Important Notice about our Swim Program
We are changing our swim lesson program from the Red Cross to Lifesaving Society.
This change will take place in our Spring Session which starts after March Break.
Why the change? Here are the benefits of switching:
• Levels are more attainable and include fun items, while continuing to improve on skills
• More focus on survival skills and swimming ability versus perfect strokes
• Practical application of water safety in the water
• Leads seamlessly into the Society’s lifesaving training and leadership awards
• Municipalities in our surrounding area have already changed to the Lifesaving Program, therefore all pools in our area will be teaching the same program, and so there will be consistency with levels and less confusion if your child has taken lessons elsewhere.
Program Design
The Lifesaving Program is designed similar to the Red Cross Program
• Parent & Tot for parents and children up to 3 years of age (similar to Starfish, Duck & Sea Turtle)
• Preschool for children 3 to 5 years (similar to Sea Otter through to Whale)
• Swimmer for children 1-6 years and older (similar to Swim Kids 1 – 10)
How do I know what level to register my child in?
If your child… |
Previously in Red Cross Swim: |
Register in Lifesaving Society: |
Is 4 to 12 months old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with parent… |
Starfish |
Parent & Tot 1 |
Is 12 to 24 months old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with parent… |
Duck |
Parent & Tot 2 |
Is 2 to 3 years old and ready to learn to enjoy the water with a parent… |
Sea Turtle |
Parent & Tot 2 |
Is 3 to 5 years and just starting out on his or her own….
If 6 years+… |
Sea Otter |
Preschool 1
Swimmer 1 |
Can get in and out and jump into chest-deep water as-sisted; float and glide on front and back; blow bubbles and get face wet…
If 6 years+… |
Salamander |
Preschool 2
Swimmer 1 |
Can jump into chest-deep water; submerge and exhale
underwater; float on front and back assisted for 3 sec…. If 6 years+… |
Sunfish |
Preschool 3
Swimmer 1 |
Can jump into deep water wearing a lifejacket; recover objects from the bottom; hold breath underwater; float, glide and kick on front and back…
If 6 years+… |
Crocodile |
Preschool 4
Swimmer 1 |
Can do solo jumps into deep water; swim front crawl 5 m wearing a lifejacket and flutter kick on front, back and side…
If 6 years+… |
Whale |
Preschool 5
Swimmer 2 |
Is 6 to 12 years and just starting out… |
Swim Kids 1 |
Swimmer 1 |
Can jump into chest-deep water by themselves and into deep-water wearing a lifejacket; open eyes, hold breath, and exhale underwater; float, kick and glide on front and back… |
Swim Kids 2 |
Swimmer 2 |
Can jump into deep water and do a sideways entry wearing a lifejacket; support self at the surface for 15 sec.; do whip kick in vertical position; and swim 10 m on front and back.. |
Swim Kids 3 |
Swimmer 3 |
Can tread for 30 sec.; do kneeling dives and front somersaults; 10 m whip kick on back; and swim 15 m front crawl and back crawl.. |
Swim Kids 4
Swim Kids 5 |
Swimmer 4 |
Can complete the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: Roll – Tread (1 min.) – Swim (50 m); dive; swim underwater; 15 m whip kick on front; breaststroke arms with breathing; and swim front and back crawl 25 m… |
Swim Kids 6 |
Swimmer 5 |
Can do shallow dives and cannonballs; eggbeater and scissor kick; swim 50 m front and back crawl; breaststroke for 25 m; sprint 25 m; interval training 4 x 50 m.. |
Swim Kids 7 |
Swimmer 6 |
Can do stride entries and compact jumps; legs-only surface support for 45 sec.; sprint 25 m breaststroke; swim 100 m of front crawl and back crawl and 300 m workout… |
Swim Kids 8 |
Swimmer 7/Rookie Patrol |
Successful completion of Swimmer 7 Rookie Patrol |
Swim Kids 9 |
Swimmer 8/Ranger Patrol |
Successful completion of Swimmer 8 Ranger Patrol |
Swim Kids 10 |
Swimmer 9/Star Patrol |
Successful completion of Swimmer 9 Star Patrol |
Bronze Star |
