Swimming lessons

Zwemdiploma C

With the C diploma, children can swim safely in any conditions. Zwemdiploma C is the final part of the Zwem-ABC, and with it Zwembad Merwestein prepares you for swimming in open water, where conditions are very different from those in a pool. You will also learn what to do if you unexpectedly end up in the water.

You will have mastered all the skills needed for swimming in pools with and without attractions, and you can join in all kinds of water activities with complete confidence, such as canoeing and pedalos.

You will learn extra skills, such as a forward roll from the poolside, and attention is given to survival exercises. We also work on your stamina in the water.

Beschikbare dagen: MaDiDoVrZa

Why take swimming lessons at 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. Lessons are also available on every day of the week.

Merwestein works towards the complete national ABC swimming diploma. These diplomas are issued by the Nationale Raad Zwemdiploma’s (NRZ). Would you like to know more about the requirements for Zwemdiploma C? You will find all the information and the exam requirements on the NRZ website.

Swimming lessons following the guidelines of the national Zwem-ABC
Choose from 1 of 5 weekdays for your swimming lessons
If your child falls behind in their swimming lessons, or is taking (too) long, you receive extra support (free of charge)
Free recreational swimming while you take lessons with us
With us you also learn to go down the slide, use the diving board and brave the waves!

Practical information

Swimming lessons at Merwestein

To be allowed to sit the exam for the Nationaal Zwemdiploma C, you need to have a good command of several skills:

Orientation under water
Endurance swimming
Front crawl and backstroke crawl
Feeling at ease in the water
Orientating and moving about above water

Trial lesson

In some situations a trial lesson is needed before swimming lessons can begin. This applies, for example, when a child transfers from another pool. During the trial lesson we assess 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.

Registering for swimming lessons

You can register for swimming lessons online via the tickets button. Registration fees apply. Once we have received your registration, we will get in touch 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.

What should you bring to the swimming lesson?

A swimming costume or swimming trunks and a towel are enough to get started. Later on we also practise swimming in clothing, so do take a look at the clothing guidelines below.

Clothing guidelines

Swimming requirements for the diploma exam

When you fully meet all the requirements for taking the C diploma exam, your swimming instructor will give you an exam slip to take home. These are the requirements:

In clothing:

Enter the water with a forward roll, then tread water for 15 sec., followed by 30 sec. floating upright using a buoyant object, followed by 5 m moving along on your back using your arms.
Enter the water with a jump that keeps your head above the surface, then swim 100 m, interrupted once to swim under a floating object and once to climb over a floating object, finishing the test by climbing out of the water onto the poolside unaided.
Enter the water with a jump of your choice, swim a few strokes, then submerge 1 m in front of a screen hanging vertically in the water and swim under water through the hole in the screen.

In swimwear:

Dive in from the poolside, then (without surfacing) swim under water through a hole in a screen hanging vertically in the water 6 m from the (starting) side, finishing the test by swimming up to the surface, orientating yourself and coming up through an opening that acts as a hole in the ice.
75 m breaststroke, interrupted once by going head first towards the bottom, followed by 75 m elementary backstroke.
15 m front crawl and 15 m backstroke crawl.
Enter the water from the poolside with a jump of your choice, then tread water for 30 sec. using your arms and legs while moving in several directions, followed by 15 sec. floating on your back, finishing the test with 30 sec. treading water using your legs.

Important

Before the lesson starts, please remember to give your child a plastic bag for their wet clothes.

Keep swimming at Merwestein

Once you have earned your Zwemdiploma C you hold the complete ZWEM-ABC and can swim confidently anywhere. It is wise to keep swimming regularly so that you remember everything well. So do come along for recreational swimming at Merwestein.

And if you enjoy swimming, you can carry on learning too. For example towards Zwemvaardigheid 1, or you could take up a swimming sport.

Easy to reach from Utrecht and the surrounding area

Zwembad Merwestein is centrally located in Nieuwegein and is easy to reach by public transport as well as by 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 ample parking at the municipal car park.

You can also take a look at our prices and the frequently asked questions, or plan your route to Merwestein in advance.