Swim Lessons for all Ages

Parent & Tot (4 months to 3 years, with parent)

Aimed at children ages 3 years or less, Parent & Tot focuses on playful water interactions and shared fun between child and one parent/guardian. This is a non-skill based program where children are placed according to age.

Preschool (3-5 years)

For children 3 to 5 years of age. Each level is a prerequisite for the next.  A parent/guardian is required on pool deck for preschool lessons.

• Preschool 1
  Preschoolers in this level will be assisted by their instructor and wear lifejackets when attempting skills. They will learn to enter and exit shallow water safely and put their face in the water to blow bubbles. They will practice floats/glides and moving safely in shallow water.
• Preschool 2
  Preschoolers in this level will attempt skills independently with a life jacket. They will learn to jump into chest-deep water, submerge, and exhale underwater. They will be introduced to lateral roll overs and practice front and back glides as well as flutter kicks.
• Preschool 3
  Preschoolers in this level will do skills independently and without a life jacket. They will perform side roll entries and they recover objects from the bottom of the pool. They will also learn how to do floats, glides, flutter kick on their front and back.
• Preschool 4
  Preschoolers in level 4 will master short swims of front crawl and are introduced to side glides and flutter kicks performed on their side. New challenges such as treading water using sculling arm action are presented at this level.
• Preschool 5
  Preschoolers in level 5 will demonstrate that they can support themselves in deep water for 10 seconds using sculling arm action and any kick. They will practice forward roll entry into deep water. Whip kick, back crawl and interval training will be introduced.

Swimmer Levels (ages 6 years and older)

Aimed at children aged 6 years and older who want to learn a variety of swimming skills and strokes. Each level is a prerequisite for the next.

• Swimmer 1 
  This level is the foundation for developing swimming skills. It includes safe entries into various depths of water, treading water with sculling arm action, breath control, opening eyes underwater, submersion, floats, lateral rollovers, glides, and flutter kick. Swimmers will also begin to learn the fundamentals of front crawl.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Are curious in and around the water
  • Have an interest in learning to swim
  • Can work independently in a group setting
• Swimmer 2 
  Swimmers will gain comfort in deeper water by jumping in, learning their sideways entry, and treading water without a lifejacket. Swimmers will be challenged by the introduction of various skills including flutter kick on their front, back, and side, vertical whip kick with an aid, and swimming front crawl and back crawl for 10m. Swimmers will get to work on their Swim to Survive skills and be introduced to interval training.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Comfortably submerge their entire body with eyes open and blow bubbles.
  • Jump into chest-deep water with no assistance from an instructor or floatation aid.
  • Float on their front and back for 3 seconds with no assistance or floatation aid.
  • Glide while kicking in their front and back for 3 seconds with no assistance or floatation aid.
• Swimmer 3
  Swimmers will learn how to do kneeling dives and forward roll entries. They will also be challenged with the introduction to new skills such as handstands in shallow water and front somersaults. Increased time and distance components are incorporated for skills learned such as flutter kick on front and back, whip kick on back, front, and back crawl, and interval training.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Jump into chest-deep water with no assistance from an instructor or floatation aid.
  • Flutter kick on front and back for 10m with no assistance from an instructor or floatation aid.
  • Front and back crawl for 10m each with no assistance from an instructor or floatation aid.
• Swimmer 4
  Swimmers will move from a beginner to intermediate swimming level. They will learn how to do standing dives, tread water for 1 minute, and work towards being able to swim underwater for 5 m. Swimmers will achieve the Swim to Survive standard by being able to roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, and swim 50m. In addition to improving their front crawl, back crawl, and whip kick, swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Tread water for 30s and swim 50m continuously without stopping.
  • Flutter kick on front and back for 10m with no assistance from an instructor or floatation aid.
  • Front and back crawl for 15m each continuously.
• Swimmer 5
  Swimmers will be challenged with a whole new set of skills such as: Tuck jump (cannonball entries), stationary eggbeater kick, back somersaults, head-up front crawl, and breaststroke. Technique and endurance will also receive greater focus as swimmers will need to complete longer interval training and sprints for front and back crawl.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Perform front and back crawl for 25m.
  • Roll into water, tread water for 60s and swim 50m continuously without stopping.
  • 8+ years of age is recommended.
• Swimmer 6
  Being the final level in the Swimmer program swimmers will work towards mastering their advanced skillset. Swimmers learn how to do deep water stride entries and compact jumps. They will tread water with legs only, use lifesaving eggbeater and scissor kicks, accomplish a 300m workout with front crawl, back crawl and/or breaststroke.In this level, it is recommended that swimmers:
  • Perform front and back crawl for 25m.
  • Roll into water, tread water for 60s and swim 50m continuously without stopping.
  • 8+ years of age is recommended.

Adult Levels

• Adult Beginner
  Work at your own pace as you become comfortable in the water, explore basic swimming skills, and learn about water safety.
• Adult Intermediate
  Set your own goals as you refine your swimming stroked and continue to understand water safety.

Rookie, Ranger, Star (Canadian Swim Patrol) (10 years and older)

This three level program develops swimming strength with emphasis on personal responsibility. Students will be introduced to four elements: water proficiency, emergency recognition, rescue, and first aid. Swimmer 6 is a prerequisite.

Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross

• Bronze Star
  This is the pre-Bronze Medallion training. In Bronze Star, participants develop problem solving and decision-making skills as individuals, and with partners. Participants will earn CPR and develop Water Smart® confidence, and the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard. Includes CPR A and AED training.
  Prerequisite(s): None
• Bronze Medallion
  Award teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defense and release methods in preparation for challenging rescuing of victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim. Includes CPR A and AED. Pricing includes Canadian Lifesaving Manual.
  Prerequisite(s): Bronze Star or 13 years of age or older.
• Bronze Cross
  Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatics facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard and Instructor Certification. Includes CPR C and AED.
  Prerequisite(s): Bronze Medallion

Private Lessons

• Private
  In a private lesson swimmers undergo ongoing learning that is specific to the swimmer’s needs. Evaluations are ongoing as instructors continue where they left off and focus on a swimmer’s main priorities to progress through the 6 levels of the Swim for Life program. Private lessons are also a flexible alternative for swimmers that may struggle with a traditional classroom experience.
• Semi-Private
  Private lessons can be requested to be semi-private lessons with additional family members or friends. The additional participant must be within 1 level difference (higher/lower) of each other to ensure quality of instruction and time. Pricing for the second participant is 50% of the total cost.