Swimming Lessons

The Municipality of Leamington is proud to offer Lifesaving Society programs at our recreation facility throughout the summer. All of our lifeguards and swim instructors are trained in Water Smart safety.

Register for Swim Classes

Upcoming Swimming Lessons and Registration

Upcoming Lessons and Registration

Descriptions can be found under the 'Lesson Descriptions' section below.

Please note, you must pre-register as all aquatic classes require advance registration. All tentative registration dates are shown below.

Swim lessons are typically offered once a week for an 8-10 week session. Adjustments to dates and fees for holidays/events are made ahead of registration to reflect the accurate number of classes. We offer a variety of options to suit many learners needs such as group classes, private/family lessons, tween/adult classes, and adapted classes.

Program	Program Status	Course Dates
Fall Session	Open - August 31	Registration opened Monday, August 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM Session runs Monday, September 14 - Sunday, November 8
Fall 2 Session	Upcoming	Registration begins Monday, October 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM Session runs Monday, November 9, 2026 - Sunday, January 31, 2027
Winter	Tentative Dates	Registration begins Monday, January 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM Session runs Monday, February 1 - Sunday, April 18

Swim Lesson Assessments

If you're unsure which swim lesson level to register your child for, we offer brief swim lesson assessments to help you determine the appropriate level. This assessment is designed for children who:

Have some swim experience
Are older than typical "beginner" swimmers
Have been out of lessons for over a year

Designated Swim Lesson Assessment Sessions

These sessions are available before each registration period.

During the session, your child will work with a swim instructor in the water to determine their lesson level. Registration is required due to limited staffing and time.

Sessions will be added ahead of each registration window. Check here to see if there are current listings:

Register for a Swim Lesson Assessment

Assessments During Open Swims

Assessments are also available during most open swim sessions. In these cases, a parent may need to be in the water with the child, as the swim instructor will assess from the deck. No advanced registration is required, but availability may be limited based on attendance and staffing.

Lesson Descriptions

Adapted Beginner/Intermediate

Using the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life level progressions and guidelines, swimmers will work at their own pace in a smaller class environment. Instructors will have more flexibility to adapt to the needs of the class with two instructors leading the lesson if necessary. A caregiver may be required to be in the water for safety.

Please note, instructors do not have advanced qualifications for this level at this time, but will use their skills and experience to adapt the lesson to meet the swimmers needs.

Beginner level: Using the Swimmer 1 & 2 guidelines, swimmers will learn about water safety, wearing lifejackets, and a variety of skills to keep swimmers moving and having fun in the water.

Intermediate level: Using the Swimmer 3 & 4 guidelines, swimmers will be introduced to deep water activities and continue to work on building swim strokes and skills to enhance their swimming abilities. Water safety, lifejackets, and a variety of skills will be covered to keep swimmers moving and having fun in the water.

Beginner Lessons for Ages 10-15 years and Adult Lessons

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:

Various options for adult lessons are available. Try out an Assessment/Trial, or register for Group or Private Lessons. Additional Adult Lesson requests can be sent to complex@leamington.ca. Please indicate your interest and days/times you are available and we will connect with you. Check here for current offerings.

Learn to Swim Program | Ages 6 - 12 years

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.

About our 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 a lot 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.

Swimmer 7 Rookie Patrol	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.
Swimmer 8 Ranger Patrol	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.
Swimmer 9 Star Patrol	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 (i.e. Swimmer 10)

Swimmer 7

Rookie Patrol

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.

Swimmer 8

Ranger Patrol

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.

Swimmer 9

Star Patrol

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 (i.e. Swimmer 10)

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.

Parent and Tot Program | Ages 4 months - 3 years

Enjoy quality time with your child while having fun and learning together! Our program emphasizes the role of play in fostering positive attitudes and essential water skills. Through structured in-water interactions between parent and child, we focus on developing comfort and safety in aquatic settings. Our certified instructors share Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips to help keep your child safe around water. Activities and progressions are tailored to your child's developmental stage, so please register for 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.
2-3 years	Parent & Tot 3	Designed for the 2 to 3-year-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/caregiver.
4 months - 3 years	Parent & Tot 1-2-3 Combined	This program combines Parent & Tot 1, 2 and 3 and each swimmer will work on their respective skills. Levels are combined for flexibility to take with friends. Designed for parents/caregivers and tots to learn and enjoy the water together and with others.

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.

Preschool Program | Ages 3-5 years

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

Private/Family Swim Lessons

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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