Business Details
27 Years
experience
Professional Swimming Lessons in Bristol for All Ages
Established in 1999 by Hazel Lees, Splash-happy Swimschool has evolved into a family-run operation delivering structured swimming education across Bristol. Our approach combines professional expertise with a nurturing environment, ensuring learners develop confidence and technical proficiency. All instructors undergo enhanced DBS checks and maintain high teaching standards through continuous evaluation. We prioritise small class sizes (maximum 8 learners) to optimise individual attention, employing evidence-based methods like song-based learning, games, and adaptive flotation aids.Our curriculum caters to all levels from non-swimmers to pre-competition athletes, with dedicated sessions for toddlers, lane classes for advanced swimmers, and speciality programmes including survival training, water polo, and artistic swimming. Fully insured and committed to safeguarding, we offer holiday intensives and lifeguard academy training to build both technical skill and water safety awareness.
Services
Children's Swimming Lessons
Junior Lifeguard Academy
Holiday Intensive Courses
Pre-competition Training
Lane Classes
Water Safety Instruction
Stroke Development
Toddler Swimming Sessions
Adult Swimming Lessons
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- Family-run since 1999 with proven teaching methodologies
- Instructors with enhanced DBS checks and ongoing training
- Guaranteed small class sizes (maximum 8 learners)
- Tailored progression from non-swimmers to competition prep
- Specialist programmes including lifeguard academy and survival training
Services
Children's Swimming Lessons
Structured swimming instruction for children aged 3.5+ in Bristol, with ability-based progression from non-swimmers to advanced learners. Small group teaching (max 8 pupils) ensures individual attention while water safety education and stroke development form core components. Tailored lesson plans include adaptive flotation aids and interactive learning methods like songs and games.
Junior Lifeguard Academy
Aquatic safety and lifeguarding programme for children aged 8+, combining water rescue techniques, first aid, and specialist awards. Practical sessions develop pool sport skills, artistic swimming, and distance swimming while preparing candidates for national lifeguard qualifications through scenario-based training.
Holiday Intensive Courses
Five-day immersion courses during school holidays focusing on rapid skill development across various swimming disciplines. Options include learn-to-swim fundamentals, stroke refinement, survival techniques, and competitive start/turn training with 30-minute daily sessions suitable for multiple ability levels.
Pre-competition Training
Advanced swimming instruction for athletes developing competitive techniques including tumble turns, racing starts, and endurance training up to 800m distances. Structured lane classes provide technical feedback for stroke perfection while building race-specific skills for competitive swimmers progressing beyond 50m distances.
Toddler Swimming Sessions
Specialist water familiarisation classes for young children with adult participation, designed to build confidence through playful learning. These sessions use interactive teaching methods and adaptive flotation equipment to introduce basic swimming concepts in a supportive environment with parent accompaniment.
People
Hazel Lees
Founder
Established Splash-happy Swimschool in 1999, developing it from a local swimming programme into a comprehensive family-run operation. She oversees strategic development while maintaining close involvement in instructor training and service quality assurance across Bristol locations.
Questions
What age can children start swimming lessons?
Children can join mainstream lessons from 3 years and 6 months old, with toddler sessions available for younger children accompanied by adults.
Where are the swimming lessons held?
Lessons operate at Clifton High School Pool (BS8 3HL) and Badminton School (BS9 3BA) in Bristol, with holiday courses at Westbury-on-Trym location.
What qualifications do instructors hold?
All instructors undergo enhanced DBS checks and receive ongoing professional training to maintain our high teaching standards and safety protocols.
Do you offer pre-competition swimming training?
Yes, we provide lane classes for advanced swimmers developing competitive techniques, including turns, starts, and endurance training up to 800m distances.
Are holiday swimming courses available?
We run Summer intensive courses in July and August 2025 covering learn-to-swim, stroke development, survival skills and Junior Lifeguard Academy programmes.
How are swimming classes structured?
Non-swimmers start with in-water instructors, progressing through ability-based groups with maximum 8 learners per class and optional parent-assisted sessions for toddlers.
