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Can Swim

Our Vision is that More People Can Swim

Our Vision at Peninsula Leisure is that More People Can Swim.

However, we know that up to 80% of children in Frankston are missing out on vital swimming and water safety skills. This number doesn’t consider the many adults who have missed out on these important skills to keep themselves and loved ones safer in and around the water.

The annual 2023-2024 drowning report released by Lifesaving Victoria and Royal lifesaving Australia proved a shocking period for drownings in Victoria. Many of these avoidable incidents were on our doorstep, occurring on the Peninsula. To achieve our mission that More People Can Swim, we need to find innovative approaches of exposing more of the Frankston community to the minimum essential survival skills which can prevent drownings.

And that’s where our More People Can Swim water safety programs come in!

In partnership with Frankston City Council, we are delivery fully funded (yes, completely free!) opportunities for the Frankston community to improve their knowledge, awareness and skill around water. Across Council’s leading aquatic facilities PARC and PINES, and at the beautiful Frankston Beach, Peninsula Leisure will be running free community Can Swim programs throughout summer.

About our Community Can Swim Public Programs

This summer we are running a variety of programs to cater to a range of participants. These programs are fully funded, which means you pay nothing to join and learn these vital, life-saving skills.

Key Dates:

Expressions of interest: Open throughout November 2025 for each program.
Confirmation of participation: Successful applicants will be contacted in December 2025, with all the details you need – what to bring, what to expect, and the skills you’ll gain!
Programs dates: Public programs run across January and February 2026

Can Swim Junior Water Safety 3 Day Beach Program

WHO: Children aged 5–10 years
WHAT: Designed for young beginners, this three-day program introduces children to the beach environment, teaching them essential water safety skills in a fun and supportive way. Kids will develop confidence in the water, learn basic swimming techniques, and understand how to stay safe in shallow areas.
WHERE & WHEN: Frankston Beach, 7, 8 & 9 January | 9:00–9:45am or 9:45–10:30am
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes.

Can Swim Late-Primary Water Safety 3 Day Beach Program

WHO: Children aged 10–12 years (Grade 5–6)
WHAT: This three-day program helps older children develop independence and confidence around water. It focuses on essential swimming and water safety skills for open water, surf, and beach environments, preparing them to enjoy water activities safely as they transition to secondary school.
WHERE & WHEN: Frankston Beach, 7, 8 & 9 January | 10:40–11:25am
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Teen Water Safety 3 Day Beach Program

WHO: Teens aged 13–17 years
WHAT: Tailored for teenagers with little or no swim experience, this three-day program combines practical swimming skills with beach safety education. Teens will learn survival techniques, personal safety strategies, and build confidence to enjoy beach activities safely.
WHERE & WHEN: Frankston Beach, 7, 8 & 9 January | 11:25–12:10pm
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Pre-Teen Life Water Safety Program 3 Day PARC Program

WHO: Children aged 10–12 years
WHAT: A three-day program blending in-water swimming practice with on-land water safety activities. Pre-teens will improve swimming technique, learn essential rescue skills, and participate in interactive activities that reinforce safety knowledge in a fun and engaging way.
WHERE & WHEN: PARC, 14, 15 & 16 January | 10:30-11:15am (in water) + 11:30am – 12.00pm (add-on activity)
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Teen Life Water Safety Program 3 Day PARC Program

WHO: Teens aged 13–17 years
WHAT: A three-day program focusing on real-life water safety for pools, beaches, and other aquatic environments. Teens will develop practical swimming and self-rescue skills, gain confidence in their abilities, and learn strategies to keep themselves and friends safe around water.
WHERE & WHEN: PARC, 14, 15 & 16 January | 10:30-11:15am (in water) + 11:30am – 12.00pm (add-on activity)
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Family Water Safety Drop-In Sessions at PINES

WHO: Families, including children aged 5 years and over
WHAT: Bring the whole family to learn essential water safety together. These sessions cover basic swimming survival skills, rescue techniques, and interactive activities suitable for all ages. A fun, inclusive way for families to practice safe behaviours in and around water.
WHERE & WHEN: Pines Forest Aquatic Centre, Fridays 9, 16, 23 & 30 January | 2 x 25minute sessions, starting at 4:15pm and 4:45pm
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council.
No need to book in, just come on down on the night. First in, first served. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Infant Water Familiarisation 3 Day PARC Program

WHO: This program is for children 6 months to 2 years and 11 months old (cannot accept 3 year olds).
WHAT: Together, parents and their child participate in this multi-session program to learn the fundamentals of water familiarisation and to begin their swimming and water safety journey. This program equips parents with the skills and knowledge to practise in their own time and build essential, foundational skills with their child.
WHERE & WHEN: 3 day program at PARC. February 2026, Expressions of interest for this program will be open in December/January.
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

Can Swim Adult 6-Week PARC Program

WHO: Adults aged 18 years and over, suitable for beginners with little to no swimming experience or confidence.
WHAT: This six-week intensive program is designed to help adults develop essential swimming and water safety skills. Participants will gain confidence in the water, improve swimming technique, and learn practical survival and rescue skills. The program also includes access to PARC and PINES facilities for practice and skill development between sessions. We will have various sessions running each week, with 1 session being male only, and 1 session being female only. The others will be mixed gender.
WHERE & WHEN: 6-week program at PARC. February 2026, Expressions of interest for this program will be open in December/January.
COST: Fully subsidised, thanks to the support of our partner Frankston City Council. We ask that you complete a pre and post program survey for us to measure outcomes and skills learnt.

About our Community Can Swim Co-Designed Programs

The programs listed above are open to the entire community. If you’re a school, sporting club, local business, or community group and would like to co-design a tailored program with us, we’d love to work with you!

In addition to our public programs, we want to creating opportunities to engage individuals who may not currently participate in any form of swimming, lessons or recreation. We are specifically look for ways to support:

At-risk communities, schools, and locations – those who may face barriers to accessing swimming lessons or water safety education.
Teen and youth groups – those at risk of unsafe swimming situations, pool parties, or going to the beach with friends.
Families with no swimming experience – parents and children who have never had the chance to learn essential water skills.
Grade 5–6 students – children about to transition to secondary school without foundational swimming skills.
Parent and child groups (infant and preschool age) – families looking to start their young children on the water safety journey together.
And other individuals or groups in the community who could benefit from targeted swimming and water safety education.

We also offer school incursions, where our team comes to your school to deliver free water safety education to students.

If you have specific needs, or would like to explore a co-designed program, please contact our Can Swim team: can.swim@peninsulaleisure.com.au for more information on this free service.