The Small Swimming Pool

The Ķīpsala Swimming Pool offers swimming lessons, or swimming instruction, to everybody who is interested. Instruction for children as young as two is organised in our small pool, whereas in the large pool, we offer both young people and adults an opportunity to improve their swimming skills. All the swimming lessons have been licenced and are implemented under the guidance of professional and experienced coaches.

Being on friendly terms with water since childhood

Going for a swim is a wonderful way to toughen up one`s body and improve one`s posture; therefore, we offer you and your children swimming instruction programmes that will help the little would-be swimmers learn to swim correctly from the early age of two. For parents, however, this is an opportunity to give their offspring knowledge and skills that will definitely be useful in the future.

Swimming instruction for children in Stage 1 (at the age of 2-4) is organised with parents participating, thus familiarising the child with new sensations while being nestled in a safe embrace. This helps the child adapt faster, get used to the process and be brave while discovering and learning new skills. In the following stages of instruction, when the child has already learned the basics, the child can continue the learning process under the guidance of a coach, without direct participation of his or her parents.

The beneficial features of swimming

The process of toughening up is a cornerstone of a healthy body. As a result, your blood circulation, skin tone and immunity will improve, and improvements to the shape of your body and the way you feel will also be facilitated.
Improving the posture. Wile swimming, all the muscles are strengthened and the functions of the body`s musculoskeletal system are improved, thus reducing the risk of scoliosis and other posture problems.
Improving the way you feel. With every stroke of your arms, swimming will help you get rid of the stress and negativity accumulated during the day, bringing a smile back to your face and re-energising you for the following working day.
Strengthening all the muscles. Swimming is a universal sports discipline. The resistance force of the water and the process of swimming will limber up your body, facilitating the development of muscles in an enjoyable way.
Gentle sports. No matter what intensity training you prefer, water reduces the risk of injury and makes the movements that have been performed fluid by supporting your body, thus being gentle on your joints and not allowing you to overexert them.
Useful life skills. Swimming truly is the only fitness skill that might save your life: by learning how to swim, as well as the basics of safety on the water, a person learns to adequately assess his or her abilities and other risks associated with safety on the water, and feels much safer in the vicinity of water.

A licenced instruction programme

The Ķīpsala Swimming Pool has been issued a licence to implement interest and adult non-formal education education programmes in the administrative territory of Riga in accordance with binding regulations No.73 of March 6, 2007 “On the licensing of interest education and adult non-formal education programmes” of the City Council of Riga to implement the interest education programme “Swimming”.

The licence attests to the compliance of the instruction programme with the regulatory requirements and provides an opportunity for the parents or other family members of the children who are taking lessons to also recover part of the overpaid personal income tax from the amount that will have been paid this year for children`s swimming lessons held at the Ķīpsala Swimming Pool.

Professional and experienced coaches

Swimming instruction for children and young people is given by qualified professional and experienced coaches. All the coaches have been appropriately educated in this sports discipline and have been certified in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation No. 77 of January 26, 2010 of the Cabinet of Ministers “Regulations Regarding the Procedures for the Certification of Sports Specialists and the Requirements Specified for a Sports Specialist”.

Along with the coaches, qualified life safety specialists – lifeguards, who have acquired the skills for saving people`s lives in swimming pools and take care of both the safety of the swimming pool users and the public order, are on regular duty.

An environment suitable for instructing children

Children`s feeling of comfort is a priority of ours. Water and air temperatures are the factors that affect the way a child feels and whether the child enjoys the process; therefore, we strive on a daily basis to maintain constant water and air temperature that is suitable for children`s swimming lessons. Water temperature in the children`s pool is maintained at 32⁰C. In the large pool, water temperature varies between 27⁰ and 28⁰C, which is suitable for swimming instruction.

Swimming instruction for children aged 2-4

Swimming instruction for young swimmers aged 2-4 takes place in the small pool together with the child`s mum, dad, aunt or another family member. This helps the child adapt faster, get used to the process and be brave while discovering and learning new skills. In the following stages of instruction, when the child has already learned the basics, the child can continue the learning process under the guidance of a coach, without direct participation of his or her parents.

Swimming instruction for children aged 5-12

Swimming instruction for groups of children aged 5-6 and 7+ takes place in the small pool, and the swimming lessons are organised in two streams according to the child`s previous experience and skills. Our programme has been designed in a way that will enable every child to receive pedagogical support and teaching programme suitable for his or her skills.

In compliance with the guidelines for safe swimming lessons for children, a limit on the number of participants per instruction group has been set: in beginner groups, the maximum number of participants is 12, whereas in instruction groups for children with basic skills, the maximum number of participants is 14.

Swimming instruction for children and teenagers aged 8-17

In instruction groups for participants aged 8-17, when the child or teenager has already learned the basics of swimming, lessons progress to take place in the large swimming pool. Swimming lessons are organised in two age groups (8-10, and 11+) and in two streams according to the group members` skills and abilities. Our programme has been designed in a way that will enable every participant to receive pedagogical support and teaching programme suitable for his or her skills.