What Are Intensive Swimming Courses?
Intensive swimming courses (also called swimming crash courses or holiday programs) are concentrated learning programs where you attend daily lessons over a short period—typically 5-7 consecutive days. Unlike traditional weekly lessons spread over months, intensive courses accelerate your learning through daily repetition and focused practice.
These courses are perfect for adults who want to learn quickly before a holiday, overcome a long-standing fear of water, or simply prefer concentrated learning over extended commitment. Private intensive lessons offer the fastest progress, while group intensive courses provide a supportive, cost-effective environment.
Most adult beginners achieve water confidence and basic swimming ability within one week of intensive lessons—progress that typically takes 2-3 months with weekly sessions.
Why Choose Intensive Swimming Courses?
Rapid Results
Achieve in 5-7 days what typically takes months. Daily practice reinforces skills before you forget them, creating muscle memory faster.
Time Efficient
Perfect for busy adults. Book a week of holiday leave and emerge a confident swimmer—no long-term weekly commitment required.
Better Retention
Daily repetition builds strong muscle memory. You won't forget techniques between sessions like with weekly lessons.
Focused Learning
Immersive environment with full instructor attention. No distractions from other commitments—just you and swimming.
Cost Effective
While upfront cost is higher, you'll need fewer total lessons to achieve competence, saving money long-term.
Holiday Friendly
Perfect timing before beach vacations, cruise trips, or family holidays where swimming confidence matters.
Is an Intensive Course Right for You?
Perfect For:
- Complete beginners who can't swim at all
- Adults with upcoming beach holidays or cruises
- Busy professionals who prefer condensed learning
- People who learn better with daily practice
- Those wanting to overcome fear of water quickly
- Intermediate swimmers wanting technique improvement
Consider Carefully If:
- You have severe aquaphobia requiring gradual exposure
- Medical conditions limiting daily physical activity
- Can't commit to attending every daily session
- Prefer slower-paced, relaxed learning environment
- Budget constraints (upfront cost is higher)
Types of Intensive Swimming Courses
5-Day Crash Course
Duration: Monday to Friday, 1-2 hours daily
Best for: Complete beginners, basic water confidence
Typical cost: £175-300 (group), £250-350 (private)
The standard intensive course. Five consecutive days of instruction focusing on water confidence, basic floating, front crawl basics, and essential water safety. By Friday, most students can swim 10-15 meters unassisted.
7-Day Extended Course
Duration: Full week including weekend, 1-2 hours daily
Best for: Nervous learners, stroke development
Typical cost: £245-420 (group), £350-490 (private)
Extended program for those wanting more comprehensive skills. Covers multiple strokes (front crawl, backstroke basics), deeper water confidence, and more advanced techniques. Extra days allow nervous learners to progress at a gentler pace while still maintaining daily practice.
Holiday Intensive Program
Duration: 10-14 days (typically school holidays)
Best for: Comprehensive skill development, stroke refinement
Typical cost: £350-600 (group), £500-840 (private)
Full holiday immersion program covering all four strokes, diving, treading water, and endurance. Designed for Easter, summer, and Christmas breaks. Students achieve genuine swimming competence and confidence in all pool areas.
Weekend Intensive Workshop
Duration: Saturday & Sunday, 2-3 hours each day
Best for: Technique improvement, specific skills
Typical cost: £100-180 (group), £140-240 (private)
Shorter intensive focused on specific improvements rather than complete beginners. Popular for working professionals who can't take time off. Often themed (e.g., "Backstroke Weekend," "Breathing Technique Intensive").
What to Expect During Your Intensive Course
Typical Daily Schedule (5-Day Course)
Day 1: Water Confidence & Safety
Introduction to water, building comfort, controlled breathing, floating techniques, pool safety rules. You'll learn to relax in water and understand basic buoyancy.
Day 2: Basic Movement & Leg Kicks
Front float with face in water, basic leg kicks (flutter kick), gliding practice, introduction to arm movements. You'll start moving through the water independently.
Day 3: Coordination & Breathing
Combining arms and legs, rhythmic breathing (side breathing), swimming 5-10 meters, building stamina. This is often the breakthrough day where it "clicks."
Day 4: Technique Refinement
Improving stroke efficiency, longer distances (15-20 meters), backstroke introduction, turns and stopping techniques. Confidence grows significantly.
Day 5: Consolidation & Assessment
Practice everything learned, deeper water work, treading water, final assessment swim. Most students achieve 20-25 meters by end of this session.
Each session includes warm-up exercises, focused skill practice, guided swimming, and cool-down stretches. Private intensive courses adapt the pace to your individual progress, while group courses maintain a structured curriculum suitable for most adult beginners.
Intensive Swimming Course Costs
While intensive courses have higher upfront costs, they're often more cost-effective than months of weekly lessons. Here's a detailed breakdown:
| Course Type | Duration | Group Cost | Private Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Crash | 5 sessions | £175-300 | £250-350 |
| 7-Day Extended | 7 sessions | £245-420 | £350-490 |
| Weekend Intensive | 2 sessions | £100-180 | £140-240 |
| Holiday Program | 10-14 sessions | £350-600 | £500-840 |
💰 Cost Comparison
Weekly Lessons (Traditional):
- 20 weekly sessions × £30 = £600
- Duration: 5 months
- Risk of forgetting between sessions
5-Day Intensive Course:
- 5-day intensive = £175-300
- Duration: 1 week
- Better retention, faster results
Potential savings: £300-425
📍 Regional Variations
- London: 20-30% higher (£250-400 for 5-day group)
- Manchester, Birmingham: Average rates (£200-320)
- Regional cities: 10-15% lower (£175-280)
- Rural areas: Limited availability, may need to travel
How to Prepare for Your Intensive Course
Before You Start
- Get properly fitted swimwear and goggles
- Clear your schedule—no distractions during course week
- Get adequate sleep—learning is physically and mentally tiring
- Stay hydrated (swimming dehydrates you more than expected)
- Set realistic goals—focus on confidence, not perfection
What to Bring
- Well-fitted swimsuit (not loose board shorts)
- Comfortable goggles (try before buying)
- Swim cap (required at most pools)
- Towel and flip-flops
- Water bottle and healthy snack
- Positive mindset and patience with yourself
💡 Pro Tip: If you're nervous about water, spend 15-20 minutes in a shallow pool the day before starting. Just walk around, get comfortable with the environment. This reduces first-day anxiety significantly.
What You Can Achieve
Real outcomes from typical 5-7 day intensive courses:
After 5 Days
- ✓ Comfortable in shallow water
- ✓ Can float on front and back
- ✓ Basic front crawl (10-15 meters)
- ✓ Controlled breathing
- ✓ Can tread water briefly
- ✓ Safe pool entry/exit
After 7 Days
- ✓ Swim 25 meters front crawl
- ✓ Basic backstroke
- ✓ Comfortable in deep water
- ✓ Dive from poolside
- ✓ Tread water 30+ seconds
- ✓ Can swim for fitness
After 10-14 Days
- ✓ Multiple strokes (front, back, breast)
- ✓ Swim 100+ meters continuously
- ✓ Confident in all pool areas
- ✓ Refined breathing technique
- ✓ Efficient, relaxed swimming
- ✓ Ready for open water (with guidance)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really learn to swim in one week?
Yes! While you may not master all strokes, intensive courses can teach you essential water safety and basic swimming skills in 5-7 days with daily lessons. Most adults achieve confidence in shallow water and can swim 10-25 meters by the end of a week-long intensive course.
How many hours per day are intensive swimming courses?
Most intensive courses involve 1-2 hours of instruction per day, typically held at the same time each day for consistency. Some crash courses may offer longer sessions (2-3 hours) for faster progress.
Are intensive swimming courses more expensive than regular lessons?
Per-session costs are similar (£35-60 for private, £25-35 for group), but you pay for multiple sessions upfront. A week-long private intensive course typically costs £250-420 total. However, you save money long-term by learning faster - achieving in 5-7 days what might take 15-20 weekly sessions.
What if I'm scared of water? Can I do an intensive course?
Absolutely! Many intensive courses specialize in nervous adult learners. The daily repetition actually helps overcome fear faster than weekly lessons. Instructors adapt the pace to your comfort level while maintaining momentum. Consider starting with a fear of water assessment first.
Do I need any swimming ability to start an intensive course?
No prior swimming ability is required for beginner intensive courses. They're designed for complete beginners who can't swim at all. However, there are also intermediate and advanced intensive courses for those wanting to improve technique or learn new strokes.
When is the best time to book an intensive swimming course?
School holidays (Easter, summer, Christmas) are most popular, so book 4-8 weeks ahead. Some adults prefer off-peak times (term-time weekdays) when pools are quieter. Summer is ideal for building confidence before beach holidays.