In Singapore, almost every district has a public swimming complex with 24 scattered throughout the island. Each complex has a wading pool, a teaching pool and a 50m competitive lap pool to accommodate people of different age groups. Aside from public swimming pools, private condominiums and country clubs typically have a pool as well.
The easy access to pools makes it easy for anyone to pick up swimming, and there are many types of swimming lessons available, ranging from group lessons in public swimming pools to one-on-one lessons in private pools catered to people of different ages.
With the wide range of options, here’s an in-depth breakdown of how much it will cost to learn to swim.
Lesson Types
Some swimmers may prefer the one-on-one format as it provides more personalised instruction, accommodates the student’s schedule, and is safer since the instructor is 100% focused on the student. Group lessons are typically structured according to age and skill level with 2-10 swimmers per instructor.
Those who wish to earn certifications and progress in the sport of swimming may find it useful that some schools offer water safety, open water and competitive swimming lessons.
Group Lesson At Public Swimming Complex (5 To 12 Years Old)
Group Lesson At Private Pool (5 To 12 Years Old)
One-On-One Lesson At Public Swimming Complex (5 To 12 Years Old)
One-On-One Lesson At Private Pool
Some schools also charge a registration fee ranging from $50 to $90.
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Test Certification
SwimSafer
Most coaches and schools follow the SwimSafer program. There are 6 stages of certification, the SwimSafer stage 1, 2 and 3 followed by the SwimSafer Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates.
The tests cost between $20 – $50 depending on the school conducting the test, and the stage being attempted.
Singapore Swimming Proficiency Awards
For those who wish to enter competitive swimming, the Singapore Swimming Proficiency Awards (SSPA) gives them a chance to experience what a swimming competition is like. While SSPA is not a competition by itself, it is held in a way that is very similar to a swimming competition and is a good eye-opener for students before they proceed to take part in a future swimming competition.
To be eligible for SSPA, swimmers need one of the following:
- SwimSafer Stage 1
- Singapore Swimming Club Learn to Swim Program (SSC Learn to Swim Program)
- National Survival Swimming Award (NASSA)
- Singapore Aquatics Time Trial (SAQ Time Trial)
The SSC Learn to Swim Program and SAQ Time Trial are internal programs, and NASSA is the legacy version of SwimSafer. For most swimmers, the SwimSafer Stage 1 certification is the most straightforward to obtain.
Students who participate in SSPA can sign up for and be awarded the following badges and certificates if they manage to meet the stipulated criteria.
Source: SSPA
The levels do not need to be attempted in order, so a swimmer who is older may wish to directly begin attempting level 4, where they are required to swim 400 meters using the front crawl stroke in under 10 minutes and 40 seconds.
Each test will cost $16.35 with an additional annual registration fee of S$43.60 for those who are not members of Singapore Aquatics. The tests typically take place at Our Tampines Hub Swimming Complex, so test candidates will need to pay the entrance fees as well.
Pool Costs
While condominiums are free to use, they have typically been paid for via the maintenance fees of the condominium. Nevertheless, these costs are levied whether or not you use the pool. As a cool bonus, friends who come to learn swimming as a group with you get to swim for free.
Public pools charge an entrance fee, and a parent who accompanies their child into the complex will need to pay the entrance fee regardless of whether the parent swims or not. These entrance fees will also differ based on the type of swimming complex, citizenship, and period of entry.
Conventional Swimming Complexes
| Category | Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident | Standard rate |
| Adult | $1.00 (Weekdays) $1.30 (Weekends) |
$1.30 (Weekdays) $1.70 (Weekends and PH) |
| Child/Senior Citizen | $0.50 (Weekdays) $0.60 (Weekends and PH) |
|
| Other Concession | $0.80 (Weekdays) $1.10 (Weekends and PH) |
|
Special Feature Swimming Complexes
| Category | Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident | Standard rate |
| Adult | $1.50 (Weekdays) $2.00 (Weekends and PH) |
$2.00 (Weekdays) $2.60 (Weekends and PH) |
| Child/Senior Citizen | $0.80 (Weekdays) $1.00 (Weekends and PH) |
Special feature swimming complexes typically have slides and water features alongside the usual pools found in conventional ones, resulting in a higher entrance fee.
Equipment Cost
Some schools provide goggles, swim caps and a bag for free, covered by the registration fee. However, other equipment will be needed besides the usual swimwear. Some lessons may require students to have a kickboard, but even if they don’t, parents should generally consider buying buoyancy aids for beginner swimmers. Advanced swimmers may also require fins, pull buoys and paddles for training drills.
| Equipment | Cost |
| Swimwear | $4.90 – $25.90 (Kids) $5.90 – $24.90 (Adults) |
| Goggles | $2.90 – $12.90 (Kids) $19.90 – $39.90 (Adults) |
| Kickboards | $7.90 – $17.90 (Kids) $18.90 (Adults) |
| Buoyancy Aids | $5.90 – $18.90 (Kids) |
| Fins | $12.00 – $22.90 (Kids) $12.00- $25.90 (Adults) |
| Pull Buoys | $11.90 – $15.90 (Kids/Adults) |
| Paddles | $13.90 – $15.90 (Kids/Adults) |
Source: Decathlon
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Total Cost
Kids
| Items | Costs |
| Equipment (goggles + swimwear + kickboard) | $4.90 + $2.90 + $7.90 = $15.70 |
| Lessons (1 month/4 lessons) | $25 x 4 = $100.00 |
| Entrance Fees | $0.50 x 4 entries = $2.00 (Child) $1.00 X 4 entries = $4.00 (Accompanying parent) |
| Total: | $15.70 (One-time) $102.00 + $4.00 per month |
Adults (One-On-One Lessons)
| Items | Costs |
| Equipment (goggles + swimwear) | $5.90 + $19.90 = $25.80 |
| Lessons (1 month/4 lessons) | $70 x 4 = $280.00 |
| Entrance Fees | $1.00 x 4 entries = $4.00 |
| Total: | $25.80 (One-time) $284.00 per month |
For a child learning to swim, they will need to spend $15.70 for swimming goggles, swimwear and a kickboard, however this is only a one-time fee. Swimming lessons and pool entries can cost as little as $102.00 every month, assuming that the child attends group swimming lessons once a week in public pools. If an accompanying parent wishes to enter the pool compound, this will cost an additional $4 per month assuming the parent only enters once.
For an adult learning to swim, the one-time cost of equipment is estimated to be $25.80. This includes just the swimming goggles and swimwear. Swimming lessons, along with pool costs, can cost as little as $284.00 per month. It may be possible to negotiate with the swimming instructor to conduct a group class instead for cost savings.
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