General Guidelines for Swimming Lessons
The following information are general recommendations that you should be aware of before commencing lessons. Please feel free to ask your instructor or contact the centre should you need more information.
You are welcome to use our facilities before or after your class
Each lesson’s fees include a leisurely swim in the centre’s pools of the day of the lesson. Please be mindful that other lessons may be operating before and after your lesson, and as such adequate space will be needed to conduct the class. The swim school equipment and toys are only available for use during lesson times.
Do not enter the pool if you or your child is suffering from any skin infection or contagious condition
A person suffering from any skin infection or other communicable disease will be excluded from lessons for the safety and well-being of other participants and teachers. Examples include but are not limited to; hand, foot and mouth disease, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea and/or vomitiong, German measles, molluscrum contagiosum, head lice, chicken pox, cold sores, measles, mumps, plantar warts, school sores, tinea/ringworm and whooping cough. Please refrain from swimming in our pools until skin conditions have cleared or for at least 48hrs after the last episode of there has been diarrhoea or vomiting.
If you or your child are suffering from cold or flu like symptoms including running noses (green/yellow discharge) please refrain from attending classes for the health and safety of others.
If you are unable to attend your lesson due to illness, provide us with a medical certificate and we will credit the cost of your lesson.
Water Around Water parental supervision
All children under five years must be within arm’s reach of a guardian 16 years or older and children under 5 must also wear a yellow Watch Around Water wristband if swimming before or after their lesson. Parents need to be actively supervising their children at all times to ensure the safety of their child. Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied and supervised by a guardian over the age of 16 while in the aquatic facility.
Included in the cost of the lesson
The cost of each lesson includes the pool entry swim for the student, and also for the carer if assistance is required (parent and baby lessons). Spectators are free, family and friends who want to watch lessons are always welcome.
Ready to Enrol
Before enrolling in any level you must first read the swim school enrolment information, terms and conditions. Once you have read this, visit the Swimming Lessons page to download an enrolment form.
Certificates
Each student will be provided with a certificate recording term progress at the end of the final lesson. If you are unable to attend the final lesson, speak to your instructor so that a certificate can be provided at an earlier time. Old Certificates can be picked up at reception any time during opening hours.
Our lessons are term based
At the cessation of each term, you will be required to re-enroll in the following term of lessons to continue classes. This will also require re-selecting the appropriate lesson time.
Infant Aquatics
The following information is an introduction to our infant aquatics program, providing basic information before you begin. Please feel free to ask your instructor should you need more information.
We recommend the carer wearing a rashie or t-shirt
Wearing a rashie or t-shirt allows the child to learn to support their own body weight and be confident and natural when grasping for safety.
Your child must wear an aquatic nappy
Normal nappies and underwear are not permitted in our pool for health reasons. The health act states that all children who usually wear a nappy are required to wear some form of aqua nappy in an aquatic facility. Any swim nappies worn must have elasticised legs or worn underneath boardies/bathers to prevent leakages from the leg part of the child’s nappy. The Aquarena sells both disposable and reusable aquatic nappies at reception.
Do not breastfeed in the pool
We recommend that you breastfeed at least half an hour before your lesson to prevent regurgitation during class. Regurgitation will result in an evacuation and pool closure. Breastfeeding is not permitted in the water due to health reasons. Breastfeeding in the centre is welcome.
Toilet, shower and change facilities are available
Male and female toilets have baby change tables located inside, as well as the family change room located opposite the leisure pool. We recommend that you and child rinse off after your lesson to avoid skin irritation.
Learning through play
Children learn skills through rhythm and play. We believe it is important to incorporate songs, rhymes and lots of fun into swimming skills to facilitate optimal learning. Toys are used to encourage play and skill development. Parents are encouraged to participate in singing. When parents and carers sing along, the lesson environment becomes fun and warm, which allows that children to relax leading to a pleasurable learning experience.
Try to not compare your child’s progress to others
Every child physically develops at their own rate; swimming progress cannot be forced and the physical stimuli that your child receives during the term may take for your child to process into a learned skill. Readiness for each child and parent is very important to us, as regression may occur if a child is forced to do an activity they are not ready for. Please be patient with your child’s progress, your child progress with time. If your child is not ready for an activity, please step back, let them observe without pressure and soon your child will be ready to participate.
If your baby is unhappy in the class
Sometimes a baby will take time to adapt to a busy environment. Talk to your instructor for advice on how to move forward. It may be that your child is not feeling well so it is better to leave the class rather than push on to create bad memories of the class. We will always work towards the whole experience being a positive one.
Does my child need goggles?
Although goggles are not essential, many children find they provide more confidence in the water and protect their eyes from becoming red and sore. It is also important to remember that when swimming in rivers, ocean or falling in the pool accidentally, goggles are not usually available and children need to be comfortable without them.
Try to not compare your child’s progress to others
Every child physically develops at their own rate; swimming progress cannot be forced and the physical stimuli that your child receives during the term may take more time than expected for them to process into a learned skill. Readiness for each child and parent is very important to us, as regression may occur if a child is forced to do an activity they are not ready for. Please be patient with your child’s progress, children will progress over time. If your child is not ready for an activity, please step back, let them observe without pressure and soon your child will be ready to participate.
Sun Smart Policy
Particularly during the summer terms, lessons may be conducted in the outdoor pool. We recommend you pack a rashie and sunscreen for your child just in case the lesson is conducted in the outdoor pool.
Does my child need goggles?
Although goggles are not essential, many children find they provide more confidence in the water and protect their eyes from becoming red and sore. It is also important to remember that when swimming in rivers, ocean or falling in the pool accidentally, goggles are not usually available and children need to be comfortable without them.
Goggles are essential for these classes. Swimming caps are optional however some children find these helpful. Remember to also bring a water bottle to maintain hydration.
Use of Equipment
Our super shark lessons may use fins and pull buoys to improve each student’s stroke and technique during drills. Borrowing these is included in your lesson fees, however you are welcome to purchase your own pair and use these each week if you would prefer. The pro shop has fins, pull buoys and kick boards for sale.
Sun Smart Policy
Particularly during the summer terms, lessons may be conducted in the outdoor pool. We recommend you pack a rashie and sunscreen for your child just in case the lesson is conducted in the outdoor pool.
Ready for your child to participate in one of these great programs? Head on over to the Swimming Lessons page to download an enrolment form.