At Merwestein, children work towards the official Zwemdiploma A in small groups. Zwemdiploma A gives them a solid foundation: they master the skills needed for a swimming pool without attractions. A swimming certificate is important for swimming safely and independently.
Zwemdiploma A is the stepping stone to Zwemdiploma B and C: the complete Zwem-ABC.
Registration possible from the age of 4
Invitation for a place from the age of 4.5, based on the date of registration
We work with waiting lists, depending on the time slot you choose
Boostlessen and intensive courses are available during the school holidays
In some situations a trial lesson is needed before swimming lessons can start. This applies, for example, when a child moves over from another swimming pool. During the trial lesson we establish their current swimming level and look at where extra attention is needed.
A trial lesson takes place outside the regular lessons and is given individually or in a small group. Please get in touch by email to arrange one.
You can register for swimming lessons online using the tickets button. Registration fees apply. Once we have received your registration, we will contact you to confirm it.
It is not always possible to start swimming lessons straight away. In that case the registration is placed on a waiting list. How long the wait is depends on the lesson time you choose. Even when there is a waiting list, an appointment for a trial lesson can already be scheduled.
A swimming costume or swimming trunks and a towel are enough to get started. Later in the Zwem-ABC we also practise with clothes on — see the clothing requirements below.
When you fully meet all the requirements to sit the assessment for Zwemdiploma A, the swimming instructor will give you an assessment slip. These are the requirements:
With clothes on:
Enter the water from a height with a forward feet-first jump, tread water for 15 seconds straight after surfacing, followed by 12.5 m of swimming, and finish the test by climbing out of the water onto the side unaided.
In swimwear:
Enter the water from the side with a jump (diving is preferred), followed by swimming underwater (without surfacing) through a hole in a sheet hanging vertically in the water 3 m from the (starting) side.
25 m breaststroke, followed by 25 m elementary backstroke, followed by 25 m breaststroke interrupted once by sinking feet-first towards the bottom, followed by 25 m elementary backstroke.
5 m front crawl and 5 m back crawl.
Swim a few strokes on the front, then float on the front for 5 seconds, then swim a few more strokes, followed by a half turn onto the back, followed by floating on the back for 10 seconds.
Enter the water from the side with a jump of your choice, followed by 60 seconds of treading water using arms and legs, during which two full turns around the long axis of the body are made while treading water.
Before the lesson starts, please remember to give your child a plastic bag for their wet clothes.
Zwembad Merwestein is centrally located in Nieuwegein and is easy to reach by both public transport and car. From Utrecht, the tram runs towards the centre of Nieuwegein. Several bus routes also stop within walking distance of the pool. If you come by car, there is plenty of parking at the municipal car park.
Do also take a look at our rates and the frequently asked questions, or plan your route to Merwestein.
We have been teaching swimming for more than 30 years and work with experienced swimming instructors.
At Merwestein your child learns to swim in small groups, with the same instructors and a fixed lesson time. That way we calmly build confidence in the water, at a pace that suits your child. There are also lesson slots available on every day of the week.
Merwestein works towards the national ABC swimming certificates. These diplomas are issued by the Nationale Raad Zwemdiploma’s (NRZ). Would you like to know more about the requirements for Zwemdiploma A? You will find all the information and the assessment requirements on the NRZ website.
