Learn to swim in a safe and controlled
environment at one of Wellington City
Council’s swimming pools.
Wellington Swim School offers a wide variety of
classes all year. The timetable matches the primary
school terms with some block courses available in
the school holidays. Our experienced and friendly
teachers will make learning to swim positive and
enjoyable.
We have classes for all levels and ages:
• waterbabies – 6 months –3 years
• preschool – 3 –5 years
• school-age – 5 –14 years
•adults.
Learn to Swim classes are held at the
following pools:
Karori Pool Keith Spry Pool
22 Donald Street 15 Frankmoore Avenue
Karori Johnsonville
Adults
These courses aim to teach the basic swimming
skills required for personal survival.
Beginner Adult
For adults who cannot float on the water or are not
comfortable with being under the water.
Breathing
For adults who can swim but need help with their
breathing technique.
Improvers
For adults who can swim freestyle but need help
with stroke correction and endurance training.
Advanced Improvers
For adults who can swim freestyle and backstroke,
and who want to learn breaststroke along with
improved stroke technique and stamina.
Tawa Pool Wellington Regional
Davies Street Aquatic Centre
Tawa 63 Kilbirnie Crescent
Kilbirnie
To book, go to our website
Wellington.govt.nz/learntoswim or
phone 801 4403.
CSWCC98898
Our Wellington Swim School programme is run
in partnership with Water Safety New Zealand
and Swim for Life.
6 months–3 years
Waterbabies
The classes encourage enjoyment of the water
and develop awareness and skills. Your baby will
experience water play and songs while gaining
confidence in the water, learn floating and kicking
skills, and progress to being submerged.
Classes require parent or caregiver participation.
Splashing Seals
6–9 months
Mighty Minnows
10–15 months
Paddling Penguins
16–23 months
Diving Dolphins
24–36 months
Advanced Turbo Turtles 24–36 months
3–5 years
Preschool
Our five preschool levels will develop and extend
your child’s swimming and water safety skills,
and build self-esteem, confidence and motor-skill
development. Parents or caregivers are not required
to be in the water with the child.
Little Dippers
Gain water confidence and fully
submerge with complete breath control.
Big Dippers
Float on front and back independently.
Learn to kick when floating on front.
Floating Stars
Complete five freestyle arm circles while
kicking. Also kick unassisted on back.
Freestyle
Stars
Complete freestyle arm circles while
rolling to the side to breathe, practise
backstroke arm circles. Roll on back in
deep water and swim for 10m.
Super Stars
Swim 10–15m freestyle and backstroke,
and swim in deep water for 15m.
5–14 years
School-age
School-age classes cater for all levels of swimming
ability from nervous beginners to children who can
swim lengths. Classes will develop and extend your
child’s swimming and water safety skills. Block
courses are available during the school holidays.
Confident
Crocodiles
Float independently for five seconds on
front and back. Glide with arms extended
and blowing bubbles for 2–4m.
Kicking
Kingfish
Learn to kick on back and do arm circles
and kicking on front.
Breathing
Barracudas
Swim two freestyle arm-strokes, rolling to
the side to breathe, and do backstroke for
eight arm-strokes.
Shallow End
Snappers
Swim 10m freestyle and backstroke, and be
introduced to butterfly and breaststroke.
Deep Water
Dolphins
Complete two 12m freestyle and backstroke
lengths, understand breaststroke and be
introduced to deep-water swimming.
Main Pool
Marlins
Swim 25m freestyle and backstroke, do
breaststroke arm and leg action and butterfly
for at least 12m.
Bronze
Sharks
Swim four lengths freestyle and backstroke,
two lengths breaststroke and one length
butterfly.
Silver
Sharks
Swim eight lengths freestyle and backstroke,
four lengths breaststroke and two lengths
butterfly.
Gold
Sharks
Swim 10 lengths freestyle and backstroke,
eight lengths breaststroke and two lengths
butterfly.
Mini
Squad
For children who love swimming and are
competent swimmers, but do not want to
join a swim club.
Adapted
Lessons
Available for children with disabilities.