Swimming Lessons

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Alert - Swimming Lessons

Registration for the Winter 2024 session is now closed. Spring 2024 session courses will be online to view on March 21 at noon. The Spring 2024 session registration will open April 4 at noon.

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Please note the City is pivoting away from private, one-on-one classes to provide more inclusive group opportunities for everyone, of all abilities. Information on requesting additional support is available below.

Swimming Lessons FAQ

When can the public view Spring Session lessons?

March 21, 2024 at 12 p.m.

When does registration open for Spring Session lessons?

April 4, 2024 at 12 p.m.

How do I apply for additional support in group lessons for my child?

The City is moving towards an inclusive group lesson delivery framework, effective July 4, to better meet the high demand for lessons and various needs within our community. This means pivoting away from 1:1 lessons to providing more inclusive group opportunities. We encourage anyone who would benefit from additional support to bring a caregiver or support person to the program.  

If your child would benefit from additional support within group classes, first register for your chosen lesson and then complete the adapted integration form. Submit the form as soon as possible to MWood1@CityofKingston.ca.

Submitting the adapted integration form a minimum of three weeks before program start date will allow adequate time to assess and determine if any program modifications are required.  

Behaviour Management strategies and procedures will be reviewed prior to the start of the program and we will do our utmost to accommodate your child’s needs. Should the needs exceed our ability to accommodate (i.e. personal care, safety concerns) we welcome and encourage the participant to bring their own support to the program. 

Unsure if your child would benefit from additional support? If your child benefits from additional assistance at school, during transition times, for sports or other activities, this is a good indicator that it could be beneficial to have additional support during swimming lessons.  

How do I know what level to register my child in for the Lifesaving Society Program lessons?

Refer to the conversion chart which shows how the Red Cross swimming lesson levels line up with the Swim-4-Life Levels. After reviewing the level descriptions, if you are still unsure what level to register for, please come to a Leisure or Family Swim for a quick skill assessment. 

Class Descriptions

Swim-for-Life Parented Program Ages: 4 months - 5 years

Parent & Tot 1

Ratio: 1:8 - 1:10

Your child is 4 - 12 months old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with a parent/guardian. 1 caregiver per child participates in water, no previous swimming experience required.

Parent & Tot 2

Ratio: 1:8 - 1:10

Your child is 12 - 24 months old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with a parent/guardian. 1 caregiver per child participates in water, no previous swimming experience required.

Parent & Tot 3

Ratio: 1:8 - 1:10

Your child is 24 - 36 months old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with a parent/guardian. 1 caregiver per child participates in water, no previous swimming experience required.

Parent & Tot 4

Ratio: 1:8

Your child is 3 - 5 years old and ready to learn to swim and enjoy the water with a parent or guardian. 1 caregiver per child participates in water, no previous swimming experience required. This level includes the same skills covered in Preschool 1 & 2.  Participation in this level is not required to move into preschool lessons. Moving into preschool levels depends on the child's age and willingness to participate without a parent or guardian in the water.

Swim-for-Life Preschool Program Ages: 3 - 5 years

Preschool 1

Ratio: 1:4

This level is for participants 3 - 5 years old who are ready to participate without a parent or guardian. Floating on front and back, gliding with kick, submersion and front swimming are introduced.  

Preschool 2

Ratio: 1:4

This level is for participants 3 - 5 years old who are comfortable floating unassisted. This level will focus on learning to enter and exit the water, progressing to jumping into chest-deep water unassisted. This level includes front and back swimming, submerge and exhale 3-4 times in a row, and rolling from front to back.

Preschool 3

Ratio: 1:4

This level is for participants 3 - 5 years old who are comfortable swimming 1 metre independently. This level will focus on increasing comfort and endurance, water entries and exits, and water safety. This level includes holding breath for 3 seconds, swimming 3-5 metres, and object recovery in waist deep water.

Preschool 4

Ratio: 1:4

This level is for participants 3-5 years old who are comfortable swimming 5 metres independently. This level will focus on learning to tread water, flutter kick and underwater swimming. Participants will be introduced to deep water entries and front crawl in a PFD.

Preschool 5

Ratio: 1:4

This level is for participants 3-5 years old who are comfortable treading water and swimming 15 metres independently. They will be introduced to back crawl, standing dives, deep water object recovery, and swimming 25 metres continuously.

Swim-for-Life Program Ages: 6-12 years

Swimmer 1

Ratio: 1:6

Class length: 30 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old; no previous swimming experience required. Participants will be introduced to submerging in the water, opening their eyes underwater, floating, gliding, rolling from front to back, wearing a lifejacket and swimming.  By the end of this level the hope is participants will be able to swim 3 metres independently.   

Swimmer 2

Ratio: 1:6

Class length: 30 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old, who are comfortable swimming 3 metres. This level will focus on increasing confidence and water proficiency. Swimmers will be introduced to underwater swimming, interval training and focus on increasing distance and technique in front and back swimming.

Swimmer 3

Ratio: 1:6

Class length: 30 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old, who are comfortable swimming 10 metres. This level will focus on increasing strength, endurance and distance.  Participants will be introduced to jumping into deep water, treading water, back crawl and a 25 metre distance swim.

Swimmer 4

Ratio: 1:6

Class length: 30 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old; who have completed Swimmer 3; able to swim 25 metres. This level will focus on technique and endurance in front crawl, back crawl, and surface support/treading water. Participants will be introduced to diving, swim-to-survive skills, whip kick, and a 50 metre distance swim.

Swimmer 5

Ratio: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old; who have completed Swimmer 4; comfortable in deep water and able to swim 50 metres continuously. This level will focus on improving technique and endurance in front crawl, back crawl, treading water, and swimming underwater. Participants will be introduced to standing dives, sprints, breaststroke technique, and a 75 metre distance swim.

Swimmer 6

Ratio: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old; who have completed Swimmer 5; able to swim 75 metres continuously. This level will focus on technique and endurance including front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Participants will be introduced to rescue drills, head-up front crawl, and increased distance swim of 200 metres.

Swimmer 7: Fitness

Ratio: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 6-12 years old; who have completed Swimmer 6; are able to swim 200 metres continuously. This level will focus on fitness including front crawl, back crawl, sprints and interval training. Participants will be introduced to increased distance swim; 300 metres, stretches for swimmers, shallow diving, flip turns and using dive blocks.

Swimmer 8: Rookie Patrol

Ratio: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 8-12 years old; who are able to swim 300 metres continuously. This level will focus on increasing technique and endurance in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Participants will be introduced to first aid skills, victim simulation and recognition, and rescue drills.  Candidates receive the LSS Rookie Patrol badge upon completion of this level.

Swimmer 9: Ranger Patrol

Ratio: 1:8

Class length: 60 minutes

This level is for participants 8-12 years old; who have completed Swimmer 8; able to swim 300 metres continuously in multiple strokes. This level will focus on increasing technique and endurance in front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Participants will be introduced to butterfly drills, victim recognition, victim care, and in-water victim avoidance techniques.

Swim-for-Life Program for Teens: 13-17 years

Teen Swimmer 1

Ratio options: 1:6

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 13-17 years old; no previous swimming experience needed. Lessons focus on gaining comfort in the water, introducing floating, gliding, submersion, and swimming.

Teen Swimmer 2

Ratio options: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 13-17 years old; comfortable swimming 5+ metres. Lessons focus on improving technique and endurance for front and back swim; based on the participants' goals.

Teen Swimmer 3

Ratio options: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 13-17 years old; comfortable swimming 25 metres. Lessons focus on improving technique and endurance for front and back swim; based on the participants' goals.

Swim-for-Life Program for Adult: 18+ years

Adult Swimmer 1

Ratio options: 1:6

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 18-99 years old; no previous swimming experience needed. Lessons focus on gaining comfort in the water, introducing floating, gliding, submersion, and swimming.

Adult Swimmer 2

Ratio options: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 18-99 years old; comfortable swimming 5+ metres. Lessons focus on improving technique and endurance for front and back swim; based on the participants' goals.

Adult Swimmer 3

Ratio options: 1:8

Class length: 45 minutes

This level is for participants 18-99 years old; comfortable swimming 25 metres. Lessons focus on improving technique and endurance for front and back swim; based on the participants' goals.

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Swimming Lessons

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