AquaPups

Have you sorted swimming lessons for September yet? 🏊‍♀️💦

A new term is nearly here and Aquapups lessons will soon be back at both of our Surrey venues.

📍 Headley lessons return 5th September
Parent & Baby • Children • Adults • SEN • Group & 1:1
Daytime, after-school and weekend sessions available.

📍 Royal Alexandra & Albert School – lessons return 7th September
Beginners • Stroke Improvers • Squad-level swimmers
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings in the 25m pool.

Whether your swimmer is taking their first steps in the water, building confidence, improving technique or ready to progress further, we’ll help you find the lesson that suits them best.

Building water confidence today. Creating safer swimmers for life!

September spaces are available now so don’t leave booking until the term has started!

📩 Contact us to find the right venue and class for you or your swimmer.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07734 671181
Or pop us a message.

Sam & The Aquapups Team

Having swimming lessons at school and leaving school able to swim aren’t always the same thing. 💧

A recent BBC report has highlighted some worrying figures around school swimming.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyq5831981o

Across England, only "72% of Year 6 pupils could swim 25 metres", while just "70% could perform safe self-rescue" in 2024-25.

Out of curiosity, we looked at some of the results closer to home too. There was quite a difference between local schools.

We are especially proud to see that at Royal Alexandra & Albert School, where Aquapups provides the school swimming tuition, "100% of Year 6 pupils achieved all three key swimming outcomes"

🏊 Swim at least 25 metres.
🏊 Use a range of strokes effectively.
🛟 Perform safe self-rescue.

This isn't about criticising individual schools. We know there are very real challenges around funding, pool access, transport, curriculum time and how much time children can actually spend in the water.

But it does highlight something we feel very strongly about - "Swimming shouldn’t simply be a box that gets ticked on the curriculum!"

Children need enough regular, progressive time in the water to actually develop the confidence and skills they may one day need to keep themselves safe.

Swimming is a skill for life - and we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, feel confident and safe in and around water.

If your child has school swimming lessons, are you happy with the amount of time they spend in the water and the progress they’re making? We’d love to hear your experience. 💬

Sam & The Aquapups Team

Schools with more disadvantaged children missing swimming target How is your school doing on teaching pupils life-saving swimming skills in the English curriculum?

This week’s Aquapups Summer Holiday Camps are now fully booked!🥳

☀️Next week is our final week of of Holiday Camps for the Summer☀️, and we currently have spaces available on all 3 days.

If your child would love a fun, active day of swimming and confidence-building in the water (both lessons and free splash time included) plus games, crafts and creativity - now is the time to book. 🏊‍♀️💦🎨

Our camps are for children aged 5–10, held at our private Headley venue with both indoor and outdoor pools!

⏰ 9am–3pm
💷 £45 per child per day
🛟 All staff lifeguard trained & DBS checked

📩To book or check current availability, email:
[email protected]

Spaces may go quickly, so please get in touch soon if you’d like one of the final summer camp places.

Sam & The Aquapups Team. 💦

✨ The final Floating Sound Bath dates of the summer are here… ✨

After three beautiful sold-out sessions, there are just a few opportunities left to experience a Amber | REWILD Yoga & Sound & Aquapups Floating Sound Bath this August.

Imagine lying back on the water as you’re guided through a deeply relaxing sound journey, surrounded by nature. A chance to slow down, switch off and let the water gently support you while the sounds of crystal bowls, Himalayan bowls, gong, chimes and voice wash over you.

Final August dates:
💙 Sunday 23 August | 6–7pm
💙 Sunday 30 August | 6–7pm
💙 Monday 31 August | 9–10am

📌 Private pool in Headley, Surrey

Whether you’re joining for the first time or returning for another float, I’d love to welcome you.

Spaces are limited and once these sessions are full, that’s it for this summer.

To book or if you have any questions please drop us a message.

We’d love for you to join us.

The summer holidays are here - and beach days are a great way to enjoy your time off.

Paddling, swimming, bodyboarding, building sandcastles and making memories can make the beach such a special part of your holiday.

But the sea is very different from a swimming pool. Conditions can change quickly, even when the water looks calm, so it is always worth keeping a few gentle safety reminders in mind.

🌊 Choose a lifeguarded beach where possible.
Lifeguards understand the local conditions and can help guide families towards the safest areas for swimming.

🌊 Swim between the red and yellow flags.
These flags mark the area lifeguards have identified for swimming and other sea activities. They also make it easier for lifeguards to spot anyone who may need help.

🌊 Know and practise Float to Live.
Talk to children about floating on their back, keeping calm and calling for help. Practising in a safe, supervised pool can help them understand what to do.

🌊 Be aware of rip currents.
Rip currents can pull swimmers away from the shore. If caught in one, try not to fight against it. Float, call for help or swim parallel to the beach until you are free.

🌊 Know who to call for help.
In the UK, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. When travelling in Europe, 112 is the key emergency number to know.

Water confidence is incredibly valuable, but awareness matters too - especially around open water.

Spending time around a holiday pool too? Have a look at our Pool Safety post for a few important checks before the first splash.

Please save this post for your next beach day and share it with others heading to the coast. A simple reminder could help protect someone’s holiday - or even someone’s life.

Are you more of a pool family or a beach family?

Sam & The AquaPups Team

Summer holidays are in full swing - and for many families, that means plenty of time around the pool.

The pool is often one of the most exciting parts of being away, and a few simple checks can help keep those splashes happy, relaxed and safer for everyone.

Holiday pools can be very different from the pools children are used to during lessons. The depth may change quickly, the edges can be slippery, there may be no lifeguard, and private villa pools can sometimes be easier for children to access than expected.

A few gentle reminders:

💧 Stay close to younger and less experienced swimmers
Even children who are growing in confidence still need close supervision around an unfamiliar pool.

💧 Take turns as the water watcher
When lots of adults are around, it can be easy to assume someone else is watching. Choosing one adult to keep their eyes on the pool helps avoid confusion.

💧 Check the depth and layout
Before everyone gets excited and jumps in, take a quick look at the depth, steps, slippery areas and where children can safely stand.

💧 Enter carefully at first
Holiday pools can be deeper than they look. Encourage children to enter carefully until you are familiar with the pool.

💧 Check gates, doors and pool access
When staying somewhere with a private pool, check gates, doors and outdoor access points to help prevent children reaching the water without an adult.

At AquaPups, we believe water confidence starts with water awareness - and small reminders like these can help children enjoy the water more safely.

Heading to the coast too? Take a look at our Beach Safety post for simple reminders about flags, rip currents and Float to Live.

Please save this post for your next pool day and share it to make others aware. A simple reminder could help protect someone’s holiday - or even someone’s life.

What is one pool safety reminder your family always follows?

Sam & The AquaPups Team

Only 4 spaces left this week!

We have just 2 spaces on Wednesday and 2 spaces on Thursday for our Aquapups Summer Holiday Camps.

With the hot and sunny weather continuing, what better way for your child to spend the day than having fun, making friends and splashing around in the pools?

To book, email [email protected].

Spaces are limited and availability is correct at time of posting.

Sam & The Aquapups Team.