FREE
TRIAL

 

 

DGSWIM Learn to Swim: Levels 1–4

At DGSWIM, Levels 1–4 of our Learn to Swim program focus on building essential foundation skills including water confidence, floating, kicking, survival swimming (freestyle with rest positions on the back), and elementary side breathing freestyle technique. These levels are carefully designed to ensure children gain safety and confidence in the water while progressively developing the skills needed for efficient stroke development. What sets DGSWIM apart is that our program is truly second to none — it is the result of over 37 years of teaching experience by Damien Gulliver, a third-generation swim coach and son of Hall of Fame swim coach Terry Gulliver, who is widely credited with developing the modern learn-to-swim methods now used around the world. Having had access to these innovative techniques from the start of his career, Damien has continuously refined and enhanced the DGSWIM program to ensure faster and more effective outcomes for every swimmer. Our approach is constantly evolving to meet developmental milestones quicker, with a strong focus on both safety and skill progression.

 

 

Stroke Correction: Levels 5–11

DGSWIM’s Stroke Correction Program (Levels 5–11) is designed to develop and refine the four competitive strokes — Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly — in preparation for school carnivals, Nippers, and squad entry. Each level is carefully structured to build strong technique, efficiency, and endurance, setting swimmers up for long-term success.

A key point of difference at DGSWIM is that we teach Breaststroke as the second stroke, directly after Freestyle — unlike many other swim schools. This is a deliberate choice by Head Coach Damien Gulliver, based on over 37 years of coaching experience and generations of coaching knowledge. Breaststroke is the most commonly used recreational stroke, especially when swimmers become tired in open water environments like the ocean, rivers, and lakes. Teaching it early makes practical, safety-focused sense.

This program is especially valuable for busy families who may only be able to attend once per week. Even with limited sessions, the program delivers outstanding results thanks to Damien’s proven methods. Designed and continually refined by a third-generation coach and son of Hall of Fame coach Terry Gulliver, the DGSWIM stroke correction program offers the expertise needed to fast-track your child’s progress in the water.

 

 

Squad Program: Level 12 (Squads A–D)

​DGSWIM’s Squad Program (Level 12) is built for swimmers ready to take their training to the next level — whether they’re aiming to compete, cross-train for surf or other sports, or simply maintain a high standard of swimming. The program includes four progressive squad levels (A–D) and is unique delivering results with as little as 1–2 sessions per week. Many swimmers in our squads regularly match the performance of athletes from high-volume programs — without the burnout.

What makes this program stand out is the vision and experience of Head Coach Damien Gulliver, a rare coach with deep expertise across both learn-to-swim and high-performance pathways. Damien understands that not every family wants the full-time commitment often expected in traditional squad systems. That’s why he has developed a smart, highly effective training model that suits the needs of modern families — families looking for balance, quality coaching, and real results without sacrificing other priorities.

Whether training to compete, prepare for Nippers, cross-train for surf or team sports, or simply improve technique and fitness, DGSWIM squads offer a high-performance environment without the pressure. Damien is a master motivator who designs sessions that challenge without overloading, ensuring steady progression and keeping kids engaged, motivated, and thriving.

This is a program for the real world — and it’s helping a growing community of swimmers succeed on their terms.

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Adult Program — Learn to Swim | Stroke Correction | Fitness Training

At DGSWIM, we offer a comprehensive Adult Program that meets swimmers exactly where they are — whether you're learning from scratch, refining your technique, or building fitness through structured swim sessions.

Our adult program is built on three key elements:

 

1. Adult - Learn to Swim
We specialise in teaching adults who are completely new to the water — including those who are terrified of it. Many of our clients come to us with deep-seated fear or past trauma, and we pride ourselves on breaking down those barriers gently and confidently. Using proven, step-by-step methods and a calm, encouraging approach, we’ve helped countless adults build water confidence — and yes, most are swimming a full 25 metres within their first session, as long as they’re comfortable putting their face in the water. There has never been a person we couldn't teach.

But learning to swim is about more than just staying afloat — it’s about unlocking a whole new world of possibility. Whether it’s swimming at the beach with your kids, snorkeling on holiday, bodysurfing your first wave, or simply floating peacefully on a hot day — the freedom and joy that come with knowing how to swim can transform your life. Once confidence replaces fear, the water becomes a playground, not a barrier.

 

2. Adult - Stroke Correction
Most adult swimmers who come to us already know how to swim — they just don’t know how to swim efficiently. That’s where stroke correction comes in. Our sessions focus on technique: streamlining your movement, reducing effort, and building confidence in every lap. Whether you want to improve your freestyle, learn better breathing techniques, or fine-tune another stroke, we’ll show you how to make swimming easier, smoother, and more enjoyable. Efficiency leads to endurance — and that opens the door to greater performance and satisfaction in the water.

 

3. Adult - Fitness Training
Once confidence and technique are in place, many of our adult swimmers transition into structured swim fitness. Whether you’re swimming for general wellbeing, cross-training for another sport, or working towards a personal goal, our fitness sessions are designed to challenge you without overloading you. With a focus on progression, smart programming, and expert feedback, you’ll build cardiovascular health, strength, and mental clarity — all through low-impact, full-body training.

 

Led by Damien Gulliver — a third-generation swim coach born into the world of swimming — the DGSWIM Adult Program is grounded in a lifetime of experience, insight and innovation. Damien has developed a proven system that fast-tracks results, whether you’re learning to swim for the first time or chasing new fitness goals. This isn’t just theory — it’s backed by measurable outcomes, consistent client success, and a track record that speaks for itself.

What makes DGSWIM truly different is the ability to recognise exactly what each swimmer needs — and deliver it in a way that gets results faster, with less confusion, and more confidence. If you're ready to stop going in circles and finally make real progress in the water, DGSWIM is where that journey begins.