Swim Lessons

YMCA swim lessons encourage children and adults to learn proper swimming technique and understand the importance of water safety. Classes emphasize having fun while learning from qualified instructors.

Swim Lesson Policies

Membership Requirements: You must have an active membership to register for swim lessons. If a membership is placed on hold, the child will be removed from the lessons or the waitlist.

Registration and Changes: Members may register for a class or make a lesson change at any time during the session, provided space is available.

Attendance and Forfeiture: We reserve the right to remove a student if they have three unjustified absences in a row without communicating with us. We are unable to provide make-up classes for missed sessions.

Continuous Evaluations: We do not have a testing week. Evaluations are done throughout the entire session, and a student must perform each required skill correctly three separate times to pass a level.

Level Progression: When a child successfully completes their level, they must release their spot in that class to allow a student on the waitlist to join.

Mandatory Attire and Equipment: Swim caps are mandatory for everyone in the pool. If your child is not toilet trained, they must wear a special swimming diaper while in the pool. Any swimwear or equipment that covers the nose or mouth is strictly prohibited.

Sign-In and Supervision: Parents or guardians must sign in and sign out children aged 11 and younger with the instructor. A parent or guardian of a child in this age group must remain on the premises for the duration of the lesson.

Parent Participation: For Splasher, Bubbler, Bobber, and Floater levels, one adult is required to be in the pool per child. Parents participating in these classes must also wear a swimsuit and swim cap.

Registration and Waitlist

  • A child can only be in 1 group swim class at a time.
  • You cannot be in a class and on a waitlist for the next level at the same time.
  • If your child is already in a class, they can be on only 1 waitlist. (to change your day or time).
  • If your child is not in any class, they can be on 2 waitlists.
  • If a child is in more classes or waitlists than these limits allow, we reserve the right to remove them from all activities and waitlists.

Preschool Swimming Lessons

6 months to under 3 yrs

Safety education for adults with child, attempt assisted front and back float, front and back tow with buoyant aid, bubble blowing and learning to get their face wet. These skills will be taught through songs, games and play.

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1 – 2 yrs

Safety education for adults with child including a variety of entering/exiting the water techniques, assisted front and back floats, surface support, kicking, submersion and object retrieval. Skills will be taught through songs, games and play.

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Bobbers, part of the YMCA Preschool Swim program, is for children 3-5 years old who are new to swimming.

In Bobbers, we’ll continue to introduce fun activities in the water to activate the movements that will eventually lead to swimming. By the end, your child will be comfortable having their face in the water, and will have learned basic movements while being supported.

Bobbers is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will help your children feel comfortable in the water – parent participation is required.

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Floaters, part of the YMCA Preschool Swim program, is for children 3-5 years old who have completed Bobbers or equivalent.

In Floaters, we introduce floating and gliding, and continue to practice other movements. Through structured activities and play, children will also become comfortable submerging themselves under water.

Floaters is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will continue to encourage your child to build their confidence in the water – parent participation is required.

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Gliders, part of our YMCA Preschool Swim program, is for children who are 3-5 years old and have completed Floaters or show an equivalent level of competence.

In Gliders, children will combine kicking with gliding to learn how to propel themselves through the water.

Gliders is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will encourage your child’s progression. Children are encouraged to attend without a parent.

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Divers, part of our YMCA Preschool Swim program, is for children who are 3-5 years old and have completed Gliders or show an equivalent level of skill.

In Divers, children will combine all the skills they have learned so far to swim on their front and back unaided for a distance of 10 metres. Your child will also learn to jump into and float in deep water unassisted.

Divers is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will tailor the learning experience to your child’s needs. Children are encouraged to attend without a parent. 

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5 years old – Completed Divers Level

Child must have passed Divers. Child must be comfortable in the main pool without a lifejacket or belt. Must be able to swim a half-length of the pool.

In this level, children will learn ice safety education, standing/kneeling dives, surface support, front and back somersaults, and front and back swim. Children will spend most of this class in the main pool. 

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5 yrs – Completed Divers Level

(Child must have passed Divers. Child must be comfortable in the main pool without a lifejacket or belt and must be able to swim ½ length of pool.)

In this level, children will learn boating safety education, standing dive, surface support, sculling & finning, and surface dives. Children will spend most of this class in the main pool.

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Learn-to Swim School-age Lessons

An introductory level for beginner swimmers aged 6-12 years old, Otter will teach your child the basics of pool safety, going underwater, and gliding on their front and back.

The first of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Otter teaches your child how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. During these classes, your child will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session.

Otters is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who encourages your child to actively participate in their own learning.

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Seal is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Otter or who have equivalent skills. In this level they will further develop the skills of gliding, kicking, and submerging.

The second of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Seal teaches your child how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. During this these classes, children will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session.

Seal is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will encourage the children to build their confidence in the water.

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Dolphin is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Seal or who demonstrate an equivalent skill set. Your child will be introduced to swimming on their front, back, and under water.

The third of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Dolphin teaches kids how to stay safe in the water and how to develop their swimming skills. During these classes, your child will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session.

Dolphin is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will be cheering your child on as they complete their first full swim strokes!

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Swimmer is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Dolphin or have equivalent skills. In this class, kids will learn front and back crawl, and how to tread water.

The last level in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Swimmer teaches children how to stay safe in the water and how to develop their swimming skills. Children at this level will have achieved a solid foundation of swimming skills and be able to front swim for a distance of 25 metres.

Swimmer is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will inspire your child to reach their potential in the water.

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Star 1 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed the Swimmer level in our Learn to Swim program. In this class, kids will learn to use the whip kick on their back and the egg-beater motion for treading water. We will help your child continue to develop the front and back crawl technique and endurance.

As the first level of our YMCA Star Program, Star 1 also introduces your child to other aspects of swimming. Kids select new skills they would like to learn from a list that includes competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness and water polo.

Star 1 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will guide your child through each lesson.

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Star 2 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 1 or who show an equivalent skill level. At this level we focus on the backstroke while continuing to help kids refine their stroke technique and increase their endurance.

In Star 2, we continue to encourage your child to build on the optional skills they selected in Star 1. Your child may choose to try something new or continue to focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Optional skills include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness and water polo.

Star 2 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will share their passion for swimming.

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The third level of our YMCA Star Program, Star 3, is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 2 or who show an equivalent skill level. In this level your child will focus on the breaststroke and egg-beater motion for treading water, while continuing to build endurance in the pool. We will also introduce young swimmers to introductory lifesaving concepts.

Building on the optional skills learned in Star 2, kids will select from a new set of skills they would like to learn. They may choose to try something new or focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Skills include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness and water polo.

Star 3 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will nurture the love of swimming in your child.

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Star 4 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 3 or who show an equivalent skill level. In this level we will help your child focus on the sidestroke and we will continue to introduce lifesaving skills.

Your child will also continue to explore other interests in the pool by selecting more optional skills to learn. They may choose to try something new or focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Options include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness or water polo.

Star 4 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will work with your child to learn each new skill.

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Star 5 is for children 10 years and older who have completed Star 4 or who show an equivalent skill level. We will introduce the butterfly stroke along with lifesaving and first aid elements from the Rookie and Ranger levels of the Canadian Swim Patrol program.

Swimmers will also have the opportunity to continue to develop advanced aquatics skills by selecting from a range of options: advanced strokes, water polo, synchronized swimming or aquatic fitness.

Led by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor, this course will allow swimmers to work together in groups to reach their goals. After completion of Star 5, your child will be eligible to be certified as a Rookie in the Canadian Swim Patrol program.

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Star 6 is for children 10 years and older who have completed Star 5 or show an equivalent skill level. Swimmers will continue to develop lifesaving and first aid skills at the Ranger and Star level of the Canadian Swim Patrol program. They will also begin to learn how to teach others to swim.

Star 6 encourages your child to take responsibility for their own learning outcomes by selecting optional skills to learn, including advanced strokes, water polo, synchronized swimming or aquatic fitness.

Led by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor, this course will allow swimmers to work together in groups to reach their goals. After completion of Star 6, your child will be eligible to be certified as a Ranger in the Canadian Swim Patrol program.

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Adult Lessons

Our adult swim lessons are drop-in for members, with no registration required. Come out and enhance your swimming skills. From beginner to advanced.

For adults and children 4 years old and over.

For adults and children 4 years old and over.

Private swim lessons are an excellent choice for anyone looking for focused, one-on-one training. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your technique, our instructors provide personalized coaching to help you reach your goals.

  • Booking: Registration for the upcoming month always opens on the 23rd of the current month.
  • How to Register: All bookings must be made online through our member portal. You can view available time slots and book your preferred schedule for the entire month at once.
  • Pricing: Fees are based on the number of lessons held in a specific month ($30.00 for members; $55.00 + tax for non-members, per class).
  • Policy: Because your time slot is reserved exclusively for you, missed lessons cannot be refunded, rescheduled, or carried over to the next month.

This introduction to competitive swimming focuses on technique, speed and endurance. It’s a great way for youth to try competitive swimming! Open to all youth ages 10-14 who can swim 25 metres or more non-stop without assistance and have completed the Swimmer swim level. For more information, please contact the Aquatics Office at 857-0606 x 2248