Basingstoke Bluefins Skills Academy
Our Skills Academy is the next step beyond lessons, helping swimmers build confidence, improve their technique and learn how to train within a swimming club.
From streamlining, sculling and kicking to starts, turns and stroke efficiency, our coaches focus on the details that make a lasting difference.
Read: Skills Academy: The Foundation of Bluefins
Targeted coaching focused on building strong aquatic skills from the start
-
Development measured through technical skills, understanding and confidence, not simply lengths or speed
-
Coaching matched to each swimmer’s age, experience and current development
-
An inclusive coaching environment where swimmers with different needs, learning styles and ways of engaging are supported appropriately
-
Opportunities to experience racing when swimmers are ready
-
Opportunities for competitive swimming, fitness and lifelong participation
-
A welcoming community where swimmers can develop at different rate
“Get the fundamentals right and everything else has a stronger foundation.”
Head of Swimming
What Makes It Different to Lessons?
Skills Academy is more than an extension of swimming lessons. Swimmers begin learning how to:
-
Continue developing all four strokes
-
Improve streamlining, sculling and kicking skills
-
Learn starts, push-offs and turns step by step using our mantra: Set, Drop, Lock, Push
-
Train with progressive drills that build confidence and consistency
-
Begin following structured swimming sets and understanding their purpose
-
Listen to feedback and begin applying it independently
-
Understand lane routines and swim safely alongside others
-
Become more confident and responsible within a club environment
-
Enjoy being part of a swimming club
The emphasis remains on learning skills well rather than simply completing more lengths or swimming faster.
“Coaches made it challenging but fun, I always looked forward to swimming.” Junior Captain
Who’s It For?
Skills Academy may be suitable for swimmers who:
-
Are approaching the later stages of a Learn to Swim programme
-
Can swim confidently without physical assistance
-
Are ready to begin structured club training
-
Want to continue developing all four strokes
-
Would benefit from more detailed technical coaching
-
Are ready to listen, learn and train alongside other swimmers
-
May be ready for a more focused coaching environment than their current lessons can provide
Swimmers commonly join from around Learn to Swim Stage 6 or an equivalent standard.
Age, confidence, physical development and previous swimming experience are also considered. Swimmers may be ready to join from around seven years old, although every child develops differently.
Every swimmer is invited to attend a trial so our coaches can recommend the environment where they are most likely to benefit.
“At Bluefins, Skills Academy is not just about swimming technique. It is about developing resilience, confidence and life skills that children can carry with them well beyond the pool.” Club Chair
Your Child’s Pathway
Swimmers join Bluefins at different ages with different experiences and for different reasons.
Skills Academy includes four coaching environments designed to support swimmers as their skills, confidence and independence develop.
These environments do not always form a simple step-by-step ladder. Swimmers may enter at different points and follow different routes as their age, development and interests change.
Foundation
Typically 7–9 years
Early Skills Development
1 session per week
Foundation introduces younger swimmers to club routines within a supportive coaching environment.
Swimmers build confidence, continue developing their aquatic skills and prepare for the greater independence expected within Progression.
Progression One 7+yrs
Typically 7–9 years
Skills Development
2 sessions per week
Progression One 7+yrs supports swimmers entering club swimming during the earlier years.
Swimmers continue developing all four strokes while learning how to follow coaching instructions, train alongside others and become more independent within structured club sessions.
Progression Two 10+yrs
Typically 10–12 years
Skills Development
2 sessions per week
Progression Two 10+yrs supports swimmers entering club swimming at a later age.
It may also support swimmers moving on from Progression One 7+yrs who would benefit from continuing their skills development before entering another Bluefins coaching environment.
Swimmers continue developing all four strokes within a group better matched to their age and stage.
Intermediate Development
Typically 8–10 years
Skills Development and Early Racing
2 sessions per week
Intermediate Development is the final stage of the Skills Academy, helping swimmers apply their developing skills more consistently across all four strokes.
Home Development Galas provide a familiar and supportive introduction to racing. Swimmers begin learning race routines, applying skills under pressure and building confidence through experience.
Early racing is introduced as another opportunity to learn.
What Happens Next?
As swimmers develop, coaches continue considering their skills, confidence, independence, training habits, age, experience and individual interests.
Coaches use their wider understanding of each swimmer to recommend the environment in which they are most likely to benefit.
Some swimmers progress into Focused Development or Competitive Development within the wider Development Pathway. Others may move into Club Development where continued skills, fitness and enjoyment become the main focus.
The question is not simply which squad comes next.
It is: What does this swimmer need next?
Learn more: Explore Bluefins Development Pathways
Ready to Start?
Weekly trials are available. Contact Ali, our Membership Secretary, to arrange a place for your swimmer.
Take the next step from swimming lessons into a club environment where skills, confidence and enjoyment continue to develop.
Explore Bluefins
Not sure whether Skills Academy is the right starting point?
Start Here explains the different ways to join Bluefins, while our Squad Structure & Progression Guide shows how the wider swimming pathways connect. You can also check our current Training Timetable for session times and venues.
More Ways to Join Bluefins
Try Water Polo
For swimmers looking for something different, Water Polo combines swimming with ball skills, teamwork and game play.
Disability & Inclusive Swimming
Our Disability & Inclusion programme provides a supportive coaching environment with coaching adapted around the individual.
Explore Disability & Inclusion →
Useful Links
Squad Structure & Progression →
Developing Swimmers. Developing People.