Looking to boost participation and improve the swim lessons at your aquatics facility or leisure centre? There are many ways to generate new memberships and increase pool usage. Whether registrants are looking to get a low-impact workout in, or are looking to learn to swim, here are four aquatic programming ideas to help get you started.

1. Keep It Convenient

Convenience is key for any kind of programming - aquatic or otherwise. Before scheduling your programs, do some research and analyse your target audience. Figure out what times and days might be most convenient for your intended audience and be aware of school schedules, local holidays, and other factors that may deter your community from attending.

Have an exceptionally popular aquatics program or swim lesson? You could consider increasing the number of times you offer it. You should also try to find ways to pair programs together. For instance, if your facility offers youth swimming lessons, you could schedule programs for adults at the same time, giving parents the opportunity to get a workout while waiting for their children.

Registration is another factor to keep in mind when forming these ideas. How easy is it for community members to register for activities and programs? Can members sign up for classes online or through their phones? By ensuring your registration process is as simple and convenient as possible, you maximise the chance of participation.

2. Develop Offerings for New Audiences

Take stock of your current aquatics programming and try to find gaps. Are there any demographics you are not catering to? Or is there any way to add on to your current offerings? One example could be offering special memberships for high school and college students during the summer break. By making it more cost-effective for this demographic to use the pool during the break, you have a higher chance of boosting participation. 

Another program you could offer is beginner swimming lessons for adults who don't know how to swim or want to brush up on their swimming skills. According to a 2014 survey by the American Red Cross, 54% of all Americans either don't have all the basic swimming skills or can't swim at all. Finally, think outside the box and look at new trends that you could adapt to your facility. Look at personal training in the pool, perhaps even special training courses like scuba diving certification or triathlete training. 

3. Re-engage Your Regulars

When looking for ways to improve participation for your aquatics programming, don't forget about your repeat members. Look for ways to re-engage and retain them, to ensure they continue to register for your swim lesson. It's also important to make sure that they are aware of all the amenities your aquatic centre or swimming pool has to offer. Invite them to try a new program by offering free sample classes or a discounted first class.

You might even tie in some sort of reward program to show your appreciation for your regulars. Not only does it re-engage them but they may be more likely to tell their friends and neighbors about your programs. For example, consider offering a free family day pass after someone has completed a session of swim lessons.

4. Improve Marketing & Communications 

Having a marketing and communication plan in place to promote your swim school is key when thinking of new ideas. You can use this method to promote water aerobics, water safety, and general awareness of your facility's pool. Educate people on the benefits of aquatic exercise and spread the word about your offerings—to both members and the public. Develop a marketing plan to target your audience, both through print and online marketing.

For online marketing, consider advertising on your website, social media channels and through email newsletters. You might even invest in Facebook ads to reach a specified demographic. For print marketing, reach out to local newspapers and magazines. You might even distribute fliers or brochures at nearby local businesses, schools and around your facility. With the right combination of programming, marketing and promotions, your aquatics programming can definitely increase new memberships and boost registrations in no time!

With the right member management software, any aquatics facility can thrive. Xplor Recreation’s swim school software helps pools of all sizes save time when it comes to managing operations, class management, online registration, and more. Make it easy for your community to register for water aerobics class, and make sure you have all the up to date info on your participants—book a demo now to see Xplor Recreation in action.