Learn to swim
We’ve partnered with Royal Life Saving Victoria to deliver the Swim and Survive Program, a nationally recognised program that builds swimming ability and water safety skills for all ages.
Aligned with the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, Swim and Survive provides a structured learning pathway. Each level develops essential skills through a balanced approach to swimming technique, safety awareness, and confidence in the water.
Whether you’re starting your swimming journey or building on existing skills, our program supports swimmers to progress at their own pace while learning vital life skills.
Why choose our swim school?
- Royal Life Saving endorsed Swim and Survive program
- Qualified and experienced swim teachers
- Heated indoor pools, including a 25-metre pool
- Ongoing progression
- Classes available 7 days a week with breaks over the school holidays
- Friendly on-deck supervisors to support you and answer questions
Join our Swim and Survive program and start building confidence, skills and water safety for life.
Classes on offer
- Infant classes for parents and children: A water familiarisation program for parents and their children aged 6–36 months.
- Preschool: A program that builds water confidence for preschool aged children between the ages of 3–5 years.
- School age: A swimming and water safety program for school aged children between the ages of 5–14 years.
- Adult and teenage swimming lessons: You are never too old to learn! Our program offers teenage and adult classes for all levels, from non‑swimmers through to those looking for technique refinement. Adult lessons are 45 minutes in duration.
- Access and inclusion swimming lessons: Reservoir Leisure Centre provides people of all abilities and backgrounds the possibility to participate in swimming lessons
Learn to swim membership
RLC Learn to swim membership includes 1 lesson per week throughout school terms and free aquatic access for your child to practice during swim school operating dates.
| Learn to swim class category |
Weekly fee |
| Child lessons |
$16.35 |
| Child lessons concession |
$13.95 |
| Adult lessons |
$18.25 |
| Access and Inclusion 1:1 |
$24.15 |
Swim school terms and conditions(PDF, 47KB)
How to get started
Children who are 7 years and older who have previous swim lesson experience will require an assessment by one of our instructors before enrolment. Please call the centre to book an assessment.
If your child is under 7 our team will be able to help determine the appropriate level for your child.
All enrolments must be made in person at Reservoir Leisure Centre. If you would like to enquire about class availability please contact rlc@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Swim school term dates 2026
Swimming lessons align with Victorian school terms and take a break over school holidays. We do not operate swim lessons on public holidays, however encourage enrolled students to come and practice their skills as the pools will be open!
Please refer to our swim school calendar for term and direct debit dates.
Download the 2026 swim school calendar(PDF, 213KB)
Supervision
Please be aware of the following supervision rules:
- The Watch Around Water Policy is applicable at all times while at the centre.
- Children under the age of 10 must be actively supervised at all times.
- Children under the age of 5 must be within arm's reach of a parent/guardian when in the water outside of lessons.
- Children under the age of 5 must be collected from lessons by a parent/guardian.
Parents and guardians are not permitted to use mobile phones, read books or newspapers on pool deck. These distractions decrease the safety of your child in and around the water. This supervision is expected to be maintained in change rooms.
Contact us
If you’d like to learn more, please email rlc@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 9496 1050.
FAQs
How old does my child have to be to start lessons?
We take enrolments from 6 months of age onwards.
Do we need to wait for a new term to get started?
You can start with us anytime; there is no need to wait for a new school term. Please note that we can only enrol students up to 1 week in advance, so please reach out when you're ready to get started.
How long are lessons?
All children lessons are 30 minutes and our adult lessons are 45 minutes.
Will I need to get in the water with my child?
In parent and child levels up to 36 months of age, a parent is required in the water. We are leveraging off the trust built with a parent/relative to help them through initial stages of conditioning and confidence.
When moving from parent and child to preschool levels, parents are not required in the water however may sometimes enter the water during the first one or two sessions to help the transition. After this initial period children are expected to participate in their lesson independently with the teacher, as this helps them build confidence and allows the class to run safely and effectively.
Do parents have to attend the lessons?
As part of our commitment to safety and align with Watch Around Water Policy, all parents of children under 10 are required to be in attendance and supervising during all learn to swim lessons. We also think it’s great for parents to see first-hand how their child is developing.
How often will I get feedback on my child’s progress?
We have supervisors for each class, who observe each child closely and provide regular feedback to parents. Changing levels is not limited to term breaks, which allows children to progress to the next level whenever they are ready.
Can my child use the pools outside of swimming lessons?
All children become a member of RLC and have unlimited access to the pool to practise their newly learnt skills or just have fun in the pool with family and friends. One supervising adult can attend with the student. Access to the pool is not free during swim school breaks.
Do I need to re-enrol each term?
Enrolments renew automatically each term so you don't have to re-enrol unless you have previously unenrolled.
How do I cancel my child's swim lesson enrolment?
Cancellations must be received in writing, either by emailing RLC@darebin.vic.gov.au or by completing a form at reception.
Two weeks notice is required.
Are there lessons on school holidays or public holidays?
Swimming lessons run throughout school terms and break for school holidays.
There are no swimming lessons on public holidays. Please refer to the Swim School calendar(PDF, 213KB).
What do we need to bring to swimming lessons?
- Swim lesson membership card to scan entry
- Bathers
- Towel
- Goggles
- Swim nappy for children not yet toilet trained. Standard nappies are not permitted in the pool. Aqua nappies are available for purchase at Customer Service.
Do you offer make up lessons if we miss a class?
We do not currently offer make up classes for lessons that are missed. Our enrolments ensure you have access to affordable lessons and access to the pool outside of class times for your child to practise their skills.
A credit may be provided to your acount for lesson absences due to medical reasons only where a medical certificate has been provided. A medical certificate must be received within 14 days of the missed lesson. Credits will not be granted for any other reason; this includes absences due to holidays, exams or clashes with other activities. If granted, the credited money will be added to your Swimming Account.