Starting swimming lessons with Edinburgh Leisure

[Bringabrolly]

I went to my local pool to try to get a swimming lesson for my child. They told me they couldn’t talk or answer any questions about lessons, I had to do everything on the Edinburgh leisure website. Which seems like such a diabolical piece of software it is almost completely useless.

the instructions they gave me seem to imply I have to choose the pool and the activity I want then it will show what us available to book. If there is nothing suitable available, refresh every day and something might come up. But if I am only interested in a certain afternoon, how do I know if the class I am interested in even exists? If a class for 6-7 year olds at that pool on a Thursday after school exists? Am I supposed to guess? Very confused.

No advice but agree it's a terrible website!

It's an awful website. I would email customer services, tell them you're having difficulty accessing information on the website - let them know what classes/age/ability you're looking for at which pool and ask them to confirm what availability they have.

Yes email or phone, or find alternate provision at swim easy or one of the other places that hold swim classes. it’s an awful website!

Try the website of the Leisure Centre you are interested in rather than the main EL website. You can filter by day. There did used to be an index explaining the level of each class but I can't see that on my mobile. It might be easier on a PC.

Good luck trying to speak to anyone on the phone! I was in a queue for about 30 mins the last time.

I didn't find their swimming lessons any use - the teacher wasn't in the water after about p1/2.

I tried Big Blue & they were good, as was Stepping stones & Swim world swim school. All in locations in Edinburgh.

Yup I have NEVER got through on the phone to Edinburgh Leisure. I think sadly I am going to write it off and look elsewhere, but thanks for the tips everyone!

TBH @Bringabrolly I didn't especially rate the lessons, but they were the cheapest option at the time. In hindsight, I'd have held off a bit, saved the money, gone swimming regularly to get DC used to water, and forked out for some intensive summer weeks etc. with one of the private companies.

My kids have both learned with edinburgh leisure, no complaints from me. There is a shortage of teachers just now which is affecting availability. There is a hard to find switch on the classes website which says something like 'show me classes which are full' - that's how you can see the one you want and go on the waiting list for it.