Swimming Lesson FAQs

When booking in your child, our team will run you through some questions to best determine your child’s level. 

You can also conduct a self-assessment of your child’s swim level online using our online swim level assessment tool.

Your child will be assessed during their first couple of lessons to ensure that they are placed in the correct class for their ability/age.

Yes, if your child is booked into a class not suited to them, please talk to your Pool Deck Supervisor or email aquatics@northcoteaquaticreccentre.com.au and we can arrange another class for you to attend.

Yes! If you are unable to make a class, please cancel your class at least 8 hours before the lesson’s start via the Online Client Portal and you will automatically receive a make up class. These make up classes expire 1 month from the date of non-attendance. They can be booked via the Online Client Portal up to 7 days in advance.

Our Darling and Murray classes will have up to 8 children in each lesson, Bells will have up to 4, and our preschool levels Torquay and Clovelly will also have up to 4. Our School age classes (Koojah, Tamarama and Merro-berah) will have up to 4, Lorne will have up to 5, and stroke development classes Bundye and Cable will have up to 6.

30 minutes in length.

Our Pool Deck Supervisors will conduct regular assessments on students. If you’d like to discuss your child’s progress, please feel free to speak to the Pool Deck Supervisor or contact us on aquatics@northcoteaquaticreccentre.com.au

Our Babies and Toddlers classes are age-based so children will progress up a level once they reach the maximum age.

Murray: 6 -18 months, Darling: 18 -36 months, Bells: 2.5 – 3.5 years.

Once in the Pre-school level (Torquay which is 3+), they will stay in this level until they have met the assessment outcomes to move up to Clovelly, or will remain in this level until they are of school age.

Clovelly is the maximum level a child not in school can reach. Once of school age, students will move up through levels based on ability.

While it is hard to determine exactly how long it takes to progress as each students development is different, please feel free to contact us for regular feedback on your child’s development.

A parent or guardian is required to be in the water with a child in our Murray or Darling classes.

Yes! As part of your child’s Swim Bright membership, they have free access to casual play in our aquatic areas at any time under operational hours, including before and after their swim lesson.

No. Under 10 years, a parent or guardian must remain at the centre and supervise the child through the duration of the lesson. Children over 10 are permitted to be in the centre unsupervised whilst its not recommended, it is not enforced.

COMING SOON – Please reach out to aquatics@northcoteaquaticreccentre.com.au to enquire about private lessons.

The Swim Bright Program at NARC is designed to promote water skills and safety for your child. The program encompasses a variety of different levels, both skill based and age based that will equip your child with the skills they need to be great swimmers. Each level provides stepping stones for the next level, promoting a gradual increase in skills and competency for your child.

Swim Bright is a dynamic program, taught by talented instructors who will help take your child’s swimming to the next level, and help them be safe and confident in the water.

Our Swim Bright program will not be running in terms. We will shut for a period over Christmas/New Years, which we will advise to all of our members.

You can view the Swim Bright calendar available on the Swimming Lessons page

Yes you can! Each Swim Bright member will have up to 4 weeks of complimentary freeze per calendar year, with a minimum period of 7 days.

This can be done by emailing the Swim Bright team at aquatics@northcoteaquaticreccentre.com.au or calling Aquatics on 03 9088 4600.

You are more than welcome to cancel your lessons, but you must provide us with at least 28 days notice. All fees are payable within this 28 notice period.

In the event you’d like to cancel your Swim Bright membership, please contact aquatics@northcoteaquaticreccentre.com.au

All our Swim Bright Instructors have the appropriate AUSTSWIM, LSV or Swim Australia teacher qualification, which all include both theoretical and practical components. Our instructers also hold Working With Children Checks, first aid and CPR qualifications.

Bathers, Goggles, Towel, Hair tie for long hair (Swim caps are not compulsory but are recommended) and a drink bottle. If your child is not toilet trained, a swim nappy will also be required.

No, all nappies worn in the water MUST be approved swim nappies. They can either be disposable or reusable nappies.