Frequently Asked Questions

Canterbury Swim School is a private swimming school in Christchurch founded by Jenny Jones, Huia Mikara, and Chris Hurley. It is based at the Waitaha Aquatic Centre in the Hornby/Lower Yaldhurst area.

Canterbury Swim School is based at the Waitaha Aquatic Centre at 25 Charente Way in the Hornby/Lower Yaldhurst area.

Canterbury Swim School is a ‘one-stop swim shop’ that caters to all ages and abilities – from babies 6 months old to competitive Masters swimmers. You can also come for a casual swim.

What makes Canterbury Swim School different from other swim schools in Christchurch is that we’re privately owned by two of New Zealand’s most experienced swimming coaches. That means we have a vested interest in providing the best possible standards in swimming instruction and our facilities. We also offer unlimited make-up lessons and up to four leave days annually at no cost. Many people are still swimming here recreationally, years after they learned to swim with us as small children.

All our instructors are highly experienced and they are all AUST Swim qualified at a minimum, with many having higher swimming qualifications.

Yes, we offer swimming lessons for people from 6 months old to seniors over 70. There is no upper age limit to swimming lessons.

We’re a great choice for swimming lessons in Christchurch because we want all children to be as water-safe as possible. Our instructors are very hands-on, so all our students get the attention they need to learn good technique from the beginning. We have heavily discounted rates for multiple lessons and attractive off-peak rates. We also have a competitive swimming club – the Waitaha Swimming Club.

Yes, you can come to us for a casual swim. We welcome everyone to our pools. Here are our rates.

Yes, we do offer casual swimming in Christchurch for fitness and leisure.

Waitaha Swim Club is based at our facility and offers competitive swimming at all levels including open national level.

Yes, Canterbury Swim School is the best place to have swimming lessons in Christchurch, with lessons for all ages and all levels.

We offer the full range of swim classes from lessons for 6-month-old babies to competitive swimmers. We also have recreational swimming groups and a social session for over 65s called Mellow Mondays.

See us for a free assessment by one of our tutors and they will place you in the right class for your current level of swimming ability.

The length of time it takes to learn to swim varies according to the student and the level of proficiency being aimed for. Over the school holidays, children can take intensive lessons which can improve their swimming rapidly.

We believe that swimming lessons should be taken at least once a week.

Our swimming lessons are ongoing and only stop on public holidays, and for a short annual maintenance shutdown in December.

To get started with swimming lessons at Canterbury Swim School, please email us using the contact form on this website or give us a call on 03 260 2220. We’ll give you the enrollment details, and away we go.

You can start immediately. It’s never too soon.

There can be a waiting list for swimming lessons if the lesson has to be at a very specific time or for a particular level. However, because we can handle a large number of lessons simultaneously, we can usually find a suitable option for you.

For children three years and under, we offer one free trial lesson.

At your first swimming lesson, you begin learning to swim. We want to help you make progress as quickly as possible, so we get started right away.

Learning to swim is a life saving skill.

Most lessons are for 30 minutes. Lessons for very proficient swimmers can be 45 or 60 minutes.

Yes, we offer children’s swimming lessons in Christchurch for children as young as 6 months old.

Our swimming lessons for children can start when they are as young as 6 months old.

Children are grouped into their classes according to their ability level.

Yes, we offer swimming lessons for children of all ages, from as young as 6 months old.

The foundation of building a child’s confidence in the water is being able to swim. Our lessons are fun and also offer the challenge and achievable goals that make children enjoy the water. Our tutors are very actively involved in the water with their students.

Yes, we are sympathetic to the needs of nervous or shy children and we make sure to create an environment where they feel comfortable learning to swim.

Yes, we do run school holiday programmes. They are a very popular feature of the activities we offer at the Canterbury Swim School.

We have two types of programmes during the school holidays. One is a skills layering programme that helps kids improve their swimming quickly. The other is a full 9am to 3pm programme that incorporates swimming lessons with games, arts and crafts, and other activities, including play in nearby parks.

More is better for swimming; children need to retain a ‘feel’ of the water and will learn faster the more they’re in it.

Several different class levels are run simultaneously; it would be dependent on whether your children slot into these or space is available at the time.

A free assessment is offered (unless your child is a pre-schooler) when you first book to determine what class level is most suited to them. Your child will be constantly assessed during the course of their lessons to ensure constant progression through the levels.

Children may not be left at the pool on their own. They must be supervised by a parent/caregiver over 16 years at all times. Parents are required to be in the water with their children up until our Level 3; optional for Level 4.

We are happy to provide makeup lessons. There is no limit to the number of makeup lessons you can have. However, your account needs to be up to date to book them. You have 6 months from the date of the missed lesson to book the makeup, after which it will then expire.
In the case of injury or illness, we will provide a credit on production of a medical certificate.

Yes, we offer lessons for babies as young as six months old.

Babies can start swimming lessons at six months old. All children under 3 years old, or who are not yet at Level 2, where they can put their head under water, must have a parent in the water with them. When your children are over 3 years of age and at Level 2 or above, there is the option of classes where you do not have to be in the water with them.

Usually, parents are in the water with their babies during baby classes, but it is not required. Just let us know your preference.

Baby swimming lessons are beneficial for several reasons: they improve physical strength, coordination, and balance, can promote cognitive development, boost confidence, foster bonding, and improve sleep and appetite.

Yes, pre-schoolers can start swimming lessons at 6 months old.

Yes, we offer adult learn to swim and more advanced lessons which focus on skill development.

Yes, we have Master’s swimming and a social swimming group on Monday called Mellow Mondays.

Yes, we offer classes specifically geared to adult beginners.

Yes, we offer private swimming lessons for adults.

Yes, we frequently help adults who are afraid of the water build confidence and learn to love swimming.

Yes, we have a large group of Master’s swimmers and coached swim sessions.

There are many benefits of joining a Master’s swim group: having fun, developing a better swimming technique, correcting flaws, and enjoying a healthy activity with like-minded people.

How quickly adults learn to swim depends on their confidence in the water. Some people have been fearful of the water their whole lives or find breathing while swimming difficult, but we can help. Most people can learn to be proficient swimmers in 3 – 6 months.

Yes, we do offer private swimming lessons in Christchurch.

The main benefit of a private swimming lesson is that you get one-to-one attention.

We find that group lessons are better for children as they are fun and they learn by watching their peers. However, some children with disabilities or neurodiversity can find private lessons more suitable. Private lessons can suit some adults.

We have small class sizes, and our tutors are in the pool with their students until Level 6, which is the first level to swim in the main pool. Very young children usually have their parents in the pool with them. We can also provide floaty backpacks for small children so they can concentrate on their swimming rather than floating.

Both Jenny and Huia are high-level competitive swimming coaches who are dedicated to best practice in swimming instruction. All our tutors are very hands-on swimming teachers who follow a very structured approach that also allows children enough room for self-discovery. We also understand that there are different learning styles and work hard to recognise and accommodate them.

Water safety is a different curriculum from learning to swim. But knowing how to swim is the cornerstone of water safety.

Our tutors formally assess their swimming students’ progress every three months, and in the three weeks prior to certificates being issued, they make notes on their progress.

We have allowed a 5 minute changeover between classes to gather feedback from the child and parent.
Children will receive a certificate at the end of each term indicating the level of proficiency and skills they have attained.
We have a unique customer web portal where you can log in to view your child’s progress.

To get started with swimming lessons at Canterbury Swim School, please email us using the contact form on this website or give us a call on 03 260 2220. We’ll give you the enrollment details and away we go.

At this time, we don’t offer online booking for swimming lessons. Please call us on 03 260 2220 to book lessons.

You’ll need to bring your swimsuit, a towel to dry off with, a swimming cap to cover your hair, and goggles to protect your eyes in the water.

Yes, you can change or reschedule lessons by calling us on 03 260 2220. We offer unlimited make-up lessons and up to four leave days annually at no cost.

Please visit our prices page for our latest rates for swimming lessons, swimming classes, off-peak classes, and casual swimming.

We offer a 10% discount for families with 3 or more children enrolled in weekly lessons.

Clients will be automatically re-booked on the same day and same time until their progress requires them to move to another class. You must provide a month’s notice if you no longer require our services or wish to take a break. You can be placed on a wait list for your return.

You can pay by direct credit into our bank account or with cash, EFTPOS, or credit card at the Pool. Credit cards incur a 2% surcharge. Fees must be paid a minimum of 1 month in advance, with ongoing payments made monthly.