Skip to main content

Prepare for your first lesson

Get expert swim tips from Arena Joondalup’s Swim School to help your child build water confidence, improve technique, and enjoy learning to swim safely.

Our Swim School Team have put together a few basic tips you and your child might find helpful as they progress their journey to becoming a competent swimmer.

Facilitate building trust

Children often do not know their instructor and trust is a huge part of teaching swimming. Before each lesson and in between lessons talk about the instructor using their name so the children are mentally prepared and make a big display of yourself meeting the instructor so that the children can see you trust them as well.

Not sure about wearing goggles

Some children really don’t like putting their googles on and using them, especially the little ones. A good tip is to let them play with them at home in the shower and bath.

Get that Streamline

The best position for moving through water is a straight line along the surface of the pool. For some kids this is a challenge but practice pretending to be an arrow or a rocket ship so that fingers part the water and keep head in line with body. 

Streamline position  - We do this with all levels starting with our toddlers by doing motor boats with them in the water. Arms stretched out in front or holding a board. Kicking legs with face in the water blowing bubbles to make motorboat noises. 

Pull - Breathe - Kick - Glide

Breaststroke can be tricky! Fix your breaststroke timing by getting the 'pull, breathe, kick, glide' sequence just right for a smooth and efficient swimming stroke.

  1. Pull with arms
  2. Breathe in
  3. Kick with legs 
  4. Glide for 3 seconds

Keep it positive

Always talk about the positive things a child can do while swimming and only focus on that. It will build the child’s confidence, it feels good and distracts them from the things they do not like to do. 

Latest news from Arena Joondalup

  • Swim
    Swim Instructor teaching a happy toddler to swim

    Challenging winter swim myths

    Mon 29 Apr, 2024   ·   5 min read

    The benefits of maintaining your child's swimming routine over the cooler months are many but common myths see many abandon the togs at this time of year. Here we challenge some commonly held myths about cool weather swimming.

    Challenging winter swim myths
  • Swim
    Happy mum and son playing together in HBF Arena's aquatic centre

    5 tips to conquer your child's fear of the water

    Mon 6 Feb, 2023

    If you’re a parent, it’s important to arrange for your baby to learn how to swim as early as possible. Not only will it ensure your child’s safety, but swimming is a healthy and fun activity.

    5 tips to conquer your child's fear of the water
  • Swim

    4 reasons swimming lessons are so important

    Sun 5 Feb, 2023   ·   5 min read

    For both children and adults the importance of developing swimming skills and learning to love the water can not be understated.

    4 reasons swimming lessons are so important
See all news