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Swimming lessons

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Parks, Recreation & Culture

Swim lesson image by Mirae Campbell

Swimming lessons are offered for all ages, using the Red Cross curriculum. There are eight Red Cross preschool swim levels, beginning at 4 months of age and ten school-aged levels beginning at 6 years of age. 

Summer 2021 registration opens June 5

  • Resident Online Registration – Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 11 a.m.
  • Resident Phone Registration – Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 9 a.m.
  • Non-resident Online Registration – Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 a.m.
  • Non-resident Phone Registration – Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 9 a.m

Registration options

  • Available lesson days and times are viewable online 
  • Lessons will occur on Wednesday afternoon/evenings for 10 weeks starting in June and Monday to Friday for two weeks beginning in July.
  • Lesson availability and class capacities will be limited due to COVID-19 safety guidelines

Changes to lessons due to COVID-19


Preschool and SwimKids 1-3 lessons:

  • A parent must be in the water in swimwear for all Preschool and SwimKids 1-3 lessons due to COVID-19 distancing protocols
  • Only one parent to one child ratio in the building at any time for lessons
  • Parents will be expected to actively teach their children water safety and swimming skills under the direction of the instructor
  • All lessons will be taught in the leisure pool
  • Starfish, Duck and Sea Turtle lessons for children 2 years and under will not be offered at this time

SwimKids 4-10 lessons:

  • Class capacities will be reduced due to COVID-19 distancing protocols

All lessons:

  • Parents and/or sibling spectators will not be permitted in the facility
  • All pools are closed to non-lesson activities during lesson times
  • Change rooms are only available after lessons. Please arrive in swimwear under your street clothes
  • Showering at home before entering the pool area is preferable,. There is a single shower on the pool deck.
  • An information package will be sent to lesson registrants with further details prior to lesson start
  • All swimming programs adhere to the requirements and recommendations of the Red Cross, BC Health Act, and other partner organizations to ensure swimmer and staff safety during COVID-19
  • Masks must be worn at all times while in the facility except while engaging in physical or water based activities.

In which level do I register my child?

If your child is 3 years old and has never taken a lesson before, they should register in Otter. If you are unsure which lesson your child should attend, consult your online registration account under “Activity Outcomes” to check their previous course history.  Alternatively, read the detailed level descriptions listed towards the bottom of this page.

How to register

Spaces in our programs disappear quickly, and class capacities have been further reduced to accommodate social distancing, so be sure to register as soon as you can. Find out how to be prepared for registration day so you don't miss out on the fun! Browse the program levels below to view available programs.

Registration options

  • Online 
  • By Phone at 604-935-PLAY (7529) extension 0, during operating hours

Waitlists

If the class that you would like to register for is full, please add your child to the waitlist. If a space opens up, we will contact you by email. We will also try to accommodate creating new lessons for waitlists, dependant on instructor availability, pool space and other considerations. 

Facility use before and after programs

Facility use is by reservation only.  Program participants are no longer permitted to use the MPSC facility before or after their program classes.

Prior to entering the facility:

  • Arrive dressed with your swim wear under your street clothes no more than 5 minutes before your lesson start time.
  • Masks are mandatory in all municipal facilities except while engaging in physical or water based activities. Click here for more information on the RMOW mask policies.
  • Change rooms and shower facilities will only be accessible post-lesson, and limited storage space will be available on-site, so please only bring necessary items.
  • Bring your own pre-filled water bottle; water fountains will be available for bottle filling only

General Guidelines for use:

  • Sanitize your hands prior to entry
  • Practice physical distancing of 2 meters or 6 feet at all times
  • Follow the directional arrows and keep your distance
  • Adhere to posted occupancy limits
  • Do not enter any closed areas of the facility
  • Do not congregate in large groups
  • Wear a mask while in all public spaces, with the exception of while engaging in physical activity or swimming

Once in the pool area:

  • If you have not arrived pre-showered, please proceed to the deck shower prior to entering the pool.
  • Washrooms: The squash lobby and pool change room washrooms will be open and accessible if required
  • Water fountains are available for bottle filling only

Exiting the pool area:

  • Registrants will have the choice to leave the facility through the south-east pool exit door (to the main parking lot), or exit through the pool change room area.
  • Registrants exiting through the pool change room area will have limited use of change room showers and changing area. Please wear your mask, adhere to the posted occupancy limits in each area and wait your turn as required.

Preschool swim lessons (4 months to 5 years)

Give your child the gift of aquatic fun and swimming at an early age. Songs, games and introductory swimming skills will make your child comfortable and happy in the water. Each level is built around an aquatic animal mascot, which makes lessons engaging and fun. The Instructor uses progressive teaching techniques adapted to each child and provides constant feedback and encouragement. Parents will participate in the classes with their child for the first three levels.*

*Please note that only one caregiver/parent may attend a class with their child. If both parents wish to attend, we recommend parents alternate accompanying their child to each class.

Children enter a level based on their age and abilities: 

  • Orientation to water for babies and their parent/caregiver
  • To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their head up.
  • The goals are to help babies experience buoyancy and movement through songs and play in the water and to teach the parent/caregiver age-specific water safety.
  • This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

See available programs

*these lessons are currently unavailable

  • Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver.
  • Age is the only condition for entering this level.
  • Swimmers learn how to use floating objects for support and explore different water movements through games, songs and active water play.
  • The parent/caregiver also learns age-specific water safety. 
  • This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

See available programs

*these lessons are currently unavailable

  • Orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver.
  • Age is the only condition for entering this level.
  • Swimmers learn, through fun games and songs, how to combine skills, how to kick with a buoyant object and how to perform basic floats, glides and kicks.
  • This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

See available programs

*these lessons are currently unavailable

  • Transitional level that transfers the preschooler to the care of the Instructor. All skills are assisted by the Instructor.
  • Swimmers enter this level when they are 3 years of age
  • Using games and activities, swimmers learn to open their eyes under water, further develop basic floats and glides, and swim 1 metre. They also learn age-appropriate water safety skills.
  • Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Salamander once all criteria have been successfully completed.

See available programs

  • Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sea Otter.
  • Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 2 metres, further develop basic floats and increase their distance on front and back glide. Front swim and roll-over glide are also included, and swimmers learn appropriate water safety skills such as how to jump into chest-deep water and how to use a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
  • Safety skills development includes water orientation, safe entries and exits and only swimming when an adult is present.
  • Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Sunfish once all criteria have been successfully completed. 

See available programs

  • Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Salamander.
  • Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres, increase their distance using buoyant objects, increase their front and back glide with kick, and develop their rollover glide, side glide and front swim.
  • Safety skills include deep water skills and use of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
  • Safety skills development such as water orientation, safe entries and exits and always asking for permission before going near the water.
  • Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Crocodile once all criteria have been successfully completed.

See available programs

  • Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sunfish.
  • Through games and other fun activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres on their front and back, perform a dolphin kick and begin using rhythmic breathing. They also progress with kicking drills and increase their swimming distance to 10 metres.
  • Safety skills include jumping into deep-water and performing surface support for 10 seconds, recognizing when a swimmer needs help and using a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) in deep water.
  • Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Whale once all criteria have been successfully completed.

See available programs

  • Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Crocodile.
  • Through fun activities, swimmers perform a front and back swim for 10 metres. Swimmers work on developing their flutter kick and perform a distance swim of 15 metres.
  • Safety skills include identifying safe swimming areas, jumping into deep water, swimming 5m, surface support for 20 seconds a return to safety, throwing assists and sitting dives.
  • Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and complete the program once all criteria have been achieved. Children 5 years or older are ready for the appropriate level of Red Cross Swim Kids.

See available programs

How to transition from preschool to school-aged swim lessons

If your child is turning 6 years old, use the following chart to determine which Swim Kids level to register for next:

Red Cross Swim Kids level transition chart

*Please note that 5 year olds who have completed Whale are eligible to enrol in SK3. Please contact the pool programmer at 604-935-8357 for details.

School-aged swim lessons (6 to 12 years)

Help your child develop a healthy lifestyle through swimming. Your child will learn to swim and stay safe in a fun environment that promotes a personal best and celebrates individual success. The 10 levels allow for solid progression. Children learn competitive and survival strokes, and build their distance and speed, while focusing on making safe decisions in, on and around the water. In each level, participants are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to the next level once all criteria have been successfully completed.

Swimmers receive an orientation to water and the pool area and work on floats, glides and kicking. Swimmers build their endurance by working on the 5 metre front swim.

See available programs

 

Swimmers work on propulsion skills to move through the water and to remain at the surface. Swimmers work on the front swim (5m) and learn about deep-water activities and proper use of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Fitness activities include the 10m flutter kick and a 10m distance swim.

See available programs

 

This level provides an introduction to diving, and teaches swimmers how to make wise choices about where and when to swim. Endurance is achieved by building strength in the flutter kick and a 15-metre swim. 

See available programs

 

This level introduces the front crawl (10m) and back swim with shoulder roll (15m). Swimmers work on kneeling dives, surface support (45 seconds, deep water) and developing a greater sense of self-safety by understanding their own limits. Endurance is built through a 25m swim.

See available programs

This level introduces the back crawl (15m), sculling skills, whip kick on the back, stride dives and treading water. Front crawl increases to 15m. An introduction to safe boating skills is also included. Endurance is developed through a 50m swim.

See available programs

This level refines front crawl with a focus on hand entry and breathing (25m), back crawl with a focus on arm positions and body roll (25m), and introduces elementary backstroke (15m), safety on ice, and rescue of others with throwing assists. Swimmers demonstrate the front dive and their ability to tread water in deep water for 1½ minutes. Endurance is built through dolphin kick and a 75m swim.

See available programs

This level builds skills and endurance for the front crawl (50m), back crawl (50m) and elementary back stroke (25m) and introduces whip kick on the front. Swimmers learn about airway and breathing obstructions, reach assists and stride entry. Swimming endurance is increased to a 150m swim.

See available programs

This level is an introduction to breast stroke (15m) and feet-first surface dives. Swimmers learn about the dangers of open water, hypothermia, the performance of rescue breathing on children and adults, and standing shallow dives. Swimmers participate in timed treading water activities using the eggbeater skill for 3 minutes to improve their ability to remain at the surface in the event of an unexpected fall into water. Endurance is built on a 300m swim. Front crawl and back crawl distances are increased to 75m each. 

See available programs

This level refines the front crawl (100m), back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m) and breast stroke (25m), and encourages swimmers to combine different kicks for fitness (3 mins). They also work on head-first surface dives and learn about wise choices, peer influences and self-rescue from ice. Endurance is built through a 400m swim.

See available programs

This level is a final assessment of the strokes for technique and distance (front crawl 100m, back crawl 100m, elementary back stroke 50m, breast stroke 50m and sidestroke 25m). Swimmers learn about sun safety, rescue of others from ice, and head-first and feet-first surface dives. Endurance is built using the dolphin kick (vertical) and a 500m swim. 

See available programs

Related Files

Spring 2021 Recreation Guide
Please follow Public Health Orders

  • Please follow all Provincial Health Orders and recommendations: 

    • Non-essential travel between health regions and provinces continues to be restricted.
    • Masks are mandatory in all public spaces in B.C.
    • Stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others in public.

    Learn more at whistler.ca/COVID19.

Moderate Fire Danger Rating
Stage 2 - Water Conservation Level

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