Churchie Aquatics offers a range of learn to swim programs for babies through to adults. Being able to swim and enjoy our waterways is one of the great joys of Australian life and an essential skill for all. Swimming is also a tremendous physical activity with multiple health benefits to people of all ages.

Our friendly and experienced staff are here to make learning to swim fun and fulfilling.

We help our swimmers develop the necessary skills to be confident and safe in and around water and to increase their swimming abilities when they are ready.

At Churchie Aquatics, learning to swim will be a joyful and uplifting experience as we are committed to ensuring every person we teach becomes a capable swimmer and delights in the joys of swimming.

Once swimmers are competent, they are welcome to join a squad in a program suited to their ability.

Learn to Swim Schedule Term 2, 2024.

Otters class is the first point of entry for babies into water safety and familiarisation.

Confidence is built slowly and progressively with water familiarisation techniques, repetition and guided activities.

Penguins is our beginner level for those 2 -3 years old. The main aim is to introduce water confidence, familiarisation and safety, working gradually towards the child becoming comfortable in the water without a parent as they reach 3 years of age (progression is child dependent).

Class size: 3 maximum

Seals, age 3yrs+, expands upon those entry level skills explored in the Penguins class, working towards confidently swimming a longer distance (5m) without a flotation device(noodle) or help of the instructor.

Class size: 4 maximum.

A child is ready to progress to Turtles when they can independently:

  • doggie paddle across the pool (5m) with or without a breath,
  • back and front float
  • fall in and turn around, swim to side and climb out,
  • show the ability to hold a kickboard in a streamline position across the pool (flutter kick does not need to be perfect).

Being able to follow and be receptive to instructions is important.

Turtles expands upon those skills developed in Seals, introducing the swimmer body position and kicking skills, streamline body position and flutter kick on both front and back. These basics include body and head position when moving through the water.

Class size: 4 maximum.

A Turtle is ready to progress to the Dolphin level when they can:

  • fall in and return to the side without goggles,
  • consistently, and confidently, glide display a strong, fast flutter kick in the correct body position without a board.

Dolphins focusses on the body position in the water, propulsion using fast little kicks on the front and back, whilst introducing arm movements that assist with propulsion. Coordination now becomes difficult with the introduction of freestyle and backstroke arms.

Class size: 4 maximum.

Dolphins are ready to progress to the Sharks level when they can display consistent:

  • body position and streamline, no head movement
  • strong, fast, little kick with coordinated freestyle arms for at least 4 arm strokes,
  • basic backstroke

Sharks learn coordinated freestyle with side breathing over a distance of 10m on and off a board. This class is in our 25m pool (indoor pool if unfavourable weather). Backstroke drills are introduced to strengthen the swimmer and work on timing and strength without a kickboard.

Class size: 4 maximum

A shark is ready to progress to Marlins when they can:

  • perform strong freestyle without a board over 4 laps, maintaining a fast flutter kick, correct body and head position, and breathing,
  • swim 4 laps of stroke, coordinated backstroke without a board.

Marlins focusses on strengthening freestyle and back stoke techniques over a longer distance, and the introduction of breaststroke, kick, arms and timing. Tumble turns and diving are introduced.

Class size: 6 maximum.

Marlins are ready to progress to Orcas when they:

  • complete 4 laps of competent freestyle and backstroke with a strong kick and efficient breathing pattern,
  • competently perform breaststroke kick with a board,
  • have some understanding and can perform breaststroke pull, and
  • have a basic of breaststroke timing.

Orcas’ places emphasis on all 4 strokes. Butterfly kick and pulling is introduced with the use of specific cues and drills. Swimmers are also taught the race specific skill of freestyle turns, diving and underwater streamlines, as well as lane etiquette, including spacing, use of the clock, overtaking, etc. Swimmers improve their endurance over 25m. This class runs for 45 minutes, with each week focussing on a different stroke and more advanced skills and drills.

Class size: 12 maximum

Orcas a ready to progress to Transition when they can:

  • swim 50m strong and efficient freestyle with underwater streamlines and tumbles turns,
  • swim 50m strong and efficient backstroke without stopping,
  • swim 25m to 50m breaststroke with efficient timing
  • swim 25m recognisable butterfly, and
  • can perform a dive from the block.

Transition is the first stage of squad swimming where all 4 strokes are refined over 60minutes. Swimmers are also introduced to the starts and turns for all 4 strokes.

Progression through to further squads is time, achievement, attitude and expectation based.