Frequently asked questions

To ensure your child gets the most from their lesson, we recommend you bring;

• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Dry, warm clothing to change into
• Sunscreen (As session may run from the outdoor pool)
• Hair bands for students with long hair
• Goggles (not compulsory but strongly recommended) please ensure your child’s goggles fit correctly before the lesson commences
• Swimming Caps (not compulsory but recommended)
• Aqua Nappies (compulsory for children not toilet trained)
• Swimwear, goggles, swimming caps & aqua nappies are all available for purchase in the pool shop.
• Water bottle

All students will be issued with a membership card for Learn to Swim lessons. Parents will be provided with member cards that provide free access for 2 adult non-swimmer spectator entries. Any additional spectators will be required to pay for spectator entry. Simply swipe the cards at the turnstiles to go through to your lesson. If you forget your cards, or need assistance with a pram, wheelchair, or for any other reason, please see reception. 

We recommend you arrive 15 minutes early for your lesson, to reduce delays at reception and ensure your child is relaxed and ready to learn.

We do not recommend children attend swimming lessons if they are unwell, as this reduces their focus and can increase fatigue. Children must not attend lessons if they are suffering from;

• Any contagious disease e.g. conjunctivitis, rubella.
• Flu, fever, head cold, runny nose, sore throats, and cold sores.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, ringworm, head lice, urinary tract infections.

Yes, we encourage swimming after lessons to develop confidence in the water and practice what was learnt in class.

For lessons conducted at the Hydrotherapy Centre, swimming after the lesson is not permitted as this pool is not intended for recreational purposes. However, students can swim at Ripples St Marys after their lesson. Children 5 years and under must wear a yellow wristband if swimming casually after their lesson in line with our Keep Watch policy.

Goggles are highly recommended for all lessons. Goggles give children confidence when learning to submerge and help to keep water and hair out of their eyes when learning breathing techniques. This reduces the need to keep stopping to wipe their eyes and face. Goggles also assist older children to maintain stability and balance in the water and observe their strokes, a key factor in developing their stroke & technique.  However, we reccomend also spending time in the water without goggles.

Every class level has set skills which must be achieved in order for the student to progress.

Our instructors monitor your child's progress at each lesson. When your child is confident with all skills at their level, your swimming instructor will schedule an assessment with the swimming supervisor as part of your regular lesson. 

Progression depends on many factors; it is important to remember that every child is different and progresses at their own pace. Swimming is a unique motor skill and unlike walking or running, it is not a natural action for people and takes practice and repetition to learn. The more you practice the quicker you will see results.

Private lessons provide the opportunity to focus on particular skills with a more concentrated approach. This can be beneficial for children struggling with a challenging skill, or who find the group classes distracting. However, the majority of children perform well in the group class setting, with younger children benefiting from the social interaction of group classes.
We do not recommend private lessons for toddlers.

If you believe private lessons are right for your child, please speak with your swimming instructor or contact the centre for more information.