School-Age
Private Swimming Lessons (Ages 6–12)
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
Every strong swimmer once took their first uncertain strokes. Whether your child is just beginning — or needs a new path forward — you're exactly where you need to be.
You’ve done everything they told you to do.
Enrolled them in lessons since they were little.
Watched from the sidelines as they paddled, floated, splashed with the group.
Paid for term after term… and hoped this would be the one that finally made a difference.
But here you are.
They’re older now — maybe 6, maybe 9 — and still…they cling to the edge.
They won’t go near the deep end.
They can’t tread water for long.
Or they can “swim” — but you know, deep down, they’re not truly safe.
You wonder if it’s too late.
If they’ve missed their moment.
If this is just… how it’s going to be.
It’s not.
At Nereids, we’ve worked with hundreds of school-age kids just like yours — smart, capable, full of potential… but stuck.
Stuck in old habits.
Stuck in a method that didn’t fit them.
Stuck in fear that no one took the time to understand.
We don’t push them harder.
We show them what they’re capable of — step by step, in a space where they’re seen, supported, and challenged in the right way.
Because it’s never too late to become confident in the water.
And when it happens…
It’s not just skill. It’s pride. It’s freedom. It’s finally feeling at home in the water.
Verified Google Review
“After a year of group lessons with no progress, we saw a big difference after just one private session. The girls now look forward to every swim.”— Sandy AReady to help your child feel safe, strong, and proud in the water? Click below to speak with our team — and discover the path that’s right for them.
BOOK A CALL
There’s a window — and it doesn’t stay open forever.
A lot changes between the ages of 6 and 12.
This is the age where your child’s body grows stronger — but so does their awareness.
Their fears feel more real. Their habits become harder to break.
And the longer they go without feeling safe in the water… the deeper it settles in.
We’ve seen it firsthand:
- A child who won’t go near the deep end at 6 …is often still avoiding it at 9
- A swimmer who’s learned bad breathing habits at 7 …struggles to correct them at 11
- A confident 10-year-old who hasn’t been taught recovery or treading …is still at risk when something goes wrong
But there’s good news:
This is also the age where confidence can skyrocket — fast.
With the right method and the right support, progress happens in leaps.
We’ve seen children who couldn’t float at 7… swim 20 meters in 6 weeks.
We’ve seen 9-year-olds go from shallow clingers to deep-end gliders — gliding across the deep end with the calm pride of someone who knows they belong — all because someone finally believed in them, and taught them in a way that felt natural.
Because water safety isn’t just about learning strokes.
It’s about staying calm when it counts.
And when they realise they can do it — not just try, but really do it —
it’s no longer just a lesson.
It becomes part of who they are.
Verified Google Review
“My 8-year-old went from nervous to confident. Her Nereids teacher made lessons fun, safe, and something she now truly enjoys.”— Linda CollinsWe don’t follow a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
We follow your child’s natural rhythm and talents.
That means every lesson is:
- One-on-one
- At your home pool
- Focused entirely on your child’s needs, pace, and strengths
We work with consistent teachers wherever possible — because progress isn’t just about repetition.
It’s about trust, timing, and having someone who knows exactly where your child left off (and where they’re heading).
Some children need time to feel comfortable in deep water.
And both journeys are equally important.
Wherever they are, we meet them there.
And guide them forward with purpose.
Each lesson blends practical skills with confidence-building strategies, using our unique teaching approach:
- Movement-based learning (not static drills)
- Verbal, visual, and kinesthetic cues
- Progress tracking that’s gentle but structured
Because we’re not just teaching them how to swim.
We’re helping them remember that the water was always theirs to begin with.
Every child is different — but real progress in the water follows a rhythm:
Safety. Control. Strength.
That’s why our school-age programs are structured into three clear stages — each designed to meet your child exactly where they are, and guide them forward with purpose and care.
Signature Programs with Purpose
Our school-age signature programs — Athena™, Triton™, and Poseidon™ — follow a clear, structured path designed to deliver visible results.
They’re ideal for families who’ve tried group lessons or generic private classes — and are now ready for a method that actually works.
Each program includes:
- A recommended number of lessons
- A purposefully designed teaching arc
- Milestones aligned with national water safety benchmarks and your child’s natural strengths
In Australia, the national benchmark is clear:
By age 12, every child should be able to swim 50 meters continuously and tread water for 2 minutes.
Our programs are built to help your child reach — and often exceed — these critical goals, while feeling confident, proud, and fully in control of their body in the water.
Why Confidence Isn’t Enough Without Safety
According to the National Water Safety Strategy, kids aged 5–14 still account for many preventable drownings — often within metres of safety.
Many parents believe their child can swim… until a deeper pool, sudden panic, or a current proves otherwise.
Our goal isn’t just to teach strokes.
It’s to build true safety — calm treading, strong distance, recovery skills — so that your child not only moves through water…
but can handle it when it matters most.
If you’re looking for a proven system to help your child become strong, safe, and confident — this is it.
Athena™ → Triton™ → Poseidon™
Because real progress happens when the program fits the child — not the other way around.
Athena™
From Fear to Confidence
For children who feel nervous, cling to the wall, or refuse to let go.
- Focus: Rebuilding trust and comfort in water
- Style: Gentle, patient, confidence-based lessons
- Outcome: Safer, calmer, and willing to explore
Stage 1 of 3 – The Journey Begins Here
Triton™
Water Safety & Independence
For kids who enjoy water but struggle with control, recovery, or breathing.
- Focus: Floating, treading, breathing, body awareness
- Style: Calm but structured skill-building
- Outcome: Confident, in-control movement in all depths
Stage 2 of 3 – Building Safety & Strength
Poseidon™
Stroke Development & Strength
For confident swimmers ready to refine their technique and build endurance.
- Focus: Stroke mechanics, stamina, coordination
- Style: High-energy, results-focused with joy at the centre
- Outcome: Smooth technique, fitness, and pride — with a goal of swimming 50 meters continuously and treading water for 2 minutes (Meeting the national water safety benchmark for Australian children by age 12)
Stage 3 of 3 – Ready to Thrive
Some children move through all three stages in a few months. Others take longer.
There’s no rush. No comparison.
Only a path that meets your child where they are — and brings out their best.
Unsure which program is right for your child?
Let’s talk — we’ll guide you step by step.
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Some families want a clear program with defined outcomes. Others prefer flexibility — booking lessons around school, seasons, or confidence. And some already have confident swimmers who just need to refine technique.
That’s why, alongside our signature programs, we also offer flexible lesson packages — tailored to your child’s age, goals, and personality.
Whether you’re starting fresh, easing back in, or fine-tuning strokes, every student receives:
- Our founder’s proven methodology
- Personalised lesson plans
- The same one-on-one focus and supportive teaching style
Ready to explore your child’s unique path?
View Our Fees & Packages
Because every swimmer’s path is unique — and we’re ready to walk it with you.
And if your child is already swimming confidently…
What About Stroke Correction for More Advanced Swimmers?
If your child can already swim but needs to improve their technique, breathing, or body control we offer private stroke correction lessons through our flexible packages, led by our most experienced teachers.
Because progress doesn’t stop at safety — it evolves into mastery.
Progress isn’t luck — it’s the natural result of the right method at the right moment.
With a caring teacher and an approach that meets your child where they are, they can go from unsure… to unstoppable — faster than you thought possible.
Here’s how that journey often unfolds:
Early Progress (Athena-level)
- Floating on their back without support
- Kicking and gliding with growing confidence
- Submerging smoothly, with full breath control
- Treading water for 15–30 seconds
- Gaining the courage to leave the wall and explore
Midway Progress (Triton-level)
- Swimming 10–25 metres without stopping
- Treading water for up to 2 minutes
- Rolling onto their back when tired
- Breathing in rhythm while moving forward
- Entering deeper water with calm and control
Mastery & Strength (Poseidon-level)
- 50m continuous swim with full-body form
- Lifesaving-style swims (submerge + surface recovery)
- Strong dive starts and push-offs
- Foundations of breaststroke, freestyle, and back kicking
- Smooth turns and transition movements
We track progress carefully — but gently.
No pressure. No comparisons. Just proud little wins that turn into big breakthroughs.
And when your child finally floats with ease, or swims across the pool on their own — you’ll see it in their eyes:
“I didn’t think I could. But now I know I can.”
Their shoulders relax. Their breath slows. Their body begins to glide — not fight — with the water.
That’s the moment it all changes. That’s confidence. And that’s what we build, together.
Verified Google Review
“What my children learned in one private session felt like 4–5 weeks of group classes. The difference in motivation was incredible.”— Jenny BeesThe Method That Builds Confidence for Life
We don’t just teach swimming. We teach thinking, capable, confident humans — through water.
Because the lessons they learn in water… become the strengths they carry for life.
While most swim programs follow a fixed curriculum and teach every child the same way, we start with a simple belief:
Every child learns differently. And those differences are sacred.
Instead of forcing every child into a fixed stroke sequence, we observe how they move and begin with what feels natural to them — whether that’s breaststroke, back kick, or floating mastery.
Because confidence grows faster when you feel good in your body.
We combine physical movement with auditory and visual cues, helping your child learn through the style that suits them best.
We understand how the brain builds skills — and why every three lessons often brings a breakthrough, especially when paired with good sleep.
The teacher-student relationship is at the core of every breakthrough.
That’s why we aim to match each child with a consistent teacher, and focus on small, steady wins — the kind that stick for life.
“Why do you think you floated better this time?”
“What did your arms feel like when you turned?”
This is the Socratic method — helping your child reflect, engage, and grow through critical thinking.
It’s also why we call our team swim teachers, not instructors.
Because in every child’s learning moment, there’s a spark.
And when someone believes in them enough to ask, not just tell —
That spark becomes a light that never leaves.
When Focused Time Creates Breakthroughs
Sometimes, the progress your child needs…
just needs the right time to arrive.
We’ve seen it again and again: A nervous swimmer — who suddenly floats calmly after three lessons in one week.
A child stuck in group classes for years — who swims 15 meters after five private sessions.
That’s why we offer intensive options throughout the year — not just during school holidays.
Some families book 1–2 lessons a week to stay steady.
Others dive in with 3, 4, even 6 lessons in a week — especially when:
- Their child needs a confidence boost
- They’re catching up on water safety
- They’ve outgrown group lessons
- Or they’re ready for real technique and strength
These intensives are more than “extra sessions.”
They’re focused on time, structured learning, and calm repetition — all aligned with your child’s natural rhythm.
Because when time, trust, and readiness meet... even one week can change everything.
We offer:
- Holiday Programs — flexible packages for school breaks
- Intensive Programs — available year-round, customised to your goals
Ready to explore what’s possible in just a few days?
Let’s build the week that changes everything.
Verified Google Review
“In just 9 days, my grandchildren made more progress than in months of group classes. Patient, skilled, and fun coaching — truly impressed.”— Judith NicolsonHow many lessons per week do you recommend?
Most families begin with one lesson per week — a steady pace that builds skill and confidence over time.
If your child is just getting started, facing a fear, or ready to make faster progress, 2–3 sessions per week (especially during holidays) can create powerful momentum.
Can my child really improve after years of slow group lessons?
Yes — and it happens more often than you think.
Many of our students come to us after years in group classes, still unable to swim properly or feel safe.
With one-on-one attention, a trusted teacher, and a method built around your child, progress often unfolds within just a few lessons.
What if my child is 7, 8, or 9 — and still afraid of water?
You’re not alone.
Fear doesn’t always go away with age — and many kids carry it quietly, even after lessons.
That’s exactly why we created the Athena™ program. It’s a gentle, step-by-step pathway for older children who need to rebuild trust and feel safe in the water again.
How long will it take for my child to swim confidently?
It depends on your child’s comfort, energy, and experience.
Some take off in a few sessions. Others need a few months.
We don’t rush — we guide them. And we always track progress carefully so you know they’re growing stronger with each lesson.
Do you teach proper strokes like freestyle and breaststroke?
Yes — and more.
Once your child has water confidence and body control, our Poseidon™ program introduces stroke development tailored to their strengths.
We teach freestyle, breaststroke, back kick, dive entries, and more — but always in a way that suits your child’s natural movement.
What if I don’t know which program to choose?
No worries.
Just book a quick call with our team.
We’ll ask a few questions about your child’s age, confidence, and water history — and guide you toward the right starting point.
What if my child already swims well but needs stroke correction?
For more advanced swimmers, we can shift into stroke correction — refining freestyle, breaststroke, or back kick technique to help them move more efficiently and feel strong in the water.
Do you come to our home, or do we need to travel?
We come to you.
All Nereids lessons take place in your home pool or apartment building — familiar, convenient, and perfect for faster learning.
If you don’t have access to a pool, we may be able to teach at a rock pool, netted beach, rented pool, or assign you to a teacher who has access to one. Just let us know during your call.
Is there a package expiry?
Yes — all packages are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
This gives your family plenty of flexibility while still encouraging steady progress.
Can we change teachers if it’s not the right fit?
Of course.
While we always aim to match your child with a teacher who suits their personality and pace, we understand that not every bond clicks.
If something feels off, just tell us — we’ll listen, support, and help you find the right teacher. Because feeling safe and connected matters as much as learning itself.
Still have a question we didn’t answer?
Let’s talk — no pressure, just a real conversation to find the right path for your child.
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