October Holiday Fun at South Downs Leisure
Monday 26th October to Friday 30 October 2026
Looking for fun filled activities to keep the kids active and entertained during the school holidays?
At South Downs Leisure, we have got a fantastic programme designed for families across Worthing and beyond.
From intensive swimming lessons that build water confidence, to action-packed sports and creative sessions with Premier Education, there’s something for every child to enjoy.
Families can also make the most of our trampolining sessions, keep moving with BeeFit classes, or simply enjoy quality time together at our leisure centres. Whatever their age or ability, children can stay active, make friends, and create lasting holiday memories – all in a safe, welcoming environment.
Book now via the South Downs Leisure app to secure your child’s place. Plus, don’t forget – Junior FIT4 members receive an exclusive discount, making it even easier to keep active and have fun this school holiday
Intensive daily swimming lessons
Aquaschool run weekly Intensive courses during the School Holidays. These are 5 day courses, with one lesson per day – lessons are approx. 20-25 minutes long, in a 30 minute time-slot.
These sessions are taught by our highly qualified instructors and we normally run Stage 1 and Stage 2 lessons. During the summer holidays we also run Stage 3 and Stage 4 lessons, a Breaststroke clinic and a Stage 1 Beginner lesson for older children, age 8+.
The beginner class for the older children, still follows the same criteria but it is in slightly deeper water and helps older children who may lack confidence in the water.
This summer, we are also running some Adult intensives swim lessons, ideal for those wanting to learn to swim later on in life.
Swim Stages
Parent and Baby (Drop-In Sessions)
Aquababy (4-18 months)
Aquatots (18 months – 3 years)
Aquasplash (3-4 year olds)
Stage 1: (Beginners/Non-Swimmers)
Stage 1 8+ (Non-Swimmers/Beginners over 8 years)
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7 (Aquasquad)
Junior Coaching
Rookies
Adult Intensives: (Beginners/Non-Swimmers for 16+ year olds)
Suitability
Structured drop-in sessions, exclusive for babies and toddlers accompanied by a parent/carer.
Aim
To help build water confidence, strength and co-ordination. There are small floats and toys in the water, with a swimming instructor offering advice and leading a sing-a-long.
Suitability
A course of structured sessions for babies, accompanied by a parent/carer.
Aim
Designed, to promote water confidence and the babies’ Fundamental Motor skills, through the use of songs and games.
Suitability
A course of structured sessions for toddlers, accompanied by a parent/carer.
Aim
Designed to promote water confidence and children’s fundamental motor skills, through the use of basic teaching practices, songs and games.
Suitability
A course of structured sessions for toddlers, accompanied by a parent/carer.
Aim
A course of structured lessons to help develop water confidence and independent swimming practices.
Suitability
For children aged 4+ who are in School and cannot swim without buoyancy aids. Water Depth 0.85 metres.
Aim
To learn to travel a minimum distance of 5m on front and back, with correct kicking action for Front Crawl and Back Stroke. Building on water confidence, such as Submerging, Floating and Jumping in.
Suitability
For children aged 8+ who cannot swim without buoyancy aids. Water Depth 1.2 metres.
Aim
To learn to swim a minimum distance of 10m on front and back, with correct technique for front crawl and backstroke. Skills to build water confidence, such as submerging, floating and jumping in and introduction to breaststroke and butterfly. After completion of this stage, children automatically progress to Stage 3.
Suitability
For school aged Children who can jump in unaided, submerge completely and travel at least 5 metres on front and back with correct kicking action for Front Crawl and Backstroke. Water Depth 0.85 metres.
Aim
To introduce arms for Front Crawl and Backstroke and learn to swim a minimum distance of 10 metres Front Crawl, with basic side breathing and 10 metres Backstroke. Breaststroke and Dolphin leg kick are also introduced.
Suitability
For school aged children who can jump in unaided, submerge completely and swim at least 10 metres Front Crawl (with basic side-breathing), Backstroke and basic Breaststroke. Water Depth 1.2metres.
Aim
To continue to improve on overall swimming technique and stamina for Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke. Butterfly and basic water survival techniques and skills will also be introduced.
Suitability
For children who can swim at least 25 metres Front Crawl with correct breathing, Backstroke and basic Breaststroke. Water Depth 1.8 metres
Aim
To continue to improve on overall swimming technique and stamina for Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke and basic Butterfly. Building on Water Survival skills and introducing basic dives.
Suitability
Suitability: For children who can swim at least 50m efficient front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and basic butterfly. Must be confident in deep water, minimum depth 1.8 metres.
Aim
To improve overall technique, build on stamina and teach personal survival skills and racing dives.
Suitability
For children who are able to swim 200m with good technique and awareness of lane etiquette. Confident in distance swims and deep water exercises.
Aim
To increase stamina and fitness and continue to refine stroke technique and dive entry technique.
Suitability
For children who are able to swim 400m + using consistent good technique in front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke, and swim 25m + basic butterfly.
Aim
To refine swimming technique, introduce competitive starts and turns and build on stamina and fitness. This is an hour long session.
Suitability
Term time only: Every Sunday 17.00 – 18.00 at Splashpoint, Thursday 18.15 - 19.00 at Wadurs.
Junior Coaching is for swimmers that can swim 400 metres (16 lengths), front crawl, comfortably, in one complete swim within a maximum time of 15 minutes.
Swimmers need to have the correct technique in front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and basic butterfly. They should also be familiar with lane etiquette and the correct touch turns for each stroke.
Aim
The aim of Junior Coaching is to refine stroke technique, whilst ultimately working on stamina and fitness.
There are a maximum of 3 lanes and swimmers will work towards completing stage 8, 9 and 10 of ASA Competitive Swimming.
Can be booked via app or online as a class.
Suitability
For children who can swim at least 50m efficient front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke. Minimum water depth 1.8m.
Aim
A course for 8-12 year olds to teach personal survival and basic rescue techniques. Follows the RLSS Lifesaving Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
Suitability
For adults aged 16+ who cannot swim without buoyancy aids, or are beginners. Water Depth 1.2 metres.
Aim
To learn to swim basic frontcrawl and backcrawl and improve water confidence and learn Aquatic skill such as submerging and floating.
Centre
Parent & Baby/Toddler Swimming Sessions
This summer, we are hosting our popular Parent & Baby swimming sessions thoughout the holidays – thse are usually term time only.
A relaxed drop in session, suitable for babies and pre-school children under 4 years old, accompanied by a parent/carer. To help build water confidence, strength and co-ordination. There are small floats and toys in the water, with a swimming instructor offering advice and leading a sing-a-long.
Flip 'N' Fun
Flip ‘n’ Fun has been created for children as an introduction to Diving, encouraging FUNdamental movement skills in the swimming pool. (Goggles can’t be worn during Flip ‘n’ Fun courses).
This 40 minute session, for 4 days, is aimed at children from 8 to 12 years old. The prime objective is to have fun and give children the chance to experience something new and challenging.
Flip ‘n’ Fun aims to develop fundamental skills and motivate and sustain participation in a positive and fun environment.
Please note these courses will take place in the diving pool, so participants must be deep water confident.
Centre: Splashpoint Leisure Centre
Pool depth 3.8m.
Mighty Mites
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