Infant Program

The Australian Swim School’s Infant Program is the evolution of over 30 years of research and experience. The founder of the schools, John Bainbridge, wrote his Master’s Thesis on infant swimming in 1976, at California State University Long Beach. As Chairman of the Infant Committee for the United States Swim School Association (1989 – 2000), John travelled the United States and the world, certifying teachers, holding workshops and speaking at international conferences. These ongoing experiences, give the schools’ infant program, the opportunity to choose the best methods and teachings practices available.

Squads

The Goals of the Squad Skills Class:

Swim 50m freestyle with bi-lateral breathing, and 50m backstroke.
Swim 20m breaststroke and butterfly with correct breathing.
Perform the required set of drills for each stroke.
In order to move to the Squad Class, a child must be able to do the following skills:

The freestyle progression of streamline, kick, arms, and then bi-lateral breathing, and backstroke with correct form, for two lengths.
One length of the pool of breaststroke and butterfly with correct breathing.
The ability to perform the required set of nine stroke drills.
Each class is 30 minutes. Please call your local swim school for lesson availability.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are based on a per lesson fee of $45.50.
Semi-private lessons are based on a per lesson fee of $22.75.
New Clients pay a one time registration fee of $25.00.
Payments for private lessons must be prepaid. If a private lesson is missed, it will still be the full per lesson fee. There are no booking fees or make-ups available.

Adult Beginner and Adult Swimmer

The Goals of the Adult/Teen Beginner Class:

To develop a high comfort level in and especially under the water.
To master a prone float, swim a short distance in a relaxed state, and return to a standing position unassisted.
To develop a relaxed back position.
To master the ability to prone float, turn over to back float, and return to the prone float position.

In order to move to the Adult/Teen Swimmer Class, they must be able to do the following skills:

A true comfort level during an independent submersion.
A relaxed body position during the prone float, the short distance swim, and returning to a standing position.
A relaxed body position on the back
A relaxed body position on the turn from the prone float to the back float.
Each class is 30 minutes.

Please call your local swim school for lesson availability.

The Goals of the Adult/Teen Swimmer Class:

To teach freestyle side breathing.
To teach backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly with correct breathing patterns.
To develop a well rounded adult, capable of an independent swimming workout.
The purpose of each segment of the Adult/Teen Swimmer Class is as follows:

Freestyle with correct side breathing is the most efficient way to swim lengths of the pool.
Learning all four competitive strokes enables you to swim a better workout involving more major muscle groups.
Swimming is the best form of anaerobic exercise with the least incidence of injury, and can be an asset for life.
Each class is 30 minutes.

Please call your local swim school for lesson availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to start your program?
We recommend 3-6 months as the optimum age to start. Babies at this age have a real affinity to water. Click on the link ‘Child Development and the Implication of Swimming’ for what you can expect for your child’s age group.

How often should we attend?
We recommend twice a week until the baby is comfortable underwater. Then once a week, year round, allows your baby to retain his affinity with the water, and attain the skills appropriate for his age group.

Can we take a break during the first few years of the program?
Yes. But the break should not be more than a month or two. The younger your baby is, the shorter the break should be.

When will my baby be able to swim?
This is a difficult question to answer briefly. First we have to define what you mean by ‘swimming’. We are going to assume you mean “propelling oneself through the water, surfacing to breathe, and continuing forward movement. Next we have to consider the variables involved:
· Age when baby begins the program
· Number of times per week the baby comes for lessons
· Number and lengths of breaks taken
If you start your baby during the first year, then continue to come once a week without any lengthy breaks, you are looking at somewhere between fifteen months and two and a half years of age. It should be remembered that no two infants are the same and these estimates may vary.

Will my baby be safe?
There is never such a thing as a safe baby, child, or adult, around water. We like to think that your baby will be safer around water. Along with barriers (eg fences, pool covers, alarms), supervision, Infant CPR - infant swimming skills are just one of the links in the chain to keep your child safer around water.