Adult swimming lessons
Benefits of adult lessons
- Learn water safety.
- Reduce the risk of drowning.
- Low-impact exercise that is easy on joints.
- Improve cardiovascular health.
- Build endurance.
- Builds confidence.
Winter registration dates
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1)
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility
Types of adult lessons
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling 403-268-3800 (option 1).
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Work with an instructor to meet your individual swimming challenges and goals. You will begin to feel more comfortable in the water by learning basic skills to keep you safe.
Age: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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Set your own swimming goals and work with an instructor to achieve them. You can learn to swim and be more comfortable in the water, or work on refining your current swim skills.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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You will define the swimming goals you want to reach and improve your skills while working with an instructor to reach them.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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Those with some swimming experience will work with an instructor to meet individual swimming goals. This flexible program will let you work on different types of strokes and kicks, as well as improve your water safety.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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Intermediate swimmers will focus on stroke development and refinement. You will set individual goals and work with an instructor to help achieve them.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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You will continue to focus on swim stroke refinement. An instructor will help you reach your goals while you work on skills like increasing swimming distances and different types of strokes.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: None
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Advanced swimmers will be introduced to swim workouts that will improve overall fitness and endurance in the water. Instructors will help you reach the goals you define. You could work on interval training, using a pace clock, workout design, distance and sprint swims and stretches. This is not a swim lesson.
Ages: 18+ years
Prerequisite: Participants must be able to swim 4 lengths continuously.
About our swim instructors
Our instructors have Bronze Cross or higher certification. They are qualified to teach and evaluate Swim for Life® programs, Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross.
What are lessons like?
The Adult Swimmer Program is for beginners or swimmers who want to improve their skills. Participants may set their own goals to develop water confidence and refine strokes.
Adult lessons have up to 10 swimmers per class. Our swimming lessons typically contain five to eight classes, depending on scheduling. The length of each class varies depending on scheduling requirements and the typical age of the swimmers participating in each lesson level.
Come prepared
Participants must wear swim wear and bring a towel. Swim goggles are optional. All other required equipment and lifejackets are provided. Lifeguard on duty on pool deck.
Non-Traditional Bathing Wear Policy
The City of Calgary Recreation is committed to providing an aquatic environment where individuals from all ethnic and religious backgrounds are comfortable participating in activities in and around the water. We want all customers to feel safe and welcome at our facilities, and have therefore adopted a non-traditional bathing wear policy as outlined below.
In addition to conventional swim wear, participants may wear:
- Long-sleeved pants and shirts, tee-shirts and shorts with undergarments or a swim suit worn underneath.
- Traditional ethnic clothing (e.g. saris and hijabs) with a swim suit or undergarments worn underneath. For safety reasons, patrons wearing traditional garments such as saris are asked to remain in the shallow end of the pool and to refrain from using the dive tank.
In order to ensure that our aquatic environments are safe and free from any external contaminants, all participants are required to:
- Wear clothing that is different from the clothing worn to the facility
- Take a complete and cleansing shower (while clothed in the swim attire that will be worn in the water) before entering the pool
Through this policy, Recreation affirms its commitment to recognizing and valuing the diversity of our customers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decide which lesson level to register my swimmer in?
Swimming lesson levels are based on the skill level of the swimmer. Proof of previous level completion is not required as long as the swimmer's skills meet the description of the lesson level.
A complimentary swim assessment can be booked by contacting Recreation.
Why is it important that my swimmer is registered in the correct lesson level?
Registering a swimmer in the correct lesson level ensures the safety of all participants. It also helps swimmers better improve their skills and feel more confident in their abilities.
Once lessons have started, what if it becomes apparent that my swimmer does not meet the skill level required for a lesson level?
Swimmers who do not meet the skill level required may have a difficult time excelling in their learning and progression. When space allows, swimmers may be transferred to another class.
Should I be concerned if my swimmer is required to take the same lesson level multiple times?
It is completely normal for some swimmers to take the same lesson level more than once. Swimmers progress at different paces and this not reflective of individual effort or competence. Swimming during times outside of lessons is an essential way to ensure swimmers practice their skills and progress in their ability.
What are combined-level swimming lessons?
Combined-level classes teach skills from two lesson levels and can be great for swimmers who are unsure which lesson level matches their skill level. Combined-level classes are limited in offering based on enrollment.
Combined-level classes aren't offered for all levels. Skills in some levels align better than others. For instance, the skills taught in Swimmer 3 and 4 align more closely than those in Swimmer 2 and 3.
How much do swimming lessons cost?
Swimming lesson prices vary based on number of classes in a course, the total number of instruction hours and the number of swimmers in each class. Group lessons range from $5.75 to $10 per class. Private lessons cost $47.50 per class.
Are there any additional costs for lessons?
No. Swimming lessons do not have any additional costs.
Lifesaving and swim certification courses may have some material costs and certification fees which are paid to the Lifesaving Society.
Can I register a swimmer for multiple lessons in a single season?
We recommend each swimmer only take one lesson per season. This allows a full assessment of a swimmer’s ability before choosing an appropriate subsequent lesson.
My swimmer has not yet completed their current set of swimming lessons. Which lesson level do I register them for next?
We recommend waiting until lessons are complete and you’ve received a report card before registering a swimmer in more lessons. If this is not possible, we recommend registering in a combined-level lesson or waiting until the following season to register.
Does my swimmer need to practice swimming in addition to lessons?
Absolutely. Lessons teach core skills, but practicing will help swimmers progress at a much faster rate and is essential to becoming a better swimmer. Find public swim times at our locations at calgary.ca/pools.
More swimming lessons
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Parent & Tot programs that focus on structured in-water interactions stressing the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills.
Ages: over 6 months + adult
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Preschoolers learn to enter and exit shallow water safely and gain comfort with floats and back glides while wearing lifejackets.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
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Swim programs designed to challenge endurance and help develop swimming strokes and skills for those that can already swim independently.
Ages: 6 - 17 years
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A customized, one-on-one swim program designed to focus on specific goals and for individuals who require additional support.
Ages: 3+ years.
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Become a lifeguard or swim instructor by taking Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Lifesaving/Swim for Life® Instructor and Standard First Aid courses.
Ages: 8+ years