Swimming schools in Singapore

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Swimming is one of the most popular sports amongst Singaporeans, with lessons for infants starting as young as 3 months old. After all, it’s never too late to groom the next Joseph Schooling.

Whether you’re a parent wanting your child to start their Olympic swimming journey or an adult looking to beat the incessant heat with their condo pool, have a look at this list of swimming schools in Singapore. Filled with options nationwide, you’re bound to find one in your vicinity to instil within you or your child the confidence to conquer open waters.

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How many levels of swimming are there in Singapore

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The Singapore Association of Swimming, also known as Singapore Aquatics, has listed 6 levels of swimming competency under their Singapore Swimming Proficiency Awards. These awards are given to those who’ve shown a certain level of proficiency when it comes to executing the various strokes in swimming.

There are 20 badges and certificates to attain, which will be conferred upon clocking in a satisfactory timing in strokes like the front crawl, breaststroke, backstroke, and the butterfly. Most swim schools will be able to facilitate the booking of Singapore Swimming Proficiency Award tests, so do express you or your child’s interest with your instructors.

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How much do swimming lessons cost in Singapore?

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The cost of swimming lessons in Singapore float around the $25-$50 range per lesson. Most swim schools charge on a monthly basis, which means you’ll be paying for 4 weekly lessons per month. If you’d prefer a female instructor, check in with your preferred swim school to see if arrangements can be made. Do note that this may incur additional fees.

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Swimming schools in Singapore by cost

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1. Marsden Swim School

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Indoor heated pool

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Image credit: Marsden Swim School via Facebook

Marsden Swim School’s flagship pool at The Grandstand has heated and salt-chlorinated pools that are fit for infants and children up to 7 years old. Their coaches are also all certified by AUSTSWIM, Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of Swimming and Water Safety.

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2. Singapore Swimming Academy

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Structured training classes

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Image credit: Singapore Swimming Academy via Facebook

Singapore Swimming Academy conducts classes at all the 25 swimming complexes in the country as well as private lessons at any condominium with a swimming pool. Their flagship classes that offer a more structured training programme compared to the group classes are only available at Yishun, Sengkang, and Bukit Canberra Swimming Complex.

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3. State Swim

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Convenient training location at Suntec City

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Image credit: State Swim Singapore via Facebook

Australian swim school State Swim has recently opened a branch for all ages at Aljunied, with flexible booking timings and facilities including changing rooms and a swim shop.

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4. Isplash Swim School

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Private ladies-only lessons from $37.50/session

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Image credit: Isplash Swim School via Facebook

Ladies that feel more comfortable under the guidance of a female swimming coach can look to Isplash Swim School. They hold a weekly ladies-only swimming class at various swimming complexes in the West, but Eastsiders can also find suitable alternative locations with their affiliate instructors and schools.

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5. Little Splashes

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Structured training & term reports for kids

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Image credit: Little Splashes via Facebook

Little Splashes has crafted a swimming curriculum incorporating play time, aquatic practice, and safe swimming techniques fit for all children from as young as 3 months old. Their baby swimming lessons have a 1:5 teacher-to-student ratio, and parents can also track their child’s progress with end-of-term reports.

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6. aquaDucks

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Over 30 years of experience

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Image credit: @aquaducks_sg via Instagram

The training programme at aquaDucks has been refined over 3 decades with American, European, and Australian techniques. Each group of swimmers – babies & toddlers aged 6-36 months, preschoolers aged 3-4 years old, and learners 5 years old and above – will each have 6 levels to learn from stroke techniques to stamina building.

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7. Happy Fish Swim School

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Varied classes from prenatal to lifesaving

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Image credit: Happy Fish Swim School via Facebook

Happy Fish Swim School has many classes available including lessons for those with special needs, prenatal swim class, private family lessons, and a lifesaving course.

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8. SwimRay

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Ex-NDU & commando swim coaches

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Image credit: SwimRay via Facebook

SwimRay is one of the more versatile schools in Singapore, being able to cater to any swimming pool as well as any timing from morning to night. The coaches also consist of former naval divers and commandos so you know you’ll be in experienced and skilled hands.

Age range: All ages, from 6 months
Fees: From $75/lesson, check out the rates for SwimRay
Locations: Check out the full list of SwimRay’s locations
Contact: 9660 1991 | SwimRay website

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9. Swish! Swim School

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Also hosts themed birthday parties at their private venues

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Image credit: @swishswimming via Instagram

Aside from the usual swimming lessons, Swish! Swimming also rents out their poolside venues to host themed birthday parties for the lil ones. They’ve even got a mermaid-themed one that sees the kiddos swimming the afternoon away alongside fully costumed “mermaids”.

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10. Swim Schooling

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Founded by Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling

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Image credit: Swim Schooling via Facebook

To learn from the very best, you can enrol your child at Joseph Schooling’s Swim Schooling school for a training programme curated by the Olympic gold medalist himself. Although the classes will not be conducted by Joseph himself, he’s working with a team of accredited coaches, who have gotten their qualifications from the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore.

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11. Pacific Swim Team

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Classes in Tampines & Aljunied for Eastsiders

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Image credit: Pacific Swim Team

Pacific Swim Team specialises in training competitive swimmers. One of their previous students includes the fastest 12-year-old boy, Joshua Yin, in the 100m and 200m butterfly during the 50th Singapore National Age Group Championships in 2019.

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12. Little Fishes

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Private lessons for the family

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Image credit: Little Fishes

Parents don’t have to sit at the side watching their kids practise their underwater kicks – they can join in with a private family lesson at Little Fishes Swimming School. The rates start at $350/month for 4 lessons for 2 people, while families of 4 will only have to pay $450/month for 4 lessons which averages to around $28/pax.

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13. X Lab

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Competitive training programme at Olympic-size pools

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Image credit: X Lab via Facebook

X Lab has programmes for swimmers looking for a competitive environment. Their olympic-size pool at XCL World Academy in Yishun is also heated and under shelter, so your training sessions will be in comfort.

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14. Swim Masters Singapore

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Training students to become SwimSafer certified

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Image credit: Swim Masters Singapore via Facebook

At Swim Masters Singapore, their coaches are dedicated to helping lil ones feel confident in the water. From breathing techniques to proper stroke development, they’ll prepare budding swimmers to get SwimSafer certified; it’s a national initiative which promotes swim safety and proficiency.

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15. Able Aquatic School

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Flexible locations with islandwide lessons

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Image credit: Able Aquatic School

Founded in 1981, Able Aquatic School has got decades of experience under their belt when it comes to imparting life-saving swimming skills to children. They’re also as flexible as can be with their training venues; they’re hosting lessons at all of the 26 swimming complexes in the country, as well as at any condominium with a pool nationwide.

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16. Elite Coach Singapore

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Technology-guided swimming lessons

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Image credit: Elite Coach Singapore via Facebook

Elite Coach Singapore uses the SwimToFly app for their curriculum, which contains a treasure trove of swimming resources such as step-by-step guides on the basic swim strokes. They also have a French teacher for those who are more comfortable with that language.

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17. APS Swim School

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Founded by Ang Peng Siong, once crowned “World’s fastest swimmer”

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Image credit: APS Swim School via Facebook

APS Swim School was founded by the legendary Singaporean swimmer Ang Peng Siong, who previously held the national record in the 50m freestyle. The record stood for a whopping 33 years, until Joseph Schooling broke it in the 2015 SEA Games.

Programmes available here include basic swimming lessons, synchronised swimming classes, as well as competitive swim training for those who aspire to be a “flying fish” like the man himself.

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18. FINS Swim School

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For SAFRA members

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Image credit: @safrafins via Instagram

SAFRA members can enrol their children at the FINS Swim School for a 3-month swimming course. They’re currently accepting students for their upcoming April-June intake; you’ll even receive a free swim cap and waterproof bag with every new sign-up.

Age range: Children from 5 to 10 years old
Fees: From $22.50/lesson
Locations: SAFRA Toa Payoh | SAFRA Mount Faber | SAFRA Yishun | SAFRA Jurong | SAFRA Choa Chu Kang
Contact: FINS Swim School website

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19. Red Dot Penguins

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Swim school with water fitness training

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Image credit: @reddotpenguins via Instagram

Besides the usual training programmes, Red Dot Penguins swim school also has a Social Swim Club that incorporates land and water training for those above 15 years old.

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20. Friendly Dolphin Swim School

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More than 320 instructors

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Image credit: Friendly Dolphin Swim School via Facebook

With over 320 swimming instructors on Friendly Dolphin Swim School’s roster, your kids will definitely get matched with a coach that fits your child’s skill level and learning style.

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What to know before your first swimming lesson?

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Before you or your child gets into the water for swimming lessons, there are a few things you should take note of beforehand. Firstly, you’ll want to refrain from consuming any food at least an hour prior to your lessons, in order to prevent any cramps or stitches while swimming.

Arriving a couple of minutes beforehand to get used to the pool, especially for kids who’re not used to dipping their toes into the water, is also a good idea. As for swimwear, don appropriate gear such as swim trunks or swim suits; leave the bikinis for the beach. For those with toddlers, do prepare swim diapers to ensure that the pool is kept hygienic for other users.

Investing in a good pair of goggles is also recommended to shield your eyes from the chlorine in the water. Swimming boards and floats are good purchases too, as these can provide a level of security for those who’ve not built up their water confidence. Don’t forget to lather on a generous amount of sunscreen, especially on particularly sunny days.

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Pick up a useful life skill with these swimming schools in Singapore

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Learning how to swim opens the door to many other water-based activities you can do like snorkelling and scuba diving. Plus, you can now confidently join your friends in the pool rather than sitting on the sidelines working on your tan.

But the first step is to find a suitable school for swimming lessons in Singapore. Thankfully our tropical island has many swimming schools and public swimming pools for you to practise your strokes and water safety techniques.

For more sports and fitness-related reads:

• Unique sports activities for people with disabilities
• Water sports centres in Singapore
• Trifecta – sports facility in Somerset with VR skiing and snowboarding

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Cover image adapted from: Swim Schooling & Marsden Swim School via Facebook
Originally published on 18th April 2021. Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 26th March 2024.