Joseph Schooling showed the world that Singapore can be a swimming powerhouse. Our guide to the best swim schools in Singapore will give your kids the best start in the water, mama
Joseph Schooling’s amazing swimming gold medal at the Olympics – the first in Singapore’s history – no doubt inspired parents kiddos across our tiny island to get into the pool. Of course, long before Schooling outraced Michael Phelps, our tropical island was already filled with swimming pools and a wealth of fantastic swim schools and swimming instructors!
Whether you want your little one to simply be comfortable in the water (that’s how Schooling’s parents started out!), or you’ve got a fierce competitor in the making, there are plenty of great aquatic options out there. Here’s our guide to the best swim schools in Singapore, mama!
Lead image sourced via Getty
With over 40 years of experience teaching kiddos in Australia to swim, State Swim is now in Singapore to bring their knowledge and philosophy to littlies in SG! Learning to swim is the best survival skill and this industry-leading aquatic swimming school is here to help everyone from 6 months all the way to adults! Their programs; including “Swim and Play” (Waterbabies and Kindergarten), “400 Gold” (4 years and above) and “Health and Sport” (squad training), offer your child quality and innovative lessons. As they understand that every student is unique and no one learns exactly the same way, they ensure small class sizes with hands-on instructors who are in the water with swimmers. There’s clear communication and demos of the skills taught, either by the instructor or by short videos on tablets, while gently guiding swimmers physically so they can feel the correct way to swim.
Swimming is for everyone! All ages and abilities are welcome through the main learn-to-swim programs, SWIMVAC (school holiday program) and adult lessons. State Swim also has an easy online booking system available, where you can manage payments, update booking and track your child’s progress all online.
Kickstart program available for all new customers: Receive 2 lessons a week for the first week for the price of 1. Kickstart your child’s learning and help them to become stronger, safer swimmers!
State Swim, Suntec City North Wing #L4, Access via Lobby M from B1, B2 and L1 – between Towers 1 and 2, Singapore 038983, Tel: (+65) 8123 0103, [email protected], www.stateswim.com.sg
Established all the way back in 1989 with 9 locations across the island, aquaDucks is one of Singapore’s most popular swim schools for little ones. Employing a unique blend of European, American and Australian teaching techniques, their programme focuses on water safety using a child-centred approach. With songs and games, it’s all about learning through play!
Dempsey, 29 Harding Road, Singapore 249537 (next to St. James’ Church Kindergarten), [email protected]
Weather hotline: (+65) 9820 2248)
Turf City, 2 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287988 (next to Blue House International), [email protected],
Weather hotline: (+65) 9846 3039
Tanglin Village, 29 Harding Road, Singapore 249537 (next to St. James’ Church Kindergarten), [email protected],
Weather hotline: (+65) 9820 2248
Gilstead, 25 Gilstead Road, Singapore 309070 (inside St. James’ Church Kindergarten), [email protected]
Weather hotline: (+65) 9648 0744
Nexus, 201 Ulu Pandan Road, Singapore 596468 (inside Nexus International School), [email protected], Weather hotline: (+65) 8500 3273
Queenstown, 58 Jalan Penjara, 149382 (next to Children’s Cove Preschool), [email protected]
Weather hotline: (+65) 8817 3528
Hollandse Club, 22 Camden Park, Singapore 299814, Tel: (+65) 9225 7310 (For any enquiries, please email), [email protected]
Swiss Club, 36 Swiss Club Road, Singapore 288139, Tel: (+65) 9487 5183, [email protected]
Singapore Island Country Club, 240 Sime Road, Singapore 288303 (Bukit Location), [email protected]
Founded in 2015, Isplash Swim School has blossomed into one of the leading swimming schools in Singapore! They conduct classes at multiple locations in the West. All coaches who conduct their flagship classes are certified by the National Registry of Coaches and registered with the Ministry of Education to conduct the internationally recognised SwimSafer Programme.
Isplash Swim School has a systematic approach in arranging students based on classes that match their competency to ensure effective learning. For example, newly enrolled students with no prior learning background will be able to join new or existing beginners classes.
Jurong West Swimming Complex, 20 Jurong West St 93, Singapore 648965
Senja Cashew (Bukit Panjang) Swimming Complex, 101 Bukit Panjang Road 01-01/02, Singapore 679910
Choa Chu Kang Swimming Complex, 1 Choa Chu Kang St 53, Singapore 689236
Bukit Batok Swimming Complex, 2 Bukit Batok St. 22, Singapore 659581
Isplash Swim School, Tel: (+65) 8869 0089,
[email protected], www.swimminglessonscoach.com
The Water Babies programme by Little Fishes is great for imaginative little swimmers. Kids from 4 months old can enjoy lessons related to children’s stories, musicals and various themes with something new each time so classes are never boring! The instructors always encourage lots of engagement between parents and children through structured activities, so little ones can develop better motor skills for swimming. Their Principal coach also has experience working with different academic institutions to be able to stimulate the different parts of your child’s brain. All activities will also have a learning outcome, making Little Fishes one of the first in the industry to help you track your child’s progress systematically.
www.swimlessons.sg
WhatsApp: (+65) 9643 6331
www.facebook.com/www.swimlessons.sg
With over 20 years experience in Singapore, Marsden teaches little ones from 4 months of age through to squads and adults and understand all stages of development in one’s swimming journey through their programs. The AUSTSWIM Gold standard school has an international mix of experienced full-time swim coaches. They conduct classes in heated pools for babies and a world class 50m temperature-controlled indoor pool at the German European School Singapore, ensuring swim lessons go on whether it’s rain or shine!
Quote SASSY10 for $10 off registration fees! Valid through 2019.
The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, #01-33 Turf City/The Grandstand, Singapore 287994
Queenstown Swimming Complex, 473 Stirling Road, Singapore 148948,
Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex, 1771 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569978
German European School Singapore, 2 Dairy Farm Rd, Singapore 677621 (Next to Skywoods Condominium)
Tel: (+65) 6909 1436, [email protected], www.marsdenswimschool.com
Pacific Swim Team journeys with swimmers to turn them from total beginners to champions! Accepting little ones as young as 3 years old up to adults, the Pacific family is committed to help every swimmer achieve their maximum potential. Learning in a fun and supportive environment, their swimming lessons are also one of safest, as they’re the only known swim school that employs additional lifeguards whenever possible with temperature checks implemented before each lesson.
Students can choose to go the competitive route and join Competitive Swimming Achievements such as the Singapore National Age Group Championships (Pacific Swim team has so far produced the Fastest 12-year-old boy in 100m & 200m Butterfly, along with 27 other events ranked within Top 10 and zero disqualifications!). Swimmers can look forward to achieving certifications recognised by SportsSG (SwimSafer Program – National School Program), Singapore Lifesaving Society and Singapore Swimming Association.
Pacific Swim Team is also one of the only known swim schools to develop their own online system which allows training progress tracking, attendance and payment – making it easy for parents to keep up with their littlie’s progress!
Pacific Swim Team, Our Tampines Hub & Pasir Ris Swimming Complex, www.pacificswimteam.com.sg
The Swim Lab’s wide array of programmes for kiddos 3 years old up to older ages (even those looking into a semi-competitive route!) make it a suitable swim school that your little one can grow with. Their small class ratio and systematic lesson plans that emphasise on technique, ensures your kids will be on their way to becoming a proficient and confident swimmer! Their Learn to Swim programme is divided into three levels – Toddler (3-4 years old), Beginner (5 years old and up) and Intermediate (5 years old and up) – where progress is assessed every 8 weeks and certificates will be awarded upon completion of each level.
If your kiddo is keen on taking their swimming talent further, The Swim Lab offers the Development Program, a semi-competitive squad where children will have opportunities to participate in fun races. Perfect for swimmers who want to improve their fitness in swimming or have a taste of competitive training all while working on their technique.
The Swim Lab, Hwa Chong Institution, 681 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269782, www.theswimlab.com
With Able Aquatic School’s massively experienced team (they’ve been in the biz since 1981!) your little ones will be ditching the floaties and upgrading from that paddling pool in no time. Able offers group classes at over two dozen swimming complexes in Singapore, and their teaching is founded on the internationally recognised Swimsafer and Learn to Swim programme. Baby classes start from just four months, and they offer private sessions as well!
Public group lessons ranging from 45-60 minutes are priced at $60 per month and cater to a maximum of 10 children. See locations here.
Able Aquatic School, 34 Tanah Merah Kechil Road, Singapore 465560, www.swim.com.sg
Founded by two sassy mamas who initially just wanted their kids to enjoy swimming, AquaBambinos has blossomed into one of Singapore’s leading swim schools specifically for infants and toddlers. This indoor school has a strictly regulated pool, where the water temperature and chlorine levels are carefully controlled to ensure sweethearts with sensitive skin don’t have any issues. (You won’t have to worry about the weather either!) With the supervision of a parent, the coaches at AquaBambinos use teaching aids such as kickboards, noodles and bubble packs to make the experience a little more fun – however they’re careful to use them sparingly so that your children don’t develop a dependence on them. AquaBambinos offer infant classes for 6-12 month olds, a toddler group from 13-36 month olds and a slightly more ambitious class for kiddos 3+.
Serangoon Gardens, 45 Burghley Drive, Singapore, 559022, (+65) 6487 3225
Sengkang, 28 Jalan Selaseh, Singapore, 808446, Tel: (+65) 6257 8332
This popular swim school for little ones offers classes at venues across Singapore with over 300 instructors under their watch. They’ve also just introduced their first indoor heated mineral swimming pool. Whether through private one-on-one lessons or in bigger group classes, your own little happy fish is sure to develop a love of the water!
Happy Fish Swim School, (+65) 6589 8650, www.swimminglessons.com.sg
Don’t worry about your littlies complaining about cold water at Little Splashes Swim School, mama – the heated indoor mineral water pool (which is also chlorine-free!) will have your kiddos jumping in in no time! Swimming from as young as 3 months old can aid in brain, motor and sensory development, and the instructors at Little Splashes are dedicated to help in those areas while making learning fun and enjoyable.
Little Splashes Swim School, 300 Bedok South Ave 3, Siglap CC #01-07, Singapore 469299, Tel: (+65) 6636 0016, [email protected], www.littlesplashes.com.sg, www.facebook.com/littlesplashesSG
Image by Little Splashes Swim School via Facebook
Little Swim School’s founder, Garett Lee, is a swimming veteran with more than 18 years’ coaching experience across a variety of age groups and specialisations. This year the school opened a brand new temperature-controlled, salt-water chlorinated pool that’s the ideal learning environment for infants, toddlers and kids. Little Swim School’s flagship is at Westway on the West Coast Highway, but they also offer classes at Yio Chu Kang and Queenstown, and can even arrange private and group lessons at condos.
Little Swim School, Westway, 27 West Coast Highway, Singapore 117867, Tel: (+65) 6747 5232,
[email protected], www.littleswimschool.com
Little Swim School East, 920 East Coast Parkway, #01-28/32, Singapore 449875, Tel: (+65) 6747 5232, [email protected]
Despite starting only in 2008, Singapore Swimming Academy is now the market leader for swimming lessons with over 300 full-time instructors and the most number of ongoing swimming classes in Singapore! They cater to all public and private pools, bringing classes to every corner of the island. Kids will learn in accordance to the SwimSafer programme, recognised by all schools in Singapore. Get in touch with their coordinators and they’ll match the best suitable time for you or your child’s schedule!
Singapore Swimming Academy, multiple locations islandwide, www.singaporeswimming.com
Image courtesy of Singapore Swimming Academy via Facebook
French swim coach Christian Anseaume teaches little ones from the age of 2 how to swim safely, confidently and independently with his 3-step method that’ll have them swimming on their own after just 10 hours of instruction. Next it’s on to swimming freestyle (watch out Phelps!); some of his top students have been top competitors in their age groups from 5 years old.
Swim to Fly, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 8112 9162, www.elitecoach.com.sg
With the philosophy that swimming is a vital life skill that should be fun, Swish has a lovely setting amongst the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill. They’re the only swim school in Singapore with both temperature-controlled indoor and outdoor saltwater chlorinated pools, which are able to cater to both babies (the water never gets too cold!) and the pre-squad level. Offering Mums & Bubs classes from 6 months onwards, swimming instruction for kids of all levels, a more competitive kids’ squad, and adult lessons, Swish Swimming’s team of AUSTSWIM-certified instructors will make you mermaids in no time.
SWISH Swimming School, 72 Loewen Road, #01-08, Dempsey Hill, Singapore 248848,
[email protected], Tel: (+65) 9832 2522, www.swishswimming.com
