Aquatic Programming
Aquatic programming at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre appeals to a variety of personal fitness abilities and interests. Whether you are improving your health, maintaining fitness, or just having fun, we have something for you.
Spring Swim Lessons are underway. Looking for group classes or Private/Family lessons for summer? Registration will begin Monday, June 12 at 9:00 AM. Class dates and times will be posted by Friday, June 9.
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Descriptions of Aquatic Activities
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Registration is required for all swims. Availability and capacity will vary to accommodate multiple uses of the pool. Registration begins on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM for the following week.
Lane and Leisure Swim: Swimmers may use the lane for swimming laps or exercises. Circle swimming may be required. An area is available for non-lap swimmers.
Family Swim: Recreation swim for caregiver and child. Tot and leisure pools only.
Open Swim: Recreational swim for all ages. See swim admission policy below.
Aquafit: A 45 minute moderate intensity aquatic fitness workout that will get you moving.
Aqua Therapy: A 45 minute gentle exercise with a focus on range of motion, stretching, and low impact exercises.
Aqua Therapy Plus: A 45 minute lighter intensity aquatic class. Focus is on range of motion, stretching, and low impact exercises with light cardio.
Deep Water Cardio: A 45 minute continuous high intensity water workout.
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NEW Programs!
We have added classes for swimmers gearing up for Aquatic Leadership Levels or adults looking for stroke technique lessons. No commitment required.
- Aquatic Leadership Strokes: Perfect for tweens/teens looking to work on their swim strokes to prepare for Aquatic Leadership courses. Swimmers will work on a variety of strokes and lifesaving kicks. Designed for swimmers who have already learned strokes but need to improve technique or endurance to prepare for Bronze/Instructor/Lifeguard courses. This is not a 'learn to swim' class. Register for one or multiple dates - each week is its own separate registration.
- Adult Swim Strokes: Swimming for fitness is great exercise - this program is designed for adults who know how to swim but want to learn better stroke technique. This is not a 'learn to swim' class. Register for one or multiple dates - each week is its own separate registration. This program is not included with a membership and swimmers must pay the additional fee to participate.
The NFFRC has transitioned to the Lifesaving Society swim program as the Canadian Red Cross is no longer be offering their Swim and Water Safety Programming in Canada. Learn more about the transition to Lifesaving Society levels further below.
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Summer Session Aquatic Leadership
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Summer - Current plans include the following:
- Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid
- July 17-21 (Monday - Friday for 1 week), 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid
- July 24 - 28 (Monday - Friday for 1 week), 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- National Lifeguard
- August 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for 2 weeks), 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Additional Bronze levels may be added in other formats (weekly or other).
Prerequisite information for these courses can be found below in the "Leadership Levels" information.
Questions? Call or email complex@leamington.ca with Aquatic Leadership 2023 in the subject line.
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Information about Private/Family Swim Lessons
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Private/Family Swim Lesson 30
30 minute lesson designed for the following swimmers:
- 1 swimmer
- 2 swimmers in same level or 1 level apart
- 3 swimmers in same level
All swimmers will be together for the 30 minute class unless unsafe to do so for specific skills.
Participation is limited to immediate family members.
Family Swim Lesson 45
45 minute lesson designed for the following swimmers:
- multiple swimmers who are 2 or more levels apart.
Time in water will be split to group similar levels.
Example: The first 20 minutes of class for Jane in Swimmer 2, the next 25 minutes for John and Sara in Swimmer 6 and 7 go in together.
Participation is limited to immediate family members.
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What sport can save a child's life? Swimming can! Keep your child active and learn an important life saving skill all while having fun with swim lessons. Children can participate as part of a group lesson or in a Private/Family Lesson format. Private and family lessons allow for greater flexibility in tracking the swimmers level completion as they can move through the skills at their own pace. Learn more about the Lifesaving Society Swim Programs below.
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Parent and Tot Program | Ages 4 months - 3 years
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Parent & Tot Program: Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun and learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and answers to your questions. Because activities and progressions are based on child development, you register in the level appropriate for your child’s age.
| 4-12 months |
Parent & Tot 1 |
Designed for the 4 to 12-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/caregiver. |
| 12-24 months |
Parent & Tot 2 |
Designed for the 12 to 24-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/caregiver.
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| 2-3 years |
Parent & Tot 3 |
Designed for the 2 to 3-year-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/caregiver.
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Tips:
- Swimmers register for the level based on age.
- It does not have to be a parent who brings the tot. Grandparents or close friends are also welcome! We just ask that the person bringing the tot in the water is at least 14 years of age.
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Preschool Program | Ages 3-5 years
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Preschool Program: Give your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In our basic aquatic progressions we work to ensure 3 to 5-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.
Swimmers register for levels based on skill and should complete one level before moving on to the next in order to build the foundation with each skill.
| Preschool A |
These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We’ll help them jump into chest deep water. They’ll floats and glide on their front and back, and learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater.
Parents are welcome to join in and assist their child to help transition to instructor assisted learning.
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| Preschool B |
These preschoolers learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They’ll submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket they’ll glide on their front and back.
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| Preschool C |
These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They’ll recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They’ll work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back.
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| Preschool D |
Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They’ll do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They’ll master a short (5m) swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.
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| Preschool E |
These youngsters get more adventuresome with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 sec. They’ll work on front and back crawl swims for 5m, interval training and get a giggle out of whip kick.
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Tips:
- First time in lessons? Register for Preschool A. It is important to build the basics!
- For your swimmers success, the levels are designed to be completed in the above order to ensure they are building on the skills they have and to keep all participants safe.
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Learn to Swim Program | Ages 6 - 12 years
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We recognize that many families were unable to swim throughout COVID-19 closures and can accommodate up to age 14 in the Learn to Swim program levels 4-9.
Learn to Swim Program: The Lifesaving Society’s 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 6 years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Swimmer levels.
| Swimmer 1 |
These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They’ll learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They’ll work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back. |
| Swimmer 2 |
These advancing beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They’ll be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5m). |
| Swimmer 3 |
These junior swimmers will dive, do in-water front somersaults, and handstands. They’ll work on 15m of front crawl, back crawl and 10m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15m. |
| Swimmer 4 |
These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They’ll cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training. |
| Swimmer 5 |
These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They’ll refine their front and back crawl over 50m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25m. Then they’ll pick up the pace in 25m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15m breaststroke. |
| Swimmer 6 |
These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick. They’ll develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m. They’ll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they’ll work on a 300 m workout. |
Canadian Swim Patrol: The Lifesaving Society’s 3-level Canadian Swim Patrol program provides enriched training for those who want to develop swim strokes and skills while having fun in the challenging world of lifesaving. Swim Patrol develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on Water Smart® behaviour. Skill drills enhance capability in the water, good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment.
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Swimmer 7
Rookie Patrol
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Swimmers continue stroke development with 50m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving sport skills include a 25m obstacle swim and 15m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350m workouts and 100m timed swims.
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Swimmer 8
Ranger Patrol
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Swimmers develop better strokes over 75m swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation. |
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Swimmer 9
Star Patrol
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Swimmers are challenged with 600m workouts, 300m timed swims and a 25m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defense methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water.
*Canadian Swim Patrol-Star Patrol is different from Bronze Star. Bronze Star would be the next level in the progression (ie Swimmer 10)
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Tips:
- 6-9 years old: First time in lessons and non swimmer? Start with Swimmer 1.
- For your swimmers success, the levels are designed to be completed in the above order to ensure they are building on the skills they have and to keep all participants safe.
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Ages 10-15 years and Adult
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Tween Beginner Program
Based on Lifesaving Society Adults/Teens but the items individuals want to work on is flexible.
Small group lessons for ages 10-15 years who are new to aquatics.
Level 1
This beginner level will focus on orientation to the water and basic skills such as floats and glides. Classes will be geared to accommodate those with little experience in the water. Perfect for youth who have not taken swim lessons and would like to develop swimming skills.
Level 2
Once comfortable with the basics, this level will add on deep water skills and work on strokes.
Depending on age and ability, swimmers may also be merged back into the Lifesaving Society Swim Program.
Adult Lessons
Due to the varying abilities and goals of adult swimmers, please contact us and we will arrange a Private Lesson when the schedule permits. There may be classes available for registration as the schedule evolves. Check here for current offerings.
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Leadership Levels Ages 12 - Adult
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Interested in becoming a Swim Instructor or Lifeguard? You will need to take the following courses in the listed order.
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Bronze Star
(Swimmer 10)
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This training develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts.
Recommended Age 10-14.
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Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid CPR-B
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This course challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness - the four components of water rescue - form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water.
Prerequisite: Minimum of 13 years of age or Bronze Star
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Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid
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This course begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies.
Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion award and Emergency First Aid
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Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor
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This course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the LSS Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development and correction techniques.
Prerequisites: Bronze Cross, Emergency First Aid, minimum of 15 years of age by the end of the course.
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Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard
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Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard training develops a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgement, and a mature and responsible attitude towards the lifeguard's role. This training emphasizes prevention and safety, and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
Prerequisites: Minimum of 15 years of age by the end of the course and Bronze Cross award.
**Update in 2020 - the minimum age was lowered from 16 to 15. Now candidates can take advantage of completing the course ahead of turning 16 so they are ready for employment as a Lifeguard as soon as they turn 16.
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Lifesaving Society
Lifesaving Instructor
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Additional instructor qualifications - more information coming soon. |
Keep on track! We recommend taking the courses at the following ages:
- Bronze Star - 10-12 years
- Bronze Medallion - 13 years
- Bronze Cross - 14 years
- Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor - 15 years
- Lifesaving Society Aquatic Instructor programs will be run as 2 separate programs at the NFFRC
- Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor gives successful participants the qualification to instruct Learn to Swim and Canadian Swim Patrol Levels. This is the required Swim Instructor certification needed to work at the NFFRC.
- Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor gives successful participants the qualification to instruct Bronze level programs.
- National Lifeguard - 15 years
- Getting started late? Many of our courses run one after the other so you could fast track and take multiple in one year (as long as all prerequisites are met).
Interested in working at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre Pool? Applicants are encouraged to have both Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard certifications. Due to Public Pool Regulations, all aquatic staff must be at least 16 years of age to begin employment.
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| About the pool |
- 25 metre pool - 25m x 6 lane pool is great for adult aquatic fitness classes, swimming laps, youth swim lessons, and even scuba diving.
- Leisure pool - at approximately 3ft deep and with a bench around most of the pool, this pool is great for preschool swim lessons, adults looking to sit and stretch, or a fun spot for parents with little ones.
- Tot pool - a small shallow pool perfect for babies and toddlers to splash around.
Did you know?
- The pool first opened in 1985 as part of the Frank T. Sherk Recreation Complex which was constructed on land donated by the Heinz Corporation of Canada.
- The pool holds approximately 220,000 US GAL of water!
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| Swim Admission Policy |
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Your safety is our main concern. To make our facility as safe as possible and adhere to Public Pool Regulations:
- Children 7 and Under - Must be within arm's reach of a parent or guardian (14 years or older) at all times. Limit of 3 children per adult.
- Children 8-9 - Supervision and swim test required. Supervision must be 14 years or older but is not required to be in the water.
- Children 10-13 - May swim on their own but may not act as supervision for a younger swimmer.
All Swimmers: Participants with serious medical conditions (especially seizure disorders) should be accompanied by another person knowledgeable of their condition. A support person may need to be in the water to ensure the swimmer's safety.
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| Refund Policy |
| Does not apply to subsidized registrations.
Refunds will be processed upon written request for facility bookings, program registrations and memberships in accordance with the following policy:
- A full refund will be made upon cancellation of a class or activity by the Municipality of Leamington. Refunds will not be possible in the event of an unexpected situation such as inclement weather, power failure, building evacuation, mechanical difficulties, or emergency pool maintenance (inclusive of pool fouling).
- The Municipality of Leamington reserves the right to close the facility for maintenance or repairs.
- Requests for refunds must be received in writing prior to the 3rd class of the session or before the expiry date of a membership. Refunds are calculated based on the date the Refund Request Form is submitted for consideration and the amount refunded will be prorated based on number of classes that have occurred or time already used.
- A Doctor's note must accompany any request for refund to memberships.
- Refunds for programs will be charged an Administration Fee of $15.
- Refunds for memberships will be charged an Administration Fee of $25.
- Please allow 2-3 weeks for the processing of refunds.
- "Make-up Classes" are not available for missed classes.
- Non-attendance and notification to an instructor does not constitute a notice of withdrawal.
The Municipality of Leamington reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment, so please register early.
Transfers
- Requests for transfers are based on class availability.
- Requests for transfers can be made at the front desk.
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