The SWIMTANK Philosophy

Children should grow to love the water, and this is achieved by building strong and confident swimmers. Swimming is not only a crucial life skill but also enhances confidence, opening the door to numerous water-based activities.

We do not use arm bands or back floats, as these promote incorrect body positioning and prevent children from experiencing the natural buoyancy of the water. Instead of teaching doggy paddle, we focus on teaching children beautiful, efficient strokes.

Progression to Squad

Once children complete their Improver 2 certificate, they are invited to join one of our “Awesome4some” groups. In these small groups of four, children continue to build on their swimming skills, having already mastered the basics of front crawl, backstroke, and the correct timing of their breaststroke kick.

From here, they progress to our Mini Squads, where they receive 30-minute lessons in groups of no more than four. At this stage, children have a solid understanding of all four strokes and can confidently swim 25 meters of each.

As their strength and technique improve, they are then channelled into our Squads, which offer more advanced, hour-long sessions designed to further develop their abilities.

FIND YOUR LEVEL

Please refer to the flow chart below if you would like to enrol in a group lesson

CAN YOU...

FIND YOUR LEVEL

Please refer to the flow chart below if you would like to enrol in a group lesson

CAN YOU...

Progression Certificates

Once trust is established between the teacher and child, they will be encouraged to not only get their faces wet but also to submerge their faces, hold their breath, and blow bubbles out of their noses. The next step is to teach them to float unassisted on both their front and back. This is introduced from the beginning, with the teacher assisting the child in the correct body position to help them feel what it’s like to float. This is crucial for developing proper body positioning.

We have developed certificates to match the six stages of our swimming programme: Beginners 1 & 2, Improvers 1, 2 & 3, and Squad. Each certificate represents achievements that guide the swimmer from the basics to mastering all four strokes with the correct technique. By the end of the programme, your child will be a strong, capable swimmer with beautiful strokes.

Our professional swimming teachers emphasise the importance of the streamlined position and correct strokes from the beginning. A child who swims with proper technique will naturally become faster over time. In contrast, a child who appears to swim “fast” but lacks the correct technique will eventually plateau, highlighting the importance of building a strong foundation in stroke technique.

Remember, no matter how confident and strong your child may be, always ensure their safety and never take your eyes off them around water. If you are near open water (rivers, lakes, and dams), always ensure your child is wearing a life vest.

Even though they are taught safety skills, we never want them to be in a situation that could put their life in danger.

When is the best time to start swimming?
It’s never too early to start. Our learn-to-swim children’s programme begins at age 3, and we also have a baby programme starting at 3 months. Whatever your child’s age, it is never too late to start learning to swim.

Do I get into the water with my child?
No, in our learn-to-swim programme, your child will be in the water with the teacher, either in a small group, 2:1, or 1:1. The only time a parent will get into the water with their child is in our baby classes.

How do I know what their level is?
Visit our “Find Your Level” section on the website and answer the questions to determine the correct level for your child.

How long will it take for my child to learn how to swim?
Every child is different, and there is no timeline for how quickly a child will learn and develop. Please avoid comparing your child to others. We are always available to discuss any questions you may have about your child’s swimming progress.

Does my child need to wear a swimming hat and goggles?
Yes, all children must wear a swim hat for hygiene and performance reasons, keeping hair out of the pool filter and their eyes. Goggles are encouraged due to their many benefits, though we also have periods in our programme where lessons are taught without goggles to help swimmers get used to being in the water without them. You can purchase high-quality silicone swim hats and Speedo Biofuse goggles at the Swim Tank venue.

Do I need to book a full term?
While we have specific start dates for our lesson blocks, you can start at any time within the block and pay pro-rata.

What happens if my child misses a lesson?
If your child cannot attend a swimming lesson, please log the absence via the SWIMTANK app or parent portal. This alerts the office and your swimming teacher. Each venue has its own policy for making up missed lessons, which will be emailed to you after enrolment.

Can we still swim if my child is sick?
Your child should not swim if they have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhoea. Colds and sniffles are generally fine, but this is a personal decision.

When is it safe to stop my child’s swimming lessons?
Swimming is not only a sport but also a life skill. It is the only sport that can save your life. Parents often feel that their children have learned enough when they can swim a width or length of the pool, but there is more to consider:

  • Is my child safe in the water for a long period of time?
  • Can they achieve more?

We suggest continuing lessons until your child can easily:

  • Swim a minimum of 100m in three strokes
  • Demonstrate an understanding of survival techniques
  • Tread water for 2 minutes

Often, parents stop lessons just as students start to truly enjoy and understand the sport. Learning to swim can be hard and exhausting, but as children get stronger and grasp the skills, they begin to really enjoy swimming.

If possible, we encourage you to continue lessons as long as you can. The longer your child participates in swimming lessons, the more confident and safer they will become in water. This will enable them to swim all four strokes beautifully. If you wish to progress to club swimming, we can guide you on how to move forward.