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.

2021 term schedule

Term 1 - Monday 25 January to Saturday 3 April (10 weeks)

Term 2 – Monday 19 April to Saturday 26 June (10 weeks)

Term 3 – Monday 12 July to Saturday 18 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 – Monday 25 October to Saturday 18 December (8 weeks) Due to COVID closures

Excluding public holidays

2022 term schedule

Term 1 - Monday 24 January to Saturday 9 April (11 weeks)

Term 2 – Monday 25 April to Saturday 2 July  (10 weeks)

Term 3 – Monday 18 July to Saturday 24 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 – Monday 10 October to Saturday 17 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 (introducing breath control)     

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 (child to pull themselves out of the pool).

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 (survival sequence)

Penguins

Age guide: 3-5 years

Class objectives:

• Swim 7 metres freestyle with side breathing
• Swim 5 metres backstroke
• Survival skills (submersion activities)
• Introduction to diving

Crocodiles

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Independently float on back
• Swim 5 metres with head down and eyes in
• Swim 5 metres backstroke 
• Survival skills (submersion activities)
• Introduction to diving

Seals

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

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

Dolphins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim 15 metres freestyle 
• Swim 15 metres backstroke
• Survival skills (introduction to rescues, treading water endurance)
• Swim 10 metres butterfly (extension)
• Do a breaststroke kick (extension)
• Diving (extension)

Marlins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim 25 metres freestyle with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres backstroke with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres breaststroke with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres butterfly with correct technique
• Competitive skills (starts, turns, finishes)
• Survival skills (demonstrate rescues)

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 are available at Charlestown, Swansea, Speers Point and West Wallsend Swim Centres.
• Learn to Swim fees will be as per the standard Lake Macquarie City Council Fees and Charges 2021/2022, available at www.lakemac.com.au
• All Learn to Swim lessons must be pre-booked by calling the Swim Centre where you would like to book the lesson.
• Optional QR Code check-ins will be available at Lake Mac Swim Centres using the Service NSW App.
• Proof of COVID-19 double vaccination will not be required upon entry
• Face masks are not compulsory but encouraged to be worn where social distancing cannot be practiced.
• 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 for 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 non-refundable deposits are payable at Swim Centres to secure Learn to Swim bookings. Minimum payment required is the price of two lessons (calculated on 1 lesson per week pricing).
• Siblings must 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.
• Private lessons may 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 (parent/guardian/siblings) who are spectating only are free, although must adhere to social distancing protocols at all times. If these are not followed persons will be directed to leave the Swim Centre.
• 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.
• All general entry special COVID-19 Terms and Conditions apply while at the facility.