Learn to Swim Programmes
Classes are ability based (therefore somewhat age based) with children progressing through levels as they achieve milestones.
Our focus is on giving children confidence in the water ensuring we produce, safe, confident and competent swimmers. Correct technique is taught allowing children to achieve their goal in each level before progressing to the next.
The classes are designed so children have fun, ensuring they enjoy the lessons and want to come back week after week to learn more!
To book* your child into a class:
Choose the level that you think best suits their ability (they must be able to do everything listed in that level)
We generally assess your child prior to placing them in a class, please contact us for an assessment time.
For your assessment, please bring your child changed, with cap and googles and be ready poolside at your allocated time. This will take between 5-10 mins.
Dolphin Academy Programme Levels
Pre School Programmes 3+**
For pre-school children who are not confident and are a beginner in the water.
(please note these classes are taken in the big pool which is 0.9m at the shallow end. Platforms are used)
*Water temperature in this pool is 29 degrees
1:3 Ratio
For pre-school children who can blow bubbles, float (aided) on front and back and regain their footing, and can go underwater.
(please note these classes are taken in the big pool which is 0.9m at the shallow end. Platforms are used)
*Water temperature in this pool is 29 degrees
1:3 Ratio
School Age Programmes 5+
Maui
For school age children who are not confident and are a beginner in the water.
1:4 Ratio
Hector
For children who can blow bubbles, float (aided) on front and back and regain their footing, and can go underwater.
1:4 Ratio
Dusky
For children who can go underwater to the bottom of the pool, starfish float on back and front, streamline glide and are learning to freestyle and back stroke with a board and assistance
1:4 Ratio
Aihe
For children who can kick unassisted with a board, streamline kick, unassisted freestyle and backstroke for 5-10m.
1:5 Ratio
Bottlenose
For children who can freestyle and back stroke breathing on both sides for 10-15m who can breaststroke kick.
1:5 Ratio
Spinner
For children who can freestyle and backstroke 25m, breaststroke for 10-15m understand breaststroke arms and have an understanding of tumble turns.
1:6 Ratio
Pilot
For children who can freestyle for 50m, backstroke for 50m and breaststroke for 25m.
1:6 Ratio
Orca
For children who can freestyle for 100m from a standing dive, with tumble turns, backstroke for 100m and have an understanding of butterfly stroke.
1:6 Ratio
**We are offering limited Pre-School classes which are timetabled Monday to Friday between 2pm and 3pm. These are taken in the main pool with a 1:3 ratio, depth of this pool is 0.9m and is 29 degrees. Platforms are used.
Did you know?
Despite their names, Pilot whales and Orca whales are in fact two of the largest members of the dolphin family.
Māui dolphins are one of the rarest dolphins in the world, and can only be found on the West Coast of the North Island.
Aihe means ‘common dolphin’ in Māori
Dolphins are known for their playful behaviour, and are highly intelligent. They are as smart as apes, and the evolution of their larger brains is surprisingly similar to humans.