A. The best place to learn is at your local pool with a swimming instructor or through a swimming club with a coach. [See Testing the Water]

A. No. Most swimming pools organise lessons for people of all ages. The advantage of joining a club is that there are lots of members, and there is an opportunity to swim in galas or competitions as you improve. Clubs also have social activities for their members. [See Testing the Water]

A. Clubs use pools that are rectangular so that they can organise training, lessons and competitions. Where there is a local centre with such a pool, there is probably a swimming club who uses it! Contact your local swimming pool and they will give you a name of someone to get in touch with. If you have a problem, ring your local council offices. They should be able to give you a local contact.

A. No. The starting costs are very cheap. [See Jumping In]

A. The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has established a system of awards for swimmers. They start with 'Learn to Swim' awards and move onto distance awards and medals. You can work towards these awards through your school swimming sessions, during lessons at a pool or with a swimming club.

A. If you are a club member, there are special galas held by a club that all members can enter. The club coach may also select you to represent your club against another team in inter-club events. These events are held for all age groups starting with the 'diddy league' for younger children.

To enter Regional, County or National competitions, you must register with the ASA through a local swimming club. You must also achieve the qualifying time set by the Committee running the competition. The qualifying times get harder as you move to competitions at a higher level. [See Testing the Water]

A. Most people learn front crawl or breaststroke first but it is hard to say which stroke is the easiest to learn. It all depends on your swimming style and your personal preference. You will find all strokes easier to learn if you are taught by a qualified instructor. They will teach you the correct way to move your arms and your legs and the proper way to breathe. [See In the Swim]

A. Listen to your instructor or coach, learn about the correct techniques to use, watch good swimmers in the water and practise, practise, practise!