Learn to Swim

To fit into most children's school routines, we run our swim terms in alignment with school terms. Our term schedule offers a variety of lesson times, available on weekdays and Saturday mornings and afternoons. Lessons range from 30-45 minutes, depending on class level.

2020 term schedule

• Term 1: On hold until further notice
• Term 2: Monday 29 April-Saturday 6 July (10 weeks) - To be confirmed
• Term 3: Monday 20 July-Saturday 26 September (10 weeks)
• Term 4: Monday 12 October-Saturday 19 December (10 weeks)

Excluding public holidays

Our term program is $14 per lesson paid in term blocks. If you book and start mid-way through the term, the cost of the term will be adjusted according to how many weeks are remaining. If you book in for two or more lessons, the cost is $12 per lesson, paid in term blocks.

We do not run Learn to Swim on public holidays and your term payments are adjusted accordingly.

Eligible parents, carers and guardians can use their Active Kids voucher to contribute to the cost of Learn to Swim at Lake Mac Swim Centres. For more information or to obtain a voucher, visit sport.nsw.gov.au. Find out more about Lake Mac Swim Centres Active Kids Program(PDF, 354KB).

Financial assistance payment plans are also available to approved applicants.

Starfish

This is an infant and parent/carer class

Age guide: 6 months to 2 years

Class objectives:

• Water awareness & familiarisation
• Education for carers
• Confidence, water enjoyment
• Survival skills.         

Jellyfish

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor class

Age guide: 2-3 years

Class objectives:

• Child is preparing to be in the pool without a carer
• Develop independent movement between carer and instructor
• Can understand instructions and wait for their turn
• Survival skills

Turtles

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor class

Age guide: 3-5 years

Class objectives:

• Independently float on back
• Independently swim 5 metres with head down and eyes in
• Survival skills

Penguins

Age guide: 3-5 years

Class objectives:

• Swim freestyle 7 metres with side breathing
• Swim backstroke for 5 metres
• Survival skills
• Introduction to diving

Crocodiles

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Independently float on back
• Independently swim 5 metres with head down and eyes in
• Swim backstroke for 5 metres
• Survival skills
• Introduction to diving

Seals

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim freestyle with side breathing for 10 metres
• Swim backstroke for 10 metres
• Swim butterfly for 5 metres (extension)
• Survival skills
• Diving (extension)

Dolphins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim freestyle for 15 metres
• Swim backstroke for 15 metres
• Survival skills
• Swim butterfly for 10 metres (extension)
• Do a breaststroke kick (extension)
• Diving (extension)

Marlins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim freestyle for 25 metres
• Swim backstroke for 25 metres
• Swim breaststroke for 25 metres (correct kick and breathing)
• Swim butterfly for 25 metres
• Competitive skills
• Survival skills

Our school holiday intensive programs are run as one-week intensive blocks during each school holiday period. Book into a five-day program for one, two or three weeks and watch your child improve over the course of just one week. Reinforcing the skills gained in Learn to Swim classes each day helps your child retain information quicker.

Lessons run for 30 minutes and bookings are made for the same time each day for one week.

Our intensive program is $12 a day, paid in full for the five-day program before the lesson.

Our instructors hold either AUSTSWIM (Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety) qualifications or qualification with the Australia Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (Swim Australia Teacher). We have teachers with specialised qualifications in infant and pre-school aquatics, adult learning, access and inclusion and competitive strokes, to ensure your family has the best possible learning experience. In addition to professional qualifications, all Lake mac Swim Centres program staff receive intensive in-house training to ensure that classes are delivered in accordance with our lesson plans, on-time and to the high standard expected at our centres.

• Learn to Swim lessons will recommence in Term 3 at West Wallsend and Charlestown Swim Centres. Limited classes and positions will be available.
• Learn to Swim fees will be as per the standard Lake Macquarie City Council Fees and Charges 2020/21, available at lakemac.com.au
• One parent only per child at the Swim Centre. Essential siblings only.
• All Learn to Swim lessons must be pre-booked by calling the Swim Centre during standard opening hours where you would like to book the lesson - Charlestown Swim Centre or West Wallsend Swim Centre.
• The fees are per person, per lesson, paid in term blocks. The two (2) or more lessons per week rate applies to the same person enrolled for two or more lessons each week.
• Bookings are required for all Learn to Swim lessons. Class lessons must be booked and paid upfront for a full term. Terms are based on school terms which may vary in duration. A Swim Centre Team Leader has discretion to offer shorter term block payments in certain circumstances e.g. financial hardship.
• Cancellations - No refund for cancellations or failure to attend.
• No make-up lesson for cancellations with less than four (4) hours’ notice. Cancellations greater than four (4) hours’ notice may receive a make-up lesson if a vacancy exists within the same term, should the program be at full capacity or the available program times are unsuitable the make-up will be rolled over into a credit for re enrolment into the following term. Credits are not cash redeemable.
• A make-up lesson or credit will be provided for lessons cancelled by the Swim Centre due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. weather conditions.
• Learn to Swim Deposits are payable at Swim Centres request to secure Learn to Swim bookings. Minimum payment required is the price of two lessons (calculated on 1 lesson per week pricing).
• Siblings may not engage in unsupervised recreational swimming while other siblings attend lessons. Parents are responsible for supervision.
• For Starfish, Jellyfish and Turtle levels, if the parent/carer is unable to enter the water the lesson is forfeited.  No credit or makeup will be provided if the carer/parent is not available to accompany the child in the water for the duration of their lesson.
• Private Lessons bookings are required for all private lessons. Private lessons must be booked and paid in advance of each scheduled private lesson or paid in blocks of 5. 15-minute bookings per child only. A booking for a 30-minute private lesson will apply to a maximum of 2 children. Payment for 2 children in a 30-minute private lesson will be charged separately at the 15-minute private lesson rate.
• Unless at the Swim Centres request, private lessons will not be offered during peak periods and are subject to instructor availability.
• Private Lesson cancellations will not receive a refund for cancellations or failure to attend. A credit will be issued if the private lesson is cancelled with greater than four (4) hours’ notice. A credit will be provided for lessons cancelled by the Swim Centre due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. weather conditions.
• A Corporate Fitness member participating in a program is required to pay the applicable Corporate Fitness program fee. This fee may be payable in block amounts and the remainder fee is charged to the Corporate Fitness Partner organisation.
• Program Spectators (parents/guardians/siblings) who are spectating only are free, although must adhere to social distancing protocols at all times. Spectator areas will be designated at all Swim Centres. If these are not followed persons will be directed to leave the Swim Centre.
• Participants/families will only be allowed into the facility immediately before their lesson is due to commence.
• Participants must arrive at the pool prepared to swim.
• Changeroom, shower and toilet facilities are available for patrons use with restrictions in place.
• Immediately after you have finished your lesson you will be required to leave the facility.
• Parents must be ready to depart with the swimmer as soon as their class finishes.
• Equipment is not available for loan. Sharing of equipment is not permitted.
• Social distancing principles are required to be followed at all times. All directions from staff to adhere to social distancing must be followed. Failure to respond to staff directions will result in eviction from the facility.
• Swim Centre Staff will refuse entry to any patrons that present with symptoms of illness. Symptoms include: coughing, fever, sore throat. If you’re unwell, do not attend the facility.
• Learn to Swim bookings are being taken for West Wallsend Swim Centre and Charlestown Swim Centres only.