Child & youth swimming lessons

Swimming lessons designed for a wide range of abilities and experience. Both for individuals who are new to swimming and for those who want to develop their skills, endurance and strokes.

Benefits of child & youth lessons

  • Learn water safety.
  • Reduce the risk of drowning.
  • Low-impact strength and fitness.
  • Improves strength and coordination.
  • Build confidence.
  • Make new friends.

Spring & summer registration dates

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Certifications and first aid Registration is ongoing

Start:

All locations

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Swimming lessons Preview schedules

Start: April 3, 2025

All locations

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Swimming lessons Registration begins

Start: April 8, 2025

Shouldice, Killarney and Glenmore Aquatic Centres

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Swimming lessons Registration begins

Start: April 10, 2025

Southland Leisure Centre, Canyon Meadows and Acadia Aquatic Centres

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Swimming lessons Registration begins

Start: April 15, 2025

Village Square Leisure Centre, Renfrew, Inglewood and Bob Bahan Aquatic Centres

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Swimming lessons Registration begins

Start: April 17, 2025

Sir Winston Churchill, Thornhill and Foothills Aquatic Centres

Registration on each date begins at:
 
  • 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 child & youth lessons

You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling 403-268-3800 (option 1).

Choose the best swimming lesson level for you or your swimmer. Answer a few questions and we'll recommend a level.

If your child completed all the youth swimmer lessons and is 8 years old they can continue learning to swim in our lifesaving certification lessons.

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?

Early child/youth  classes focus on foundational skills like breath control and a variety of swim strokes. As levels progress the focus shifts to strength for distance swimming, rolls and dives, underwater skills and survival techniques. Classes involve group exercises as well as one-on-one teaching where needed.

Swimmer 1 and 2 have up to eight swimmers per class. Swimmer 3, 4, 5 or 6 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

Child/youth 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.

Note: If a child/youth requires a support staff/aide, they will also require this support in the water.

Frequently asked questions

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More swimming lessons

Learn how to set up an account, register for programs and find information on cancellations in the help section of Live and Play.

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