Swimming

Swim school for children and teens, with the Swiss method

The Ondarte swim school teaches children to swim from age 4, with a progressive method based on the Swiss swimsports.ch system and its badge tests, from Beginners to Polar Bear. In warm water, in small groups led by qualified instructors.

◐ from age 4 ◈ 30–34 °C (Ponte Tresa, Mendrisio, Novaggio, Sementina, Balerna, Chiasso) ✧ swimsports.ch ✚ Health-insurer reimbursement

📍 Ponte Tresa · Mendrisio · Novaggio · Balerna · Chiasso · Sementina · Magliaso

Who it’s for

Children and teens from age 4, from beginners to those wanting to refine their strokes. Groups are formed by age and level, so everyone progresses at their own pace.

Benefits

Learning to swim, for real

◈Progressive, swimsports.ch-certified teaching method

◈Badge tests that measure progress step by step

◈Small groups by age and level

◈Warm water: more comfort and less fear of water

The even texture of a pool’s water surface, seen from above

Swiss method

The badges, one level at a time

The swimsports.ch teaching method moves through certified stages: every test passed is a visible milestone, and the next step comes only once the previous one is solid.

How it works

The path, step by step

Step 1
Settling in and floating

Confidence in the water, breathing and first floating.
Step 2
Propulsion and strokes

Gradual learning of backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke.
Step 3
Tests and badges

Progress checks with the swimsports.ch levels.

Every child has their own group.

We form groups by age and level, so your child is always with peers at the same stage. Tell us how old they are and what they can already do in the water: we’ll point you to the right course and time slot.

Tell us your child’s age or message us on WhatsApp

Groups are small. They fill up fast.

The calendar tells you when the lessons are, not how many spots are left. Tell us the course and time you’re interested in: we’ll let you know right away whether there’s still room in the group for the 2026-27 season.

Check available spots or message us on WhatsApp

How much it costs

Cycle of 12 lessons, price depends on location — see the Prices page.

See prices by location · WhatsApp

How much it costs depends on you.

Frequency, location and number of courses change the quote — and those who attend more courses or enrol more family members pay less. Tell us what you have in mind: we’ll reply with an exact figure.

Request your quote or message us on WhatsApp

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a child start learning to swim?

A child can start learning to swim in a structured way around age 4, once they’ve developed enough coordination and autonomy to float and move without fear. Before age 4 it’s water familiarisation and settling in, not technical learning. Ondarte’s courses follow the progressive swimsports.ch levels with their coloured badge tests (seahorse, crab, frog…).

How many lessons does it take for a child to learn to swim?

There’s no fixed timeframe within which a child learns to swim. The learning path depends on several factors, including age, motor development, individual maturity and how often they attend. Consistency matters more than intensity: attending one lesson a week regularly leads to results in most cases. The Swimsports.ch levels let you track and certify the child’s progress step by step, recognising every milestone reached along the way.

What is the Water Safety Check (CSA/WSC)?

The Water Safety Check (CSA), in German Wasser-Sicherheits-Check (WSC), is a Swiss test that checks whether a child can cope after an accidental fall into water: rolling over, staying afloat and swimming a short distance. Developed by upi and swimsports.ch, it’s recommended before children spend time around water unsupervised.

Do I need a medical certificate to sign up?

No. In Switzerland a medical certificate is not required for pool courses and Ondarte does not ask for one: you can sign up directly, with no medical visits or health documents. We only ask you to let us know of any health conditions the instructor should be aware of, so we can support you as well as possible in the water.

Is the course recognised by health insurers?

Ondarte is recognised by several health insurers. Reimbursement conditions are set by each individual health insurer: we recommend checking them with your own insurance.

Sign up — swimming for children & teens

Leave us your details: we’ll get back to you about times, availability and finding the right group.

Other courses

A child with armbands moves along the water surface, guided by the instructor, during a parent-and-child lesson in an indoor pool — Parent-child (2-4 years)

Water confidence