swim for life logoThe City of Pickering offers the Lifesaving Society Learn to Swim Programs. Swim for Life focuses on the development of fundamental swim strokes and skills for learners of all ages and abilities as well as valuable Water Smart® education that provides information, experiences, and key messages to help everyone make safe choices when in, on, and around water.

Lessons are run seasonally throughout the year in sessions for spring, summer, fall, and winter. Find lesson information online at pickering.ca/CityGuide or search and register for classes at pickering.ca/Active.

Learn to Swim Class Options

Group Lessons

These lessons offer a high quality and social learn to swim experience in small group settings. Classes are 30 - 45 minutes in duration.

Girls Only Group Lessons

These classes are for females only. All Girls Only/Female Only programs take place at Dunbarton Indoor Pool.

Semi Private Lessons

Semi Private classes guarantee a maximum of 3 participants per class, are 1/2 hour in duration. These low ratio classes are offered at both pools. Learners of all ages and all swim levels may take advantage of Semi Private instruction.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are a great alternative to group or semi-private lessons. Private classes guarantee a maximum of 1 participant per class, are 1/2 hour in duration. All Lifesaving Society programs are offered as well as Adult and Youth swim levels. 

Progressing Through Levels

Each level has a required skill set for participants to meet.  See below progress reports for skills that will be worked on and will need to be acquired before moving to the next level. Some levels may take participants more than one session to acquire the necessary skills .

p&t badge

Parent & Tot  4 mos - 3 yrs 

The parent & tot programs provides an opportunity for parents and children to enjoy structured in-water interaction in a fun and social setting. Focusing on the importance of play and developing water positive attitudes and skills, children gain valuable exposure to being in and around the water. Parents will learn to be Water Smart to keep themselves and their child safe in any aquatic setting.

Activities and progressions in Parent & Tot are based on developmental stages. Register in the level appropriate for your child’s age.

Parent & Tot Progress Reports

Parent & Tot 1 | 4 - 12 mos

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit the water safely with tot

Underwater Skills

  • Readiness for submersion

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Hold tot on front, eye contact
  • Hold tot on back, head and back support
  • Front float (face out) – assisted
  • Back float (assisted)
  • Float wearing PFD (assisted)
  • Arms: splashing, reaching, paddling on front and back
  • Legs: tickling, splashing, kicking on front and back

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Swim to Survive

Parent & Tot 2 | 12 - 24 mos

Entries and Exits

  • Entry from sitting position (assisted)
  • Exit the water (assisted)

Underwater Skills

  • Blow bubbles on and in water
  • Face wet and in water
  • Attempt to recover object below surface

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Entry from sitting position wearing PFD and return (assisted)

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Front float (face in) – assisted
  • Back float (assisted)
  • Kicking on front (assisted)
  • Kicking on back (assisted)
  • Surface passes with continuous contact

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Swim to Survive

Parent & Tot 3 | 2 - 3 yrs

Entries and Exits

  • Jump entry (assisted)
  • Entry and submerge from sitting position (assisted)
  • Exit the water (unassisted)
  • Underwater Skills
  • Hold breath underwater (assisted)
  • Attempt to open eyes underwater
  • Attempt to recover object from bottom

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Standing jump entry, return to edge (assisted)
  • Jump entry and float wearing PFD (assisted)

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Front “starfish” float (assisted)
  • Back “starfish” float (assisted)
  • Front “pencil” float (assisted)
  • Back “pencil” float (assisted)
  • Kicking on front (assisted)
  • Kicking on back (assisted)
  • Underwater passes

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Swim to Survive

preschool badge

Preschool Program 3 - 5 yrs 

The preschool programs provide children with an early start in learning to swim. Children will have fun while gaining foundational water skills and become comfortable in the water. Water Smart education is incorporated into all Preschool levels to support children in learning how to keep themselves safe in and around the water.

Preschool Program Progress Reports

Preschool 1

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit shallow water (assisted)
  • Jump into chest-deep water (assisted)

Underwater Skills

  • Face in water
  • Blow bubbles in water

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front (3 sec.) assisted
  • Float on back (3 sec.) assisted
  • Safe movement in shallow water wearing PFD
  • Glide on front (3 m) assisted
  • Glide on back (3 m) assisted

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
Preschool 2

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit shallow water wearing PFD
  • Jump into chest-deep water

Underwater Skills

  • Submerge
  • Submerge and exhale 3 times

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front 3 sec. wearing PFD or with buoyant aid
  • Float on back 3 sec. wearing PFD or with buoyant aid
  • Roll laterally front to back and back to front, wearing PFD
  • Glide on front 3 m wearing PFD or with buoyant aid
  • Glide on back 3 m wearing PFD or with buoyant aid
  • Flutter kick on back with buoyant aid 5 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
Preschool 3

Entries and Exits

  • Jump into deep water wearing PFD, return and exit
  • Sideways entry wearing PFD

Underwater Skills

  • Hold breath underwater 3 sec.
  • Submerge and exhale 5 times
  • Recover object from bottom in waist-deep water
  • Swim to Survive® Skills
  • Back float; roll to front; swim 3 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front 5 sec.
  • Float on back 5 sec.
  • Roll laterally front to back and back to front
  • Glide on front 3 m
  • Glide on back 3 m
  • Flutter kick on back 5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
Preschool 4

Entries and Exits

  • Jump into deep water, return and exit
  • Sideways entry

Surface Support

  • Tread water 10 sec. wearing a PFD

Underwater Skills

  • Open eyes underwater
  • Recover object from bottom in chest-deep water

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Wearing a PFD, sideways entry into deep water; tread 15 sec.; swim/kick 5 m
  • Front float; roll to back; swim 5 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Glide on side 3 m
  • Flutter kick on front 7 m
  • Flutter kick on back 7 m
  • Flutter kick on side 5 m
  • Front crawl 5 m wearing PFD

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket
Preschool 5

Entries and Exits

  • Forward roll entry wearing PFD
  • Surface Support
  • Tread water 10 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Submerge and hold breath 5 sec.
  • Recover object from bottom in chest-deep water

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Wearing PFD, sideways entry into deep water; tread 20 sec.; swim/kick 10 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Whip kick in vertical position (20 sec.) with a PFD or buoyant aid
  • Front crawl 5 m
  • Back crawl 5 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 5 m flutter kick on back with 30 sec. rests

Water Smart® Education

  • Within Arms’ Reach
  • Wear a Lifejacket

swimmer badgeSwimmer Program 6 - 13 yrs 

This 6-level learn to swim program focuses on in-water swimming practice as swimmers learn and master fundamental strokes and skills as they progress. Swimmers also learn how to be safe in, on, and around the water through Water Smart education incorporated into every level.

Swimmer Program Progress Reports

Swimmer 1

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit shallow water
  • Jump into chest-deep water
  • Jump into deep water wearing PFD

Surface Support

  • Tread water 30 sec. wearing PFD

Underwater Skills

  • Hold breath underwater 5 sec.
  • Submerge and exhale under 5 times
  • Open eyes underwater

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front 5 sec.
  • Float on back 5 sec.
  • Roll laterally front to back and back to front
  • Glide on front 3 m
  • Glide on back 3 m
  • Glide on side 3 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5 m
  • Flutter kick on back 5 m
  • Front crawl 5 m wearing PFD

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
Swimmer 2

Entries and Exits

  • Jump into deep water, return and exit
  • Sideways entry wearing PFD
  • Surface Support
  • Tread water 15 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Recover object from bottom in chest-deep water

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Wearing PFD, jump into deep water, tread 30 sec., and swim/kick 15 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Flutter kick on front 10 m
  • Flutter kick on back 10 m
  • Flutter kick on side 10 m
  • Whip kick in vertical position 30 sec. with aid
  • Front crawl 10 m
  • Back crawl 10 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 5 m flutter kick with 20 sec. rests

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
Swimmer 3

Entries and Exits

  • Kneeling dive into deep water
  • Forward roll entry into deep water

Surface Support

  • Tread water 30 sec.
  • Underwater Skills
  • Handstand in shallow water
  • Front somersault (in water)

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Jump into deep water, tread 30 sec., and swim/kick 25 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Flutter kick on back 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on front 5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on back 5 m
  • Whip kick on back 10 m
  • Front crawl 15 m
  • Back crawl 15 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 15 m flutter kick with 20 sec. rests

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
Swimmer 4

Entries and Exits

  • Standing dive into deep water

Surface Support

  • Tread water 1 min.

Underwater Skills

  • Swim underwater 5 m

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: Roll entry into deep water, tread 1 min. and swim 50 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Whip kick on front 15 m
  • Breaststroke arms drill 15 m
  • Front crawl 25 m
  • Back crawl 25 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m front or back crawl with 20 sec. rests
  • Sprint front crawl 25 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive

Swimmer 5

Entries and Exits

  • Shallow dive into deep water
  • Tuck jump (cannonball) into deep water

Surface Support

  • Jump entry into deep water, and tread 2 min.
  • Stationary eggbeater kick 30 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Back somersault (in water)

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Roll entry into deep water, tread 90 sec. and swim 75 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Breaststroke 25 m
  • Front crawl 50 m
  • Back crawl 50 m
  • Head-up front crawl 10 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl with 30 sec. rests
  • Interval training: 4 x 15 m breaststroke with 30 sec. rests
  • Sprint front crawl 25 m
  • Sprint back crawl 25 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
Swimmer 6

Entries and Exits

  • Stride entry into deep water
  • Compact jump into deep water

Surface Support

  • Legs-only surface support 45 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Swim underwater 10 m to recover object

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Eggbeater kick on back 15 m
  • Scissor kick 15 m
  • Breaststroke 50 m
  • Front crawl 100 m
  • Back crawl 100 m
  • Head up swim 25 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m breaststroke with 30 sec. rests
  • Sprint breaststroke 25 m
  • Workout (300 m)

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive

swim patrol badgesCanadian Swim Patrol 6 - 13 yrs

The Lifesaving Society’s 3 level Canadian Swim Patrol program is for swimmers who are ready to focus on developing strength and proficiency while introducing the challenging world of lifesaving. Swimmers will have fun enhancing their capability in the water, increasing their physical conditioning, and learning lifesaving judgment. Each level will continue to develop swimmers’ strokes and provide a skill foundation that will prepare them for success in the Society’s Bronze Medal Awards.

Each level of the Canadian Swim Patrol program has three modules: Water Proficiency, First Aid, and Recognition and Rescue.

Canadian Swim Patrol Progress Reports

Rookie Patrol (Swimmer 7)

H2O Proficiency

  • Head-up front crawl or breaststroke – 25 m
  • Scull in ready position – 30 sec.
  • Carry object (2.3 kg) – 15 m
  • Surface dives, foot-first & head-first
  • Lifesaving kick – 25 m
  • Inflate clothing & use as buoyant assist
  • Obstacle swim – 25 m
  • Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke – 50 m each
  • Fitness training: 350 m workout (3 times)
  • Swim 100 m in 3 min. (100 yd. in 2:40) or better

First Aid

  • Assess conscious victim
  • Contacting EMS
  • Care for external bleeding

Recognition & Rescue

  • Look & see: study aquatic facility. Turn & describe.
  • Simulate & recognize weak & non-swimmer
  • Throw aid to hit target as many times as possible – 30 sec.
Ranger Patrol (Swimmer 8)

H2O Proficiency

  • Somersault sequence, forward & backward
  • Stride entry & swim head-up 25 m into ready position
  • Eggbeater kick on back – 25 m
  • Support object (2.3 kg) – 1 min.
  • Head-up swim into surface dive & swim underwater to recover & carry object to start
  • Remove conscious victim
  • Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke – 75 m each
  • Lifesaving medley – 100 m (3 times)
  • Swim 200 m in 6 min. (200 yd. in 5:20) or better

First Aid

  • Assess unconscious, breathing victim
  • Care for victim in shock
  • Care for obstructed airway – conscious victim

Recognition & Rescue

  • Victim simulation
  • Victim recognition
  • Victim avoidance
  • Rescue with buoyant aid – 20 m
Star Patrol (Swimmer 9)

H2O Proficiency

  • Entries with aids – at least 2
  • Entry with aid & swim head-up 25 m to ready position. Scull forward, backward & turn.
  • Defence methods – front, side & rear
  • Eggbeater kick – travel, change direction & height
  • Carry object (4.5 kg) – 25 m
  • Remove unconscious victim with assistance
  • Head-up approach into head-first surface dive. Swim underwater 5–10 m & surface. Foot-first surface dive to recover object & return to start.
  • Turn & support victim face-up – shallow water
  • Front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke – 100 m each
  • Fitness training: 600 m workout (3 times)
  • Swim 300 m in 9 min. (300 yd. in 8:00) or better

First Aid

  • Care for bone or joint injury
  • Care for respiratory emergency – asthma or allergic reaction

Recognition & Rescue

  • Locate & describe submerged object
  • Rescue weak or non-swimmer with towing aid – 20 m

teen badgeTeen Programs 14 - 17 yrs

Teen 1

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit shallow water
  • Jump into deep water, return and exit
  • Sideways roll entry wearing PFD
  • Surface Support
  • Tread water 30 sec. wearing PFD

Underwater Skills

  • Hold breath underwater 5–10 sec.
  • Submerge and exhale 5–10 times
  • Open eyes underwater
  • Recover object from bottom in chest-deep water

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Wearing PFD, jump into deep water, tread 30 sec. and swim/kick on back 5–10 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front
  • Float on back
  • Roll laterally front to back and back to front
  • Glide on front 3–5 m
  • Glide on back 3–5 m
  • Glide on side 3–5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 10-15 m
  • Flutter kick on back 10-15 m
  • Flutter kick on side 10-15 m
  • Whip kick in vertical position with PFD 15–30 sec.
  • Front crawl or back crawl 10–15 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 9–12 m flutter kick with 10–15 sec. rests

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach
Teen 2

Entries and Exits

  • Standing dive into deep water
  • Forward roll entry into deep water with PFD
  • Forward roll entry into deep water
  • Tuck jump (cannonball) into deep water

Surface Support

  • Tread water 1–2 min.

Underwater Skills

  • Handstand in shallow water
  • Front somersault (in water)
  • Swim underwater 5–10 m

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: Roll entry into deep water, tread 1 min. and swim 50 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Flutter kick on back 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on front 5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on back 5 m
  • Whip kick on back 10–15 m
  • Whip kick on front 10–15 m
  • Breaststroke arms drill 10–15 m
  • Front crawl 25–50 m
  • Back crawl 25–50 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m flutter kick with 15–20 sec. rests
  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m front or back crawl with 15–20 sec. rests
  • Sprint front crawl 25 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach
Teen 3

Entries and Exits

  • Shallow dive into deep water
  • Stride entry into deep water
  • Compact jump into deep water

Surface Support

  • Legs-only surface support 30–60 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Back somersault (in water)
  • Swim underwater 5–10 m to recover object

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Eggbeater kick on back or scissor kick on side 10–15 m
  • Breaststroke 25–50 m
  • Front crawl 50–100 m
  • Back crawl 50–100 m•
  • Head-up front crawl 10–15 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl or breaststroke with 30 sec. rests
  • Sprint (25–50 m) front crawl, back crawl, or breaststroke
  • Workout 300 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach
Youth Fitness Swimmer 

Goals and Accomplishments will be tracked and recorded including:

  • Pace clocks and timers
  • Stretches for swimmers
  • Kicking interval training
  • Swimming interval training
  • Workout 300 m
  • Workout design
  • Distance swim
  • Sprint swim

adult badgeAdult Swimmer 16+

Beginners just starting out or swimmers looking to improve their strokes will find that the new Adult Swimmer program will help them achieve their swimming goals. Swimmers will work to gain confidence in the water, develop smooth recognizable strokes, and improve their water fitness. Water Smart education is incorporated into all levels to support the Lifesaving Society’s mandate of drowning prevention.

Adult Progress Reports

Adult 1

Entries and Exits

  • Enter and exit shallow water
  • Jump into deep water, return and exit
  • Sideways roll entry wearing PFD

Surface Support

  • Tread water 30 sec. wearing PFD

Underwater Skills

  • Hold breath underwater 5–10 sec.
  • Submerge and exhale 5–10 times
  • Open eyes underwater
  • Recover object from bottom in chest-deep water

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Wearing PFD, jump into deep water, tread 30 sec. and swim/kick on back 5–10 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Float on front
  • Float on back
  • Roll laterally front to back and back to front
  • Glide on front 3–5 m
  • Glide on back 3–5 m
  • Glide on side 3–5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5–10 m
  • Flutter kick on back 5–10 m
  • Flutter kick on side 5–10 m
  • Whip kick in vertical position with PFD 15–30 sec.
  • Front crawl or back crawl 10–15 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 9–12 m flutter kick with 10–15 sec. rests

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach
Adult 2

Entries and Exits

  • Standing dive into deep water
  • Forward roll entry into deep water with PFD
  • Forward roll entry into deep water
  • Tuck jump (cannonball) into deep water

Surface Support

  • Tread water 1–2 min.

Underwater Skills

  • Handstand in shallow water
  • Front somersault (in water)
  • Swim underwater 5–10 m

Swim to Survive® Skills

  • Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: Roll entry into deep water, tread 1 min. and swim 50 m

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Flutter kick on back 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on front 5 m
  • Flutter kick on front 5 m; reverse direction and flutter kick on back 5 m
  • Whip kick on back 10–15 m
  • Whip kick on front 10–15 m
  • Breaststroke arms drill 10–15 m
  • Front crawl 25–50 m
  • Back crawl 25–50 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m flutter kick with 15–20 sec. rests
  • Interval training: 4 x 25 m front or back crawl with 15–20 sec. rests
  • Sprint front crawl 25 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach
Adult 3

Entries and Exits

  • Shallow dive into deep water
  • Stride entry into deep water
  • Compact jump into deep water

Surface Support

  • Legs-only surface support 30–60 sec.

Underwater Skills

  • Back somersault (in water)
  • Swim underwater 5–10 m to recover object

Movement / Swimming Skills

  • Eggbeater kick on back or scissor kick on side 10–15 m
  • Breaststroke 25–50 m
  • Front crawl 50–100 m
  • Back crawl 50–100 m
  • Head-up front crawl 10–15 m

Fitness

  • Interval training: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl or breaststroke with 30 sec. rests
  • Sprint (25–50 m) front crawl, back crawl, or breaststroke
  • Workout 300 m

Water Smart® Education

  • Swim with a Buddy
  • Wear a Lifejacket
  • Check the Ice
  • Swim to Survive
  • Within Arms’ Reach

lifeguard imageAquatic Leadership 10+

The path to an exciting and rewarding career in Aquatics starts here! 

Aquatic Leadership Programs

  • Bronze Star 10 - 12 yrs

  • Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid 13+

  • Bronze Cross 14+

  • Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor 14+

  • Lifesaving Society Swim For Life Instructor 15+
  • Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor 16+
  • National Lifeguard Certification (NL) 15+

 

Aquafit Programs

Participants must be 15+

Take advantage of the unique benefits of water exercise to create a low impact program that appeals to a wide variety of abilities. Classes are offered at both CHD Rec Complex and Dunbarton Indoor pool.