Swimgym has developed a specific program to develop your children's water confidence and swimming ability. The advantages of learning to swim, beyond the obvious safety considerations, include improved motor coordination, socialisation skills and fitness.

Children are grouped by ability to ensure that they are with other children of a similar standard. Small jumps are used to define the class levels and progress should be quick depending on the coordination of the child. However children at all levels learn at their own pace so it is not wise to compare development. Some of our Pre Schoolers reach the level of swimming a full length of the pool (or more).

The levels that we use for Pre School are

• Starfish 
• Otters,
• Penguins and
• Sharks.

with each level focusing on a different skill eg

• putting your face under
• learning to float
• learning to stroke
• learning to breathe.

The following are a few details on the available squads

	Class Size	Duration	$ per 10 week term
Waterbabies	8 guardians and babies	30 mins	$75.00
Pre School	3	20 mins	$100.00

Lessons are run Mon-Fri 9.00am-3.00pm and Weekend Classes from 8.30am-2.00pm.

Please have a look around this web site for information on the Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club. If you require any further information ask the Swimgym office staff or contact the club administrator.

Starfish

• Get in and out of the pool safely
• Get your head and face all wet
• Blow nice big bubbles
• Go under and pick up rings
• Nice relaxed Starfish float
• Float on back comfortably (may be aided)
• Push off and glide to teacher

Otters

• A long relaxed glide
• A long relaxed glide blowing bubbles and beginning to kick
• A relaxed un-aided back float
• Kick with boards with long legs
• Arm action with board
• Basic arm action awareness on front and back

Penguins

• Streamlined push off using both feet on front & back

• Front kick for 5m

• Back kick for 5m
• Long glide with kick and arm action
• 5 big arms kick with glide to start
• Back stroke 5 big arms
• Kneeling dive
• Retrieve sticks from the bottom on their own

Sharks

• Streamlined push off, and kick on front and back
• Standing and able to work through the breathing sequence
• Holding onto side & able to work thru breathing sequence
• Standing arms and breathing
• Stroking on the side of the pool and breathing
• Head roll with board or bottles
• Breathing both arms returning to board or bottle
• 10m Swim Freestyle
• 10m Swim Backstroke