What is Vacswim?

VACSWIM is an SA Government supported initiative that provides primary school aged children with opportunities to develop a range of skills and positive experiences in the areas of water safety, confidence and competence in the water, personal survival activities and basic aquatic emergency procedures. Since the 1950's the VACSWIM  experience has become a rite of passage for generations of South Australian families, and makes a significant contribution to the safety of our waters.

Program providers (such as Surf Life Saving SA) run VACSWIM-endorsed programs at beaches, pools and lakes throughout South Australia. 

Surf Life Saving SA delivers the "Surf and Survive" program at 44 beaches and open water sites across the state, employing over 250 young people and teaching vital safety skills to over 4500 participants. 

More information: visit the VACSWIM website. 

2021 Vacswim ‘Surf and Survive’ Program

COVID -19

Is the Program still going ahead given COVID-19?
Yes, the Program is still going ahead. Surf Life Saving SA will be implementing risk management strategies to ensure the safety of all participants.

Enrolments

When do enrolments open?
Enrolments for the 2021 Vacswim Surf and Survive Program open at 9:00am on 30 September 2020.

How do I enrol?

  1. To find out which Stage you should enrol your child into, View this document OR take this quiz.

  2. Find the location you wish to enrol at below

  3. Click on 'Click Here to Check availability' to view the class timetable.

  4. Look at the class timetable to see which Stages are available at which times. Decide which Stage and Time you will enrol your child(ren) into.

  5. Click 'Click here to Register’ and start Registration Process.

What are the dates of the 2021 Program?
The 2021 Program will run over the first three weeks of January in 2021. The specific dates for each location are set out below.

Aldinga               Mon 11th- Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Arno Bay            Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Balgowan           Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Beachport          Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Black Point         Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Brighton             Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Christies Beach Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Coffin Bay           Mon 11th- Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Edithburgh         Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Elliston Mon 04th- Thurs 07th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Emu Bay             Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Glenelg Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Grange Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Henley  Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Lucky Bay           Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Marion Bay        Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Moana Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Moonta Bay       Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Normanville       Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Penneshaw        Mon 11th- Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Penong           Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Point Turton      Mon 11th- Sun 17th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Broughton     Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Elliot (1st week)      Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Elliot (2nd week)    Mon 11th- Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Lincoln       Mon 04th- Sun 10th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Neill            Mon 11th- Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Noarlunga Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Rickaby      Mon 04th- Sun 10th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Port Vincent      Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Robe     Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Seacliff Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Semaphore        Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Smoky Bay         Mon 04th- Fri 08th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Somerton           Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Stansbury           Mon 04th - Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Streaky Bay        Mon 11th – Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Tumby Bay         Mon 04th- Sun 10th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Venus Bay          Fri 08th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Victor Harbour  Mon 11th – Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Vivonne Bay       Mon 11th – Fri 15th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Wallaroo            Mon 4th- Sun 10th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

West Beach       Mon 04th- Tues 12th January 2021 Click here to Check Availability Click here to Register

Program Information

How long does the program run for?
The program runs for 5 days at some sites and 7 days at other sites. Click here to visit the Vacswim website and find out how many days the Program runs for at your preferred beach.

How long are the lessons?

  • All participants will have one lesson per day at the same time every day.

  • Locations running for 5 days have 63 minute lessons for Stages 1 - 9, and 120 minute lessons for Stage 10.

  • Locations running for 7 days have 45 minute lessons for Stages 1-9, and 90 minute lessons for Stage 10.

What ages can participate in the Program?
The Program is designed for children aged 5-13 years and enrolment fees for children of this age range are government subsidised. Children who are 14 and 15 years old can still participate, however enrolment fees for children of this age are higher because they are not government subsidised.

What are the levels of the Program?
The Vacswim Surf and Survive levels are called ‘Stages’. The Program Stages range from Stage 1 to Stage 10.

What Stage should I enrol my child into?
Complete the quiz below to determine which Stage to enrol your child into.

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Click here to see a document outlining each Vacswim Stage

How much does the Program Cost?

Ages 5 to 13 years (government subsidised):

  • Stages 1 - 9 Price: $55.00

  • Stage 10 Price: $75.00

Ages 14 to 15 years (not government subsidised)

  • Stages 1 - 9 Price: $65.00

  • Stage 10 Price: $85.00

Why does Stage 10 cost more than Stages 1-9?
Stage 10 is the final Stage of the Program. Stage 10 lessons run twice as long as the Stage 1 - 9 lessons and Stage 10 students receive double the instruction time of the other Stages.

Want to be an Instructor in the 2021 Vacswim Program?

When do employment applications open?
Vacswim Employment Applications Open on Monday 12 October 2020 at 10:00am.

What Qualifications do I need to be an Instructor in the Vacswim Surf and Survive Program?
Download this document to find out what qualifications you need to be employed in the Vacswim Surf and Survive Program!

How do I apply?
You can apply online on the Surf Life Saving SA Careers Page. There will be an online form for you to fill out.

Please contact the Surf Life Saving SA VACSWIM Team at vacswim@surflifesavingsa.com.au or 08 8354 6996 for further information.