PADI Swim Schools are PADI Scuba Dive Centers that offer an internationally recognised swim instruction program in affliation with Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI). The PADI Swim School program offers state-of-the-art swim lessons that follow a similar philosophy to PADI Scuba Courses in that they are designed to meet the learning needs of each individual student and progress only as the student is ready for the next step
Learning to swim takes commitment. If our students are committed to attending our classes, we guarantee that our students will see progress.
PADI SWIM SCHOOL POWERED BY STARFISH AQUATICS INSTITUTE
The Starfish Aquatics Institute’s vision of “Saving Lives One At A Time” is a vision we wholeheartedly share at Water Orphans. The PADI Swim School curriculum consists of courses containing age-appropriate activities that focus on development of core aquatic skill competencies. The curriculum is built around the concept that there are core aquatic skills (competencies) that every student needs to know to be proficient in the water. The core competencies provide the foundation that will enable students to first learn functional self-survival skills, and after this basis is set, they will learn the correct swimming stroke technique by building upon what they already know.
SWIM ASSESSMENT
During the first meeting an assessment will be done. After the assessment parents are under no obligation to register students with Water Orphans for further lessons.
The assessment will give us an opportunity to talk about the program as well as your available class options. It will also give you an opportunity to view our facilities.
2024 TERM DATES, PRICING AND PAYMENT STRUCTURE
We have four terms in every calendar year and the specific term dates are confirmed annually in advance. We are closed on public holidays.
| TERM | DATES |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8 JANUARY – 20 MARCH |
| 2 | 2 APRIL – 22 JUNE |
| 3 | 29 JULY – 21 SEPTEMBER |
| 4 | 30 SEPTEMBER – 7 DECEMBER |
STAR BABIES // TOTS
Swimming lessons for babies and toddlers
(ages 6 months to 36 months)
The purpose of this course is to foster in very young children a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training the adults/caregivers who accompany them about water safety and drowning prevention. This course does not teach children to become accomplished swimmers or to survive in the water but it is a confidence-building, fun and loving experience. One adult/caregiver must be in the water with each child. Swim diapers are compulsory.
SWIM SCHOOL
Swimming lessons for kids and adults
(ages 3 years +)
The core competencies for Swim School include functional life-safety water skills that focus on self-rescue and water safety concepts. This foundation prepares the student to learn swimming strokes in Stroke School. Swim lessons are fun. Students are introduced to snorkeling, skin diving and fun water fitness games while developing swim skills.
STROKE SCHOOL
Stroke development and correction for kids and adults
(ages 4 years +)
Stroke development and correction is for students of all ages who have achieved all the Swim School benchmarks. Students will refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and develop endurance. Fun and Fitness activities introduces lifetime aquatic skills that include stroke skill development, fitness swimming, water exercise, games, introduction to snorkeling, skin diving and scuba diving.
For specific term dates and our rates please refer to the table above marked “2023 term dates pricing and payment structure” and click on read more button.
SWIM INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
(ages 16 years +)
This qualification is best suited for people with a passion for teaching and a love for water.. The PADI Swim School, powered by the Starfish Aquatics Institute, offers an Internationally recognised swim instruction curriculum with safety concepts built in at every level.
For more information with regards to PADI SWIM, click on the following link https://www.starfishaquatics.org/padi-swim-school.html#/
The PADI SWIM Instructor course curriculum is divided into two Levels. You may choose to complete both levels simultaneously or only one level at a time, depending on the age group(s) that you want to teach.
Please contact us for more information and our next course dates.
LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 COURSES
Become an International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor and teach any person from six months to swim.
The total cost for the Level 1 and Level 2 courses are R13500 and includes the following:
- All theory required for Level 1 (online only) and Level 2 (in-person only)
- Twenty hours practical training with an International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor trainer (additional practical training hours with swim students may be booked at R100 per 45-minute lesson)
- Level 1 and Level 2 International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor registration fees
Level 1 (Only, Level 2 may be completed at a later date)
(To teach ages 3 years +)
Once qualified as a Level 1 instructor, you can teach all levels of Swim and Stroke School, including stroke development. The cost for the Level 1 course is R7500 and includes the following:
- Online theory
- Twelve hours practical training with an International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor trainer (additional practical training hours with swim students may be booked at R100 per 45-minute lesson)
- Level 1 International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor registration fee
The Level 1 theory is completed online through the splash-edu dashboard, a convenient way for student instructors to complete the independent study portion of the swim instructors’ Level 1 course at home before the practical part of the course starts. You can work at your own pace, using your laptop/desktop/tablet/mobile device.
Level 2 (Only, Level 1 was completed at an earlier date)
(To teach ages 6 months +)
In order to register for the Level 2 course, you must first be a qualified Level 1 instructor. A Level 2 qualification will enable you to teach the Star Babies and Star Tots swim programs. The cost for the Level 2 course is R6500 and includes the following:
- In-person theory
- Eight hours practical training with an International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor trainer (additional practical training hours with swim students may be booked at R100 per 45-minute lesson)
- Level 2 International PADI / SAI Swim Instructor registration fee
ANNUAL RENEWAL/REFRESHER OF LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION
An annual renewal fee is payable to PADI SWIM in order to retain your teaching status. Depending on the USD/ZAR exchange rate at the time of making the annual renewal payment, the renewal fee amounts to approximately
- R2500 (payment of renewal fee only); or
- R3950 (payment of renewal fee including a four-hour refresher course)
A refresher course is not a requirement to retain your teaching status, but highly recommended if you have not been teaching often during the preceding twelve months. The refresher course includes a two-hour practical training session with a PADI SWIM Instructor trainer as well as four 45-minute lessons with swim students – one lesson in each of the Star Babies, Star Tots, Swim School and Stroke School programs. Additional practical training hours with swim students may be booked at R100 per 45-minute lesson.
