Business Details
19 Years
experience
Award-Winning Swim School in Sydney for Kids
In The Deep has been dedicated to transforming children into confident, relaxed swimmers since 2007. Our structured, thorough approach breaks down complex swimming skills into accessible, enjoyable experiences tailored to each child's unique needs. With a focus on small class sizes (maximum two children), we prioritise individual attention, ensuring every child develops foundational skills before progressing to advanced techniques. Our chlorine-byproduct-free pool and consistent teaching methodology create a safe, supportive environment where kids learn to swim before mastering competitive strokes.Through creative, play-based instruction, we foster a lifelong love for water while empowering families with knowledge and peace of mind. As an industry leader within the Swim Australia community, we continually refine our program through collaboration with world-class coaches and annual presentations at national conferences. Our commitment to quality technique over rushed progress ensures long-term results, with students graduating from our program as graceful, independent swimmers equipped for lifelong aquatic confidence.
Services
Babies and Toddlers Learn to Swim
Stroke Foundations
Stroke Development
Mini Squads
Parent-Child Swimming Lessons
Swim Assessments
Squad Training
Water Safety Instruction
Swim Cap & Goggle Sales
Swimwear & Equipment Hire
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We maintain 2:1 student-teacher ratios for maximum individual attention
- Our chlorine-byproduct-free pool ensures safer, more comfortable learning
- All instructors follow a standardised program developed through 15+ years of research
- We focus on foundational skills before competitive strokes for long-term success
- Our creative, play-based approach reduces anxiety while building water confidence
Associations and certifications
- Swim Australia
- Australian Swim Schools Association
What people say
Small class sizes
Patient instructors
Structured progression
Water safety focus
Confidence building
Services
Babies and Toddlers Learn to Swim
Our Squirts program teaches water safety and foundational skills to children aged 6-36 months through playful, parent-accompanied sessions. We focus on building trust, developing breath control, and introducing buoyancy concepts in a chlorine-byproduct-free environment. Classes maintain 2:1 student ratios to ensure personalized attention while teaching essential survival skills like wall gripping and safe water entry/exit.
Stroke Foundations
FINS levels develop core swimming skills for children who can swim 25m. We break down freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke kick, and butterfly kick into progressive elements while maintaining focus on body position and control. Our method eliminates floatation devices to ensure authentic water feel, with small classes allowing frequent instructor feedback and skill-specific ribbon rewards.
Mini Squads
Squads program builds technical proficiency and endurance for competitive swimming. Waves, Jets, and Sonics levels teach advanced drills, race techniques, and 400m+ survival swims. We emphasize proper stroke mechanics over distance, with qualified instructors guiding swimmers through bilateral freestyle, tumble turns, and individual medley components while maintaining relaxed, efficient form.
Swim Assessments
Free 10-minute assessments determine appropriate class placement for children over 3 years. Certified instructors evaluate swimming ability through guided activities, providing immediate feedback on current skill level and progression pathways. This ensures each child starts at the optimal point in our structured program for maximum confidence building and technical development.
Water Safety Instruction
Our curriculum prioritises water safety through practical skills training. Children learn safe pool habits, breath control techniques, and emergency response procedures. We teach wall gripping reflexes, safe water entry/exit methods, and self-rescue techniques without floatation devices, ensuring children develop genuine water confidence and survival capabilities in a supportive learning environment.
People
Sasha Hanic
Director
Sasha Hanic founded In The Deep in 2007 after competing nationally as a swimmer. With 15+ years developing swim programs, she presents at Australian Swim Schools Association conferences and leads industry training days. Her philosophy focuses on simplifying complex swimming skills while maintaining safety and enjoyment.
Questions
What age groups do you cater to?
We teach children from 6 months old through advanced squad levels. Our program includes specific classes for babies (6-18 months), toddlers (18-36 months), and children aged 3+ with progressive skill development pathways.
Do you use floatation devices?
No, we avoid floatation devices as they hinder natural buoyancy development. Our program teaches swimming skills before safety devices, ensuring children learn proper water movement and confidence without artificial support.
How do you assess swim levels?
Children over 3 receive free 10-minute assessments to determine appropriate class placement. Instructors evaluate swimming ability through guided activities and provide immediate feedback on current skill level and progression requirements.
What should we bring to lessons?
Bring swimwear, towel, and optional swim cap/goggles. We provide all teaching equipment. Children under 3 require approved swim nappies. Rash vests are discouraged as they affect water feel during stroke development.
Are parents allowed in the pool?
Yes, parents participate in Squirts classes (ages 6-36 months). For older children, parent observation is available from designated areas. Our instructors maintain 2:1 student ratios to ensure focused attention during lessons.
What makes your program different?
We focus on technique mastery before distance, maintain 2:1 student ratios, use chlorine-byproduct-free water, and follow a standardised teaching program. Our play-based approach builds confidence while eliminating floatation devices for authentic swimming development.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Peter Zourkas
Oct 07, 2021
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Excellent teachers. Our youngest is quite scared of the water but they have been very patient and very good at helping him get used to the water. I would definitely recommend the swim school.
Aliza Teo
Jun 16, 2021
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We have been with In The Deep Swim School for more than 6 yrs since we enrolled our first child when she is 2 yrs old. We now have both girls enrolled for every school terms. Very happy with their teaching/grading system and kids friendly staff. Comes with heated indoor pool so we can attend school all year round and keep up with the learning progress.they also have intensive class during school holidays. The teaching staff are very child friendly and motivative, my children look forward to thebswim class every week. As a mum I couldn't be happier. Amazing effort.
Laurent Ducasse
Dec 22, 2020
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Our son did the little squirts classes and we had no issues with the classes and thought they were great. However, we noticed in the deep had charged a swim cap to our account that we had not purchased. I went to the desk next to the pool and they said they had no authority to give a refund and to email instead. I did on 24th November and got a response on the 26th saying sorry and a refund would be applied. I then waited a bit in case there was a delay but I still had not received a refund by 8th December so I emailed again (along with asking about how to unenrol as we were planning to enrol our
Karima Urbani
Nov 26, 2020
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Friendly instructors. Clean pool and changerooms. Low child/instructors ratio. Kidsove the ribbon reward system. Happy all around.
Lachlan Kirkland
Sep 04, 2019
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In the deep has been a revolutionary experience for my kids, all staff members have been a delight to interact with. My two kids have been really shy as babys and toddlers, but since being at In The Deep they have come out of their shell and started to flourish into mature pre-teens. My kids have had had Suraya multiple times and has left a memorable experience on their young lives. I whole heartedly believe that in the deep has impacted their lives for the better and recommend it to any parents looking for a enthusiastic, energetic and inclusive swim school!!!
