LEARN TO SWIM LESSONS
Our Stroke Development programs help children build strong swimming skills and confidence in the water. These lessons focus on refining technique and introducing more advanced strokes in a fun and supportive environment.
ABOUT
Stroke Development is perfect for children who are already comfortable in the water and can swim short distances without assistance. These programs are designed for kids ready to move beyond basic water safety and start learning proper stroke technique.
In Stroke Development, children will:
Our teachers use clear, simple instructions and lots of encouragement to make learning enjoyable. Every child progresses at their own pace, with plenty of support along the way.
Swimmers work on body position, breathing, and timing, then refine kicks and arm actions for all strokes. The goal is smooth, efficient swimming that prepares them for squad levels with confidence and enjoyment.
Our Marlin Level is designed to refine stroke technique, build endurance, and introduce advanced aquatic skills. Swimmers at this level demonstrate strong control, efficient movement, and readiness for more competitive or performance-based swimming.
The Shark Level is focused on refining competitive swimming technique, mastering race-ready starts and turns, and building endurance across all four strokes. Swimmers at this level demonstrate strong technical consistency, stamina, and readiness for squad-level or competitive training.
The Barracuda Level focuses on refining all four competitive strokes, improving breathing and body control, and introducing advanced skills like turns and underwater streamlines. Swimmers at this level demonstrate strong technique, endurance, and readiness for pre-squad or squad-level training.
Our Orca Level represents the highest stage of stroke development before entering competitive or squad-level swimming. Swimmers demonstrate endurance, refined technique, and mastery of starts, turns, and finishes across all four strokes and the individual medley.
Unsure what level is correct for your child? We’ve created an easy online tool that will help guide you to the correct level. Click the button below, answer a few short questions, and you’ll know the correct level for your child within the Carlile Swim program.
Children often feel more relaxed when they know what to expect. Swimming lessons at Carlile follow a clear pattern so you and your child can settle in quickly.
Before swimming lessons, help your child feel comfortable and excited about the water:
Once class begins parents stay and watch (giving thumbs up and reassurance can be great!)
A typical swimming lesson includes:
Fun games – We often incorporate activities that build confidence and make learning enjoyable.
Teachers give quick feedback on progress and what to practise next time. Swimmers collect their gear and leave the pool area safely. Families are updated on progression via the supervisor and the digital app/feedback.
At Carlile Swim, we believe every child deserves the best start in learning to swim. Our approach is built on decades of experience and a commitment to safety, confidence, and fun. Here’s what makes our teaching world-class:
Child-Centred Learning
Lessons are designed to match each child’s stage of development, helping them progress at their own pace.
Safety & Confidence Focus
We teach skills that make children safer in and around water while building trust and enjoyment.
Highly Trained Teachers
Our team receives ongoing training to deliver consistent, caring, and effective swimming lessons.
Small Class Sizes
Small class sizes means more individual attention, better learning and stronger results.
Proven Program
Our method has been refined over 80 years and is recognised internationally for its success.
Positive & Encouraging
Our teachers are trained on how to make swimming is fun so children look forward to every lesson.
Australia's #1 Swim School
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
A legacy of innovation, leadership and world-class teaching that has shaped generations of confident swimmers. Founded in 1946, Carlile continues to set the benchmark for learn-to-swim in Australia.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
From water confidence to elite performance, our programs are structured, progressive and backed by 250+ Australian Open gold medals, 8 world record holders and 50+ national representatives.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
Every Carlile instructor is trained far beyond industry standards, ensuring consistent, technique-led lessons that help children build confidence and progress with clarity. Supervisors support every lesson to maintain quality and safety.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
The Carlile teaching program was shaped by Olympic gold medallists and International Swimming Hall of Famers. Their expertise continues to guide how our program evolves to give families the very best learning outcomes.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
Carlie built Australia’s first purpose designed indoor teaching pool and pioneered baby and toddler teaching. Today our pools are specifically designed to support our teaching program helping children feel safe, comfortable and confident.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
We build strong technique and true water competence. These are the skills that truly keep children safe and help confidence grow naturally with every lesson.
We have over 1000+ reviews across all of our online platforms. Read some of what our past students have to say about Carlile Swim.
FAQs
Browse our FAQs for helpful info. If your question isn’t there, just contact us – we’re here to help 7 days a week.
At Carlile Swim we run stroke development classes to help children improve their swimming technique and efficiency. Our lessons focus on freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
Our stroke development classes are for children who are ready to move beyond the basics, this is the next step. We recommend an assessment before commencing.
Our classes run for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the level.
Yes, your child will need goggles and a swim cap, and fins in some levels. Our team will let you know exactly what’s needed.
Our team is happy to assess and recommend the right level.
Yes. At Carlile Swim we see stroke development as the step before squad training. It gives your child the technique and fitness they need for competitive or fitness swimming.
We recommend at least one class a week for steady progress. Some families choose two for faster improvement.
Contact us – we’d be happy to help. Swimmers at this level need an in-water assessment, contact us and we can help you book and get started!
Booking is simple: if you know your child’s level, click “BOOK YOUR LESSON” to choose a time and secure their place. If you’re not sure which level is correct, click “FIND YOUR CHILD’S LEVEL” to be taken to an easy online tool we’ve created, which will help you find the right level for your child.
Welcome To Carlile Swim
