Tadpoles

Beginning from approximately 6 months of age, our Tadpoles program is the perfect first step into independent swimming. Across two levels of progression, children build water safety skills, confidence, and age-appropriate swimming abilities. Tadpoles learn to:

• Submerge and blow bubbles
• Float on their own without support
• Kick through the water with growing strength
• Begin dog paddle and transition towards freestyle

The focus is on having fun while developing strong foundations. Once confident and capable, Tadpoles are ready to graduate into our Fish classes for the next stage of their swimming journey.

Fish Level

Our Fish program takes swimmers through three levels of progression, building confidence and developing the essential techniques needed for independent swimming. With close support from their instructor, children focus on laying strong foundations while learning correct stroke skills.

In Fish classes, children will:

• Develop freestyle and backstroke techniques
• Learn to coordinate arm and leg actions with breathing
• Strengthen kicking and body position
• Build towards swimming short distances independently

This program gives children the skills and confidence to become capable, independent swimmers, preparing them to advance into our Octopus level.

Octopus Level

In our Octopus level, children swim independently with guidance from instructors both in and out of the water. At this stage, swimmers confidently cover distances of around 10 metres while continuing to refine technique and build endurance.

In Octopus classes, children will:

• Strengthen freestyle and backstroke skills
• Be introduced to breaststroke and survival backstroke
• Improve breathing, coordination, and body position
• Continue developing water safety awareness and independence

With growing confidence and stamina, Octopus swimmers are well prepared to progress into our Dolphin level.

Dolphin Level

In our Dolphin level, children continue to swim independently with guidance from instructors both in and out of the water. Swimmers extend their distances well beyond 10 metres, focusing on refining technique and building greater endurance.

In Dolphin classes, children will:

• Further develop freestyle and backstroke with improved efficiency
• Strengthen breaststroke and survival backstroke skills
• Be introduced to butterfly technique
• Enhance breathing, coordination, and body position
• Advance their water safety knowledge and independence

The Dolphin level develops strong, capable swimmers with the confidence, stamina, and skills to progress into our Shark level.

Shark Level

Our Shark program is designed for advanced swimmers, with two levels of progression that focus on stroke technique, strength, and endurance. Children continue to refine their skills in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, survival backstroke, butterfly, and side stroke.

As swimmers progress, they build the ability to swim longer distances, starting from 17 metres, advancing to 25 metres, and eventually reaching 50 metres in each stroke.

The Sharks program develops confident, strong, and versatile swimmers, preparing them for squad or competitive swimming and further advanced skill development.

Squad Swimming

Our Squad program is designed for swimmers who want to develop strength, fitness, and endurance while refining their competitive skills. Focused on the four main strokes — freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly — students also learn:

• Starts, finishes, and tumble turns
• Relay techniques
• Competitive swimming rules

Each semester, we run time trials to track progress and celebrate the development of our squad members. Squad swimming also complements other sports, helping children increase overall fitness, stamina, and athletic performance.

This program prepares swimmers for competition while continuing to build confidence, technique, and a lifelong love of swimming.

School Holiday Intensive Program

During the first week of each school holiday, Sweeney’s Swim School runs a week-long intensive swim program designed to give children a concentrated boost in their swimming skills. Each lesson is 45 minutes long, and children swim Monday to Friday, allowing for consistent practice and rapid improvement.

Our Holiday Intensive Program is perfect for:

• New swimmers looking to kick-start their swimming journey
• Current swimmers who want to fast-track their progress or refine their technique
• Children who benefit from focused, daily lessons to build confidence and water safety skills

In just one week, swimmers gain the advantage of repeated practice, helping them improve their:

• Stroke technique for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and more
• Breathing, coordination, and body positioning
• Endurance and overall water confidence
• Understanding of water safety and independence in the pool

With small, supportive class sizes, each child receives quality attention from our instructors, ensuring progress while keeping the lessons fun and engaging. The Holiday Intensive Program is a great way to keep children active, motivated, and prepared for the next stage of their swimming journey.