Abingdon Dolphins Swim School

06/10/2026

Following on from my post about road closures for the Abingdon marathon to be held in Sunday 18th October, hoping this might help you get to Radley

05/10/2026

We have new classes starting with availability for beginners and stage 3 and 4 at Kingfisher school on Wednesdays at 4.40 and for advanced swimmers on Sundays 4.00-5.00pm

05/10/2026

A week on Sunday, 18th October, it’s the Abingdon marathon with a programme of rolling road closures.

Information can be found here

Special event notice for the Abingdon Marathon on 18 October, 2026.

02/10/2026

The Fair starts on Sunday with the High Street and Ock street closed from Sunday morning through Wednesday. Remember you may need to leave extra time to get to lessons

24/09/2026

SUNDAY SWIMMERS

I’ve been told by Radley sports centre that they’re hosting events I re the weekend and parking is likely to be difficult. You are allowed to park at Radley Primary but limited and a walk. If possible it may be worth thinking about walking or cycling, or being dropped off and collected.

22/09/2026

Want to help your child get the most out of their swimming lessons?
Here are 5 simple tips that can make a big difference!

1. Practise between lessons
Even a little practice at bath time or during family swims can help reinforce the skills they’re learning in lessons.

2. Try to attend regularly
Consistency helps children remember what they’ve learned and build confidence in the water. Regular lessons also help create a familiar routine.

3. Pack the essentials
Make sure their swim bag has everything they need—swimwear, towel, goggles, a drink and any other essentials. Being prepared means less rushing and stress!

4. Make sure goggles fit properly
Well-fitting goggles can make swimming much more comfortable and help children see clearly underwater. They should create a gentle seal without being painfully tight.

5. Encourage without pressure
Praise their effort rather than expecting perfection. Try saying “I’m really proud of how hard you tried!” rather than focusing on what they couldn’t do yet.

Remember, every child learns at their own pace. Small improvements, repeated practice and lots of encouragement all help build happy, confident swimmers.

22/09/2026

Looking forward to welcoming swimmers back to lessons on Wednesday and Friday this week at Radley

16/09/2026

Lovely to welcome back swimmers to Kingfisher pool today.
Looking forward to seeing swimmers at Radley on Sunday

16/08/2026

☀️💦 Make the most of your paddling pool this summer! 💦☀️

A paddling pool is a great place for little ones to build confidence between swimming lessons. Keep it fun and pressure-free by trying simple activities like:

🐠 Blowing bubbles in the water
⭐ Floating on their back with your support
💦 Pouring water over their shoulders and head
🦶 Kicking their legs while holding the side
🧸 Reaching for floating toys
🎶 Singing their favourite swimming songs

Remember, the goal isn’t to teach them to swim—it’s to help them feel happy, relaxed, and confident in the water.

⚠️ Always supervise children closely. A paddling pool is never a substitute for active adult supervision.

Happy splashing!

24/07/2026

💦Learning to swim - Things you can do at home💦

There are lots of things you can do at home to help yourself or your family improve their swimming skills.

1. Practicing blowing bubbles in the bath or paddling pool. To make it fun you could get the children to blow bubbles with a straw.

2. Wetting hair and face. Again you can do this in the bath or paddling pool. Make it a game by ‘watering the flowers’ or singing songs such as ‘rain rain go away’.

3. Laying on backs with ears in the water. This is a great skill to practice as it’s one of the most important things children need to know to keep themselves safe in the water.

4. Kicking. This doesn’t have to be done in the water. This can be done laying on the floor. Practice those fast little kicks remembering to not bend those knees!
Older children learning breaststroke can practice doing their legs sat on a chair. Remember to
Keep those feet flat and turned out like a penguin!

5. Water Safety Code. Talk about the water safety code and make sure children know what to do if there’s an emergency.