Water Safety & Stroke Development in a Supportive and Social Environment

At Rainbow Club, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn to swim in a fun, structured, and supportive environment. 

Swim the Rainbow is a progressive swimming program designed specifically for children and young adults with disabilities, ensuring they develop essential water safety skills and swimming strokes while engaging in social participation—just like their siblings and peers. 

Personalised & Adaptive Swimming Lessons

Swim the Rainbow offers personalised, modified, and adaptive swimming lessons tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our teachers use structured lesson plans and adaptive teaching methods to help every swimmer progress at their own pace while working towards their individual goals.

Swim the Rainbow Levels

The Swim the Rainbow program follows a structured progression system, transitioning from fundamental water confidence and safety skills to advanced stroke techniques and endurance training. Each level is aligned with a colour of the rainbow with levels Red through to Blue being 30min long, ensuring a clear pathway for skill development. 

Water comfort, assisted floating, supported front/back floats, assisted kicks, and holding onto the pool edge. Focus is on willingness and comfort in water. 

Ratio 1:1

Independent safe water entry, full submersion, independent front and back floats, and basic stroke coordination with kickboards. Introduction to water safety skills.

Ratio 1:1

Focus on early stroke development: overarm strokes, back kick, single-arm breathing drills, and retrieval skills. Transitioning towards 2:1 paired lessons.

Ratio 2:1

Introduction to freestyle with breathing, backstroke, and streamlined kicking. Developing endurance and readiness to consistently work in a 2:1 class setting.

Ratio 2:1

Increased distance in freestyle and backstroke, introduction to breaststroke and butterfly kicks, and readiness for Rainbow Squads. Endurance training begins.

Ratio 2:1

At each stage, children work on water confidence, safety, and swimming independence, eventually progressing into stroke-based swimming and social participation with peers. 

Why Choose Swim the Rainbow? 

1. Personalised Learning 

Swim the Rainbow provides individualised attention, making it ideal for children who: 
✔ Are new to swimming and require additional support
✔ Have sensory, behavioural, or physical needs requiring a customised approach
✔ Struggle with instruction processing in mainstream swim classes
✔ Need a teacher who can modify and adapt techniques to suit their abilities 

2️. Qualified & Experienced Teachers 

Our dedicated swim teachers are trained to: 
✔ Build rapport and boost confidence in students
✔ Adapt techniques and modify stroke development to suit individual needs
✔ Use visual aids and structured lesson plans for effective learning
✔ Access to Occupational Therapist (OT) support for additional guidance
✔ Continue professional development through Rainbow Edge, our specialised teacher training program 

3️. Social Participation & Progression 

As swimmers gain confidence, their lessons may include more than one child, helping them develop: 
✔ Turn-taking skills
✔ Communication and peer interaction
✔ A sense of teamwork and friendly competition
✔ The ability to transition into group swim classes 

Many Swim the Rainbow students progress to group lessons and eventually join Rainbow Squads, where they refine their strokes and build endurance.

Assesment & Certification 

✔ Termly Assessments: conducted using clear assessment criteria
✔ Digital Certificates: awarded when a swimmer moves through to the next stage
✔ Participation Certificates: given twice yearly to celebrate progress

Is Swim the Rainbow the Right Fit? 

If your child requires greater support, a more sensory-based approach, or goals that focus less on stroke progression and more on confidence, mobility, and participation, they may be better suited to our Rainbow Moves program.

Want to Learn More? 

If you’re interested in Swim the Rainbow for your child, contact us or book into an available class at one of our clubs. All students start with 1:1 lessons, ensuring personalised support before transitioning into paired or group lessons as they progress. .