Frequently Asked Questions
Where are lessons offered ?
Aquazone offers swimming lessons all year round, in indoor heated pools at Newtown School, Miramar North School, Kilbirnie and Freyberg Pool. We follow the four primary school terms which are usually 10 weeks long.
How long is the swimming lesson?
All lessons at Miramar and Newtown are 30 minutes, and 45 minutes for the squads at Freyberg and Kilbirnie.
How many children in a class?
We believe in keeping class numbers small so that every swimmer receives the attention they deserve.
Infant classes : Maximum of 8 children (& their carers) per class
Preschool classes: Maximum of 4 children per class.
School age classes: Maximum of 5 children per class.
Squads: Maximum of 10 children per lane.
What is the water temperature?
The water temperature is between 32 and 34 degrees at both Newtown and Miramar.
Do you consider age or ability when determining a child’s level?
Our primary consideration in determining your child’s level in our program, is their current ability as well as previous aquatic experience. Age is a secondary consideration, in that we will attempt to match students’ ages in a class to within two years. However, we cannot guarantee this range.
Do I have to stay at the pool while my child is having their lesson?
Yes. All children should be accompanied by a parent/carer, who must stay at the venue for the duration of the lesson.
Does my child have to wear a swim cap?
All school age swimmers, and younger swimmers with long hair, are required to wear a swim cap. We have a range of caps available for purchase at the pool ($12)
What should my child wear for swimming lessons ?
Girls can wear one-piece togs and boys can wear briefs or tight fitting shorts. We request that no rash vests or baggy clothing is worn , as this creates drag and adversely affects stroke technique.
Infants, and all children not yet toilet trained need to wear an aqua nappy. (eg Huggies)
What gear will my child need for swimming lessons ?
All children in pre-school and school age level classes need to have their own pair of goggles. We have a range of goggles available for purchase at the pool. ( $15 – $25)
How do I enrol for terms / holidays swimming ?
Do you offer make-ups or credits for missed classes?
What happens if classes are cancelled?
If we cancel a class for reasons which are within our control, we will apply a credit to your account which will be deducted from your next term’s tuition.
How do I book my child for the next term?
When and how do I pay the swimming lesson for next term?
Swimming fees are required ONE WEEK BEFORE the end of the current term (Week 9) to secure your place. Payment can be made with cash or online when you receive your booking confirmation email. We do not accept Eftpos or Credit cards.
Cancellation for the following term
Cancellations received after Week 9 (one week prior the end of the current term) will be charged a $50 administration fee.
All terms and conditions are binding once the Aquazone term commences.
Please note that the lessons are non transferable.
Do you offer any discount?
We offer a 10% discount for the third family member enrolled in the same term.
Can my child join part way through a course of lessons?
Yes, we accept entrance into courses part way through – up to week 7.
Will I need to pay for a full course of lessons if my child starts part way through?
No, you will pay for the remainder of the course of lessons.
At what age should my child begin swim lessons?
We believe that children are ready to begin swim lessons any time after they are nine months old. The earlier that a child is enrolled into a learn-to-swim program the better! Children who begin swim lessons before they are one year old generally accept the water more readily than older children. Fear of the water is acquired over time. The older a child is when first beginning a learn-to-swim program, the more challenging it is to overcome any fear.
Remember, learning to swim is a life-saving skill–the best day to start lessons, was yesterday!
What if my child is scared or crying?
If your child is nervous or crying, please take a moment to chat with the instructor. Some children may suffer from separation anxiety, and this will go away as soon as the child gets to know and trust the instructor. A fear of new places may also cause a few tears, and this will also go away with time. Being afraid of the water is not uncommon in younger beginners, but the instructor will help your child adjust to the water through basic skills such as blowing bubbles, songs and games. With time, your child will be happy and successful in the water. Please be patient and allow the instructors and staff to work their magic with your child.
Should parent(s) be visible during the child’s lesson?
If the child is constantly asking for “Mummy or Daddy” throughout the lesson and if the teacher is having trouble competing for attention, it is generally best to have the parent “out of sight and out of mind” until the child begins to bond with and trust the teacher. Often, if the child thinks there is a sympathetic person close by who will “save them” from their “plight”, they will likely become melodramatic and emotionally distressed. We want parents to watch the entire lesson, but often prefer that they hide whenever their child becomes distracted by the possibility that Mom or Dad might bail them out of their situation.
Do you promote continuous year round swimming lessons?
Yes we believe in year round swim lessons because it has been proven that children learn to swim at a faster pace with consistency.
What about holiday programs ?
During the school holidays the weekly classes are suspended. However we offer an intensive 5-day course. These provide a great way of learning and gaining skills quickly over a short period of time in preparation for the next term.
Details and bookings can be found in our newsletter and website.
How quickly will my child learn how to swim?
Each child is unique and many different factors determine how quickly the child will learn to swim – the child’s developmental stage, previous experience in and around the water, as well as the child’s ability to adjust to a new environment. Please be patient and do not expect your child to make equal progress during each lesson. It is normal for a child’s learning to resemble a series of spikes and plateaus. Every child will ultimately learn to swim with proper instruction and continual support.
Please note that consistency over time is one of the keys to success. We ask that you do your best to consistently bring your child to swim class.
My child wants to do competition swimming. What is the process?
We have swim squads (45 minutes) on Saturday mornings at Freyberg pool and Mondays afternoons at Kilbirnie pool, for swimmers who have completed our program up to Hammerhead / Great White levels. We continually assess swimmers, and will offer swimmers a place when we believe that they are ready.
Aquazone offers swimming lessons all year round, in indoor heated pools at Newtown School, Miramar North School, Kilbirnie and Freyberg Pool. We follow the four primary school terms which are usually 10 weeks long.
How long is the swimming lesson?
All lessons at Miramar and Newtown are 30 minutes, and 45 minutes for the squads at Freyberg and Kilbirnie.
How many children in a class?
We believe in keeping class numbers small so that every swimmer receives the attention they deserve.
Infant classes : Maximum of 8 children (& their carers) per class
Preschool classes: Maximum of 4 children per class.
School age classes: Maximum of 5 children per class.
Squads: Maximum of 10 children per lane.
What is the water temperature?
The water temperature is between 32 and 34 degrees at both Newtown and Miramar.
Do you consider age or ability when determining a child’s level?
Our primary consideration in determining your child’s level in our program, is their current ability as well as previous aquatic experience. Age is a secondary consideration, in that we will attempt to match students’ ages in a class to within two years. However, we cannot guarantee this range.
Do I have to stay at the pool while my child is having their lesson?
Yes. All children should be accompanied by a parent/carer, who must stay at the venue for the duration of the lesson.
Does my child have to wear a swim cap?
All school age swimmers, and younger swimmers with long hair, are required to wear a swim cap. We have a range of caps available for purchase at the pool ($12)
What should my child wear for swimming lessons ?
Girls can wear one-piece togs and boys can wear briefs or tight fitting shorts. We request that no rash vests or baggy clothing is worn , as this creates drag and adversely affects stroke technique.
Infants, and all children not yet toilet trained need to wear an aqua nappy. (eg Huggies)
What gear will my child need for swimming lessons ?
All children in pre-school and school age level classes need to have their own pair of goggles. We have a range of goggles available for purchase at the pool. ( $15 – $25)
How do I enrol for terms / holidays swimming ?
- Bookings can be done through this website by clicking "Enrol online now"
- If an assessment is required to determine your child’s ability, we will contact you to arrange a time to conduct an assessment.
- During the first lesson, an enrolment form is to be completed including a signature to acknowledge the terms and conditions.
- Places are only secured once full payment has been received. We do not hold places or accept part payments.
Do you offer make-ups or credits for missed classes?
- We do not provide refunds or make-up class for missed lessons as a child’s place in a class is reserved solely for her/him during the term regardless of attendance.
- However, students who are unable to attend lessons for serious illness / injury and who provide a medical certificate, will receive a maximum of 2 credits toward the following terms fees.
- Aquazone is unable to grant refunds.
What happens if classes are cancelled?
If we cancel a class for reasons which are within our control, we will apply a credit to your account which will be deducted from your next term’s tuition.
How do I book my child for the next term?
- Existing Aquazone students are automatically re-enrolled for the following term.
- You will be issued with an invoice via email usually in Week 7 (three weeks prior to the end of the current term) that will indicate the new terms lesson day, time and fees. If you DO NOT wish to re-enrol, we ask that you kindly notify us by email or on the pool side before the end of Week 7.
- To confirm your re-enrolment, your payment must be received no later than Week 9 (one week prior to the end of the current term).
- If payment has not been received by this time, your position will be deemed vacant and offered to other applicants who are interested in securing the position.
When and how do I pay the swimming lesson for next term?
Swimming fees are required ONE WEEK BEFORE the end of the current term (Week 9) to secure your place. Payment can be made with cash or online when you receive your booking confirmation email. We do not accept Eftpos or Credit cards.
Cancellation for the following term
Cancellations received after Week 9 (one week prior the end of the current term) will be charged a $50 administration fee.
All terms and conditions are binding once the Aquazone term commences.
Please note that the lessons are non transferable.
Do you offer any discount?
We offer a 10% discount for the third family member enrolled in the same term.
Can my child join part way through a course of lessons?
Yes, we accept entrance into courses part way through – up to week 7.
Will I need to pay for a full course of lessons if my child starts part way through?
No, you will pay for the remainder of the course of lessons.
At what age should my child begin swim lessons?
We believe that children are ready to begin swim lessons any time after they are nine months old. The earlier that a child is enrolled into a learn-to-swim program the better! Children who begin swim lessons before they are one year old generally accept the water more readily than older children. Fear of the water is acquired over time. The older a child is when first beginning a learn-to-swim program, the more challenging it is to overcome any fear.
Remember, learning to swim is a life-saving skill–the best day to start lessons, was yesterday!
What if my child is scared or crying?
If your child is nervous or crying, please take a moment to chat with the instructor. Some children may suffer from separation anxiety, and this will go away as soon as the child gets to know and trust the instructor. A fear of new places may also cause a few tears, and this will also go away with time. Being afraid of the water is not uncommon in younger beginners, but the instructor will help your child adjust to the water through basic skills such as blowing bubbles, songs and games. With time, your child will be happy and successful in the water. Please be patient and allow the instructors and staff to work their magic with your child.
Should parent(s) be visible during the child’s lesson?
If the child is constantly asking for “Mummy or Daddy” throughout the lesson and if the teacher is having trouble competing for attention, it is generally best to have the parent “out of sight and out of mind” until the child begins to bond with and trust the teacher. Often, if the child thinks there is a sympathetic person close by who will “save them” from their “plight”, they will likely become melodramatic and emotionally distressed. We want parents to watch the entire lesson, but often prefer that they hide whenever their child becomes distracted by the possibility that Mom or Dad might bail them out of their situation.
Do you promote continuous year round swimming lessons?
Yes we believe in year round swim lessons because it has been proven that children learn to swim at a faster pace with consistency.
What about holiday programs ?
During the school holidays the weekly classes are suspended. However we offer an intensive 5-day course. These provide a great way of learning and gaining skills quickly over a short period of time in preparation for the next term.
Details and bookings can be found in our newsletter and website.
How quickly will my child learn how to swim?
Each child is unique and many different factors determine how quickly the child will learn to swim – the child’s developmental stage, previous experience in and around the water, as well as the child’s ability to adjust to a new environment. Please be patient and do not expect your child to make equal progress during each lesson. It is normal for a child’s learning to resemble a series of spikes and plateaus. Every child will ultimately learn to swim with proper instruction and continual support.
Please note that consistency over time is one of the keys to success. We ask that you do your best to consistently bring your child to swim class.
My child wants to do competition swimming. What is the process?
We have swim squads (45 minutes) on Saturday mornings at Freyberg pool and Mondays afternoons at Kilbirnie pool, for swimmers who have completed our program up to Hammerhead / Great White levels. We continually assess swimmers, and will offer swimmers a place when we believe that they are ready.
