Swimming Programs

Swimming lesson schedules can be found on the City's PerfectMind registration page, or in the current edition of The Key online recreation guide. To determine which level your child should be in, read the program descriptions below.

For more info, contact the pool where the lessons will be held.

Program descriptions

We encourage the parent to participate until their child lets them know they can do it themselves (thank you very much).
These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water.
We'll help them jump into chest deep water.
They'll try floats on their front and back, and glides on their back while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
They'll learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater.
Instructor to child ratio: 1:4
30 Minute Lesson

These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a personal flotation device.
They'll be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10-15m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 9-12 m).
Instructor to child ratio: 1:4
30 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 1 or Preschool D or E

These junior swimmers will dive and do in-water front somersaults.
Their new bag of tricks includes handstands and completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard.
They'll work on 10 15m of front crawl, back crawl and whip kick.
Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 25 m.
GROUP LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:6, 45 Minute Lesson
LOW RATIO LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:3, 30 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 2

These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing.
They'll cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training.
GROUP LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:8, 45 Minute Lesson
LOW RATIO LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:4, 30 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 3

These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults.
Surface dives will take them down to underwater swims.
They'll refine their front and back crawl over 50 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 15-25m.
Then they'll pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl and 4 x 10-15 m breaststroke.
GROUP LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:8, 45 Minute Lesson
LOW RATIO LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:4, 30 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 4

These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick.
They'll develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m.
They'll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they'll complain about the 300 m workout.
GROUP LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:8, 45 Minute Lesson
LOW RATIO LESSON- Instructor to child ratio: 1:4, 30 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 5

Swimmers continue stroke development with 50m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke.
Lifesaving sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and 15m object carry.
First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding.
Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims.
Instructor to child ratio: 1:8
45 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 6

Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 m swims of each stroke.
They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid.
First aid focuses on assessment off unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures.
Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation.
Instructor to child ratio: 1:8
45 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 7 (Rookie)

Swimmers are challenged with 600m workouts; 300m timed swims and a 25 m object carry.
Strokes are refined over 100 m swims.
First aid focuses on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions.
Lifesaving skills include defence methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water.
Instructor to child ratio: 1:8
45 Minute Lesson
Prerequisite: Swimmer 8 (Ranger)