It’s great to have fun in the water, and the YMCA can help you and your children learn how to do so safely.

Our unique aquatic education programs:

• are about much more than just learning to swim
• combine water safety education and skill development with personal development
• provide opportunities for students to build a healthy body, mind and spirit
• place an emphasis on simulating open-water environments
• are available to everyone from the age of six months – to 99 years!
• are high quality and affordable
• are designed to enhance community awareness about the risk of drowning

Click here to find your local Pool

Water safety tips

Shelly the Shrimp and her AquaSafe Friends

This is a new children's book launched by the YMCA as part of its commitment to building the water safety skills of Australians. The story, aimed at children aged 5-9 and their parents, was inspired by the tragic loss of life of author Kylie Lehman's brother-in-law, Justin Lehman, in a drowning accident. The book's underlying water safety messages are cleverly told through the adventures of Shelly the Shrimp who learns to swim safely with the aid of her clan of sea creature friends.

The books is available at all good book stores and newsagencies. Find out more.

Kick start your career in aquatics

The YMCA is committed to staff professional development and encourages people to choose a career in aquatics. The YMCA is a registered training organisation and delivers a range of Aquatic Education and related courses from 3 capital city campuses; Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne.

Courses include: 

- Pool Life Guard re-accreditation 
- Pool Operators 
- Aquatic Education professional development for teachers 
- First Aid 
- CPR 
- Mechanical Oxygen 
- Management Development

Contact Frances Bevacqua for more information on training courses or search the careers section of this website for current opportunities..