The Truth About 'Intensive' Swimming Courses
Do those week-long crash courses actually work, or are you just throwing money away?
School holidays arrive and suddenly every leisure centre in Ireland is advertising "intensive" swimming courses. Five days, €150-€300, and promises that your child will be swimming confidently by the end of the week. It sounds perfect - get the swimming sorted during the holidays, job done.
But here's what swimming instructors won't tell you upfront: these courses work brilliantly for some children and are a complete waste of money for others. The difference isn't what you might expect.
What Intensive Courses Promise vs Reality
The Marketing Promise:
-
✓"Learn to swim in just 5 days!"
-
✓"Perfect for busy families"
-
✓"Intensive method gets faster results"
-
✓"Small groups, expert instruction"
-
✓"Confidence guaranteed"
The Usual Reality:
-
?Many children forget everything within 2 weeks
-
?Groups often larger than advertised
-
?Instructors may be temporary holiday staff
-
?No follow-up or continued support
-
?Children overwhelmed by daily pressure
Who Intensive Courses Actually Work For
Intensive Courses Work Well For:
Children Who Can Already Swim Basic Strokes
If they can already do 10m of front crawl and backstroke, intensive courses can polish technique and build confidence quickly.
Confident Children Aged 7+
Older children who take instruction well and aren't overwhelmed by daily lessons for a week.
Children Returning After a Break
Kids who could swim before but haven't been in the water for months or years.
Focused, Goal-Oriented Children
Children who respond well to intensive practice and enjoy daily challenges.
Intensive Courses Usually Don't Work For:
Complete Beginners (Especially Under 6)
Children who can't float or put their face in water need time to build water confidence gradually.
Anxious or Cautious Children
Daily pressure to progress can increase anxiety and actually set back water confidence.
Children with Previous Bad Experiences
If they've had scary experiences in water, they need gentle, patient, longer-term rebuilding of confidence.
Very Young Children (Under 5)
Young children learn through play and repetition over time, not intensive daily instruction.
Why the "Intensive" Approach Often Backfires
The Motor Learning Issue:
Swimming involves complex motor skills that require time to consolidate. Your brain needs breaks between learning sessions to process and store new movements. Daily lessons don't allow for this natural consolidation.
"Think about learning to drive - you wouldn't expect to master it in 5 consecutive days of lessons. Swimming is similarly complex."
What Actually Happens:
- • Day 1-2: Excitement and initial progress
- • Day 3: Fatigue starts affecting performance
- • Day 4-5: Frustration as improvement plateaus
- • Week after: Skills fade without practice
- • Month after: Often back to square one
What Decent Intensive Courses Actually Offer
Signs of a Quality Intensive Course:
- • Maximum 4 children per instructor
- • Clear entry requirements (not "all abilities")
- • Qualified, permanent staff
- • Specific skill outcomes listed
- • Follow-up lesson recommendations
- • Progression assessments each day
- • Age-appropriate groups
- • Emergency action plans
- • Money-back guarantees (rare but good sign)
- • References from previous parents
Red Flags to Avoid:
- • "All abilities welcome" claims
- • Groups of 8+ children
- • Teenage or temporary instructors
- • Vague promises ("will be swimming")
- • No assessment of current ability
- • Pay upfront, no refunds policy
- • No follow-up support mentioned
- • Pressure to book additional courses immediately
- • No clear daily structure
- • Swimming in overcrowded public sessions
What Works Better Than Intensive Courses
Semi-Intensive (3 days per week)
Lessons on Monday, Wednesday, Friday give time for skill consolidation between sessions.
Extended Holiday Programme
2-week course with lessons every other day, plus fun activities and games.
Regular Term-Time Lessons
Weekly lessons over 10-12 weeks consistently outperform intensive courses for most children.
Private Holiday Lessons
5 individual lessons spread over 2 weeks, customised to your child's needs.
The Real Cost Analysis
Intensive Course vs Alternatives (Cost per genuine progress):
Intensive Course
Weekly Lessons (8 weeks)
Private Holiday Lessons
Reality check: If your child needs to repeat the intensive course or catch up with regular lessons afterwards, that "quick fix" becomes very expensive indeed.
Should You Book an Intensive Course?
Ask Yourself These Questions:
Can your child already swim 10m confidently?
If not, intensive courses will likely be overwhelming and ineffective.
Are you prepared to book follow-up lessons immediately?
Without continuation, intensive course benefits disappear within weeks.
Does your child handle daily challenges well?
If they get stressed or tired easily, spread lessons out instead.
Is this genuinely more convenient than term-time lessons?
Or are you hoping for a quick fix that probably won't work long-term?
The Bottom Line
Intensive swimming courses can work, but only for the right child in the right circumstances. They're not magic bullets, and they're often more expensive than they appear when you factor in follow-up lessons.
For most children, especially beginners, regular weekly lessons over several months will give better, more lasting results for similar or less money.
If you do choose an intensive course, plan for it to be the start of regular swimming, not the complete solution.
More Helpful Swimming Guides
Swimming Lesson Costs in Ireland
What you're actually paying for and how to get better value
Private vs Group Swimming Lessons
What actually works for Irish kids and families?
Swimming Lessons vs Just Splashing About
When pool time isn't actually learning
Why Your Child Hates Swimming Lessons
Common reasons children resist swimming and practical solutions