Learn to swim

These baby and infant classes have the parent/guardian as the primary teacher under the careful guidance of the swimming instructor. 

Ways to hold and handle are taught whilst the infants are familiarised with the water environment through appropriate toys, games and activities.

These are designed to provide the experiences that underpin swimming skills.

Fundamentals that are developed include:

• Safe entries and exits
• Balance
• Floatation
• Orientation
• Propulsion
• Submersion
• Breath Control
• Fun!

The baby and infant classes consist of four levels:

• Little Blue Penguins 6–12 months
• Turtles 1–2 years
• Whistling Frogs 2–3 years
• Seahorses 3–4 years

Also see our Pēpi Time drop-in sessions at Coastlands Aquatic Centre and Ōtaki Pool. 

Pre school (4 year olds)

Our preschool levels are for those 4 year olds ready to swim with or without a parent/guardian and achieved the fundamental skills outlined above for Parent and Baby. 

Once per term the swim school has a pyjama week. Fun with a serious learning outcome. The experience of swimming wearing clothes is one of the most useful and profound water safety experiences we can provide.

Inanga

For 4 year olds with basic experiential skills (entry, movement, blowing bubbles, kicks) Learning to trust the water to support flotation and how to combine skills.

Koaru

Four year olds who can fully submerge, rotate, glide and swim changing direction.
Introduction to correct arm actions, further stroke and safety knowledge and preparation for the school age.

Our school-aged lessons cater for all abilities, whether your child has been in lessons before or is new to swimming, we have a level for them. 

Once each term the swim school has a pyjama week – fun with a serious learning outcome. The experience of swimming wearing clothes is one of the most useful and profound water safety experiences we can provide.

Swim school levels

SwimKāpiti school age swim programme consists of eight levels:

Orange Roughy

For new learners, finding out about floating, submersion and streamlining with kicking front and back. Introduction to essential water safety skills and knowledge, including treading water.

Kahawai

For those who can fully submerge and float on front and back. Introduction to streamlining, body roll, freestyle arms, and development of breath control. Introduction to side kicking, and sculling with propulsion.

Tarakihi

For those who can float front and back, slide with a long body and show long legged kicking. Learning to use rhythmic breathing, more complex body skills and sequences. Introduction to breaststroke kick. Guided attempts at correct arm strokes and simulated safety circumstances.

Hapuku

For children who have propulsive skill. Developing body techniques to facilitate side breathing and strong mechanics. Further development of accurate arm strokes and sequencing skills. Introduction to breaststroke arm action. Integrating a breaststroke kick into treading water. Learning to scull and cope with underwater experiences.

Broadbills

Swimming in the Main 25m pool. Refining the complex skills of freestyle and backstroke as whole strokes. Works to develop breaststroke co-ordination, dolphin kicking and early diving abilities. Water safety aspects introduce reach and throw rescue efforts.

Moray Eels

45-minute lessons focus on building controlled distance with freestyle and backstroke development precision. Accurate breaststroke is worked on over longer distances. Diving and underwater skills are progressed. Strong survival skills are encouraged with experience using lifejackets and distance swimming.

Tiger Sharks

Essential skill learning for swimming and water safety in an age appropriate and supportive environment. Lessons focus on confidence in floating, submersion and development of freestyle and backstroke.

Hammer Heads

For swimmers aged 9 and above. Working towards mastery of freestyle breathing, backstroke, and introduction to breaststroke kick. Inclusion of survival strokes to build confidence and increase awareness of water safety drills.

Stingrays - 45 minutes

A strong expectation to develop sustainable stroke skills with precise instruction. 25- and 50-metre swims with correct technique. Advanced skills introduced such as butterfly arm action and early turning skills. Diving developed towards competitive technique. Sequenced water safety scenario. Water safety NZ’s 200-metre survival swim measured.  

Bronze Whalers - 60 minute

Transition to coaching situation to continuously fine-tune all stroke techniques to a high level of expertise. 50 and 100 metres of correct techniques expected. Racing starts and turns practiced. Safety education focuses on survival in cold water. Tougher survival skills practiced. 

Choose one, two or three sessions per week.  

Orca - 60 minutes

Training squad, coached to develop fitness and speed with strong, correct stroke mechanics. Distance and speed certificate challenges. Timed swims and relay teamwork. Introduction to Lifesaving and Lifeguarding skills.

We offer adult learn to swim and water safety classes for all levels whether you are learning to swim or wanting to refine your skills to become more efficient.

We can also coach you for an event such as triathlons, open water swims, swim test for your career, etc.

Find out more by talking to our Reception team today!