Looking for a school holiday activity that keeps the kids moving while building an important life skill?
The Spring School Holiday Swimming Intensives are back, giving children the opportunity to build confidence in the water, improve their swimming technique and fast-track their skills during the September/October school holidays.
Running across both weeks of the spring school holidays, the program offers group classes, private lessons and targeted stroke clinics for different ages and swimming abilities.
A Great Way to Keep Kids Active These School Holidays
Rather than taking a break from swimming over the holidays, an intensive program can give children the chance to practise their skills more frequently over a shorter period.
With nationally accredited swimming instructors and programs catering for beginners through to more experienced swimmers, sessions are designed to be supportive, active and fun.
Families can choose from:
- Group classes
- Private one-on-one lessons
- Targeted Skills Clinics
Where Are the Spring Swimming Intensives?
The Spring 2026 School Holiday Intensives will be available at three City of Sydney aquatic centres:
- Cook + Phillip Park Pool
- Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre
- Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Week One: 28 September – 2 October
The first week runs from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026.
Programs include:
- Stroke Clinics for Primary Levels 3–6
- Group classes for Pre-school, Primary 1 and Primary 2
- Private lessons for all Pre-school and Primary levels
Week One Stroke Clinics
For children in Primary Levels 3–6, the one-hour Stroke Clinics concentrate on different techniques each day.
Day 1 – Freestyle & Backstroke
Primary 3–4: Freestyle and backstroke
Primary 5–6: Freestyle and backstroke
Day 2 – Breaststroke
Primary 3–4: Breaststroke
Primary 5–6: Breaststroke
Day 3 – Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly
Primary 3–4: Freestyle and backstroke
Primary 5–6: Backstroke and butterfly
Day 4 – Freestyle & Breaststroke
Primary 3–4: Freestyle and breaststroke
Primary 5–6: Freestyle and breaststroke
Day 5 – Starts, Finishes & Turns
Primary 3–4: Starts, finishes, tumble turns and butterfly kick
Primary 5–6: Starts, finishes, tumble turns and freestyle
It’s a great option for children who already swim confidently and would benefit from concentrating on individual strokes and techniques.
Week Two: 6–9 October
Following the October long weekend, Week Two runs from Tuesday 6 October to Friday 9 October 2026.
This is a four-day intensive program featuring:
- Group classes for all Pre-school and Primary levels
- Private lessons for all Pre-school and Primary levels
Why Consider a School Holiday Swimming Intensive?
Swimming intensives give children the opportunity to practise regularly while skills and techniques are still fresh.
The program offers:
- Lessons with nationally accredited instructors
- Programs designed to accelerate swimming skills over a short period
- Options for different swimming abilities and experience levels
- Group and private lesson formats
- A fun way to stay active during the school holidays
For children who haven’t been swimming regularly, the holidays can also be a timely opportunity to build confidence in the water ahead of the warmer summer months.
How to Book
If your child is already enrolled in the Learn to Swim program and you know their current swimming level, you can book directly with your preferred aquatic centre.
Cook + Phillip Park Pool
Enrol now
Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre
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Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Enrol now
Not Sure What Level Your Child Is?
If you’re interested in the program but aren’t sure which level is right for your child, the City of Sydney Leisure team can help.
Parents can:
- Submit an online enquiry and the Help Desk will contact you about suitable classes and available times
- Call the Help Desk on 1300 198 412
- Speak directly with the reception team at one of the participating aquatic centres
Get Swim-Ready for Summer
With warmer weather on the way, the spring holidays are a great time for kids to brush up on their swimming skills.
Whether your child is still developing their confidence in the water or is ready to work on strokes, turns and technique, the Spring School Holiday Intensives offer a structured way to keep them active while developing skills they’ll use throughout summer and beyond.
Spring School Holiday Intensives
📅 Week 1: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October 2026
📅 Week 2: Tuesday 6 October – Friday 9 October 2026
📍 Cook + Phillip Park Pool, Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Find out more and view the School Holiday Intensives FAQs
Bookings are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
