Older beginners

Ages 8–14 years

Beginner classes for older children who have never swum before, or who have limited swimming experience. Available at Keith Spry Pool and Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.

If you are looking for adult lessons, see: Swimming lessons for adults.

School-age girl uses a floatie to practise backstroke kick.
 

Swordfish 1 – Beginner

This class is designed to build confidence in beginners. Teaching children to propel themselves on top of the water. No assessment is required to enter this class.  

In this class your child will learn to:

  • push and glide independently on their front and back for 6 metres

  • kick on both sides with a board

  • kick independently on their back for at least 8 metres

  • kick independently on their front for at least 8 metres

  • practise a water safety skill: float independently on on their front and back for at least 5 seconds, and get back on their feet.

Find lessons at
Keith Spry · WRAC

 
 

Swordfish 2 – Breathing

An assessment is required to enter this class. We will check that your child can float, glide and kick on their front and back; and kick on both sides with a board.

In this class your child will learn to:

  • kick independently on both sides for at least 10 metres

  • swim freestyle arms with bilateral breathing for at least 10 metres

  • swim backstroke with continuous arms for at least 10 metres

  • do the basic breaststroke kick

  • practise a water safety skill: demonstrate 3 different types of scull.

Find lessons at
Keith Spry · WRAC

 
 

Swordfish 3 – Improver

An assessment is required to enter this class. We will check that your child can kick independently on both sides; swim freestyle with bilateral breathing; swim backstroke with continuous arms; and demonstrate the basic breaststroke kick.

In this class your child will learn:

  • 25 metres freestyle with bilateral breathing

  • 25 metres backstroke with rotation

  • 15 metres breaststroke arms with breaststroke kick

  • 15 metres butterfly kick

  • a water safety skill: move confidently through the water non-stop for at least 20 metres wearing clothes.

The skills learnt in this class prepare your child to enter the school-age Marlins class.

Find lessons at
WRAC