Learn to Swim classes will return to Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre from September 28, with MAAC planning to offer lessons beyond the traditional summer season. Photo: Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
Learn to Swim classes will return to Moree this month, with Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre planning to make swimming lessons available throughout the year.
Classes will begin from Monday, September 28, with MAAC initially offering preschool and school-aged lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Unlike previous programs, which have generally run during the warmer months, the centre intends to try continuing lessons through winter.
MAAC venue manager Roh Taylor said the centre recognised there had been a gap in consistent Learn to Swim classes in Moree and wanted to give families more opportunities to get their children into lessons.
Rather than automatically stopping classes during the colder months, MAAC plans to keep them available and allow families to decide whether continuing through winter suits their child.
“I’d suspect probably our school-aged kids that are a bit older will,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’d probably say our preschool ages probably will back off in winter, but we’re going to give it a red-hot crack and continue moving forward in that direction and just, you know, providing the service to the community.”
The initial timetable has classes planned for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Preschool classes, for children aged about three to five, are planned from 9.30am to 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with school-aged classes from about 4pm to 6.30pm.
Saturday lessons are planned from 9am to midday, beginning with preschool classes and progressing through the school-age levels. Mr Taylor said the timetable was subject to change as enrolments increased, with MAAC able to adjust or add classes according to demand and instructor availability.
Three qualified instructors are ready to teach, with another two nearing completion of their required practical hours. Mr Taylor said MAAC began preparing its current group of instructors around March.
Swimming teachers need to complete external training as well as about 20 hours of supervised teaching in the water before completing the qualification process. Because Moree has not had a continuously operating Learn to Swim program, developing instructors have been travelling to Inverell to complete those practical hours.
Families do not need to enrol before September 28. Enrolments will remain open, meaning swimmers can join later when a suitable place is available.
Mr Taylor encouraged families to submit an online enquiry through the MAAC website. Staff can then discuss the swimmer’s ability, find the appropriate level and check available classes.
If the right class is full, the swimmer can be placed on a waiting list. Those enquiries will also help MAAC see where extra classes may be needed as more instructors become available.
Families can also use the Active World app to create an account, add swimmers and search for lessons.
Adults interested in learning to swim are encouraged to register their interest too. Adult classes are not currently scheduled, but Mr Taylor said MAAC would consider establishing them if there was enough demand.
Infant classes are not yet being offered in Moree. Mr Taylor said further instructor qualifications were needed, with MAAC likely to consider younger age groups as the weather becomes warmer around November or December.
Regular Learn to Swim lessons cost $18 a week for one lesson each week, with a $12 joining fee, according to pricing confirmed by Mr Taylor during the interview. Private swimming lessons are also available for $50 per lesson.
The return follows interruptions to Learn to Swim over the previous two swimming seasons. Mr Taylor said facility issues prevented MAAC from running the program last season and disrupted the previous season’s classes.
This year, the centre is looking beyond the traditional summer season.
“We are recognising there has been a historical gap in Learn to Swim in Moree, and we want to try and close that gap the best we can,” Mr Taylor said.
Families interested in Learn to Swim, adults wanting to register their interest or people seeking private lessons can find further information and submit an enquiry through the GOswim swimming lessons section of the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre website.
