Aquatics
Swim Lessons and Programs
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced swimmer, you can gain the skills and confidence you need to stay safe and enjoy our pool. The YMCA has been offering aquatics programming & swimming lessons to Canadians since the 1900s. Thousands of Canadians have learned to swim at the Y.
Swimming Lesson FAQs
Please see our Program Guide for Swimming Lesson Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
If you or your child have taken a YMCA swim lesson within the last 6 months, visit this page to see your last swim report card. If you are looking for your child’s report card you will need their membership number or access number.
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If you or your child have taken swimming lessons elsewhere, or a long time ago, please click here to see a conversion chart to see where you would be in YMCA lessons today.
If you or your child have never taken swimming lessons: First, read through the age-based descriptions in our Program Guide to see which lessons makes the most sense based on current skill level. If you need further guidance, please contact [email protected].
We run lessons during each of the four seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Registration opens for waitlisted participants first, then for those registered in lessons and the general public. Dates can be found on the Swimming Lesson Timetable (linked on our website), the Program Guide, and in our Monthly Newsletter which goes out to YMCA members who have signed up for optional communications.
To register for lessons, you need to have an active YMCA membership. Once this is set up, you can either register online (link), over the phone, or in person. Generally, registration opens at 9:00am on registration day and we will have extra supports available to make this as smooth as possible. A best practice is to look at the Swimming Lessons Timetable first and know which lessons you want. Additionally, be sure to make sure your login information is correct and works, ideally a few days before registration day.
You can join swimming lessons at any age beyond 6 months.
Yes! We do and they are very popular! Swimming is a lifelong skill that can be picked up at any time. Adults have great success in our lessons. We have everything from beginner lessons to advanced ones, whether you’re just starting out, getting back into swimming, or perfecting your stroke.
Yes! We offer lessons on both Saturdays and Sundays. Please see the Swimming Lessons Timetable for available times during the term you’re registering for.
Yes! We offer private lessons that are 1:1. These are 30 minute lessons that run through the whole term. If there are extra spots, than fees will be prorated for the remaining number of lessons available that term.
Please read through the level descriptions in our Program Guide to get a sense of what level you should register for. If you need more information, please reach out to either our membership team or the Aquatics Program Coordinator. If your child is not progressing in Group Swimming Lessons after 2 terms, it might be worth considering private lessons or a break from lessons for one season to focus on other activities while practicing water skills during things like Kinder Swim, Rec Swim, or Lane Swim.
We’re sorry that the lesson you need is full for this term. In this case, please register for the waitlist. You’ll have priority registration for the following term!
We’re sorry that not everyone was able to get the spot they wanted this term! We offer a variety of child, youth, and family programming, as well as childminding in the evenings and on the weekends during group swimming lessons times. Please check out our Program Guide, as well as our Child & Youth schedule online to see what’s happening this season!
You can cancel at any time during the term / season. Please reach out to the membership team or the Aquatics Program Coordinator to arrange this
If you miss three (3) consecutive lessons before the registration closes for the term, we will need to withdraw you from the lesson to allow others to have a chance at joining lessons that term.
Being nervous for your first day of lessons is completely normal! We have extra staff available to support in these instances who are trained to help make your child feel comfortable and confident around the water. While we do not allow parents to remain on the pool deck during lessons, we may come find you in the facility if your assistance is required.
Unfortunately our pool deck is not large enough to safely accommodate parents during swimming lessons. After you’ve signed your child in, you’re welcome to observe the lesson from either the hallway outside the general changerooms, the Great Hall (lobby) windows, and from the recumbent bikes in the cardio centre (if you’re working out on these)!
Aquatic Centre is CLOSED for Annual Maintenance from September 2nd-15th.
The expected reopening date is September 16th at 6:00 am.
Become a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor!
Leadership Programs
Junior Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals
Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals – Level 1: Play Fair is the underlying principle emphasized in this level. Participants practice in-water starts, jump starts from the deck, and stroke work. The introduction of lifesaving sports skills includes obstacle swimming and object support.
Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals – Level 2: Respect for Others is a key theme in this level. Participants practice dive starts from the deck, open turns, in-water somersaults, strokes, and sculling, as well as throwing accuracy and towing a manikin with a rescue tube.
Junior Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals
Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals – Level 3: Participants set short-term goals in this level while they master challenging skills including relay transitions, flip turns, stroke work over longer distances, swimming with fins, and eggbeater kicks.
Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals – Level 4: In this level, participants set long-term goals and learn how to Stay Healthy. Skills include dive starts from the starting block, turns, 50 m sprint, advanced throwing accuracy, and advanced rescue tube and manikin tow skills.
Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star with Fundamental First Aid
Recommended: completion of Star 4 – 6 is recommended
Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion
Bronze Medallion 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 methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance.
Includes: Basic Workplace First Aid (Formerly known as Emergency First Aid)
Pre-Requisite: 13 years old or completed Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star
Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross
As the Lifesaving Society’s Assistant Lifeguard certification, Bronze Cross prepares lifesavers for the safety supervision role and responsibilities of assistant lifeguards in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification.
Includes: Intermediate Workplace First Aid (Formerly known as Standard First Aid)
Pre-Requisite: Completed Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medallion and Basic Workplace First Aid (Formerly known as Emergency First Aid)
National Lifeguard Pool with CPR-HCP
National Lifeguard education is designed to develop a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment, and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. The course develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles, and decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to evaluate and adapt to different aquatic facilities and emergencies.
Includes: Health Care Provider CPR certification
Pre-Requisite: Completed Lifesaving Society's Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid
YMCA Swim Instructor
Share your love of swimming with others! As a leader in the pool, you can play an essential role in helping others learn to swim and improve their health in many ways. You will learn a variety of teaching techniques, progressions, and more. To put it all into practice, you’ll also work alongside a certified YMCA Swim Instructor to teach children during a swim lesson.
Prerequisite(s): 15 yrs+, current Bronze Cross/National Lifeguard Certification, current Intermediate Workplace First Aid, and YMCA Aquatics Instructor Self Directed Learning Module Certificate.
Intermediate Workplace (Standard) First Aid
Intermediate Workplace First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) includes CPR-C certification. Intermediate Workplace First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid. Intermediate Workplace First Aid incorporates Basic Workplace First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid including legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries, and medical emergencies.
At Community YMCA
Intermediate Workplace First Aid Recertification
Intermediate Workplace First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) includes CPR-C certification. Intermediate Workplace First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid. Intermediate Workplace First Aid incorporates Basic Workplace First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid including legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries, and medical emergencies.
At Community YMCA
Admission Policy
- < 8 years must have a parent with them at all times, including in the water for drop-in swimming (lane swim, rec swim, family swim, etc.). <8 years are not allowed in the weight room, cardio centre, or group fitness classes unless otherwise stated for a special program/event.
- 9 – 12 years can access the facility with an adult/guardian (16+). They can use the weight room and/or cardio centre with a parent/guardian (16+). For the pool: they must be accompanied in the water by a parent/guardian (16+) if they require a PFD (personal floatation device) and/or they have not successfully completed a swim test. Once they have successfully completed a swim test the parent/guardian (16+) does not need to be in the water but must remain in the facility.
- 13 years and up can access the facility without adult supervision.
Child Protection Sign-in/out Policies
- For Child Safeguarding purposes, everyone entering our YMCA must scan their membership card at the welcome desk when they arrive, or sign in with our membership team using a Government-issued photo ID.
- Participants <12 years must have their parent/guardian (16+) check them in with the program instructor at the start of their program.
- The same parent/guardian (16+) must also check out the child <12 years with the program instructor at the end of the program.
- Parents who are not in the water can observe swimming lessons from the pool-level windows near the changerooms or from the Great Hall.
- Videography and photography are not permitted to ensure our member’s privacy.
Check our Aquatic Centre Schedule
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John W. Lindsay YMCA
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