Aqua-Safe Program
Kids are splashing, swimming and diving for the Y!
The Y provides a safe environment and experienced instructors to help you or your child have fun, grow, learn new skills and take their swimming to the next level. They will learn to make healthy choices in an environment that teaches good sportsmanship, teamwork and the Y character values of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility.
Swimming Programs are offered to children from 4 months of ages through to adults and swimmers with special needs and provide a unique opportunity for children to develop their skills (physical, intellectual and personal) in a progressively challenging environment.
Our Austswim qualified instructors will focus on your child's individual ability and encourage fun through games, instruction and social interaction. Our qualified coaches will help students improve their individual abilities by encouraging students to progress at their own pace.
Programs are offered as a 10-week term of lessons following state school term dates or in school holiday blocks. Program dates do vary, so please check with your local YMCA
How to Get Started – Free Assessment:
All students over the age of 3 years are assessed by one of our coaches prior to starting our program. Free assessments are held every week on a bookings only basis. At the assessment the student will be asked to perform basic swimming skills and strokes (where capable) so as to ensure they are enrolled into the most suitable level for their ability.
Phone (07)3820 5300 to book your free assessment today!
Program Overview
Our swimming program provides opportunity for all participants to learn to be stronger in body (motor skills, strength and coordination), mind (creativity, cognitive development and problem solving) and spirit (social development and confidence) – all under the safety and guidance of one of our Austswim qualified swimming instructors.


- SHRIMP 4months – 12months
- PERIWINKLE 12months – 18 months
- MINNOW 18 months – 24 months
- STARFISH 24 months – 36 months (Transitional level)
Our infant swimming program is conducted by our specially qualified and training Infant Swimming Teachers. We aim to provide a safe and informative aquatic education experience for the parent and child. Children attend with a parent or carer for a stimulating movement and play experience with opportunities to explore and develop their physical abilities and social interaction in an aquatic environment. Activities include water safety skills, breath control skills, buoyancy and floatation, correct holds, kicking and submersions in an increasingly challenging program. Our fun yet safe environment includes activities to stimulate fine motor skills and foot/hand/eye co-ordination. Children benefit by developing self confidence, body awareness and control while laying good foundations of water safety and awareness and general physical co-ordination.
All lessons are held in our indoor heated pool and run for 30 minutes. Classes are limited to 6 students per class.
To ensure you and your child get the most out of your swimming program it is important to you bring along everything you need to your swimming class each week. Here is a guideline for each level.
What To Wear/Bring to Lessons
To ensure you and your child get the most out of your swimming program it is important to you bring along everything you need to your swimming class each week. Here is a guideline for each level.
- Swim nappy
- Togs and towel for parent and child
- We also recommend parents or carer wear a t-shirt over their togs in the pool. This allows the infant to have something to grab on to during safety activities.
- Swimming caps will be recommended at the instructor discretion
- TADPOLE – focus is on water safety and an introduction to the aquatic environment for non-swimmers or children that have just graduated from our Infant program and are swimming for the first time without a parent or carer in the water.
- GOLDFISH – focus is on water safety and introduction to freestyle.
- SARDINE – focus is on freestyle and an introduction to backstroke.
All lessons are held in our indoor heated pool and run for 30 minutes. Classes are limited to 4 students per class.
What To Wear/Bring to Lessons
To ensure you and your child get the most out of your swimming program it is important to you bring along everything you need to your swimming class each week. Here is a guideline for each level.
- Swim nappy for non-toilet trained children
- Togs and towel
- Swim cap
- Goggles
- Warm clothes to change into after lessons.
- OCTOPUS – focus is on water safety and an introduction to the aquatic environment for non-swimmers.
- SALMON – focus is on water safety and introduction to freestyle.
- TUNA – focus is on freestyle and an introduction to backstroke.
- EEL – focus is on freestyle, backstroke and an introduction to breaststroke.
- FLYING FISH – focus is on freestyle, backstroke and breastroke with an introduction to butterfly.
All lessons are held in our indoor heated pool and run for 30 minutes. Classes are limited to 6 students per class.
- DOLPHIN / SHARK / PRESQUAD
Our Dolphin and Shark level program has been developed into a Pre-Squad program which is designed to prepare swimmers for our Bronze Squad level. Swimmers must be proficient in all 4 strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breastroke and butterfly) and be familiar with survival strokes. This program is designed to correct stroke technique and develop swimmer endurance. Correct starts, turns and finishes are encouraged along with an introduction to racing technique and timing. During summer months lessons are held in our outdoor heated 25m pool and in our indoor heated pool during winter.
Classes run for 30 minutes. Classes are limited to 8 students per class in summer and 6 in winter.
What To Wear/Bring to Lessons
To ensure you and your child get the most out of your swimming program it is important to you bring along everything you need to your swimming class each week. Here is a guideline for each level.
- Togs and towel
- Swim cap
- Goggles
- Water bottle
- Warm clothes to change into after lessons.
Squad training is offered with during summer months in our heated 25m outdoor pool. Swimmers must be proficient in all 4 strokes and swim with correct technique. Swimmers must be assessed prior to enrolling in this program.
- BRONZE SQUAD - Ability based – 45minute duration twice per week
- SILVER SQUAD - Ability based – 1hour 15minute duration 3 sessions per week
- GOLD SQUAD - Ability based – 1.5 hour duration 3 sessions per week
What To Wear/Bring to Lessons
To ensure you and your child get the most out of your swimming program it is important to you bring along everything you need to your swimming class each week. Here is a guideline for each level.
- 1-piece togs for girls – no bikinis
- Fitted togs or Speedos for boys – no board shorts
- Towel
- Swim cap
- Goggles
- Water bottle
- Kickboard
- Pull buoy
- Flippers
- Workout clothes and running shoes should also be bought along to each training session. In the event of a storm – swimmers will undertake land-based training.
Click Here to View Current Term Timetable
Click here to view our term planner
Click here for class booking forms. Please e-mail completed forms to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
