A pool built for learning, not for laps
A purpose-built indoor centre on Brenan Street in Smithfield that exists for one thing: teaching babies, children and adults across Western and South West Sydney to swim, and to be safer in and around the water.
Swimming is for everybody
Since opening in 2016, our mission has been to create a welcoming and supportive environment where babies, children and adults can learn to swim, love the water, and develop essential water safety skills for life.
We teach students from six months of age through to adults in our purpose-built indoor heated pool, kept at a comfortable 32°C all year round. Weekly 30-minute lessons are designed to give consistent progress in a safe, encouraging environment. Our qualified swim teachers and dedicated AQUAwomen understand that every child and adult learns differently, which is why we focus on patience, encouragement and building trust with every swimmer and family who walks through our doors.
More than a swim school, AQUAKids is a community that celebrates the joy of swimming and the lifelong benefits of being active and confident in the water.
We have families come from as far as Parramatta, Castle Hill, Liverpool, and even Blacktown, to come learn at one of the best swim schools in Sydney!
- 2016 Teaching Western Sydney to swim since
- 1,000+ Children in the water every week
- 32°C Indoor and heated, every day of the year
- Learn-to-swim programs from 6 months to adults
- Weekly 30-minute lessons
- Qualified and experienced swim teachers
- A strong focus on water safety and confidence
Angela Rothwell
Angela has dedicated her life to teaching babies, children and adults how to swim and be safer in the water, beginning as a swimming teacher in 1996 and becoming a swim coach in 2007.
With over 30 years of experience operating successful swim schools — including Rothwell Swim Academy, ABC Swimming and now AQUAKids — Angela is passionate about creating a welcoming, family-focused swim school where every swimmer can thrive in an environment tailored to their needs.
“Life can already feel overwhelming. Our program is designed to be simple, clear and easy to follow — so parents have confidence in their child's progress without the extra stress.”
Under her leadership, AQUAKids teaches over 1,000 children each week and follows the Royal Life Saving Society Australia methodology and the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, so students receive instruction aligned with industry best practice.
She is also passionate about mentoring swim teachers and supporting the aquatic industry through staff development, training and community water safety education.
Four things every lesson is built on
- Safety — the reason all of this exists
- Confidence — earned at the child's own pace
- Technique — taught properly from the first lesson
- Enjoyment — because nobody learns while they're miserable
What every family gets, every week
How warm is the pool, and is it indoors? Our Smithfield pool is fully indoors and heated to 32°C every week of the year. That is warm enough for a six-month-old to stay comfortable through a full 30-minute lesson, and it means nothing is ever cancelled for cold or wet weather.
Heated to 32°C
Warm enough that a six-month-old stays comfortable for a full 30 minutes, and fully indoors so nothing gets cancelled for weather.
Weekly 30-minute lessons
Classes run once a week for 30 minutes: long enough to build skills consistently, short enough to keep a small child engaged.
Small classes
Four to six children per class depending on the level, so every swimmer gets real individual attention and feedback.
Six months to adults
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers, school-aged children, teenagers, and adults learning to swim or improving their technique.
A national framework
Every level is built on the Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive framework and the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework.
Every ability welcome
Our No Limits program supports children of all abilities in a safe, inclusive environment, in our regular classes wherever possible, with private lessons available too.
The people teaching your child
Our qualified swim teachers and dedicated AQUAwomen are passionate about helping every swimmer feel confident in the water.
Every AQUAKids instructor holds a valid Working With Children Check, professional references and relevant aquatic industry qualifications. Our team receives ongoing training in child-safe practices, water safety and emergency procedures, and professional boundaries and expected behaviours.
- Working With Children Check verified
- Relevant aquatic industry qualifications
- Professional references checked
- Ongoing child safety and water safety training
Why this matters more than any milestone
Drowning is almost always silent, and almost always fast.
It remains one of the leading causes of preventable death for young children in Australia, which Royal Life Saving reports on every year. A child who can float on their back, turn to the wall and call out has options that a child without those skills simply doesn't.
That's the reason water safety is part of every single level we teach, and the reason every level from Stingray up includes survival and rescue skills.
Shop 7, 63A Brenan Street, Smithfield
We're about ten minutes from the M4 with parking on site, which puts us within a short drive of most of Fairfield City. Open the map for directions, or give us a call and we'll talk you through the easiest way in.
Most of our families live in Smithfield, Wetherill Park or Fairfield, and a good number drive twenty minutes or more to get here. What brings them this far, are our qualified Austswim instructors who are not only excellent at teaching, but known to be fantastic with kids! Our indoor pool's are heated 32°C all year. It means a lesson in July runs exactly like a lesson in January, and no one has to be talked into getting in.
- Mon – Fri
- 9:00am – 7:30pm
- Saturday
- 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Sunday
- 8:00am – 1:00pm
Come and see it for yourself
You're welcome to visit the centre and watch a lesson before you commit to anything. Or tell us about your child and we'll find them a class.