lesson

• The swimming instructor is responsible for the children throughout the entire lesson.
• When the lesson ends, the accompanying person must be present to receive the swimming school participant in the swimming centre stands.
• The accompanying person takes the child to shower/sauna and assists with changing.

Cancellation of participation

• If participation in the swimming school is not possible, please cancel the registration in good time so that the place can be offered to the next participant on the waiting list.
• Cancellations are made via the online service or by calling swimming supervision. Instructions are provided after registration.

Illness and absences

• Please inform the swimming instructor if you will be absent from a session.
• In case of illness, contact swimming supervision by phone at +358 40 648 5338.
• Individual absences and entrance fees are not refunded.
• Individual sessions cannot be replaced in another swimming school.
• In cases of prolonged illness (more than 75% of the course), a partial refund of the course fee may be granted upon presentation of a medical certificate.

At Impivaara Swimming Centre, two guided baby swimming periods of 8–10 sessions are organised during both the autumn and spring seasons.

The first autumn period begins in late August and the second period around mid-October. The first spring period begins in early January and the second in March. Competitions, other events at the swimming centre and public holidays affect the scheduling of the periods. There is no activity during the summer.

Groups are held in the Aapo multi-purpose pool on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 8:30 and 10:00. The water temperature during sessions is 32°C. The water depth is 1.1–1.4 metres. The group size is 10 babies.

Please note that each group participates for one course period only. After completing the course, it is possible to register for the next level if places are available. After this, families continue the activity independently.

Beginner babies

• Age 3–10 months (the baby must have reached the age of 3 months by the start of the course)
• Minimum weight 5 kg
• Baby + 1 or 2 adults, no siblings allowed
• Participants who have completed the course may register for the continuing baby course

Continuing babies

• For babies who have participated in the beginner baby group or other baby swimming activities
• Baby’s age approximately 6–15 months
• Baby + 1 or 2 adults, no siblings allowed
• NOTE: When the course ends, families move on to independent practice. Do not register again for the continuing baby course.

Family swimming

As of the beginning of 2018, family swimming groups are no longer organised due to low demand.
Instructor and facility resources are instead allocated to beginner and continuing baby groups, which have been in high demand.

Principles of the activity

Child-centred baby swimming is based on the baby’s own pace, safety and the learning of water safety skills. The activity is guided, playful and interactive. Exercises are adapted based on observations of the baby’s individual development, not their age. The swimming session progresses calmly, supporting the cooperation of the baby’s senses and movement.

Skills related to submersion are learned at the baby’s own pace as part of becoming familiar with water. Babies are not submerged by adults, and reflex-based actions or conditioning are not used. Submersion-related practice respects the baby’s development and willingness. There is no rush with dipping or submersion exercises; they are carried out only if the baby accepts them, which often requires a long period of familiarisation. Baby swimming at Impivaara Swimming Centre is designed in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation. These guidelines can be accessed via the following link:

Vauva- ja perheuinti  - Suomen Uimaopetus- ja Hengenpelastusliitto ry (in Finnish)