Swimming lesson information
Find out information on swimming lessons at your local pool, including how to register, what to expect from a lesson, and what happens if you miss a lesson.
Everyone learns at their own pace. Lifesaving SWIM Instructors are trained to adjust the program to meet each swimmer’s needs. This helps every participant do their best in swimming and fitness.
If you do not know or are unsure of what level to register your child or yourself in, come to the pool for a free assessment.
We offer the following swimming lesson progressions or levels:
Swim For Life Parent & Tot (6 to 36 months)
In our program, parents and children interact in the water making play a key part in learning positive water skills and attitudes. We give Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips to keep your child safe around water. Certified instructors are there to guide you and answer any questions you have.
- Parent & Tot 1 (6 to 12 months)
- Parent & Tot 2 (12 to 24 months)
- Parent & Tot 3 (24 to 36 months)
Swim For Life Preschool (3 to 5 years)
The Lifesaving Society Preschool Program helps kids learn to appreciate and respect the water before they get in too deep.
For kids aged 3 to 5, we focus on making them feel comfortable and have fun in the water while building basic water skills. We also include Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education at all Preschool levels.
- Preschool A
- Preschool B
- Preschool C
- Preschool D
- Preschool E
Swim For Life levels 1 to 8
The Swim for Life program helps to ensure your children learn to swim safely before they go too deep. It’s designed for kids aged 5 to 14, including beginners and those who want to improve their skills.
We focus on plenty of in-water practice to build strong swimming strokes and skills. Water Smart® education is included at all levels.
Swim For Life Swim Patrol
- Rookie (9): In this program, swimmers work on their strokes with 50-meter swims of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. They also practice Lifesaving sports skills like a 25-meter obstacle swim and a 15-meter object carry. First aid training includes assessing conscious victims, contacting Emergency Medical Services, and treating bleeding. Fitness is enhanced with 350-meter workouts and 100-meter timed swims. It’s recommended that participants have completed Swim For Life 8.
- Ranger (10): Swimmers improve their strokes with 75-meter swims of each stroke. They practice lifesaving sports skills with a medley, timed object support, and rescue using a buoyant aid. First aid training covers assessing unconscious victims, treating shock, and handling obstructed airways. Skill drills help build a strong lifesaving foundation. It’s recommended that participants have completed Swim For Life 9.
- Star (11): Swimmers take on 600-meter workouts, 300-meter timed swims, and a 25-meter object carry. They refine their strokes with 100-meter swims. First aid training covers treating bone or joint injuries and handling respiratory emergencies like asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defense methods, removing victims, and supporting a victim face-up in shallow water.
Swim For Life Teen/Adult levels 1 to 5
The Adult Program is for anyone, no matter your age. You can set your own goals and work with certified instructors to learn to swim or improve your skills and water fitness. You’ll gain confidence in the water and develop smooth strokes suitable for lane swimming and beach fun. We also include Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education at all adult levels.
We offer private, semi-private, and group lessons. The semi-private option may be offered for 2 or 3 participants.
Participants receive a progress card at the end of each lesson session.
We also offer programs like Fitness Swimmer and Swim Sports. These programs help improve swim strokes, build endurance, and develop performance skills, among other things.
Bronze Star
This course is excellent preparation for the Bronze Medallion. Participants will work on problem-solving and decision-making skills both individually and with partners. They will learn CPR and essential lifesaving skills to handle emergencies on their own. The course includes a timed 400-meter swim. We recommend you complete the Swim Patrols before enrolling.
The Fitness Swimmer program is for people of all ages who want to boost their overall fitness in the water. It offers a structured approach with accepted training methods, like interval training. You can set your own fitness goals and work towards them.
The Swim for Life program is the same at all city locations. It focuses on teaching basic swimming strokes and skills for learners of all ages and abilities.
To succeed in swimming, practice and positive feedback are important. The Swim for Life program lets students progress comfortably at their own pace.
We encourage you to discuss the lessons with your child. It’s important to have realistic expectations and ensure your child doesn’t feel pressured to “pass” a level. Instead, they should focus on “completing” the skills at their own speed.
Think of swimming lessons as a long-term journey.
How you can help your child
- Participate in a recreational swim before your first lesson. Orient your child to the change room, washrooms, and pool. Have fun and practice skills that your child already knows.
- Swimming is a skill; it requires patience, practice, and lots of feedback. Individuals need to progress at their own rate. Talk with your child about their lessons and have realistic expectations.
- Inform the instructor if your child is repeating the level
- Bring your previous report card for your new instructor to review
- If your child hasn’t taken formal swimming lessons for a while, we suggest contacting your nearest community centre. Talk to the customer service team to ask about a swim assessment.
Progress day is scheduled for one week during each session. Parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s instructor after their lesson.
Some facilities combine levels to meet minimum class sizes. Make sure to check for a level in both categories. For example, if you want a Swim for Life 1 class, you should look in both Swim for Life 1 and Swim for Life 1/2.
Check your scheduled swimming lesson is still taking place. Some lessons may have breaks due to holidays or facility closures. Check at the pool or your program confirmation receipt for break dates.
There are no catch-up classes if you miss or cannot attend a class.
If a program doesn’t have the required minimum number of swimmers, it may be canceled at any time. Some programs may be combined.
Check your confirmation receipt or closure notices posted at the pool.