What is a relaxed and confident swimmer?

At Waterhole we believe that a relaxed and confident swimmer is someone who can swim 400 metres freestyle without having to think about how much further to go and is able to control their breathing to fit in with the cyclical rotation of the arms in any depth of water.

It is never too soon to start learning these skills.

No matter what stage you start swimming at Waterhole the teachers always have the above goal in mind, whether you are 3 months old in our babies programme, a 3 or 4 year old in our preschool programme or a schoolage child who has not had the benefit of preschool lessons and is commencing their aquatic education once they start school.

That doesn't mean to say that new clients who have no prior swimming experience are straight into full stroke swimming with breathing.  We all know this is not possible, but all our structured goal based programs are designed to reach the above goal at least by the end of a child's primary school years if not sooner.  Small steps in our multiple step program means each skill is mastered prior to moving on to more advanced levels.  Many of our 4 year olds who have been in the Waterhole programme since babies and our 6 year olds who started as preschoolers have already achieved the goal of 400 metres freestyle.

Many of our pupils who have achieved this goal remain in the programme for general fitness and health benefits.  Many more go on to join our stepped goal based competitive programme and take part in all levels of competitive swimming from the novice who compete in local club events to Auckland level swimmers, National level swimmers and ultimately International level swimmers.

Adults wishing to learn to swim are also catered for in a 9 step programme that ranges from beginner to advanced swim for fitness.

Alongside these goals all our classes introduce basic water safety skills, including water entry and exit, safe swimming - suitable swimwear, front to back rotation, deep water experience for 6/unders, suitable supervision.

ALL 8 and unders must have adult supervision when not participating in a class situation.

As the weather inproves many New Zealanders renew their participation in the many and varied water sports that abound in our community, and many do not think about the consequences that often arise for people who partake in aquatic sports without being able to swim confidently.  The New Zealand drowning statistics tell a sad tale, especially in the under 5 area.

WATERHOLE IS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR YOUR ENTIRE AQUATIC EXPERIENCE.