Learning to swim builds water confidence and can prevent drowning at any age.

It’s never too late to learn

Between July 2023 and June 2024, 128 lives were lost to drowning in NSW. Globally, more than 300,000 people die from drowning each year. Learning to swim is a vital life skill that can save lives. Across NSW, a wide range of programs are available to help people of all ages build water confidence and stay safe in and around water.

Why Learning to Swim Matters

swimming under water

Swimming is more than a recreational skill
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Knowing how to float, tread water, and call for help can save your life
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Confidence in the water reduces panic and risk

Find swimming programs in NSW

Swimming NSW

Learn-to-swim and voucher programs
Find more!

NSW Government's Learn to Swim Program

Free or low-cost lessons for eligible groups
Find more!

City of Sydney Pools & Swim Programs

Local swim lessons across city pools for all ages and levels
Find more!

Royal Life Saving

Water safety education and national swim programs
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YMCA NSW

Inclusive programs for kids and adults
Find more!

Swim Brothers

Swim Brothers offers a religiously and culturally sensitive swimming program.
Find more!

Beach & Ocean Safety

Be prepared before you head to the beach and learn our useful tips to keep you, your family, your friends and your loved ones safe when you visit our beautiful coast!

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are one of the biggest dangers at the beach. Knowing what a rip is, how to spot one and how to avoid one is key to staying safe at the beach.

What is a surf lifesaver?

Each summer over 20,000 members of SLSNSW put on the iconic red and yellow uniforms at beaches across the state. So who exactly are these heroes in red and yellow? Let's find out!

Beachsafe App

Before you visit the beach go to the Beach Safe website. Find a beach near you including local conditions, lifesaving services, safety advice and information about flags, signs, rips, and waves.

Annie & the Waves

Learn how to stay safe at the beach with our lifesavers Grace, Liam & Louise. They will take your children on a narrated journey with Annie as she goes on holiday to the beach.

A Day at the Shore

Online learning game created by Surf Life Saving NSW to help people from diverse cultural backgrounds understand beach and rock fishing safety.

Beach to Bush

Each year our volunteer lifesavers go "bush" to educate students about beach and water safety.

Beach Safety Videos

These videos have been filmed with the help of our amazing Surf Life Saving Lifesavers and members. These videos focus on key beach safety messaging and are subtitled in English.

Beach Safety Resources

Interested in multilingual beach & ocean safety resources in languages other than English? Here you will have the opportunity to explore, download or print different beach and ocean safety multilingual resources.

Beach Safety Fact Sheets

Our beach safety fact sheets have been created for our diverse multilingual communities with the support of our Multicultural Advisory group and with the help of the communities they are created for.

Spin & Splash