Q. How deep is the water?

A. 1.0m with a shallow area that allows us to develop swimmers that are not confident with swimming. 2.0m with a deep area where we teach survival skills like treading water and dives.

Q. Do you use swimming aids?

A. We believe students must learn to use their own buoyancy in the water.  Use of aids like  kickboards is minimal.  The aids used help with body alignment  and relaxation, developing strength, balance, and confidence.

Q. How many swimmers are in a class?

A. Learn to swim – 4 to 5 depending on the level.

Stroke development – 8 to 10 depending on the level

Fitness Squads – 15

Competitive Squads – 15

Q. How long is a swim lesson?

Q. Can we visit to watch a swim lesson?

A. You are welcome to visit and view a swim lesson, however we ask that you to do not interrupt coaches/swimmers during coaching hours. We also suggest parents to move entirely if their child is apprehensive about learn to swim lessons.

Q. What age should my child start swimming lessons?

A. We cater students of all ability levels from 18 weeks to 18 years old.  

Q. What happens as my child progresses?

A. Our program provides a seamless, progressive pathway from Learn to swim to our Competitive Squads. When your child is ready, he/she will be considered to move to appropriate level. Talent ID is a very important part of our program. Our instructors and coaches are continuously on lookout for students to promote.  Parents may request assessments, but this is not necessary step for promotion.

Q. How long would it take to my child to learn to swim?

A. This is dependent on many factors including your child’s frequency of attendance, behaviour work ethic and appreciation of technique, body composition, flexibility, cognitive development, and ability to acquired specific motor skills. Our highly qualified coaches can usually identify those that will be quick and those that may take a little longer and a bit more patience. Graduation from entry level learn to swim may only take two terms. The average student will take 5 terms to progress from our more advanced learn to swim levels. Progression from squad to squad may take a number of years.

Q. When Am I ready for competition?

A. Reef Squad members are ready for entry level meets. The coaches may occasionally approach Marlins on the cusp of promotion.

Q. What events should I enter?

A. Speak to your coach. Coaches often select the events for each swimmer and make the selections depending on the type of meet and swimmer's experience.

Q. How many times should my swimmer attend practice each week?

A. Our competitive squads have minimum requirements.

Recommended practice attendance is based upon the swimmer’s level and age. Please see the AIS Connect for more information. If the swimmer holds ambitions of competing at the Australian Age Championships (girls 13-17yrs, boys 14-18yrs) or similar, they need to be swimming almost daily from age 11. Any swimmers wishing to be considered for tertiary scholarships or national team selection should be swimming as many sessions per week as their age divided by two i.e. 12yrs – 6 sessions per week, 16yrs – 8 sessions.

Q. What equipment is needed for swim practice/meets?

A. Swimmers should always bring a large bottle of water to practice. We advise swimmers to have their own equipment such as fins, kickboard, and pull buoy, snorkel and hand / finger paddles. For Learn to Swim and Stroke Development groups communal equipment is available.

Swimming Landing Page: AIS Swimming (Learn to Swim, Squad and Competitive Swimming)