With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time for the whole family to build confidence, improve their skills and enjoy more time in the water.
Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre offers two main swimming programs – Learn to Swim and Swim Squad – covering everyone from babies and complete beginners to recreational swimmers, adults and serious competitors.
With programs running seven days a week, flexible replacement sessions, spacious change rooms, an on-site kiosk, bonus pool access for enrolled swimmers outside lesson times, and two hours of free parking, it’s a convenient choice for busy local families.
No matter where someone is in their swimming journey, there’s a program to help them take the next step.
KEEP READING TO SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE RDM OFFERS.
Learn to Swim: From Babies to Adults
Macquarie University’s Learn to Swim program begins with water familiarisation and essential safety skills before progressing through independent swimming, stroke development, technique and endurance.
Babies, Preschoolers and School-Aged Children
Children’s programs include:
- Babies and infants aged six months to three years
- Preschool classes for ages three to five
- School-age classes for ages five to 10
- Stroke development for ages five to 12
Classes are designed to help children become safe and confident in the water while steadily developing their swimming technique.
Teen and Adult Beginners
Teenagers and adults don’t need to be confident swimmers to get started.
- Teen Beginner teaches fundamentals such as floating, kicking and coordinating arm and leg movements. Intermediate and Advanced classes then introduce all four strokes while developing technique and endurance.
- Adult Swimming Basics helps adults become comfortable in the water and learn floating, gliding, breathing, freestyle and backstroke. More experienced adults can progress to Stroke Extension, which focuses on breathing, technique and continuous swimming.
Beginner levels can be booked without an assessment, while swimmers with previous experience can complete a FREE assessment to find the most suitable class.
To book a FREE assessment > CLICK HERE
Complete beginners
If your child is completely new to swimming, an assessment isn’t required – they’ll be placed straight into the age-appropriate beginner class to get started right away. Click here to book your child into age-based beginner-level classes.
Levels and Age Groups
- Fairy Penguin: 6–18 months
- Emperor Penguin: 18 months–3 years
- Manta Ray: 3–8 years
- Teen Beginner: 9–17 years
- Swimming Basics: 18 years+
Find out more about Learn to Swim.
Swim Squads: Development, Recreation and Competition
Once swimmers are confident in the water and have developed the required technique and endurance, they can progress into Macquarie University’s Squad Program.
Junior Development Squads
The pathway begins with Mini Squad, where junior swimmers build endurance and learn racing skills such as starts, turns and finishes.
They can then progress to Emerging Squad, which focuses on refining all four strokes and increasing fitness over longer distances.
A Pathway for Different Goals
From junior development, swimmers can choose a pathway that reflects their interests and goals:
- Teen Transition and Teen Squad offer recreational training for teenagers who want to improve their fitness and technique without the demands of competition.
- Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Squads provide a structured competitive pathway for swimmers working towards metropolitan, state and national-level championships.
- Swim Fit offers adults coached sessions focused on fitness, endurance and technique.
- Masters Squad caters for adults training for Masters competitions, ocean swims and triathlons.
This means swimmers can pursue competitive swimming if that’s their goal—or simply enjoy regular training for fitness, recreation and fun.
All squad swimmers complete a FREE assessment before enrolling to ensure they enter at the appropriate level.
To book an assessment > CLICK HERE
Explore the Swim Squad programs.
Flexible, Year-Round Swimming Plus Replacement Sessions
All Learn to Swim lessons take place in the indoor heated 25m pool.
Classes run seven days a week and the Learn to Swim program operates for 48 weeks of the year, helping swimmers maintain consistency and continue progressing.
If a Learn to Swim participant is sick or away, families can access up to 12 replacement sessions within a 12-month rolling period. Replacement sessions must be used within 30 days.
As an added benefit, enrolled swimmers can access the pools outside their regular lesson time, giving them more opportunities to practise what they’ve learned. Parents and carers can get involved in their child’s progress, and families can enjoy both the indoor and outdoor pools under adult supervision—especially as the warmer summer days arrive.
School Holiday Swimming Programs
Macquarie University also runs targeted programs during the school holidays, giving swimmers an opportunity to focus on particular skills and accelerate their progress. Find out more about their School Holiday Programs.
One-on-One Swim Intensives
Learn to Swim intensives are delivered as 20-minute private lessons tailored to the individual swimmer.
Sessions can focus on water confidence, breathing, kicking, body position, stroke correction or another skill requiring extra attention.
Stroke and School Carnival Clinics
More advanced swimmers can join 1.5-hour Intensive Stroke Clinics in the outdoor 50m pool, focusing on areas such as stroke technique, kicking and body position.
School carnival preparation can also include racing dives, turns and finishes, helping swimmers feel more confident and prepared on carnival day.
Why Families Choose Macquarie University Swim School
Macquarie University Swim School combines comprehensive swimming pathways with facilities and flexibility that make regular lessons easier for families.
Families can enjoy:
- Programs available seven days a week
- Two hours of free parking
- A kiosk for drinks and snacks
- Large change rooms
- Online progress tracking
- Flexible replacement sessions
- Bonus pool access outside lesson times for enrolled swimmers
- Programs for children, teenagers and adults
Awarded and Inclusive
The Swim School also places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. It caters to swimmers with disabilities and works closely with the neighbouring NextSense school to make swimming more accessible and welcoming.
On August 26th, the swim school was recognised as the national winner of the Inclusive Swim School Award by the Australian Swim Schools Association.
Macquarie University Swim School was named Swim School of the Year by the Aquatic Recreation Institute NSW in both 2024 and 2025—the only NSW swim school to win the award in consecutive years.
Exclusive RDM Offers
FREE Adult Swimming Squad
All adults are eligible for a FREE Squad Trial – Click here to arrange your free trial.
FREE 15-Minute Swim Assessment
New to MUSAC? All new swimmers are invited to a free 15-minute swim assessment to determine the best class placement for your child. This ensures every swimmer starts at the right level to maximise confidence and progress. Click here to book in your free assessment.
The Details
Location: Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre, 10 Gymnasium Road, North Ryde
Find out more about Learn to Swim.
Explore the Swim Squad programs.