Kids & Adult Lessons | Learn to Swim at Sydney Uni
Sydney Uni Swim School offers kids and adult swimming lessons in Sydney, including Learn to Swim, stroke correction, holiday intensives, recreational squads and junior competitive pathways in a heated indoor 50m pool.
Looking for swimming lessons in Sydney, the Inner West, South Sydney or the Eastern Suburbs? Sydney Uni Swim School offers high-quality Learn to Swim classes, junior swimming lessons, adult Learn to Swim, stroke correction and clear swimming pathways for all ages and abilities.
Located at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre on the University of Sydney’s Darlington Campus, our program is delivered in a heated 50-metre indoor Olympic pool, providing a safe, consistent and welcoming environment all year round.
Our swimming programs include:
- Learn to Swim classes for children aged 3+
- Adult Learn to Swim
- Adult stroke correction
- Holiday Intensive Swim Programs
- Junior recreational squads
- Junior competitive and age group squads
- Pathway options for swimmers wanting fitness, confidence, stroke development or further progression
Our Learn to Swim pathway helps swimmers move from water confidence and early swimming skills through to stronger strokes, stamina, safety and independent swimming.
We offer free swimming assessments to help place swimmers in the right level, so they can start with confidence and progress at the right pace.
Whether you are enrolling a child who is new to the water, a junior swimmer improving technique, or an adult wanting to learn to swim or refine your strokes, Sydney Uni Swim School provides a clear pathway to help every swimmer become safe, capable and confident in the water.
Our lessons are delivered by qualified swim instructors who focus on safe progress, clear feedback and plenty of time in the water.
Children learn in a supportive environment where technique, confidence and water safety are developed together. Small class sizes allow instructors to give swimmers individual attention while keeping lessons active and engaging.
All instructors hold current CPR certification and complete ongoing training to support consistent, high-quality teaching.
Families also have access to on-deck warm showers and family change rooms for added comfort and convenience
PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE: LEARN TO SWIM
Our Learn to Swim pathway is designed to build safe, confident and capable swimmers at every stage. Each level has a clear purpose, progressing from water confidence and early independent swimming through to stronger stroke development, stamina, control and real-life water safety.
Students are graded regularly throughout the term with feedback and enrolment available through our parent portal.
JOIN SYDNEY UNI SWIMMING CLUB
Swimmers from Level 5 and above, along with their parents, are encouraged to join Sydney Uni Swimming Club (SUSC).
Club membership gives developing swimmers the opportunity to experience competitive swimming in a welcoming and supportive environment. Monthly race meets help swimmers improve their skills, build confidence and work towards personal best times.
Participating in club meets can also help swimmers prepare for:
- School swimming carnivals
- Zone and Area competitions
- Speedo Sprint Series events
- Metropolitan, State and National Championships
Our Performance Centre and Varsity swimmers regularly attend club meets, providing valuable encouragement, mentoring and inspiration for younger swimmers.
Club meets are relaxed, friendly and suitable for swimmers who are new to racing. They are also a great way for swimmers and families to connect with the Sydney Uni swimming community and make new friends.
Eligible swimmers may attend one free Saturday afternoon club meet and enter up to five races before joining.
For membership information, contact [email protected].
View an example club meet program.
COMPETITIVE & RECREATIONAL SWIM SQUADS
Our Junior Squad Program supports both recreational and competitive swimmers as they progress beyond learn to swim lessons.
Swimmers move through a structured pathway of Mini , Development, Challenge and SwimFit squads, building stroke technique, fitness, confidence and training skills. SwimFit is available for swimmers aged 13 years and over.
Our Performance Squads are designed for committed swimmers aged 8 to 18 who train multiple times each week and compete for Sydney Uni Swimming.
Performance swimmers may compete at Area, Metropolitan, State and National swimming championships, with coaching focused on technique, race skills, fitness and long-term athlete development.
SCHOOL SWIMMING PROGRAMS
Our school swimming programs cater for students of all ages and abilities, from beginners learning to feel safe and confident in the water through to experienced swimmers developing stroke technique, fitness and squad skills.
Programs are delivered in small groups with low student-to-instructor ratios. This gives students more individual attention, safer supervision and more active swimming time in every lesson.
School programs can include:
- Water confidence and basic swimming skills
- Learn to swim instruction
- Stroke correction and development
- Water safety and survival skills
- Squad-style training for stronger swimmers
School swimming programs are available in Terms 1 and 4 at the Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre.
SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL HIRE IN SYDNEY
Sydney Uni Swimming can host and manage your school’s annual swimming carnival at the Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre.
Our experienced team can assist with event entries, race programming, carnival coordination and full race-day delivery, helping schools run a smooth, safe and well-organised event.
We work with primary and secondary schools to create swimming carnivals that are efficient, enjoyable and tailored to each school’s needs.
For more information about school swimming carnival bookings or school swimming programs, please contact us by email.
Daily Lessons. Lasting Progress
Holiday intensive swimming programs give children the opportunity to build confidence, improve technique and make faster progress through daily swimming lessons.
By attending lessons on consecutive days, swimmers can reinforce new skills while they are still fresh, helping them develop stronger technique, better water confidence and greater consistency in the pool.
Holiday swimming programs are ideal for:
- Building water confidence
- Improving swimming technique
- Strengthening freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly skills
- Preparing for school swimming carnivals
- Supporting progression to the next learn to swim level
- Maintaining swimming skills during the school holidays
Intensive swimming lessons are suitable for both beginner and experienced swimmers and provide a focused, structured way to improve skills over a shorter period.
Programs are delivered by qualified instructors in small groups, giving swimmers more individual attention, active practice time and support throughout each lesson.
Private holiday swimming lessons are also available and are particularly popular. Places are limited and often book out early, so early enrolment is recommended
2026 Spring Holiday Intensive Swim Program Timetable TBA
2025 – classes do not run on public holidays
Term 1 Monday 2 February – Thursday 2nd April
Term 2 Monday 20 April – Sunday 5 July
Term 3 Monday 20 July – Sunday 27 September
Term 4 Monday 12 October – Sunday 19 December
No Swimming Lessons – Friday 12 December
There will be no swimming lessons on Friday 12 December due to the Sydney Uni Sport Christmas Party.
Friday classes will run for nine weeks this term, and families will not be charged for the cancelled lesson on 12 December.
SWIM SCHOOL PROGRAM SAFETY & SUPERVISION
To provide a safe, enjoyable and well-organised experience, the following procedures apply to all Sydney Uni Sport school swimming programs.
Entry and Attendance
Students must use their member or student card to self-swipe when entering the facility. This supports accurate attendance records and helps us account for participants in an emergency.
Illness and Exclusion
Students should not attend swimming lessons when they are unwell. This includes fever, cold or flu symptoms, a persistent cough or nasal discharge.
Pool Use and Student Behaviour
Sydney Uni Sport operates as a lap swimming and structured programs facility. Recreational free play is not permitted before or after school swimming lessons.
Students must follow all staff instructions while on the pool deck and in the water.
Parent and Carer Supervision
Parents and carers remain responsible for supervising students before and after lessons, including during arrival, departure and changeroom use.
Changeroom Use
To support child safety, privacy and appropriate supervision, children aged seven years and over must use the gender-specific changeroom that applies to them.
Family changerooms are available for students and families who require:
- Additional privacy
- Support with younger children
- Disability access
- Assistance for a child who is not yet comfortable changing independently
These procedures help us maintain a safe and supportive environment for every student participating in our school swimming programs.
Champions in and out of the water
Sydney Uni Swimming Club has a proud history of developing swimmers from grassroots through to elite level.
The club provides a positive, supportive team environment where swimmers can race, improve, set personal goals and build lifelong friendships. Whether swimmers are new to racing or aiming for State and National competition, SUSC offers a pathway to grow in confidence, skill and commitment.
Notable athletes who have represented Sydney Uni Swimming Club include Elka Graham, Brett Hawke, Chris Fydler, Matt Dunn, Scott Miller, Phil Rogers and William Yang.
Our Vision
To empower young people to be champions in and out of the water — for life.
We value effort, teamwork, sportsmanship and personal improvement. Our aim is to help swimmers enjoy their sport, challenge themselves and feel part of a strong club community.
Who Can Join?
Sydney Uni Swimming Club welcomes:
- Swimmers aged 5 years and over
- New swimmers wanting to try racing
- Swimmers competing at club, area, state or national level
- Families looking for a supportive club environment
New swimmers may attend up one trial club meet before committing to membership.
Club Meets
Club meets are held throughout the year and are a fun, low-pressure way for swimmers to experience racing.
Club meets are usually:
- held monthly
- run on Saturday afternoons
- suitable for new and experienced swimmers
- a great introduction to competitive swimming
- a chance to practice racing skills and build confidence
Membership Fees
2025–2026 Season
Valid 1 October – 30 September
- $125 — Swimmers under 18
- $100 — Swimmers 18 and over
- $50 — Non-swimmers, including parents and guardians
Family discounts are available for additional members.
What Membership Includes
Membership includes:
- Registration with Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia
- Access to SUSC club meets
- Access to Swimming NSW-sanctioned competitions
- Club communications, meet entries and results through Swim Central
- Inclusion in Metro South East Sydney Area swimming activities
How to Join or Express Interest
Families are welcome to attend a free trial meet before joining.
To register your interest, email:
Memberships and meet entries are managed through Swim Central.
1. How do I log into the booking portal?
Visit the booking portal via the Book Now button above, or go directly to:
https://susf.perfectmind.com/Menu/MemberRegistration/MemberSignIn
Log in using the email address provided at registration. Contact us if you have any issues accessing your account.
2. Do I need to re-enrol each term?
No. Enrolments automatically roll over each term.
To change class times, email us or call 9351 8735 during business hours. Weekend phone support is available 9am–12pm.
3. What are the enrolment terms?
Enrolments are for a minimum 10-week term with flexible fortnightly payments.
See the Term Dates & Timetables tab for current dates.
4. What payment methods are accepted?
We accept:
- Credit cards with a line of credit
- Direct bank account payments using BSB and account number
Debit cards and American Express are not accepted and may result in rejection fees.
5. How does payment work?
Payments are processed by direct debit. Full billing terms are provided at registration.
You can update payment details and view invoices through the Invoice section of your account.
6. How do I cancel my child’s enrolment?
Email us at least 2 weeks before the end of term if your child is not continuing.
Without written notice, enrolment and billing will automatically continue into the next term.
7. How do I check my child’s lesson schedule?
Log in to your Family Account, select your child, then click Schedule.
Use the Family Account view to see schedules for multiple swimmers.
8. How do I log a planned absence?
Log in to your child’s schedule, select the lesson date, and click Withdraw.
This records an absence only. It does not cancel enrolment.
Absences must be logged at least 1 hour before the lesson to receive a makeup credit.
9. How do I book a makeup lesson?
Log in to the portal and browse available makeup lesson options.
Each swimmer receives 2 complimentary makeup lessons per term. Changing a booked makeup lesson still counts toward the term total.
10. How do I view my child’s progress?
In your Family Account, go to Levels, then select Skill Assessment.
11. My child has received a promotion notice. What happens next?
Log in to your portal and view available classes:
Activity Registration > Swim Program > Learn to Swim
Filter by time, day or instructor, then email or call us to finalise the class change.
12. Can I book the Holiday Program online?
Yes. Holiday Program bookings are completed through the portal and require upfront payment.
New swimmers must have a level assigned before booking.
13. Can I get a private health insurance statement?
Yes. Statements are available through your Family Account at the end of each term.
14. How do I update my payment details?
Log in to your profile and:
- Go to Finance Info
- Click the purple NEW button
- Select Credit or EFT/ACH Bank Account
- Mark as default and share with account
- Enter your details and click Save
- Email Swim School to confirm your payment details are correctly set up
15. Who can I contact for help?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 9351 8735
Or speak to our team at the front desk.
For general enquiries, administration can be contacted on 9351 8735, via email on [email protected], or in person between 3:30pm – 6:00pm Monday to Friday and between 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday and Sundays.
We ask that parents not approach teachers or coaches while they are conducting lessons. Our Swim School Receptionists or Deck Supervisors are ready to help with any enquires or concerns you may have. Squad coaches can be contacted via email to arrange an appointment to discuss any issues or concerns.
Click here for the Swimming Australia Behavioural Guidelines.
Kellie Warren
General Manager, Swimming & Aquatics
[email protected]
Annie Mulligan
Learn to Swim Coordinator
[email protected]
Luke Parkes
Junior and Emerging Talent Coach & Varsity Coach
Anton Nikulin
National and State Squad Coach
[email protected]
Paul Bruce
Elite Athlete Program/ Head Coach
How to Plan an Absence & Book a Make-Up
Follow these steps to mark a swimmer absent and secure a make-up lesson.
Free 1 hr parking directly outside Sports and Aquatic Centre
Paid parking area directly opposite Centre : $4/hr before 5PM, after 5PM and weekends free
Paid street parking $4 per hour Abercrombie St, and The Maze (off Butlin Rd)
Shepherd St Car Park (near Seymour Centre)