Getting help with swimming through swimming lessons is very popular among both adults and children. This can be done at your local swimming club in various swimming classes, but nowadays there are also several providers that offer private swim training so that it's just you in the water.
Club swim training vs. Private swim training
But first things first: Why choose one over the other? And which is best?
It's no secret that the vast majority of people prefer to swim in a swimming club. In fact, there are just under 230,000 Danes registered in one, which makes swimming Denmark's 3rd largest sport. Largest sport, but it can also be the swimming club's biggest disadvantage.
Namely that you get to train with others - and you are not the centre of attention all the time.
On the other hand, this is the big advantage of private swimming. Here you are only yourself (or at most a few people) and the coach, so you are constantly being corrected and improved in your technique and swimming.
That's why I'm convinced that private swim training is the best choice for an adult who has never learnt to swim before, as the constant improvement from a coach will help you improve quickly.
On the other hand, I would recommend that all younger children start by taking swimming lessons at their local swimming club. Mostly because they have a lot of experience teaching children to swim, and it makes it much more fun to go with other children instead of just swimming by yourself.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced swimmer, child or adult, I would often also recommend the local swimming club. That is, unless you have a goal of becoming a really good swimmer like a triathlete or you feel as an elite swimmer that you need something extra in addition to club training, then private swimming lessons will again be the obvious choice.
So take a look at yourself - if your goal is to become a significantly faster swimmer or if you're an adult who just wants to learn for a start, consider a private swim coach. Otherwise, go for the club.
So few can actually swim
Swimming lessons, wherever and with whomever, are generally incredibly important. And we're actually not very good at it in Denmark.
91% of the adult population say it's important to be able to swim, although only one in three adults between the ages of 18 and 74 are able to swim 200 metres without assistance. However, the situation is better for children, with half of children aged 7-14 able to swim 200 metres.
Now, maybe you're one of those people who are part of this so-so statistic?
Don't worry, with the right swimming lessons, which you'll find below, you'll be up to speed pretty quickly.
GET A DISCOUNT CODE WITH 10% OFF
The discount code can be used by all new customers on all products on the website, including the products recommended here in the article.
What are you waiting for? Get more out of your time in and on the water!
Find your local swimming club here
Swimming clubs are everywhere in Denmark. In fact, there are just over 400 large and small clubs, almost all of which offer swimming for children, recreational swimmers, triathletes and competitive swimmers.
So, all you have to do is sign up yourself or your child.
Here you can get private swimming lessons
As mentioned earlier, the number of dedicated swimming schools is increasing, where former swimmers teach others how to swim - not in a team, but one-on-one.
If that's what you're looking for, I've scoured the Danish market for private swimming and swimming schools so you can hopefully find one near you.
The providers are sorted randomly and are not necessarily an indication of how good they are.
You can get private swimming lessons at:
Svømmelæren.dk
Offers: Seasonal classes from September to June, adult private lessons, children's private lessons, children's swimming classes during school holidays and weekends, pregnancy swimming, baby swimming, mermaid swimming
Where: Mainly in Copenhagen at Vesterbro swimming centre, Hillerødgade Bad, Urban Pool, Lyngbyvej swimming hall, Gladsaxe Svømmehal, Håndværkerhaven and Water and Wellness Flintholm
Price: From DKK 410 per lesson
Svømmeskoleboblen.dk
Offers: Individual or group classes for children and teenagers with special needs such as ADHD, Autism, mild physical disabilities or similar diagnoses with extra attention needs. Maximum of 3 children per instructor.
Where: Around Horsens in Bankager swimming pool or Hovedgåard swimming pool
Price: From DKK 1200 per half year
Svømmeundervisning.dk
Offers: Individual swimming lessons for recreational swimmers, children's swimmers and triathletes. Also team lessons for children with a maximum of 5 children per team
Where: On Østerbro in Charlottehavens Svømmehal
Price: From DKK 500 per 30-minute lesson
Bbswim.dk
Offers: Children's classes with a maximum of 8 children per class for 5-6 year olds, teenage classes, beginner classes for adults with a fear of water, water aerobics, pregnancy swimming
Where: In Copenhagen South in the Frankrigsgade swimming pool and Sundby baths
Price: Class prices from DKK 1320 per half year
Svommeundervisning.dk
Offers: Only children's classes in 4 different classes/stadiums: Can not swim, Can swim minimally, Has knowledge and can swim all styles, masters the swimming itself
Where: On Zealand in Hørsholm swimming pool
Price: From DKK 1650 per half year
Swimprivatsvommeundervisning.dk
Offers: Personalised swimming lessons for children, adults, friends and baby. Also video analysis of your swimming
Where: Charlottehaven swimming pool in Copenhagen
Price: From DKK 500 per 30 minutes
Privatsvoemmeundervisning.dk
What: Private swimming lessons for triathletes, adults and people with water anxiety.
Where: Aarhus Swimming Stadium in Aarhus
Price: DKK 450 per half hour
What does private swimming lessons cost?
As you can see from the above review of the major swimming lesson providers, the prices per 30 minutes range between £400 and £500. For some, this is also without the entrance fee to the swimming pool.
At first glance, this may seem like a lot compared to what it costs in Danish swimming clubs, where prices for half a season are around 600-700 DKK for children and around 1000 DKK for adults/triathletes.
But you have to consider the fact that you are alone with the swim coach - that is, he/she is constantly on top of you to improve your swimming. And not 20-30 others.
Get started with swimming lessons
Being able to swim should be a standard just like driving. At least when we live in Denmark with such a large coastline.
So I hope this review has helped you get started with swimming - whether it's at the local swimming club or privately.
The most important thing is that you get started.