Swimming lessons

Swimming is a great sport and recreation skill for all ages. It can provide a lifetime of safe water-based activities with family and friends.

At Stirling Leisure Centres, we believe that learning to swim is essential to everyday life in WA. With our beaches, pools and lakes, it is vital that both children and adults can swim confidently and safely.

Lessons are available at all three City of Stirling aquatic centres:

  • Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre - Inglewood
  • Leisurepark Balga
  • Scarborough Beach Pool.

Learn to swim at Stirling Leisure Centres

Stirling Leisure Centres Learn to Swim Program is an ongoing program, offering one lesson per week and full pool access for the enrolled student at their centre. The ongoing program allows us to tailor the program to the student’s needs while maintaining a high standard of instruction. Our lessons follow the Royal Life Saving Society WA program for school aged children and our teachers are committed to the student’s development. Once enrolled, payments are made every four weeks, or fortnightly by direct debit.

  • Scarborough offers Aquababies and preschool classes from October to April; levels one to 14, squads and Adults run October to July. 
  • Balga offers lessons for 50 weeks of the year in the heated indoor pool facilities
  • Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre - Inglewood offers lessons for 50 weeks of the year in the heated indoor pool facilities, during summer month some additional classes may be scheduled in the outdoor pool facilities, pending available pool space.  

Learn to Swim will not run on WA recognised Public Holidays, or over the Easter Break, Friday to Monday inclusive. Lessons will be credited accordingly. 

Learn to Swim will take a short two-week break from Monday 18 December 2023, recommencing on Tuesday 2 January 2024. Members can still gain access to the pools over Christmas and New Year as part of their membership.

Please view the Learn to Swim Terms and Conditions for information on suspension options throughout the year.

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Our locations

FacilityAddress
Stirling Leisure Centres - Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre - Inglewood62 Alexander Drive, Inglewood WA 6052
Stirling Leisure Centres - Leisurepark BalgaCorner of Princess Rd and Camberwell Rd, Balga WA 6061
Stirling Leisure Centres - Scarborough Beach Pool171 The Esplanade, Scarborough WA 6019
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Our programs

Aquababies

Morning classes for parents and babies aged 6 to 36 months to introduce your little one to the joy of swimming.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
Turtles (6 to 12 months)

First introduction to swimming lessons with a parent, learning safe entry and exits into water.

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Penguins (12 to 24 months)Progressing to be a little more independent, learning how to float on front and back, kicking and splashing.View classes and enrolView classes and enrolView classes and enrol
Platypus (24 months to 3 years)More independent in the water. Jumping in, floating, climbing out safely, swimming short distances all while under close parent supervision. View classes and enrolView classes and enrolView classes and enrol
Sharks (30 months to 3 years)

For students who have completed Platypus skills and are ready to start preparing for independent lessons, practicing independent skills with parents in the water. Students in this class will transition to Minnows when they turn 3, or if they achieve all skills in Sharks, they can advance to Barracuda upon assessment.

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Preschool

Preschool programs are for children from three years old until they turn six years old.

This is the foundation phase, as young swimmers develop water awareness, confidence and independence in a class without a parent. Children will progress through basic floating and recovery in the Minnows group to being able to swim 10 metres of freestyle in Orca. The basics of rescues and water safety sequences are also taught.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
MinnowsThe first independent lesson for children aged 3 and above. Students will learn safe entry & exit, how to submerge with eyes open and pick up toys from bottom. Key skills are independent front and back float.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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BarracudaChildren will advance their skills to submerging their whole body, eyes open and exhaling. Extending the back and front float into a glide and recovering; front and back torpedoes.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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YabbieIn this level they will learn to submerge the whole body with confidence in deeper water; retrieve an object; demonstrate back and front float unassisted along with back and front torpedo over 3m.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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CrocodileChildren will be starting to learn basic freestyle stroke, sitting dive and deep-water skills such as falling in forwards and backwards, recovering and monkey along the wall.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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DolphinFreestyle will be extended to include breathing over 5m; Learn survival skills of treading water with a sculling hand action; along with assisted sitting dive and beginner breaststroke kick.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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OrcaOrca is equal to level 3 and children will consolidate their skills ready for School aged level.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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School aged

School aged programs are for children who have turned six years old, until they turn 16 years old.

RLSS Swim and Survive levels one - 14.

All our school-age lessons follow the Royal Lifesaving Society’s swimming program. Swimmers will progress through the levels from beginners, to becoming competent and safe swimmers. Once they have mastered their swimming strokes they will work on more complex rescue skills and initiatives that can lead to them becoming safer around water.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
Level 1

Complete beginner will learn how to submerge and recover; float on their front and back confidently; and how to enter and exit the water safely.

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Level 2Working on Level 1 skills, swimmers will extend glides and move towards learning freestyle and backstroke.   Safety Skills including the Aqua code.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 3Level 3 provides and introduction to freestyle breathing over 10m, breaststroke kick on back (not frog kick) and how to gain support using small hand actions. View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 4Progressing to deep water swimming, students learn  Freestyle covering 15m, Backstroke and survival backstroke 10m each. Recovering objects by surface dives and moving through water using small hand actions are also taught.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 5

Swimming distance advances to 25m freestyle, 15m backstroke, survival back stroke, and breaststroke using correct technique.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 6Technique and distance improve, freestyle 50m, breaststroke, backstroke survival backstroke 25m. Demonstrate save dive entry.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 7Class duration is extended to a 45-minute session to work on strengthening techniques and increasing total distance to 150m.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 8Class duration is extended to a 60-minute session to work on, learning sidestroke and dolphin kick; ability to swim 200m continuously using all 4 strokes with correct technique.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 9Class duration is extended to a 60-minute session to work on, swimming up to 300m continuously, learn tumble turns, basic CPR, non-contact rescues and safe water practices.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 10Learn how to swim in clothing while maintaining technique, develop land-based rescues further and how to respond to an emergency.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 11Continue to improve stroke technique and endurance, learn body orientation in deep water and rescuing a person close to the edge.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 12Safe entries and exits from deeper water, develop personal survival skills and how to manage more complex rescues.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 13A combined class - Continue to advance swimming skills, learn about personal hazards and dangers in different water bodies; how to assess an emergency and plan the safest rescue strategy.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Level 14

Squads

The squad program is available to students who have passed Level 9, or have a current enrolment in a Level 9 class working to achieve these skills.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
MarlinsSquad program for those who wish to concentrate on improving technique and endurance. Learn to swim further, faster, and for longer.View classes and enrolView classes and enrolView classes and enrol

 

Adults

Adult programs are for those who are 16 year and older.

Do you feel you are missing on family fun at the beach or pool because you have never had the opportunity to learn how to swim? Our classes start from beginners and go through to squad swimmers.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
Adult 1 - Complete beginnersComplete beginner - learn how to enter and exit, float on front and back, working towards basic strokes.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

View classes and enrol

 

Adult 2 - Can swim 10 to 15 metres of each strokeBegin to develop stroke technique treading water and basic water safety. Start swimming in deeper water.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Adult 3 - Can swim up to 25 metres of each strokeDevelop endurance and stroke technique with a goal of swimming 150m continuously. Learn basic rescues and surface dives.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Adult 4 - Stroke development and safety techniquesDevelop stroke technique and endurance to swim up to 800m continuously; advanced safety, survival, and rescue techniques.View classes and enrolView classes and enrol

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Junior lifeguard club

Prerequisite: passed RLSS Level 12.

JLC is an ongoing program for students who wish to learn advanced survival skills, rescues, safety techniques and develop awareness of community services and emergency procedures. Students can also prepare to go onto other aquatic activities and work towards gaining the Bronze Medallion and move into lifeguarding.

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodScarborough
Junior Lifeguard ClubJLC provides a unique swimming and aquatic alternative for those who love the water and want more than just lessons topics - Community education, fitness, competition, swimming skills, leadership and teamwork and lifesaving knowledge.View classes and enrol

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Pool to beach

Beaches and swimming pools are a huge part of the Western Australian lifestyle. Scarborough Beach Pool's iconic beachfront location is the perfect setting for students to learn about controlled and natural open water swimming environments. We believe ensuring your child can swim safely and competently in both environments is vital.

LevelClass descriptionScarborough
Pool to beach

Saturday mornings only.

Students will be guided through a comprehensive safety brief each week, comprising of: surf negotiation, safety drills, rescues, strokes, fitness drills and survival skills.

Learn how to:

  • Navigate rips, tides and rocks
  • Navigate troughs and sandbars
  • Improve your open water endurance
  • Negotiate waves and how to return to the beach safely
  • Surf survival and self-rescue skills

Frequently asked questions 

Program to commence 13 January 2024.

Please submit your expression of interest by emailing: programsupervisors@stirling.wa.gov.au with the students, name, age and current level.

Students must have passed Level 9 OR Adult 2 to be eligible for this program

Special Needs

At Stirling Leisure Centres we believe that everyone should have access to swimming lessons regardless of their ability.

Contact our Learn to Swim Team on programsupervisors@stirling.wa.gov.au to fill in a special needs questionnaire form. From there, we will work with the parents and swimmers to arrange the right teacher, time and day for swimming lessons.

Special needs lessons are available by appointment only and are not offered at Scarborough Beach Pool.

Free assessment

If you are not sure which level you or your child should be enrolled in, you can sign up for a free assessment and our staff will observe specific skills to help determine which level is the best to enrol in. 

LevelClass descriptionInglewoodBalgaScarborough
Free assessmentA quick assessment with one of our friendly deck attendants to help you know which level is going to be the best fit.Find a time and bookFind a time and bookFind a time and book

Swimming lesson prices

Monday to Sunday classes30 minute lesson60 minute lesson
Off-peak (larger class size on off-peak days and times)$12.50 per lesson$14.00 per lesson
Peak (smaller class size on peak days and times)$16.50 per lesson$18.50 per lesson

What is peak and off peak?

Peak and Off Peak pricing means we are able to deliver classes at times when the facility is quieter for a cheaper price whilst maintaining our excellent standard of teaching. Peak classes for preschool and school aged classes are slightly smaller in capacity.

Peak and off-peak times vary throughout the week and are shown on the tables below. There's no need to worry though, when you enrol the correct rate is automatically applied for you.

Aquababies, preschool and school aged - weekdays
Time of dayWeekdays
8.00am - 9.00amOff peak
9.30am - 11.00amPeak
11.30am - 2.30pmOff peak
3.30pm - 4.00pmOff peak
4.00pm - 5.30pmPeak
6.00pm - 7.30pmOff peak

Aquababies, preschool and school aged - weekends

Time of dayWeekends
7.30am - 8.00amOff peak
8.30am - 11.30amPeak
12.00 noon - 2.30pmOff peak
Adults - weekdays
Time of dayMonday - Friday
8:00am - 11.30amOff peak
5.00pm - 7.30pmPeak
Adults - weekends
Time of daySaturday and Sunday

8:30am - 11.30am

Peak

12.00 noon - 2.30pm

Off peak

Parents supervise, lifeguards save lives

Even though lifeguards are on duty at public pools, parents still have a crucial role to play in the supervision of children while visiting these facilities. It’s not about shifting responsibility, it’s about having both parents and lifeguards working together to keep children safe.

FAQs

Where can I find a timetable of lessons?

Our Learn to Swim program operates Monday to Sunday at all aquatics sites listed above. 

Available days and times are displayed on the link below, you can also enrol using the same link by following the prompts.

See timetable and enrol

Do you provide make up lessons?

We do not offer make-up lessons for missed classes, but the Learn to Swim enrolment includes complimentary access for swimming recreational swimming and practice whenever you would like at your chosen aquatic centre.

Can I pay cash for lessons?

Unfortunately we do not offer a cash payment option. Our direct debit system will take a payment every 4 weeks or fortnightly from a nominated credit or debit card, or bank account. You can choose your payment frequency upon enrolment. 

How can I contact City of Stirling Learn to Swim staff?

 To speak to a member of our friendly team, you can email programsupervisors@stirling.wa.gov.au or call your chosen facility reception.

How do I know which level my child should be in?

You can use the tables above to help work out where your child belongs. We also offer complimentary assessments to determine your child's level based on their current skills and ability. You can sign up for an assessment in the "Free assessment" dropdown above. 

When is the students swimming ability assessed?

As we run an ongoing Learn to Swim program, assessments are ongoing each week by the instructors. The Learn to Swim program will have a formal assessment week every 5 weeks. If a student is ready to progress to the next level prior to a formal assessment week, you will be notified through the online portal. Students progress can be checked via the member portal. 

View the calendar here

Where will my lesson be?

Upon enrolment, you will receive details regarding your lesson day, time and location. 

How can I cancel my / my child’s swimming lessons?

To cancel swimming lessons, please email our memberships team at: memberships@stirling.wa.gov.au  

Cancellation requests are required 1 week prior to the next direct debit payment.

Clients can continue to use the centre until all prepaid classes have expired, remaining classes will not be credited or refunded.

For more information, please view our Learn to Swim Terms and Conditions.

How can I become a swimming instructor?

The City of Stirling is looking for friendly and dedicated people for casual Learn to Swim positions at Stirling Leisure Centres:

Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre – Inglewood, Leisurepark Balga, Scarborough Beach Pool

  • Free Instructor Course through RLSSA (eligibility criteria applies)
  • Flexible hours
  • Free gym membership
  • Paid Professional Development.

If you’re interested in becoming a Swimming Instructor, we’d love to hear from you! Contact programsupervisors@stirling.wa.gov.au for more information.

Keen to get started?

Check to see if you meet the eligibility criteria for a free Swim Teacher course through Royal Life Saving Australia!

Eligibility for FREE enrolment:

Persons aged 16 – 24 years (please note, must be at least 16 and 9 months), who are not enrolled in school, at the time of enrolment.

View full eligibility.

We can help you complete your practical hours and provide training in time for summer!

To commence practical hours:

  • RLSSA / AUSTSWIM Proof of Theory Completion
  • Valid CPR Certificate
  • Valid Working with Children Check
  • Valid Police Clearance (three months)

To apply for employment:

  • RLSSA / Swim Australia / AUSTSWIM Teaching Accreditation
  • Valid CPR Certificate
  • Valid Working with Children Check
  • Valid Police Clearance (three months)
  • Valid First Aid Certificate
  • Driver's licence/birth certificate/passport
  • Resume
  • Contact details for 2x referees
  • Weekend (8.30am – 1.00pm) and Afternoon (3.00pm – 6.00pm) availability.
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My child/I have passed my current level, what happens now?

Lessons are not automatically cancelled upon passing a level.

When students pass their level, an automated email will be sent with directions to view the certificate via the online portal. Select Courses > Active enrolment > View progress > Download certificate.

Please visit the online portal to move to the next level. Select Courses > Active Enrolment > Progress Level > Choose new class, day and time. (Don't select new enrolment.) 

If a suitable day/time is not available when changing levels, we encourage students to continue their current level to keep up their skills until a space in the desired lesson becomes available.

For more information, please view our Learn to Swim Terms and Conditions.