Learn to swim
Waitaki Aquatic Centre has 7 levels of technique and water safety programmes ("Learn to swim") for children from 5 years upwards.
Please note you will not be able to book your children into swimming lessons until they have been assessed at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre.
Enrolment
Each child will be given a swim school passport during the enrolment time, which will take them through until Level 6.
If this is the first time to enrol your children to our programme, please contact us (phone: 03 433 0410 or email: aquaticcentre@waitaki.govt.nz ) to make an appointment to have your children assessed.
If you've enrolled to our programmes before, you can make a class booking directly via our website:
Fees
Fees for all programme can be found at swim school fees page.
Course Details
Level 1
Course description: The focus of Level 1 is to build water awareness, confidence and independence through safe water entry and exit, bubble blowing, underwater exploration and independent floating.
Lesson time: 25 mins
Proficiencies:
- Safe entry
- Submerge and blow bubbles
- Float on front
- Submerge and retrieve objects
Water Safety
- Pool safety rules
- Enter and exit water safely
- Independent movement
Level 2
Course description: The focus of Level 2 is correct body positioning for gliding, kicking and arm strokes.
Lesson time: 25 mins
Proficiencies:
- Streamline glide on front
- Kicking on front
- Freestyle arm strokes
- Float on back
Water Safety
Level 3A
Course description: The focus of Level 3A is the introduction to breathing skills for freestyle and developing backstroke skills.
Lesson time: 25 mins
Proficiencies:
- Kick on back
- Freestyle breathing
- Backstroke arms
- Freestyle swim 12m
Water Safety
- Body rotation and propulsion over distance
- Introduction to deeper water
Level 3B
Course description: The focus of Level 3B is to build confidence, ability and skill in deep water. Swimmers start in the shallow end and progressively increase the distance as skills develop.
Lesson time: 25 mins
Proficiencies:
- Bilateral breathing
- 25m Freestyle
- 25m backstroke
- Introduction to kick breaststroke
Water Safety
- Entry and exit in deep water
- Treading water
Level 4
Course description: The focus of Level 4 is to reinforce body positions for all 3 strokes and complete longer distances.
Lesson time: 25 mins
Proficiencies:
- 50m Freestyle
- 50m Backstroke
- 25m Sculling
- 25m Breaststroke kick
Water Safety
Level 5
Course description: The focus of Level 5 is to increase swim distances working on endurance and stamina. Turn and dive skills are introduced.
Lesson time: 45 mins
Proficiencies:
- 100m Freestyle
- 50m Breaststroke
- 25m Butterfly
- 100m Backstroke
Water Safety
- High water entries
- Tows and rescues
- Assist others
Level 6
Course description: The focus of Level 6 is to consolidate all skills learnt for body positioning, stroke technique and timing.
Lesson time: 1 hour
Proficiencies:
- 100m Breaststroke
- 200m Freestyle
- 200m Backstroke
- 25m Butterfly
Water Safety
- Boat safety
- Clothing swim