Frequently Asked Questions

Most of your personal and payment details can be updated via your online customer portal account.

For email and name changes please visit the Centre to update.

It is important to keep your details updated, so that you receive any important correspondence from our team regarding your membership.

Payment details can also be updated at the Centre. Please visit us at the Front Desk to update.

Please note the following deadlines for updating payment details:

• after 12pm the Wednesday before the direct debit via the online customer portal,
• after 5pm the Wednesday before the direct debit for in-Centre requests.

We understand that life can be unpredictable. If your child is unable to attend a Swimming Lesson please register your absence and then book a make-up lesson to ensure your child retains important water safety skills. If your lesson falls on a public holiday, you do not need to register your absence and you will automatically be allocated a make-up lesson to your account.

If a medical certificate is provided for illness or injury, we offer medical suspensions for the dates specified on the certificate. Please read information on medical suspensions below.

Further details on make-up lessons and medical suspensions can be found on Existing Student Resources.

Medical suspensions are available at no charge for students who are unable to attend one or more consecutive lessons. Medical suspensions can be back-dated for one month.

To request a medical suspension, please visit the Centre with your medical certificate, and complete an amendment form.

For lesson notified absences we offer make-up lessons. Please read our make-up lessons policy for more information.

Whilst the YMCA welcomes the capturing of your magic moments, the privacy of others must be respected.

For this reason we do not allow photos or videos to be taken on pool deck without prior arrangement and the following conditions:

• All persons within the pool areas must have signed a photo consent form
• Any photos taken must not be published or broadcast without prior consent

Under no circumstances are cameras, video cameras or mobile phones to be used in change room areas.

Absolutely. When a child is enrolled in swimming lessons, they become a member of SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre. The students have unlimited access to the pools to practice their newly learnt skills or to just have fun in the water with family and friends.

Infants are required to wear aqua nappies that are tight fitting around the thighs if they wear a standard nappy when not swimming. Standard nappies are not permitted in the pool. Aqua nappies are available for purchase at customer service.

If your child is under 3 years old and/or enrolled into one of our infant classes (Starfish, Periwinkle, Minnow) then a parent/guardian must be in the water for the lesson.

Swimming lesson memberships are perpetual direct debit agreements with no “lock in” period or cancellation fees; A minimum notice of 14 days must be given prior to the next payment day if that payment is to be stopped. We require written notice of cancellation by completing a cancellation form at the Centre. The customer will be entitled to their normal access to the Centre until the end of the payment period that follows the final payment.

Convenient fortnightly direct debit payments encourage continual skill development with no re-enrolment process. Every second Thursday the agreed debit amount is withdrawn from your nominated bank account or credit card.

The debit pays for the day of the debit and the following thirteen days.

If a debit has failed, you will be notified via text and/or email. A $15.00 fee is charged for any rejected debit.

Every child progresses at a different rate. There is no one answer and we strongly encourage parents to not make comparisons with other children. Some children will progress quickly, others will take considerably longer. Variables that can influence learning include (but not limited to) overcoming a fear, natural aptitude and the amount of practice that occurs outside lessons.

Progression occurs within a level. Not reaching the next level does not indicate a lack of skill acquisition. Children improve within levels. It is also important for them to learn a skill rather than perform it once before they move to another class.

Yes, all of our pools are heated.

Bathers, towel, goggles and dry clothes to change into after their session.

Medical suspensions are available at no charge for students who are unable to attend one or more consecutive lessons. Medical suspensions can be back-dated for one month and must be arranged in person or email and be accompanied by a supporting medical certificate.

Please be aware that it is not uncommon for young children to require a period of time to adjust to swimming lessons. Most children will settle within a few weeks; however we do encourage parents of preschool aged children to bring bathers along during the first couple of weeks in case your child requires additional support.

Our Teachers and Teachers In Charge hold nationally accredited Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety Certificates, a current CPR and a First Aid certificate. They all hold Working with Children Checks and have undergone a Criminal History Record screen and Safeguarding Children and Young People training.

All teachers that teach infant lessons hold an additional specialised qualification.

Yes, each student is issued with a membership wrist band which must be scanned at the entry gates before every lesson to gain entry to the pool.

At SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre and the Y we are a Watch Around Water endorsed aquatic safety organisation. The following information is the new watch around water policy launched in centre from 1 September 2019.

Watch Around Water is a set of industry guidelines outlining the minimum supervision requirements of young children at all affiliated aquatic venues. 

Children under 5 years old

Children under 10 years old

All children under the age of 10 MUST be accompanied into the centre by a person 16 years and older. All children MUST be actively supervised by an adult over the age of 16 at all times. The adult must have a clear and active view of the child with no physical or structural barriers between them (this includes tech and devices).

A child of limited swimming ability and or reliant on a flotation aid much be accompanied and in arms' reach in the water by a responsible person 16 years and older regardless of the child's age.

All children MUST wear a yellow wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming. Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 10 years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.

All children

Unsupervised children (of any age) will be removed from the water if the lifeguard is concerned for their safety.

A child of limited swimming ability and or reliant on a flotation aid much be accompaniedand in arms' reach in the water by a responsible person 16 years and older regardless of the child's age.

Birthday parties

Visit the watch around water website