If you are looking for a first swimming course for your baby or toddler, H2O Wassererleben has been running baby and toddler swimming in Switzerland since 1998. Their First Flow courses start at just 10 weeks, and once your child turns four, Let's Swim takes over with proper swimming lessons in small groups.

Every course follows the Iris Augsburger method, developed by founder Iris Augsburger, who has worked on child development and the parent-child bond for more than 20 years. The method is built on the Montessori principle "Help me to do it myself" and draws on education, sports motor skills and brain research. Each course has clear learning goals, so you always know what your child is working towards.

More than 120 instructors lead the courses. They are QualiCert certified, trained in water safety by the SLRG (Swiss Lifesaving Society), and hold an emergency first aid certificate for babies, with their first aid training (BLS-AED-SRC) refreshed every two years. More than 3'500 children swim with them every week.

First Flow: baby and toddler swimming (10 weeks to 4 years)

First Flow is where it all starts. In water heated to at least 32 °C, babies and toddlers explore the water with all their senses, with one parent or caregiver right there in the pool with them. Pools and groups are kept small, so the atmosphere stays calm and safe. Playful exercises are repeated from week to week, which helps children build confidence, motor skills and real joy in moving through the water, and the time you spend together in the water strengthens your bond.

The course has three stages, each with six levels, so your child moves up step by step:

Minis (from 10 weeks): babies experience water with all their senses, gliding and floating with and without your support.
Maxis (from 15 months): safety and fun come first, and children get their first taste of different swimming techniques.
Masters (from 2.5 years): children make full use of their coordination and motor skills.

Good to know

Ages: 10 weeks to 4 years
Course length: 8 weeks
Lesson length: 30 or 45 minutes, depending on the level
Water temperature: at least 32 °C
One parent or caregiver goes in the water with the child. A second person can watch from the poolside (some pools charge entry for this).
Price: usually CHF 290 to CHF 340 per course, pool entry included
You can join up to the third course week if places are free, at an adjusted price
More than 50 locations across Switzerland

Let's Swim: kids' swimming (4 to 8 years)

When your child turns four, Let's Swim is the next step. Children swim without parents in small groups of a similar age and learn all four strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, front crawl and butterfly) right from the start. There are no swim badges or tests, so children can learn in a relaxed way, and they stay busy for the whole lesson instead of waiting at the pool edge. Children receive a colourful diploma, which you can download from your customer account.

Levels:

Stars: from 4 years
Heroes: from 5 years
Winners: from 6 years
Champions: from 7 years

Good to know

Ages: 4 to 8 years
Course length: 7 weeks
Lesson length: 60 minutes
Parents do not attend the lessons
Price: usually CHF 300 to CHF 360 per course, pool entry included at most locations
Joining after the course has started is not possible

Practical info for all courses

Courses are held in German.
10% sibling discount for each additional child in the same course period.
Many Swiss health insurers contribute to the course costs, depending on your supplementary insurance. Check with your insurer.
You collect reward points with every lesson, which you can swap for prizes or discount vouchers.
There are no free trial lessons.
Missed lessons are not refunded. If your child is ill, the lesson can be made up with a doctor's certificate, within the same course period and if a suitable place is free.
During the first three weeks of a course, you can reserve your child's place for the next period.
Photos are not allowed during lessons, to protect the children's privacy.
Booking is online after a one-time registration. The invoice arrives by email.

Where to find them

First Flow (10 weeks to 4 years) runs in 15 cantons:

Aargau: Schinznach, Menziken, Bremgarten, Strengelbach, Bad Zurzach
Basel-Landschaft: Liestal, Bruderholz
Basel-Stadt: Basel
Bern: Bern, Aeschi, Biel, Gümligen, Gunten, Gwatt, Ittigen, Langenthal, Oberried, Zollikofen
Fribourg: Meyriez-Murten
Lucerne: Nottwil, Wolhusen
Nidwalden: Stans
Obwalden: Sarnen
Schaffhausen: Schaffhausen
Schwyz: Schwyz
Solothurn: Buchegg, Oensingen, Olten, Solothurn
St. Gallen: Balgach, Valens, Wittenbach
Thurgau: Diessenhofen, Frauenfeld, Münchwilen, Münsterlingen
Zug: Baar, Unterägeri
Zurich: Affoltern, Fehraltorf, Kloten, Meilen, Uster, Wiesendangen, Winterthur, Zollikerberg, Zurich

Find the pool nearest you, with course times: https://firstflow.wassererleben.ch/de/kursorte/region/

Let's Swim (4 to 8 years) runs in 11 cantons:

Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Zug, Zurich

Let's Swim locations:

FAQ

From what age can my baby start swimming with H2O Wassererleben? From 10 weeks, in the First Flow Minis stage. First Flow runs until age 4.

Do I go in the water with my child? In First Flow, one parent or caregiver joins the child in the water. In Let's Swim (4 to 8 years), children swim without their parents.

How warm is the water in baby swimming? At least 32 °C, so babies stay warm throughout the lesson.

How long are the courses and lessons? First Flow runs for 8 weeks with 30 or 45 minute lessons, depending on the level. Let's Swim runs for 7 weeks with 60 minute lessons.

How much does a course cost? First Flow usually costs CHF 290 to CHF 340 per course and Let's Swim usually CHF 300 to CHF 360, with pool entry included (for Let's Swim, at most locations). Siblings get 10% off.

Does health insurance contribute? Many Swiss health insurers contribute, depending on your supplementary insurance. It is best to check directly with your insurer.

In which cantons are the courses offered? First Flow runs in Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Zug and Zurich. Let's Swim runs in Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Zug and Zurich.

What language are the courses in? German.

Can we try a lesson first? There are no free trial lessons. In First Flow, you can join up to the third week of a course if places are free, at an adjusted price.

What comes after baby swimming? From age 4, children move on to Let's Swim, where they learn backstroke, breaststroke, front crawl and butterfly in small groups of a similar age.