Best Swimming Schools in Christchurch: Lessons for Babies, Preschoolers and School Age Kids

2AquaGym Swim School

AquaGym Swim School was founded in 1988 by Brett Naylor and runs from Cashel Street in Christchurch, teaching swimmers from three months of age through to adults. What began as a competitive squad developed into a full learn to swim programme, and the school now employs more than 70 instructors who go through in-house training every ten weeks to keep the teaching consistent across every class. The school also takes school group and surf club bookings.

Services

• Babies and toddlers classes for three months to three years
• Preschool lessons for three to five year olds
• School age lessons for five years and up across all abilities
• Junior squads for swimmers developing their technique
• Adult private lessons and Surf Tri Masters group sessions

Highlights

• Founded in 1988 by Brett Naylor, who swam at the Montreal Olympics and later coached New Zealand at Seoul, Barcelona and the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games
• Brett has served as a New Zealand National Coach and National Selector and as president of the NZ Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association
• Member of the ANZUS World Swim School Group
• Leaders attend the United States Swim School Association, Australian Swim Schools and New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers conferences
• More than 70 staff, with training run every ten weeks

Location & Contact

Name: AquaGym Swim School
Address: 459 Cashel Street, Christchurch
Phone: (03) 381 0299
Website: www.aquagym.co.nz

3Canterbury Swim School

Canterbury Swim School operates from the Waitaha Aquatic Centre on Charente Way in Yaldhurst, a facility its founders built to serve the western side of Christchurch. It was established in July 2013 by coaches Huia Mikara and Jenny Jones alongside businessman Chris Hurley, and teaches from two years of age through to adults across a 25 metre lap pool and a smaller teaching pool. Parents and caregivers stay in the water with their child to a relatively advanced level so they can share the learning.

Services

• Group swimming lessons from two years through to adult
• Pre-schooler lessons with a parent in the water to an advanced level
• Advanced and pre competition classes at 45 and 60 minutes
• Masters swimming for adults working on fitness and technique
• School holiday programmes

Highlights

• Established in July 2013 by nationally accredited coaches Huia Mikara and Jenny Jones with businessman Chris Hurley
• Huia and Jenny received Swimming New Zealand Service Awards in 2015
• Between them they hold 50 years of coaching, from learn to swim through to national and international level
• Class sizes capped at five in the small pool and eight in the 25 metre pool
• Classes available seven days a week

Location & Contact

Name: Canterbury Swim School
Address: Waitaha Aquatic Centre, 25 Charente Way, Yaldhurst, Christchurch
Phone: 03 260 2220
Website: www.canterburyswimschool.co.nz

4Starfish Swim School

Starfish Swim School is a privately run school based in Aidanfield, on the grounds of Aidanfield Christian School on Nash Road in Halswell. It has taught there since January 2009 and has grown from 100 children in its first term to more than 700, covering six months of age through to development squad level across a 20 metre four lane pool and a separate nine metre teaching pool. Bookings are taken by phone, by email or in person at the pool.

Services

• Water babies and preschool lessons from six months
• School age swimming lessons
• Development squad for swimmers progressing beyond learn to swim
• School holiday programmes
• Perpetual lessons running through most of the year

Highlights

• Teaching in Aidanfield since January 2009
• Grown from 100 children in its first term to more than 700
• 20 metre four lane pool plus a separate nine metre teaching pool
• Water held at 30 degrees year round
• Water safety skills taught alongside stroke work

Location & Contact

Name: Starfish Swim School
Address: 2 Nash Road, Halswell, Christchurch
Phone: 03 338 1795
Website: www.starfishswimschool.co.nz

5Frankie Frog Swim School

Frankie Frog Swim School was started in 1999 by Anne and Gavin Hulley and runs from Boon Street in Somerfield, teaching babies from five months, preschoolers and school age children. More than 3,000 Christchurch children have come through the programme, which is built around small classes, the same teacher every week and a steady emphasis on water safety alongside stroke work. Lessons run Monday to Friday only.

Services

• Water babies lessons from five months
• Preschool swimming lessons
• School age swimming lessons
• Small group classes with the same teacher each week
• Water safety taught alongside stroke technique

Highlights

• Started in 1999 by Anne and Gavin Hulley
• More than 3,000 Christchurch children taught
• Anne received the Nan Nevin Master Teacher Award from the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association
• Teacher to child ratios of 1:2 for preschool, 1:5 for water babies and 1:3 for school age
• Ozone water treatment, which keeps chlorine levels low

Location & Contact

Name: Frankie Frog Swim School
Address: 8 Boon Street, Somerfield, Christchurch
Website: www.frankiefrogswimschool.co.nz

Swimming Schools in Christchurch at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Swimming School in Christchurch

Most families end up choosing on three things: the pool itself, the teacher, and whether the timetable actually fits around work and school. Those vary far more between Christchurch swim schools than the teaching methods do.

• Water temperature. Learn to swim pools for babies and preschoolers usually sit between 30 and 34 degrees. A cold child will not learn, so ask what the teaching pool is held at rather than the lap pool.
• Class size and ratios. Ask how many children are in the water per teacher at your child’s level. Ratios tighten for babies and loosen as children get older, and the number matters more than the brochure.
• The same teacher each week. Some schools guarantee it, some rotate. Continuity matters most for anxious children and for babies.
• Where it sits. A ten minute drive is the difference between a lesson you keep going to and one you quietly drop. Christchurch schools are spread from Sockburn and Yaldhurst in the west to Halswell and Somerfield in the south.
• Progression beyond learn to swim. If your child is likely to want squad swimming later, check the school runs one. Moving school to keep progressing is disruptive.
• Term or perpetual enrolment. Some schools run to school terms, others run most of the year with short breaks. That changes both cost and how easy it is to get a spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can children start swimming lessons in Christchurch?

Most Christchurch schools take babies from three to six months, with a parent in the water. Early classes are about comfort, breath control and safe entries and exits rather than stroke work. Water Safety New Zealand sets out the basic principles for families in its Water Safety Code.

How warm should a learn to swim pool be?

Dedicated teaching pools for babies and preschoolers generally run between 30 and 34 degrees, which is noticeably warmer than a public lap pool. Kings holds its learn to swim pool at 33.5 degrees and Starfish keeps its water at 30 degrees year round.

Are there adult swimming lessons in Christchurch?

Yes. Several schools run adult classes for complete beginners as well as for people wanting to fix their stroke. AquaGym runs adult privates and a Surf Tri Masters group, Canterbury runs a Masters programme, and Kings teaches adults through its own programme.

How long does it take to learn to swim?

It depends on the age of the swimmer, how often they get in the water and how comfortable they are to begin with. Weekly lessons over a couple of terms will usually produce a clear change in confidence, though full stroke competence takes considerably longer.

Do swim schools run through the school holidays?

It varies. Some run to school terms and offer holiday intensives, others run perpetually with a short break. Starfish runs most of the year with a two week break in July and four weeks over Christmas, while Canterbury offers separate holiday programmes.

What should my child bring to a lesson?

Togs, a towel and goggles cover most schools. Some pools require a swim cap, so check before the first lesson. For babies and toddlers a swim nappy is normally compulsory.

Can I watch my child’s lesson?

Most Christchurch schools have a viewing area for parents. For babies and younger preschoolers a parent or caregiver is usually in the water rather than watching from the side.

Which part of Christchurch are these schools in?

They are spread across the city. Kings is in Sockburn on Main South Road, AquaGym is on Cashel Street, Canterbury is at the Waitaha Aquatic Centre in Yaldhurst, Starfish is in Aidanfield on Nash Road in Halswell, and Frankie Frog is on Boon Street in Somerfield.