Learn to Swim programs for infants, children and adults are taught at the Footscray Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre Swim School.
Our experienced, qualified teachers conduct all classes.
We keep our classes small to provide the best opportunity for learning.
What we offer
We offer classes and programs for a variety of ages and skill levels:
Infant water familiarisation
Water familiarisation classes for infants are a great way to introduce your child to water through fun and games.
12–24 months – A water-familiarisation class for infants 12–24 months. A parent or guardian is required in the water for the duration of the class.
2–3 years – A water-familiarisation class for children 2–3 years of age. A parent or guardian is required in the water for the duration of the class.
Children
Intensive swimming program
During the school holidays we have an intensive swimming program. Each child takes part in a 30-minute class daily Monday to Friday. Continual learning is extremely beneficial to help your child to build and progress skills quickly.
The next intensive swimming program will be held 26—30 June and 3—7 July.
Children's swim classes are held seven days a week and support a variety of skill levels:
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:
Identify where water can be found around the home
Identify safe areas for entering and exiting the water
Enter and exit the water
Float on front and back using buoyant aid
Orientate the body using rotation with buoyant aid
Kick on front and back using a buoyant aid
Glide on front and back
Move 3 metres continuously using arms and legs
Submerge the body and exhale in the water
Identify people who can help in an emergency
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:
Identify dangers in aquatic environments around the home
Slide in entry and exit
Float on front and back and recover
Tread water using a buoyant aid
Fit a life jacket and float
Glide on front and back, kick and recover
Swim 5 metres basic freestyle
Submerge to recover an object from chest deep water
Identify different ways to get help
Be pulled to safety with an aid
Float with a buoyant aid for 30 seconds and kick to safety
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:
Identify rules for safe behaviour in and around home aquatic environments
Fall in entry and recover
Float on back for 30 seconds
Tread water for 30 seconds
Swim 10 metres freestyle with breathing
Swim 5 metres backstroke
Swim 5 metres survival backstroke kick
Swim through a submerged obstacle
Identify people and actions to help in an aquatic emergency
Be rescued with buoyant aid
Perform a survival sequence to simulate an accidental entry
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:
Identify aquatic environments
Step in entry
Float on front and back in deep water and recover
Orientate the body using rotation skills
Swim 15 metres freestyle
Swim 15 metres backstroke
Swim 10 metres survival backstroke
Swim 10 metres breaststroke kick
Surface dive and recover an object from shoulder deep water
Recognise an emergency and call for help
Perform a talk rescue
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:
Compact jump
Head first and feet first sculling
Float, scull or tread water wearing a life jacket
Swim 25 metres freestyle
Swim 25 metres backstroke
Swim 15 metres survival backstroke
Swim 15 metres basic breaststroke
Reach rescue using a rigid and non-rigid aid
Perform a survival sequence with buoyant aid
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:
Identify and describe hazards in aquatic environments
Stride in entry
Float, scull or tread water for 1 minute
Swim 50 metres freestyle
Swim 50 metres backstroke
Swim 25 metres survival backstroke
Swim 25 metres breaststroke
Swim 10 metres dolphin kick
Complete a survival sequence
Throw a rescue aid
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:
Understand and follow safety rules for aquatic environments
Dive in entry
Enter and exit the water in a range of environments wearing light clothing
Float, scull or tread water for 2 minutes and signal for help
Swim 75 metres freestyle
Swim 75 metres backstroke
Swim 50 metres survival backstroke
Swim 50 metres breaststroke
Complete a survival sequence
Throw a rescue aid 10 metres
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:
Explain water safety signage
Fit a life jacket whilst in the water
Swim 100 metres freestyle
Swim 100 metres backstroke
Swim 75 metres survival backstroke
Swim 75 metres breaststroke
Swim 15 metres sidestroke
Tumble turn
Rescue initiative scenario
Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in level 9:
Explore how to participate safely in a range of aquatic activities
Perform the HELP technique for 2 minutes
Swim 150 metres freestyle
Swim 100 metres backstroke
Swim 100 metres survival backstroke
Swim 100 metres breaststroke
Swim 10 metres butterfly
Swim 25 metres sidestroke
Wade rescue
Perform a survival sequence wearing a life jacket
Understand and assess a range of aquatic risk
Perform a huddle position for 2 minutes
Swim 200m freestyle
Swim 200m continuously
Swim 10 metres butterfly
Swim 50 metres sidestroke
Perform a survival sequence in a group
Adult Learn to Swim
We offer water familiarisation, beginner and intermediate swimming lessons for adults.
We are proud to provide Learn to Swim programs for Victoria University students, staff and to the public.
Choose one lesson time for the term. Free access to the pool outside of lesson times is included in the Swim School membership.
Feeling tentative about starting beginner swim lessons? Try our water familiarisation class for adults. The class is suited for adults who have no experience with swimming or even being in a pool.
Our specially designed lessons will also suit adults that experience anxiety or feel uncomfortable in and around the water. It’s a slower paced lesson, teaching safe entry and exits to and from the water, getting familiar with walking around in the water and building to basic swim and water safety skills like floating, submerging, blowing bubbles and a little bit of swimming short distances. Students will then progress to our Adult Beginners class.
You will receive 45-minute swim classes at the Footscray Park Aquatic Centre to learn how to be confident in water. You'll learn the basics, including water safety, stroke techniques, and survival skills. Classes are designed for beginners with little or no water experience.
The intermediate class is designed for adults with some swimming experience who want to focus on stroke technique and stamina.
Lessons offered:
Thursday: 7.15–8pm
Saturday: 8.15–9am
Swim school membership
Your membership includes:
access to a wide range of class times taught by experienced instructors
2 x make-up classes per term
free access to the pool during opening hours.
Costs
All costs listed are in Australian dollars and are per class.
Class
Full fee
Concession/VU student or staff discount
Infant and children
$23.20
$21.40
Senior swim and survive
$27
$24.85
Adult beginner and intermediate
$32.75
$32.75
Monthly direct debit
Payments will be deducted on the first business day of each month from your chosen bank account. The amount debited will be the sum of the total number of lessons in the month.
You will not be charged for:
lessons that fall on a public holiday (excluding Labour Day)
the school holiday period, but you are welcome to attend the pool during this time.
Once you have enrolled your booking will be ongoing until you cancel your membership.
Please note, we take a break from lessons during school holidays.
Cancellations
To cancel your membership please complete a cancellation form or email [email protected] 5 working days prior to the end of the month to stop the next month’s direct debit.
Please speak to our friendly reception staff to request a cancellation form.
Child Supervision Policy
All children under the age of 12 years must be actively supervised by a parent/guardian 16 years and over at all times, including before, during & after their swimming lesson.
As such, the use of phones, laptops, reading materials and other items that detract from supervision are not permitted.
Any child under the age of 5 years that is swimming before or after their lesson must have a parent or guardian in the water and within arm's reach.
Make a swim school booking
New student enrolments
You can make a booking online, or in person during the pool opening hours at the VU Aquatic and Fitness Centre Reception, Building L, level 0 of the Footscray Park Campus.
You can book online for weekly classes and our adult program.