SWIMMING LESSONS
AT THE FORUM
The Forum Swim Academy provides a comprehensive range of learning and development programs that cater to individuals of all ages, from six months to adults. Our academy offers a bright, happy, and safe environment where participants can thrive.
At The Forum Swim Academy, we prioritise water awareness, confidence, safety, fitness, and stroke development. We teach swimming without the use of flotation aids, encouraging natural skill progression and independence in the water.
Enrolment is now open for a variety of classes tailored to different age groups. We offer baby swimming lessons, providing infants with an early introduction to the water. Toddlers and school-aged children can enhance their skills through swim squad training. Additionally, we provide adult swimming lessons for those who wish to improve their abilities or even pursue competitive swimming.
To ensure convenience and flexibility, all students are enrolled on an ongoing basis. Payments are made fortnightly via direct debit, allowing for easy management.
Rest assured that our coaches are highly qualified, holding certifications from the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA). Our instructors and lifeguards also possess current AUSTSWIM and Royal Life Saving qualifications, ensuring the highest level of expertise and safety.
Join us at The Forum Swim Academy and embark on a rewarding swimming journey that caters to your age and abilities, while fostering a love for the water.
LEARN NEW SKILLS FOR LIFE!
OUR SWIM PROGRAMS
Classes are available for children six months of age through to adults and all students are enrolled on an ongoing basis with payment being made fortnightly via direct debit. Our Newcastle swimming lessons program allows you to continue your swimming through to a competitive level.
WATERBABIES
Baby swimming lessons cover water familiarisation with parent / carer.
Parent/carer will need to be in the water with their child at all times.
Songs and simple activities are used to introduce your child to the water and make them feel comfortable and confident. It is recommended the parent / carer wear a suitable rash shirt or T-shirt when attending classes as this assists in teaching the child to cling to the parent for safety.
The child is required to wear a suitable nappy which will minimise leakage.
Session duration:
30 minutes
YELLOW 1
Independent water confidence and survival skills.
This is your child’s first experience of a class without their parent / carer.
Classes have up to four participants and instructors are never more than three metres from the children, with a Pool Deck Supervisor in attendance at the same time.
Session duration:
30 minutes
YELLOW 2
Advanced safety skills and introduction to freestyle.
Your child will continue to have the safety skills reinforced as well as learn extra skills to corroborate their safety. Freestyle skills are introduced to begin the process of learning this stroke in full. There will be up to four participants in this class.
Session duration:
30 minutes
YELLOW 3
Learn correct freestyle and backstroke technique.
Freestyle and backstroke will be taught with a focus on technique, in a simple and methodical way. Technique is a focus at The Forum without compromising on the safety aspect. There can be up to four participants in this class.
Session duration:
30 minutes
RED 1
Refine freestyle and backstroke technique whilst increasing distance.
Now that your child has a basic command of these strokes, they will swim a further distance and complete their drills more independently. There can be up to four participants in this class.
Session duration:
30 minutes
RED 2
Increase distance while maintaining technique in freestyle and backstroke. Introduce breaststroke and develop correct technique.
This level will see your child swimming more continuously while the instructor continues to monitor their technique. Breaststroke skills are broken down and introduced as your child grasps each concept in turn. There can be up to six participants in this class.
Session duration:
30 minutes
RED 3
Continue maintaining technique and increase distance for freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Introduce butterfly and develop correct technique. Develop starts, turns and streamlines.
The swimmer will progress to the 25 metre area in Red 3. While technique is still monitored, this will be enhanced through the use of drills completed over a number of laps.
Butterfly will be introduced step by step.
Racing skills such as starts and turns will also be a part of the lesson in preparation for squad participation. There can be up to nine participants in this class.
Session duration:
45 minutes
We have 4 squad programs allowing you to continue your swimming to a competitive level.
Equipment needed for Blue stage of the Swim Academy includes goggles, swim cap, flippers, mesh bag and drink bottle.
BLUE 1
Improve and maintain correct technique in all four strokes. Reinforce streamlining, introduce race rules and refine the basic skills of dives and turns. Sessions are 60 minutes in duration and you are able to choose a membership that allows you to train once, twice or three or more times per week.
Session duration:
60 minutes
Current Blue 1 members, book your session below.
BLUE 2
Designed to enable members flexibility in their training plan. You can train once, twice or three+ sessions per week with no minimum requirement. Members of this squad may be focussed on school carnivals, local meets, cross-training for other sports, or be too busy with other commitments to adhere to a minimum training standard.
This squad is not a reflection of ability, but of availability...some of our past Blue 2 members have been Iron men and women, champion tri-athletes, and adult masters competitors. Our Blue 2 squads are designed to challenge and improve your fitness, whilst developing your skill and technique in a fun and stress-free environment.
Session duration:
90 minutes
Current Blue 2 members, book your session below.
BLUE TARGET
Our Target squad is designed to identify, develop and prepare our younger members for competition at NSW Country and State Championships. Target members will be required to maintain a minimum of 3 sessions per week (5 is preferred) and are encouraged to join the NUSwim Club.
Training volumes and intensity will be age appropriate, with a weekly training plan designed to improve speed, skill and endurance in preparation for these championship meets. Should a member be unable to adhere to the minimum training requirements they will be required to move to an alternative squad.
Session duration:
90 minutes
Current Blue Target members, book your session below.
BLUE PERFORMANCE
This is our premier training squad. Members are required to maintain a minimum of 5 sessions per week (7 sessions is preferred) and must be active members of the NUSwim Club. An annual training program will be designed for Australian Age and Open qualification. Should a member be unable to adhere to the minimum training requirements they will be required to move to an alternative squad. (Injury, illness and HSC/Uni study requirements will be considered).
Session duration:
120 minutes
Current Blue Performance members, book your session below.
New private lesson pricing structure
The Forum Swim Academy will introduce new private lesson prices (Learn to Swim level) and private coaching session prices (Blue Squad level) from 4 July 2022.
Session costs will be in line with our team member’s experience and qualifications.
The duration of private lessons (Learn to Swim level) and private coaching sessions (Blue Squad) will remain at 30 minutes per lesson with the option of having up to two swimmers in the session.
New structure and prices:
- Private Learn to Swim lesson - $55
- Private Blue Level Coaching session - $55
- Private High Performance Coaching session - $70.
For more information and to rebook further lessons, please email aquatics@theforum.org.au.
SWIM ACADEMY HOLIDAY INTENSIVE PROGRAMS
Our swimming intensive program is run over consecutive days during school holidays. The Forum Swim Academy holiday intensive program is ideal for all children from beginners through to competitive swimmers. Our Holiday Intensive Program is for Yellow 1, Yellow 2, Yellow 3, Red 1, Red 2 and Red 3 levels.
Holiday Intensive Benefits:
- Structured daily lesson extended an extra 15 minutes for all classes except our Yellow 1
- Re-enforcement of skills and repetition of drills on a daily basis sees your child improve more quickly
- More than half a term's worth of lessons covered in one week.
SWIMMING LESSON ENQUIRIES
Here at The Forum we focus on ensuring your membership experience is a positive one. Select your enquiry below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Forum Swim Academy is a registered Active Kids provider.
THEY'LL FEEL LIKE AN
OLYMPIAN IN OUR NEW POOL
We offer learn to swim programs all year round, as well as holiday intensive programs in Newcastle's newest state of the art 50m indoor heated pool. We have recently undergone substantial renovations and are excited to invite our Forum family back to enjoy the new and improved Forum swimming pool.
CLEAN POOL POLICY
We have a “Clean Pool Policy” where we strive to continuously provide the cleanest environment for you and your children to learn to swim and enjoy. With a combination of best quality minerals and cleaning agents we maintain our pool to the highest possible standard whilst reducing skin irritation.
CONTACT US
FIND US
The University of Newcastle,
130 University Drive,
Callaghan NSW 2308
TALK TO US
Phone: 02 4921 7001
Email: ask@theforum.org.au
THE FORUM APP GIVES
YOU EXTRA FLEXIBILITY
THE FORUM APP GIVES YOU EXTRA FLEXIBILITY
THE FORUM APP GIVES YOU EXTRA FLEXIBILITY