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.
Become a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor!
Check our Aquatic Centre Schedule
Rec Swim
What to have fun in the pool? Jump into a Rec Swim and have a good time! All swimming abilities are welcome.
Lane Swim
All swimmers must be able to swim the full length of the pool (25 m) without stopping to participate in this program.
AquaFree
This program is designed to allow pool users the space required to complete their aquatic workouts, physical therapy, or swimming skills practice
Kinder Swim
(0 to 6 yrs) Kinder Swim time is when our Teaching Pool is 60cm deep! Toys are available for your use. Parent accompaniment required.
Hydrotherapy Pool
(Seats 16ppl) The purpose of a Hydrotherapy Whirlpool is to provide a warm water environment that will help to restore health and heal injuries. Hydrotherapy Whirlpool water temperature is typically about 38-40°C.
Kinder Splashpad
(0 to 6 yrs) Teaching Pool is 5cm deep! Toys are available for your use. Come join in the fun! Parent accompaniment required.
Our Mobile Apps
Download My Y app
Search for programs you like and join them with a touch of a button!
Swim Lessons
The YMCA believes that learning to swim is a critical life skill. The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth offers one FREE swimming lesson at a time for members of all ages! We are committed to reducing water-related injuries and encouraging more people to learn to swim and stay safe around water.
Splasher
Bobber
Glider
Surfer
Bubbler
Floater
Diver
Jumper
Otter
Dolphin
Star 1
Star 3
Star 5
Seal
Swimmer
Star 2
Star 4
Star 6
Teen 1: Jade
Teen 3: Coral
Teen 2: Aquamarine
Silver
Golden
Sapphire
Ruby
Diamond
Private Lessons
Semi-Private Lessons
Stroke Improvement 1
(6 – 12YRS) Perfect your Front and Back Crawl strokes in Stroke Improvement 1.
*Pre-req: Attempted or Completed Swimmer or equivalent*
Stroke Improvement 2
(6 – 12YRS) Perfect your Elementary Backstroke and Breaststroke in Stroke Improvement 2.
*Pre-req: Attempted or Completed Star 2 or equivalent*
Determine What Swim Level is Right for Your Child
1. If your child has taken a YMCA swim lesson within the last 6 months, visit this page to see your child’s last swim report card. You will need your child’s membership number or access number.
2. If your child hasn’t taken a swim lesson contact the John W. Lindsay YMCA front desk Staff or consult the conversion chart below.
YMCA Swimming Lessons Conversion Chart
| YMCA Preschool Program: 6 months – 5 years old | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA Canada | Lifesaving Society | Red Cross | |
| Intro (6mos-1yr) | Splashers | Parent & Tot | Starfish |
| Intro (1yrs – 3yrs) | Bubblers | Parent & Tot | Duck & Sea Turtle |
| Beginner (3-5yr) | Bobbers | Preschool 1 | Sea Otter |
| Beginner (3-5yr) | Floaters | Preschool 1 | Salamander |
| Inter (3-5yrs) | Gliders | Preschool 2 | Sunfish |
| Inter (3-5yrs) | Divers | Preschool 3 | Sunfish |
| Advance (4-5yrs) (Swim with no assistance) |
Surfers | Preschool 4 | Crocodile |
| Advance (4-5yrs) (Swim with no assistance) |
Jumpers | Preschool 5 | Whale |
| YMCA Learn to Swim & Star Program: 6 – 12 years old | |||
| Beginner | Otter | Swimmer 1 | Swim Kids 1 |
| Seal | Swimmer 1 | Swim Kids 1 | |
| Dolphin | Swimmer 2 | Swim Kids 2-3 | |
| Swimmer | Swimmer 3 | Swim Kids 4-5 | |
| Intermediate | Star 1 | Swimmer 4 | Swim Kids 6-7 |
| Star 2 | Swimmer 5 | Swim Kids 8 | |
| Star 3 | Swimmer 6 | Swim Kids 9 | |
| Star 4 | Rookie Patrol | Swim Kids 9 Complete Swim 400 m continuously |
|
| Advance | Star 5 | Ranger Patrol | Swim Kids 10 |
| Star 6 | Star Patrol | Swim Kids 10 Complete Swim 400 m continuously |
|
| YMCA Teen Swim Program: 13-17 years old | |||
| Beginner | Teen Beginner | Adult 1 | - |
| Intermediate | Teen Intermediate | Adult 2 | - |
| Advanced | Teen Advanced | Adult 3 | - |
| YMCA Adult Swim Program: 18+ years old | |||
| Beginner | Silver | Adult 1 | - |
| Ruby | Adult 1 | - | |
| Intermediate | Golden | Adult 2 | - |
| Diamond | Adult 2 | - | |
| Advanced | Sapphire | Adult 3 | - |
| Complete/Incomplete YMCA Preschool Levels (6 years old) | YMCA Learn to Swim & Star Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Bobbers | Complete or Incomplete | Otter |
| Floaters | ||
| Gliders | Complete or Incomplete | |
| Divers | Incomplete | |
| Complete | Seal | |
| Surfers | Complete or Incomplete | |
| Jumpers | Incomplete | |
| Complete | Dolphin | |
- Bronze Star – Should be able to swim at a Star 2 Level. Ages 10-12yrs
- Bronze Medallion – Age 13+ or have Bronze Star.
- Bronze Cross – Age 13+, Must have Bronze Medallion & Basic Workplace First Aid
- Lifesaving Sport– Should be able to swim at a Star 1 level.
- National Lifeguard Pool – Age 15+, Must have Bronze Cross & Intermediate Workplace First Aid
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 2 or higher
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)
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.
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
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
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
- 13 years old + can access the Aquatic Centre without adult/guardian supervision.
- 9 – 12 years must be accompanied in the water by a parent/guardian (adult/guardian must be at least 16 years of age) if they require a PFD or they are unsuccessful in completing a swim test.
- 9 – 12 years must be accompanied in the facility by a parent/guardian (adult/guardian must be at least 16 years of age) if they successfully complete the swim test.
- 8 years and under must have a parent in the water with them.
Child Protection Sign-in/out Policies
- At the beginning of the class, participants 12 years old and under must check in with the instructor with an adult (16 yrs+).
- At the end of the class, participants 12 years old and under must check out by the same adult.
- Parents who are not in the water can observe lessons from the pool-level windows or from the Great Hall.
- Videography and photography are not permitted to ensure our member’s privacy.