Where confidence begins. Where safety lasts a lifetime.
Gentle, evidence-based water education for Canberra babies and children - supporting confidence, calm, and lifelong water safety from as early as 6 weeks.
Aquatots Swim School Canberra
Who We Are
A swim school built on gentleness, evidence, and care.
Aquatots is a local, family-led swim school dedicated to helping children feel safe, capable, and confident in the water.
Our programs are designed around emotional readiness and developmental pacing - because children learn best when they feel calm, supported, and understood.
Every lesson is led by qualified instructors who know your child, respect their pace, and guide progress safely over time.
Aquatots owner, Alena Sarri at their Forde swim centre.location
Trusted by Canberra families for over 20 years
A calm, consistent approach to water education - shaped by research, guided by experience, and delivered with genuine care.
Confidence Comes First.
Water confidence is the foundation of safety.
Before children learn distance or technique, they learn how to feel calm in the water - how to breathe, float, orient themselves, and move with control.
These foundational skills support safety in unexpected situations and give children the confidence to keep learning.
Our approach focuses on:
- Calm breathing and buoyancy
- Gentle progression at each child’s pace
- Repetition that helps skills become instinctive
- Safety messages woven into every lesson
Not sure where your child fits? We’ll guide you.
Every child begins with a gentle assessment so we can understand their confidence, readiness, and experience - and place them where they’ll feel safest and most supported.
Babies (6 weeks - walking)
A calm, nurturing introduction to the water - supporting early familiarity, gentle movement, and parent confidence.
School Aged (5-12 years)
A calm, nurturing introduction to the water - supporting early familiarity, gentle movement, and parent confidence.
Pre-School (3-5 years)
For children building comfort and independence in the water, with a strong focus on foundational safety skills.
Advanced
For confident swimmers ready to refine technique, stamina, and efficiency while maintaining strong safety habits.
You can’t choose the wrong program.
Our instructors regularly review each child’s progress and adjust placement as their confidence grows. Progress looks different for every child - and that’s exactly how it should be.
Parent Stories
Families often tell us the same thing:
They feel clearer, calmer, and more confident - knowing their child is learning in a supportive, consistent environment.
Ready to begin?
A short assessment helps us understand your child and guide them into the most supportive starting point.
Takes just a few minutes. Our team will guide you every step of the way.
What to expect…
A calm, supportive place to build confidence in the water.
What Children Learn
- How to enter and exit the water safely
- Calm floating and breathing control
- Progressive movement and stroke development
- Confidence, resilience, and self-trust
What Parents Can Expect
- Qualified, consistent instructors
- Small, supportive class environments
- Clear explanations of progress
- Regular reassurance and guidance
Unsure Where to Start?
It’s completely normal to have questions. A gentle assessment helps us guide your child safely and confidently. Reach out if you have any questions.
