Find a registered program location near you. For information on advanced programs including Bronze level courses that can lead to employment opportunities with the City of Toronto, visit the Aquatic Certification section on Leadership and Employment Readiness Certifications.
The Guardian Swim program is a three-level progressive program which provides an introduction to the aquatic environment and to basic swimming skills for children with support from their caregiver. The program is designed to promote comfort and safety in the water for the caregiver and child. As this is a progressive program, children should be registered into the appropriate level based on skill, not age.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Guardian Swim 1, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Guardian Swim 1.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Guardian Swim 2, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Guardian Swim 2.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Guardian Swim 3, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Explore Tiny Tots and Preschool Swim 1-4
Tiny tot lessons are 15 minutes in length and provide a ratio of one instructor per participant while completing Learn to Swim skills at their own pace.
Explore Preschool Swim 1-4 and Tiny Tots
The Preschool Swim program is a four-level progressive program. This program series requires children to participate without a caregiver.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Preschool Swim 1, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to one of the following:
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Preschool Swim 2, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Preschool Swim 2.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Preschool Swim 3, swimmers have the option to participate in:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Preschool Swim 3.
Includes:
Upon successful completion of Preschool Swim 4, swimmers have the option to participate in Ultra Swim 3, if swimmers are five years old.
This learn to swim program will encourage individuals with special needs to increase their comfort level in the water and promote aquatic skill development. Visit Accessible Recreation.
The Ultra Swim program provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in swimming and water safety. Swimmers should register for the level recommended by their swim instructor on their report card. For swimmers entering the Learn to Swim program for the first time, review the skills below to determine the best level that describes the swimmers swimming ability or visit a local swimming pool during leisure swim to complete an assessment.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to one of the following:
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to one of the following:
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 3.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 4.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 5.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 6.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 7.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Swim 8.
Includes:
Upon completion of Ultra Swim 9, there are different aquatic streams to pursue depending on your child(ren)’s interests. Please reference the Competitive Swimming and Aquatic Sports, Pre-Lifeguard Programs and Stroke Improvement sections for additional information.
Ultra Youth Swim program provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in swimming and water safety with participants in the same age group.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Ultra Youth 1.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal toUltra Youth 2.
Includes:
Explore Adult and Older Adult Swim 1-3
The Adult Swim program provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in swimming and water safety. Participants work on skill items at their own pace.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Adult Swim 1.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Adult Swim 2.
Includes:
Explore Older Adult and Adult Swim 1-3
The Older Adult Swim program provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in swimming and water safety. Participants work on skill items at their own pace.
Prerequisite: None.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Older Adult Swim 1.
Includes:
Prerequisite: Successful completion or skill ability equal to Older Adult Swim 2.
Includes:
Explore Competitive Swim and Aquatic Sport
Prerequisite (must have all):
The SPLASH Swim Team allows swimmers to participate in a recreational competitive swim program. Swimmers are encouraged to expand their swimming skills by practicing their strokes in a team-based environment and showcasing their skills in a competitive setting during swim meets.
This program generally has:
This program requires the review of Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources and the City of Toronto’s Concussion Code of Conduct. A signature indicating acknowledgement will be required for participants under the age of 26, or parents/caregivers of participants under the age of 18, on the first day of program participation.
Prerequisite (must have all):
The Challenge Program is a three-level program that allows swimmers to develop competitive swimming skills and improve fitness and endurance in a non-competitive environment. Swimmers are challenged to improve their own personal swim times and skill. The levels are Bronze, Silver and Gold.
This program generally has:
Explore Aquatic Sport and Competitive Swim
Prerequisite (must have all):
Synchronized swimming is a program that combines swimming, dance and gymnastics in the water. The course focuses on learning basic rhythmic skills and movements and creating individual and team routines. No prior experience required.
Prerequisite (must have all):
Waterpolo is a program that offers swimmers the opportunity to build skills and confidence. Players will be introduced to ball handling, swimming and strategies necessary to the sport. In learning these skills, endurance and appreciation for teamwork are also acquired. This sport is ideal for energetic, competent swimmers.
This program is offered in deep water.
Visit Aquatic Leadership.
The Swim Patrol Program is a three-level program that allows swimmers nine years of age or older to develop swimming strokes and provide them with entry-level skills to prepare them for the Bronze Leadership Program. The levels are Rookie, Ranger and Star. This program can be offered individually or combined.
Prerequisite (must have both):
This program will focus on:
Prerequisite (must have both):
This program will focus on:
Prerequisite (must have both):
This program will focus on:
Prerequisite: Minimum nine years old
Bronze Star and Basic First Aid (CPR-A) is generally the first step in the pathway to learning to be a lifesaver. This course serves as excellent preparation for Bronze Medallion especially for younger swimmers however it is not required.
In this course, swimmers will partake in the following:
Skills learned in the course are official training certifications of the Lifesaving Society.
For information on Bronze level programs, visit Aquatic Leadership.
Prerequisite: None.
The Lifesaving Society Safeguard Program is a four-hour safety supervision training for youth who accompany groups of children to pools or waterfronts. The course stresses the responsibility undertaken by these group leaders for safeguarding the young people in their care even when under lifeguard supervision. Participants who complete the entire program will be provided with a Safeguard Certificate, issued by the Lifesaving Society.
Explore Stroke Improvement and Swim Fit
Stroke improvement allows swimmers to work on stroke correction and improving technique through drills and progressions focused on front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke under the guidance of a swim instructor.
Prerequisite (must have both):
Prerequisite: 17 years old+
Explore Swim Fit and Stroke Improvement
Prerequisite (must have both):
The Adult Swim Fit program promotes and encourages fitness through the sport of swimming, to improve swimming ability through stroke improvement, distance and interval drills.
Age(s): three years old+
Private lessons provide a ratio of one instructor per participant while completing swimming skills specific to the participant.
Other swim lesson options include:
| Program | Max number of participants per swim instructor |
|---|---|
| Guardian Swim 1 to 3 | 10 |
| Preschool Swim 1 to 4 | 4 |
| Ultra Swim 1 to 3 | 6 |
| Ultra Swim 4 to 5 | 8 |
| Ultra Swim 6 to 7 | 10 |
| Ultra Swim 8 to 9 | 10 |
| Ultra Youth Swim 1 to 3 | 8 |
| Stroke Improvement (Child & Adult) | 8 |
| Adult Swim: Swim Fit | 12 |
| Adult Swim 1 to 3 | 8 |
| Older Adult Swim 1 to 3 | 8 |
| Canadian Swim Patrol
(Rookie, Ranger, Star Patrol) |
12 |
| Bronze Star | 12 |
| SPLASH Swim Team | 12 per coach |
| Challenge Swim | 12 |
| Synchronized Swim | 12 |
| Water Polo | 12 |
Some of our instructional programs may include a swim instructor and aquatic program assistant which might result in a slightly larger class size.
We offer gender-specific swim lessons and programming. Visit Swimming and Water Play’s Pool Use Guidelines and Supervision Requirements section for more information.
Swimmers can start at a level that matches their current skill and comfort level in the water. Staff can assist in screening swimmers to determine the level that is appropriate. Speak to staff at your local centre for more information.
Caregivers are only allowed in the water in Guardian Swim Programs. This is to help build the swimmers’ comfort and independence in the water – a core skill in learning how to swim.
The ratio of caregivers to participants is 1:1. Caregivers may request an accommodation for twins and children close in age, following registration, by contacting staff at their program location. Accommodation will be made in manageable situations, where safety is not a concern.
On occasion, pools close due to pool fouling. Health regulations require that the pools be closed for up to 24 hours depending on the nature of the fouling. The pool will reopen once the water chemistry is balanced and affected equipment is disinfected.
Help keep our pools clean! Please try to eat a minimum of two hours before swimming.
Swimming and Water Play map lists cancellations and notices are posted on Pool and Water Play Closures and Service Alerts.
Lessons may be cancelled due to a pool fouling, mechanical issue or unforeseen circumstance. If a pool is not available for any reason, attempts will be made to offer, in the following order:
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