Learn to Swim

Lake Mac Swim Centres deliver fun and affordable Learn to Swim Programs that will teach your child the life-long skill of swimming so they can be comfortable, strong and happy in the water.

We teach children water safety skills as well as learning to swim. Class ratios are within recommended guidelines and your child will participate in classes suitable for their age and aquatic competency. 

We also deliver Learn to Swim lessons for adults, persons with disability, groups and private lessons. There are no limits when it comes to learning how to swim. We offer small group classes for adults to attend with other like-minded adults where you will learn the best skills and techniques to survive (and thrive) in the water. 

We are here to help overcome any barriers you have to learning to swim so please call today and ask to join a class.

Our Learn to Swim term program is available at our CharlestownWest Wallsend, and Swansea Swim Centres.

NEW ENROLMENTS 

To enrol in Learn to Swim, your child will need to be assessed by our staff. 

Children aged 5 years and over who have had lessons or are experienced in swimming must complete a FREE swimming assessment. This ensures your child is placed in the class that best suits their skill level. 

Book a FREE Learn to Swim Assessment

For all other children, including infants aged over 6 months, please contact the Swim Centre for an over-the-phone or email assessment. After your child has been assessed, you can enrol via reception or through our My Swim customer portal.  

Note: Our Learn to Swim program may have limited availability for mid-term enrolment. After your assessment, if you are unable to find a class that fits your schedule, you are welcome to join a waitlist. To explore all class times and view our current availability, please check our Learn to Swim class timetable.

RE-ENROLMENTS 

Learn to Swim lessons for Term 2 2024 will run from Monday 29 April to Saturday 6 July (10 weeks).

Re-enrolment information - Term 2 2024(PDF, 201KB)

Term schedule

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. 

2024 Term Schedule

Term 1 - Monday 29 January to Saturday 13 April (11 weeks)

Term 2 - Monday 29 April to Saturday 6 July (10 weeks)

Term 3 - Monday 22 July to Saturday 28 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 - Monday 14 Oct to Saturday 21 December (10 weeks)

Excluding public holidays

2025 Term Schedule

Term 1 - Monday 27 January to Saturday 12 April (11 weeks)

Term 2 - Monday 28 April to Saturday 5 July (10 weeks)

Term 3 - Monday 21 July to Saturday 27 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 - Monday 13 October to Saturday 20 December (10 weeks)

Excluding public holidays

 

Pricing

Group Lessons

Our group lessons are $15.30 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 $13.30 per lesson, paid in term blocks. 

Private Lessons

We offer 15-minute private lessons for $25.50 and 30-minute private lessons for $41.80. All private lessons must be booked and paid in advance of each scheduled private lesson or paid in blocks of 5. For more information on private lessons, visit our Private Learn to Swim lessons page.

Cancellations and Absences 

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

There are no refunds or makeup sessions for cancellations or failures to attend. A credit will be provided for sessions cancelled by the Swim Centre due to unforeseen circumstances, e.g., weather conditions.

Financial Assistance 

Eligible parents, carers and guardians can use their Active and Creative Kids or First Lap vouchers to contribute to the cost of Learn to Swim. Note that we do not accept part payments, so the remaining balance must be paid to complete your enrolment. For more information or to obtain a voucher, visit service.nsw.gov.au

 

Financial assistance payment plans are also available to approved applicants.

Class levels

Starfish

starfish- LTS creature

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor 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

jellyfish-LTS creature

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

turtle- LTS creature

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

penguin- LTS creature

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

crocodile - LTS creature

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

seal- LTS creature

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

dolphin -LTS creature

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

marlin-LTS creature

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)

School holiday intensive programs

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 $13.30 a day, paid in full for the five-day program, at the time of booking. 

View upcoming school holiday programs and activities 

Adult lessons

Adult Group Lessons 

It's never too late to start learning! Our adult swimming lessons are designed to boost confidence and familiarity with the water. The goal is to learn basic swimming techniques in a safe and controlled setting.

Age guide: 18 years or older

Class objectives:

  • Develop basic swimming techniques for freestyle and backstroke
  • Build comfort and confidence in aquatic environments
  • Improve water safety knowledge and skills
  • Encourage support among adult learners

Class details: 

  • Location: West Wallsend Swim Centre
  • Duration: Each class runs for 45 minutes
  • Fee: $15.30 per lesson, paid in term blocks
  • Enrolment: In person at reception, over the phone, or online

Enrol online

Adult Private Lessons 

Private lessons for adults are available at both our Charlestown and West Wallsend Swim Centres. The cost for a private lesson is $25.50 for 15 minutes or $41.80 for 30 minutes. These lessons must be paid in 5-week blocks. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact your preferred Swim Centre directly to arrange them.

Enquire now

Our Instructors

Our instructors hold the Royal Life Saving Swim (RLSS) Teacher course license (or equivalent).

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.

Instructor photo

 

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