Learn to Swim

Infant Ducks - 6 months to 3 years

Our infant aquatics program provides a unique opportunity for your child to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically in a safe and structured environment. Through this program, your child will have the chance to create, explore and practice essential skills while building self confidence and self-esteem.

These lessons are designed to be a fun and engaging learning environment, offering opportunities to experience:

• Getting Wet

Is about entering the water safely using different entries appropriate for each motor development stage progressing towards

• Breathing

Develops confidence in getting the face wet, blowing bubbles and learning to submerge. Fun activities promote relaxation and breath control.

• Going underwater

Is a gradual process encouraged as each child shows readiness to participate and initiate the skill themselves. Using simple cue words, action and songs, this will create a fun and non-threatening environment to support the learning skill.

• Staying afloat

Activities focus on experiencing floating on the front and back. Learning to float is an important skill not only to progress to propulsion but is an essential survival skill for every child.

• Keeping balance

Provides experiences of body orientation and rotation skills which are vital for developing survival and mobility skills.

• Basic kicking and arm actions

Activities promote kicking and paddling to develop basic propulsion skills. Initially, these skills will be rudimentary but as crawling, walking and running skills are gained on land, coordination of kicking and paddling skills will develop and become stronger.

• Learning basic water safety

Water Safety is encouraged through emphasising the message 'always swim with an adult'. Introducing young children to a simple safety message early in their aquatic education establishes a positive attitude towards safe behaviour.

Parents/Carers remain in the water during infant lessons, ensuring a supportive and interactive experience. Each class has a maximum of eight participants to maintain a focused and personalizes approach.

Our instructors look forward to helping your child build a strong foundation for water confidence and safety! 

Ducks 6 - 3 to 5 years

Our Ducks 6 lessons are designed specifically for students who have not previously attended swimming lessons and are not yet confident or ready to transition away from having a parent/carer in the water.

In these classes, parents/carers will begin in the water with their child. Under the guidance of the instructor. The parent will gradually distance themselves as the child becomes more comfortable and confident. The goal is for the child to participate independently with the instructor when they feel ready.

Ducks 6 lessons are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of four participants per class, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive environment for your child’s development. 

Preschoolers - 3 to 5 years old

The preschool program builds and develops the basic foundation skills in swimming, survival and water safety and encourages a positive attitude towards learning the required skills.

• Clownfish
• Seahorse
• Jellyfish
• Goldfish
• Octopus

Entry and Exits Skills: Teach children to safely and confidently enter and exit the water using a range of basic techniques.

Breathing and Underwater Skills: Develop breath control and relaxation when submerging the face and body in the water, which in turn builds confidence.

Survival Skills: Include initial experiences using flotation aids for support in deep water whilst demonstrating personal survival and self-preservation skills required for an emergency situation.

Floating and Sculling Skills: Encourage independent floating on the front and back and basic sculling skills to propel the body in a range of directions.

Movement and Swimming Strokes: Encourage the development of kicking and arm movement skills, basic independent mobility and working towards elementary swimming strokes.

Water Safety Education: Focuses on the simple messages of never swimming alone, calling for help if in trouble and understanding basic pool rules to support water safety.

School Age - 5 years and up

Learning to Swim and Survive Level is a vital life skill that all Western Australian children need to safely participate on, in and around water. The Swim and Survive program identifies 16 critical stages in a child’s development. The lower stages focus on teaching efficient support and movement in the water. The higher stages include skill and knowledge in safety, survival and rescue, all while developing a strong and effective swimming technique.

Swim and Survive is a swimming and water safety program that is aligned to the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework and develops skills across the following areas:

• Entries and exits skills teach children to determine the safest entry and exit method for a range of aquatic environments.
• Sculling and body orientation enable children to gain mobility in the aquatic environment and are vital skills for developing swimming and survival skills.
• Underwater skills This strand aims to provide the student with the skills that may enable them to escape from dangers or search for a submerged object
• Swimming strokes develops efficient and effective stroke technique and the ability to adapt the strokes to suit the conditions of the environment. Fitness and endurance increases through the progression of levels.
• Survival skills includes the teaching of survival techniques and strategies for a range of emergency situations, including the use of lifejackets.
• Rescue skills equip children with the required skills to perform a range of rescues depending on the emergency situation, the environment and prevailing conditions.
• Water safety knowledge develops an understanding of a range of swimming and water safety issues that underpins safety in and around the water.

Stages

There are 16 stages within the Swim and Survive program:

Stage 1 — Beginner

Beginner is about safe entry and exit from the water.

Stage 2 — Water Discovery

Water Discovery is about being pulled to safety and the development of the freestyle stroke.

Stage 3 — Preliminary

Preliminary includes performing a survival sculling on your back float and learning freestyle breathing

Stage 4 — Water Awareness

Water Awareness is about the importance of water safety and learning survival backstroke.

Stage 5 — Water Sense

Water Sense develops an understanding of the elements in being water safe while extending your backstroke skills.

Stage 6 — Junior

Junior means you can complete a competitive swimming dive as well as gain the ability to swim 50 m freestyle.

Stage 7 — Intermediate

Intermediate includes the skill of egg-beater kick used in water polo while extending swimming and survival abilities.

Stage 8 — Water Wise

Water Wise develops good judgement in water safety while learning the skill of sidestroke.

Stage 9 — Senior 

Senior includes the skill of competitive tumble-turns and learning basic principles of resuscitation.

Survival Strand (Stages 10–12)

Stage 10 — Junior Swim and Survive

Junior Swim and Survive links the skills of swimming, diving and treading water needed when in open water. Having gained these skills give surfing a try.

Stage 11 — Swim and Survive

Swim and Survive included the use of a personal flotation device while extending swimming and survival abilities. Having gained this skill give canoeing a try.

Stage 12 — Senior Swim and Survive

Senior Swim and Survive includes what to do when escaping from a capsized boat while extending swimming and survival abilities. Having gained these skills give sailing a try.

Bronze Rescue Strand (Stages 13–16)

Dry Rescue (Optional)

Rescue skills for non - swimmers

Stage 13 Wade Rescue -  To introduce skills and knowledge of safe water rescue and survival.

Stage 14 Accompanied Rescue - To develop skills and knowledge of safe water rescue and survival.

Stage 15 Bronze Star - To develop skills and knowledge of safe water rescue and survival. 

Junior Lifeguard Club - Stages 12-15

The Junior Lifeguard Club offers the opportunities to actively participate in new skills that are used in competitions and carnival. The skills required for these events will be taught throughout the lessons. Throughout the higher awards there is a lot more involved and age, maturity, confidence, communication under pressure and physical ability will play a big factor when it comes to moving up through these stages. Throughout the program students will be exposed to a variety of skills and challenges that are needed to complete their higher awards. These awards are not designed to be passed quickly as they have a large amount of content as well as a theory component.

To be deemed competent and to progress to the next stage students will need to complete the must sees associated with their stage and is designed to ensure that students have a better understanding of the concepts involved and are mentally and physically ready. Once all skills have been completed, they will commence the next level automatically within the Junior Lifeguard Program.

Mini Squad

Mini Squad is for students in stage 5 and 6 who can complete 25 meters of freestyle without assistance.

Mini Squad is a transitional level designed to bridge the gap between learning to swim and exploring the exciting world of competitive swimming.

The main focus of mini squad is to develop essential skills while fostering a love for learning and growth in the water. Some of the key benefits include:

• Team Building: Encouraging camaraderie and cooperation among peers.
• Fitness and endurance: Building strength and agility, stamina, speed, and overall health.
• Self-Discipline: Cultivating responsibility and commitment.
• Confidence and technique: Refining skills while boosting self-esteem.
• Commitment: Encouraging students to set and achieve their own goals.

Mini Squad is all about having fun, improving technique, and enjoying the process of becoming a stronger swimmer.

We recommend that Mini Squad swimmers bring their own flippers to each session.

Squad 

Squad is for students who have passed stage 7 and are confident in swimming multiple laps.

Our Squad program goes beyond swimming basics to help students develop advanced skills and foster a strong sense of teamwork. Key areas of focus include.

• Enhancing Strength and Speed: Building power and improving swimming efficiency.
• Improving Stroke Technique: refining skills for greater precision and performance.
• Achieving Personal Bests: Encouraging students to set and achieve their own goals
• Having Fun: Ensuring the environment remains supportive and enjoyable.
• Push-Offs. Finishes and Turns: mastering essential techniques for competitive swimming.
• Dives and Clockwork: Improving entry techniques and using timing clocks to help swimmers learn pace and track progress.
• Equipment Use: To support skill development and ensure effective training, we use kickboards, pull buoys, flippers, hand paddles and cups.
• Endurance and Commitment: Encouraging dedication to practice and goal-setting.
• Racing and teamwork: Building confidence in competition while promoting team spirit.

Squad is perfect for swimmers eager to enhance their technique, strength, and racing abilities in a supportive and fun Environment.

We recommend that Squad swimmers bring their own flippers to each session.

Adult and Private Lessons

Taking adult lessons can help you overcome a fear of the water. You will be able to work together with our qualified instructors to develop your skills to a level of your choice and abilities.

For some this may mean confidence to swim purely for safety purposes and others may hope to extend their skills to a level that they can truly enjoy the many benefits of swimming! Its all on your terms!

Adult Beginners: This class is designed to teach adults with little or no experience in the water how to swim competently. The goal is to build their confidence and skills, enabling them to enjoy the beautiful coastal environment of Esperance safely.

Adult Intermediate: This class is designed for adults who have already grasped the basics of swimming and are ready to progress to the next stage. This class will focus on improving technique, building endurance, and enhancing confidence in the water.

Private Lessons - One to one or one to two tuition, tailored to meet the individuals’ specific requirements. These classes are suitable for all ages, abilities, and needs, providing personalized attention to help students achieve their swimming goals.

Bronze Medallion and Requalification

Bronze Medallion Stage 16 (8hr) - The Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion is recognised as the minimum standard for a qualified lifesaver. This course will enhance your personal survival skills while providing you with the knowledge and skills to develop the level of judgement, technique and physical ability required to safely carry out water rescues.

This training course is suitable for anyone over 14 years with a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability.

Bronze Medallion Requalification (4hr) - This training course is suitable for a previous holder of a Bronze Medallion award. If you need to update or requalify your Bronze Medallion certificate.

For enquiries regarding the next available course, please contact the Swim School directly on 9083 1708. Our team will be happy to assist you with further information.

Contact Information and Enrolment

Swim School: (08) 9083 1708

Reception: (08) 9083 1700

Email: swimschool@esperance.wa.gov.au

Enrolment Portal: https://envibe.esperance.wa.gov.au

Enrolment Form: /Profiles/esperance/Assets/ClientData/2025_Swim_School_Enrolment_FORM.pdf

VacSwim

The Bay of Isles Leisure Centre hosts the Education Department's VacSwim program during the school holidays.

Enrolment into the program is directly through the Education department. 

VAC Swim

When you come for your VacSwim lesson, students and spectators must pay pool entry.