1. Christchurch City Council's Swimsmart Programme

Description: Swimsmart teaches important safety skills to keep children safe in the water. For aged five years and over, children progress through levels of achievement working towards the end goal of performing five water safety skills continuously. Classes run for 25 minutes during school terms at multiple recreation centers across Christchurch, including Graham Condon, Jellie Park, Matatiki, Pioneer, Taiora QEII, and Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool.
Website: https://recandsport.ccc.govt.nz/swim/learn-to-swim/
Location: Multiple locations across Christchurch

2. Kings Swim School

Description: Kings Swim School offers a perpetual programme for primary and intermediate children aged 5 years and up, featuring a structured, skill-based level system. Unlike traditional term-by-term approaches, children can progress through levels at their own pace with continuous assessment. Classes have a focus on putting education back into swimming, with deck supervisors constantly monitoring and assessing children during lessons.
Website: https://www.swimkings.co.nz/
Location: Christchurch
Contact: 03 341 7579

3. AquaGym

Description: A private swim school in Christchurch operating 7 days a week during primary school terms. They run group and private lessons for school-age children starting at any ability level, from beginners to competitive swimming. Classes are structured by skill level with small class sizes (maximum 5-8 students depending on level ) and range from 25-40 minutes in duration based on the swimmer's level.
Website: https://aquagym.co.nz/
Location: Christchurch
Contact: 03 381 0299

4. Starfish Swim School

Description: Based in Aidanfield on the grounds of Aidanfield Christian School, Starfish Swim School has a 20-metre four-lane pool and a 9-metre teaching pool maintained at 30 degrees year-round. They teach children from 6 months through to development squad level, focusing on both swimming skills and water safety to help children be safer in any water environment.
Website: https://www.starfishswimschool.co.nz/
Location: 2 Nash Road, Halswell, Christchurch
Contact: 03 338 1795, info@starfishswimschool.co.nz

5. Canterbury Swim School

Description: Provides high quality, affordable swimming lessons with consistent and experienced tutors. Classes are available 7 days per week for all levels and abilities from 2 years to adult. Small pool classes have a maximum of 5 per group, while 25m pool classes have a maximum of 8, dependent on level. Parents/caregivers are in the water with their child to quite an advanced level to share in the learning experience.
Website: https://canterburyswimschool.co.nz/our-swimming-lessons/
Location: Waitaha Aquatic Centre, 25 Charente Way, Yaldhurst
Cost: $23.00 per 30-minute group lesson, with discounts for second weekly classes
Contact: 03 260 2220, info@canterburyswimschool.co.nz

6. Frankie Frog Swim School

Description: Established in 1998, Frankie Frog offers swimming lessons for babies from five months, pre-schoolers, and school-age children in a fun, safe environment with experienced and caring teachers. They maintain small class sizes with ratios of 1:3 for school age children and focus on teaching children to swim and be safer around water. Features include the same teacher each week, mature experienced teachers, and Ozone water treatment with very low chlorine.
Website: https://www.frankiefrogswimschool.co.nz/
Location: Christchurch

7. Bumble Bees Swim School

Description: Located in Beckenham, Christchurch, Bumble Bees offers a comprehensive, planned and progressive swimming program. Children can start from 5 months of age and continue until they are ready to progress into Level 1 lessons at McMillan's Aquatic Centre. They operate one class at a time with a maximum of 5 children in the pool, ensuring ample teacher attention.
Website: https://www.macswimming.co.nz/bumble-bees-swim-school/home
Location: 126 Fisher Avenue, Beckenham, Christchurch
Contact: +64 3 332 4617, bees.swim@xtra.co.nz

8. MAC's Aquatic Centre

Description: A Christchurch-based swim school for advanced beginners, mini squad swimmers, and adults. Their program focuses on four cornerstones: endurance, pool space (no more than 6 swimmers in a 20m lane ), teacher/swimmer/parent relationships, and teaching swimming as a life skill. They emphasize personalized attention rather than a "factory" approach.
Website: https://www.macswimming.co.nz/
Location: 54 Wickham St, Bromley, Christchurch
Contact: +64 22 591 4193, office@macswimming.co.nz

9. Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre

Description: Part of the Christchurch City Council's recreation centers, Jellie Park offers Learn to Swim lessons along with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hydroslides. Located in Burnside, it's a popular destination for families, especially during summer months with its outdoor summer pools, hydroslides, kids' splash deck, diving boards, and BBQ picnic areas.
Website: https://recandsport.ccc.govt.nz/jellie-park/
Location: Burnside, Christchurch

10. SwimWell

Description: SwimWell offers swimming lessons for children of all ages and abilities, with a focus on water confidence, safety, and skill development. Their structured program allows children to progress at their own pace through various levels, from water familiarization to stroke refinement. Classes are held in heated pools with qualified instructors maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention.
Website: https://swimwell.nz/
Location: Christchurch

11. Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre

Description: Another facility in the Christchurch City Council's network, Pioneer offers the Swimsmart learn-to-swim program for children. The center features a 25-meter lap pool, leisure pool, and toddlers' pool, all maintained at comfortable temperatures. Their swimming lessons focus on water confidence, safety skills, and stroke development in a supportive environment.
Website: https://recandsport.ccc.govt.nz/pioneer/
Location: 75 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield, Christchurch

12. Taiora QEII Recreation and Sport Centre

Description: Part of the Christchurch City Council's facilities, Taiora QEII offers the Swimsmart program in their modern aquatic complex. The center features multiple pools including a 25-meter lap pool, leisure pool, and learn-to-swim pool. Their structured swimming lessons cater to various age groups and skill levels, with a focus on water safety and confidence building.
Website: https://recandsport.ccc.govt.nz/taiora-qeii/
Location: 193 Travis Road, New Brighton, Christchurch