Helping students feel safer and more confident in the water
Semester 2 4 August – 4 September
Spending time at the beach and enjoying water activities is a big part of life in Sydney. But if you didn’t grow up around water or haven’t had the chance to learn these skills, it can feel overwhelming.
The Watersafe Program is designed to help you feel more confident in the water, connect with others, and learn about Australia’s beach and water culture in a safe and supportive environment.
This free program is proudly delivered by the University of Sydney & Sydney Uni Sport. It includes:
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5 x 45-minute sessions with a qualified instructor
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Swimming and water safety skills
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Beach safety education
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The chance to meet new people and build life skills that support your wellbeing
- Stay Safe: learn and practice the necessary skills for water familiarity and confidence
- Whole body workout: with many physical and mental health benefits
- Fun and social: swimming is a great way to keep fit and make friends
- Merchandise rewards for 100% attendance
- Beach preparedness: become familiar with beach safety and weather conditions
- Experience Sydney’s beautiful coastline
Semester 2 Sessions to be advised.
Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre, Corner of Darlington Rd and Codrington St, Darlington.
- This program is only open to current University of Sydney students
- It is not available to students who have previously completed the Watersafe Program.
- As places are limited, we expect full attendance or active observation at all sessions.
- The program is designed for students with little or no swimming experience – no prior swim skills are required.
- You will need to register into one of two levels : Level 1, Water Basics or Level 2, Swim Foundations
- You may book one class.
- No makeups are available
- No wait list is available
- Only one change of class is offered.
- Semester 1 Block 2, from 16 April (28 April start)
- Semester 2 Block 3, From 23 July (4 August start)
Level 1 – Water Basics
- For adults with little or no swimming experience
- You will learn:
- How to get in and out of the pool safely
- How to float on your front and back
- How to put your face in the water and breathe
- How to kick your legs in the water
- How to tread water (stay in one place while floating)
Level 2 – Swim Foundations
For adults who feel more comfortable in water – Time to start learning to swim!
- You will learn:
- Freestyle (front crawl) and backstroke
- How to keep your body straight in the water
- How to breathe correctly (turning your head)
- How to kick strongly to move forward
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Create one (1) profile only.
If you already have a Sydney Uni Sport profile, do not create another. -
Log in and navigate to:
Activity Registration > Swim Program > Watersafe -
Select one (1) level and one (1) class only:
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Level 1 – Water Basics OR
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Level 2 – Swim Foundations
(This will enrol you in all 5 sessions.)
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- Read and Agree to Terms and Conditions by checking the box
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Proceed to checkout to complete your registration.
(There will be no charge – $0.00.) -
Check your email for your usyd email for confirmation.
I can already swim, is there a program for me?
Yes! Our Beach Ocean Safety Program is for students who can:
You will have to demonstrate successful completion of the following skills at the proficiency session in the pool:
- Float for 2 minutes.
- Swim 100m swim in 4.00 minutes (any stroke).
- Treading water for 30 seconds.
- Retrieve objects from the bottom of pool.
- Hold breath for 10 secs under the water
This comprehensive program runs over 3 weekends in November at Coogee Beach & Surf Lifesaving Club. Registrations open for this program here in October










