At Barooga Aquatic & Recreation Centre we offer a wide rand of learn to swim programs for children of all abilities.
At Barooga Aquatic & Recreation Centre we understand the importance of learning to swim and water safety and believe it is a vital life skill. We offer a wide range of Swim Class Levels, catering everything from infants to swim squad and even private lessons.
We run an 8 to 11 week term, in all 4 terms a year (perpetual booking) and at times 6 to 8 week block of lessons along with the occasional intensive swim programs in the school holiday.
For updates on our Swim Lesson curriculum, visit the What’s On page of our website or visit our Facebook Page.
For more information regarding our swimming class levels, refer to the sections below:
2026 Learn to Swim Program Dates
1. Monday 9 February 2026 to Thursday 2 April 2026
2. Monday 20 April 2026 to Thursday 25 June 2026
3. Monday 13 July 2025 to Thursday 17 September 2026
4. Tuesday 6 October 2025 to Thursday 10 December 2026
The 2026 LTS program will commence Monday 9 February 2026. Note: you are not charged for holiday breaks for Perpetual Program bookings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
GUIDELINES
NOTE BARC Learn to Swim Program usually follows the Victorian School Term and are subject to teacher availability.
ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PATICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM ARE BINDING ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED YOUR CHILD / CHILDREN.
All Perpetual registrations other than PRIVATE lessons occur via our online customer portal. Payment occurs via fortnightly direct debit which is set up at registration.
If you child has not participated in swim lessons before and / or you are enrolling in a Course based Learn to Swim Program you will need to email Barooga ARC in the first instance before you will be able to register online. See ”Registering for a Course and / or are new a new enrolment/s.”
Barooga ARC offers two types of Learn to Swim options:
- Perpetual (ongoing enrolment until the child is withdrawn *conditions apply see below
- Course based (blocks of time i.e. 6 weeks – payment is required upfront for courses)
PERPETUAL LEARN TO SWIM
| Swim Program Type | Your Cost | Ratios |
|---|---|---|
| Infants Time (Introduction (6-2 YEARS) & Toddler Time (2-3 YEARS) | $17.00 per class per child. *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Up to 8 children and their parent / guardian 1 Teacher: Up to 4 children (no parent / guardian is required in the water for school age level 1 and 2) 1 Teacher: Up to 5 children |
| Preschool Level Intro Preschool 1 & 2 School Age 1 and 2 | $17.00 per class per child. *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Up to 8 children and their parent / guardian 1 Teacher: Up to 4 children (no parent / guardian is required in the water for Preschool age level 1 or 2) 1 Teacher: Up to 5 children |
| School Age Level 3 to 5 | $17.00 per class per child. *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Up to 8 children and their parent / guardian 1 Teacher: Up to 4 children (no parent / guardian is required in the water for school age level 1 and 2) 1 Teacher: Up to 5 children |
| Private Lessons (suitable for adults and children) | $35.00 per person or $60.00 for two person/s per lesson *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Individual or family group |
| Squad Program | $20.00 per lesson *1 hour | 1 Teacher: 10 squad members |
| School Programs | Please contact BARC staff to discuss these programs. | To be determined depending on program requirements |
Note all our classes are 30-minute classes except for school programs and Squad.
COURSE BASED LEARN TO SWIN
| Swim Program Type | Your Cost | Ratios |
|---|---|---|
| Infants Time (Introduction (6-2 YEARS) & Toddler Time (2-3 YEARS) | $17.00 per class per child. *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Up to 8 children and their parent / guardian 1 Teacher: Up to 4 children (no parent / guardian is required in the water for school age level 1 and 2) |
| Preschool Level Intro Preschool 1 & 2 School Age 1 and 2 Transition (suitable for children aged 5- 7 at school but not yet ready for school age Level 1 | $17.00 per class per child. *30 minute lessons | 1 Teacher: Up to 8 children and their parent / guardian 1 Teacher: Up to 4 children (no parent / guardian is required in the water for school age level 1 and 2) |
Note all our Course based classes are 30-minute classes and will have a begin and end date i.e. weekly classes over a 6-week period. Courses require upfront payment, and no Make Up classes apply.
REGISTERING FOR THE LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM AND/OR ARE A NEW ENROLMENT
If you are new to our Learn to Swim program, have not participated in the previous year, and/or wish to register for a course before you can register online, please fill out the form below. Our team will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
If you experience any issues with the form, please email aquatics@sporties.com.au with the required information. Our administration team will assist you and notify you once online registration is available.
Infants and Toddler Time
These classes are the ideal opportunity to introduce your babies and toddlers to the aquatic environment using rhymes and fun water-based activities. This course provides you and your child with a happy and relaxed introduction to swimming. Developing skills include; submerging, floating and the promotion of movement through water.
Preschool Intro and Level One
Preschool Intro assists with transition from toddler time to learn to swim lessons and still requires a parent in the water as they transition from Todller to Intro but not yet ready to swim independently of a parent. Preschool Level 1 provides a level up again where for the first time your child wil be swimming independently during the lesson. This class will assist your child to further develop independence in the water.
Preschool Level Two
The aim of this class is to encourage your child to achieve water confidence and independence in the water. Lessons focus on developing the following skills:
- Face in / Blow bubbles
- Independent swim
- 3m independent front Torpedo with working toward straight leg kicking
- 3m Kick on board (front & back)
- Front & Back Floating
- Float, recover and return to the edge
School Age Level One
This is a class for children due to commence school or whom can now stand on their own in the pool. These classes are programmed outside of school hours. Lessons focus on developing the following skills:
- Face in / Blow bubbles
- Independent swim
- 3m independent front Torpedo with working toward straight leg kicking
- 3m Kick on board (front & back)
- Front & Back Floating
- Float, recover and return to edge
School Age Level two
In this class children will be introduced to freestyle and backstroke along with:
- 25m freestyle with breathing
- 25m backstroke
- Push, glide, kick with grab start
- Front and Back torpedoes (streamline)
- Dolphin kick action
- Back float 30 seconds
- Underwater swim
- Sitting dive
School Age Level three
Students will work on their technique for freestyle and backstroke and be introduced to bilateral breathing. Lessons focus on developing the following skills:
- Correct freestyle and backstroke technique
- 25m freestyle
- 25m backstroke
- Push glide starts
- 8m Front and Back Torpedoes (streamline)
- Survival backstroke
- Back float 45 seconds
- Tread water 1 minute
- Beginnings of Somersault through play
- Kneeling dive
School Age Level Four
Students will continue to master the correct technique and body position for various swim styles. Lessons focus on developing the following skills:
- 50m bilateral freestyle
- 50m backstroke
- 25m front and back streamline kick
- 50m Breaststroke
- Back float 1 min
- Tread water 2 min
School Age Level Five
In this class students will further build and develop swim style techniques, increase their stamina, develop their breaststroke techniques and will be introduced to side stroke, butterfly and tumble turns. Lessons focus on developing the following:
- 75m freestyle and turns (bilateral breathing).
- 75m backstroke and turns
- 50m breaststroke
- 25m front and back streamline kick
- 25m butterfly
- Survival strokes and sculling
- Back Float 2 minutes
- Tread water 6 minutes
- Standing Dive
Transition Class (5-7 years)
These classes are suitable for school attending children whom have never undertaken swim lessons or are still developing their confidence in the water following participation in pre-school classes but are not yet ready for School Age Level 1.
This course provides your child with a happy and relaxed introduction to swimming. Developing skills include: submerging, floating and the promotion of movement through water.
Squad
Squad The aim of Squad is to fully extend all strokes and build on the skills that have been developed in previous levels. Lessons focus on developing the following:
- 200m freestyle
- 200m backstroke
- 100m breaststroke
- 50m butterfly fins on
- 50m butterfly no fins
- 50m front and back streamline kick
- Survival strokes and sculling
- Tumble turns
- Dives
Private Lessons
BARC can also provide private lessons for individual and / or family groups which are tailored for children (+4yrs old) and Adults. Please contact the centre for more information.
School Programs
Schools and preschools can hire our swimming pool and program their own swim programs and can also seek assistance from our BARC Aquatics team on a fee for service arrangement. It is best to contact our Swim team via aquatics@sporties.com.au to make a booking and tailor your program.
Parents / Guardian role whilst your child is in and out of the class
Parents / Guardians must keep watch of your child/children during all of our classes other than Squad and must not leave the pool area nor should your child/children be out of your vision. If you are required to be in the water during your class you have full responsibility for your child’s supervision.
Parents / Guardians must arrive with their child / children and report to reception and scan in to the centre before entering the swimming pool area. If a parent or guardian is not present your child will be declined entry beyond the reception area.
BARC the recommendations within the ‘Keep Watch Around Water Program’ and staff will request that your child / children wear a colour coded wrist band when accessing the pool area and they are not in swimming lessons.
Children under 5 – must be constantly supervised and remain within arms reach of the parent / guardian. If the child is in the water, the parent / guardian must be in the water too.
Children under 10 – must be accompanied into the facility and constantly supervised by a parent / guardian. The parent / guardian must have clear, constant and direct access to the child at all times.
Class commencement
When your child / children arrive for a class you should ensure your class teacher is ready for the class to commence and invites your child to sit on the side of the pool until permission is provided to enter the water.
Class conclusion
When your child / children class time concludes you should ensure your teacher has clearly indicated to you that the lesson has concluded and invite you to collect your child from their seated position on the side of the pool.
Children New to swimming lessons
Students will feel a myriad of emotions ahead of their first swimming and water safety lesson. To make the transition is smooth:
- reassure your child that you will be with them watching the whole time
- ensure an introduction to their teacher & acknowledge the little wins along the way
- provide appropriate swimwear, plus warm clothes for after and a snack for when they finish.
Staying Informed
Parent / Guardians should monitor BARC’s Facebook page and personal emails to ensure you stay informed of any changes or updates to our program. You can also use the customer portal to view invoices, use credit to make payments, pay future invoices and or view lesson schedules.
Last minute cancellations due to teacher unavailability will sent via emails where time allows. Please ensure your contact details remain up to date at all times including your mobile number and email address.
LEARN TO SWIM TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Enrolments
From January 2025 all enrolments will now occur via our online Customer Portal.
2. Perpetual enrolments
From January 2025 all enrolments are now ongoing unless you withdraw from the program. You can only withdraw by contacting us via aquatics@sporties.com.au notifying of your intention to withdraw. Withdrawals can only occur at the end of each term and must be provided in writing by the final date of the Term (see Term dates at the top of this webpage). If you fail to notify by the withdrawal deadline, you will need to complete the upcoming term before you can withdraw from the program.
Exemptions to this clause will only be considered under extraneous circumstances i.e. serious illness with a medical certificate. Extraneous circumstances must be put into writing to aquatics@sporties.com.au and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Teachers will notify you if your child / children are ready to move up a level. On these occasions your child will be allocated their new level by the aquatics administration team. You will then be notified via email new days and times for the new level for you to choose from. Once you have replied with your preferred day and time, staff will complete the transfer in-house and you will receive a new registration form confirming the change of level, day and time. Please do not attend your new class time until you have received this confirmation.
3. Payment terms Perpetual and Course based.
All Learn to Swim payments are now via Fortnightly direct debit. You will be asked to provide your bank details upon registration.
Course based courses i.e. a 6-week block require upfront payment.
If you do not wish to re-enrol for the next Term, we kindly ask that you notify our office ASAP.
4. Cancellation and Refunds and Makeup lessons
Classes will be refunded if a teacher is unavailable. The value of your credit will be automatically applied to the next invoice due this reducing your payment.
If a class is cancelled due to teacher unavailability you will be notified via email and your class schedule on the customer portal will be updated (if time permits).
5. Makeup lessons
Perpetual only. You are eligible for 2 Makeup classes per 60 days. To be eligible for a Makeup lesson you must indicate your intention to withdraw no less than 1 hour prior to the class commencing by emailing aquatics@sporties.com.au. Alternatively, you can go on to the Customer Portal and withdrawal your child from the individual class they cannot attend.
Note: you cannot withdraw from the perpetual classes using this method. Once a valid Make up lesson is in place, you can book a class to days in advance, if you know your child’s availability.
If you need assistance to book the Makeup class, please contact the Centre.
Once you are eligible for a Makeup class you have 14 days to register for a class before it will expire.
If you intend to withdraw from the next Term, you must use all of your Make up classes within the current term before the term ends.
There is no charge for Make Up classes.
6. Non-Transferable
Lessons are non-transferable to other people/family members and cannot be converted to other products or services nor can they be rolled over to a new term.
Public Holidays
Our swim classes do not run on Public Holidays during the School Term or during Holiday periods.
7. Swimming Attire
All students who are not fully toilet trained must wear correct waterproof Aqua Nappies while in the pool. It is recommended that all students wear goggles (except babies).
8. Parental Supervision
It is a condition of entry that all children (12 years and under) must be actively supervised by a parent/guardian whilst at BARC. Children will not be signed in at Reception if a parent/guardian is absent.
You may not use mobile phones or other devices whilst your child is in a lesson and/ or in the change rooms, toilets or shower areas. Children aged six years and below who are using the changing room of the opposing gender must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. BARC has family friendly and accessible change rooms for your use in this circumstance.
BARC teaching staff have a duty of care for students for the duration of the swimming lesson. A parent or guardian must provide active supervision of their child before and after scheduled lessons. BARC is not otherwise responsible for the supervision of students outside their scheduled lesson time.
Non-member students and parents are not permitted in the pool before or after class. If you wish for your child to swim before or after class, you must purchase a swim pass from reception.
Members can access the pool after program times in accordance with the ‘Keep watch around water program’ and pool opening times.
9. Parental Supervision
Photography and video footage is not permitted while you are at BARC. On the odd occasion, swim school staff may ask permission to take photos of your child to post on Social Media platforms. If this occurs, you will be asked to sign a Media Release Form.
10. Teachers and time changes
BARC reserves the right to cancel or change classes and instructors. Students may also be moved into a different class if deemed necessary however this will be discussed with you prior to any changes being made.
We endeavour to provide you with the most consistent experience possible; however, there are occasions when lane and teacher changes are required. We strive to maintain consistency with our instructors, but sometimes changes are unavoidable.
Please be advised that we cannot guarantee instructors or class times from Term to Term. All staff undergo regular training days to improve and maintain their high level of teaching standards. Please note: refunds will not be given as a result of lane or teacher changes.
11. Waiting lists
If you are interested in a class and there is no availability you can now register online to go on the wait list. If a place within the specific class becomes available, you will be automatically notified. You must register upon receiving notification to secure your place.
12. Healthy Swimming
Steps to healthy swimming are recommended by NSW Health. Please do NOT swim if you / or your child have had diarrhoea in the past two weeks (if you are swimming with your child). Do shower and wash thoroughly.
13. Privacy Statement
BARC is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The APPs govern how we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. A copy of the APPs may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.aus
Pair your aqua sessions with some of our comprehensive group classes, including Aqua Aerobics! Follow this link to view all classes Barooga ARC has to offer.
Barooga ARC will even mind your little ones while you work out. Our friendly crèche is open every weekday to keep your infant or pre-schooler content and happy.