Waves Swim & Sports Academy
About Waves Swim & Sports Academy
Waves Swim & Sports Academy was established in Dubai in 2011 and teaches swimming to babies, children and adults. Children follow a clear path: Baby Swim (6 months to 3 years), Learn to Swim (from 3), Stroke Development (from 6) and competitive Squads (from 8), plus intensive holiday courses in the school breaks. Learn to Swim groups have up to four children per coach, and every programme starts with a free assessment so your child is placed at the right level. The academy teaches at American Academy for Girls in Al Mizhar and at Australian International School Dubai in Al Barsha South. It displays accreditation from Swim Australia, the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Swimming Federation, and says it is run to Australian standards. Terms run from September to March and April to July, with summer programmes in July and August. Pick a branch on this page for its address and Google rating.
The activity
Swimming, explained
Swimming lessons usually start with water confidence: getting comfortable with the face in the water, floating, breathing and kicking. Once those basics are in place, children move up through levels, learning the four strokes - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly - along with starts, turns and diving. Swimmers who enjoy it can go on to squad training, where the focus shifts to stamina, speed and competition. Along the way it builds water safety, coordination and fitness, which matters in a city of pools and beaches. Baby classes can begin well before school age, and group learn-to-swim classes commonly start at around three.
Who it's for
Children from 6 months: Baby Swim is for 6 months to 3 years, Learn to Swim starts at 3 years, Stroke Development at 6 years and Squads at 8 years, with squad places set by the academy's squad criteria. Complete beginners and confident swimmers both get a free assessment to find their level. Adults can join ladies-only, men-only, mixed or private lessons. Ask the provider which programmes run at each venue.
What to expect
Start by booking a free assessment through the registration form on the website; the academy says a staff member will contact you within 24 hours with the next sign-up session. At that session a parent fills in a registration form and signs the terms, and you need a copy of a valid passport or Emirates ID for each swimmer. Allow about 30 minutes for the assessment and booking. To book a semester term you pay a non-refundable 500 AED deposit, with the balance due at the first lesson. Learn to Swim lessons are 30 minutes with one coach and up to four children; Stroke Development lessons are 45 minutes. Ask the provider for the full term fee.
Highlights
- Free assessment before your child joins a class (wavesacademy.com)
- Baby Swim from 6 months, Learn to Swim from 3, Stroke Development from 6, Squads from 8 (wavesacademy.com)
- Learn to Swim groups of up to 4 children with one coach, 30-minute lessons (wavesacademy.com)
- Holiday intensives in the winter, spring and summer breaks; ask the provider for this year's dates and days (wavesacademy.com)
- Established in Dubai in 2011; displays Swim Australia, Dubai Sports Council and UAE Swimming Federation accreditation (wavesacademy.com)
- Two venues: Al Mizhar and Al Barsha South (wavesacademy.com)
Why parents rate it
What parents say on Google
On Google, the Al Mizhar branch is rated 4.5 from 73 reviews. Testimonials on the academy's own website mention children gaining confidence, coaches who know each child's name and families who have stayed for several years. Each branch's own rating shows when you pick it.
The facts
- Ages
- Baby Swim: 6 months-3 years
- Learn to Swim: 3+
- Stroke Development: 6+
- Squads: 8+
- Adult lessons
(wavesacademy.com)
- Prices
- Term fees not published; non-refundable 500 AED deposit to book a semester term, balance due at first lesson (wavesacademy.com)
- Schedule
- Terms run September-March and April-July, plus summer programmes in July and August; holiday intensives in the school breaks. Ask the provider for class times and this year's intensive dates (wavesacademy.com)
- Trial
- Free assessment before joining (wavesacademy.com)
- Where
- American Academy for Girls, Al Mizhar 1, Al Mizhar, Dubai
- How to book
- wavesacademy.com/registration · +971 55 575 2888 · [email protected]
Questions parents ask
Good to know
- Classes are held at the school; ask for session times, as Google's opening hours are not class times (wavesacademy.com)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet, seating and car park (Google listing)
- A copy of a valid passport or Emirates ID is needed for every swimmer at sign-up (wavesacademy.com)
- Booking a term needs a non-refundable 500 AED deposit, with the balance due at the first lesson (wavesacademy.com)
- Al Mizhar: wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet, seating and car park; identifies as women-owned (Google listing)
- The website does not say which programmes or session times run at each venue: ask when you book (wavesacademy.com)
Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.
Location
Skip mapMizhar 1 - Al Mizhar First - Al Mizhar - Dubai
Interested in Waves Swim & Sports Academy?
Message them directly — ask about classes, times and prices.
Message on WhatsApp