Calgary Swimming Lessons

4 months – 3 years Active Start
The Lifesaving Society Parent and Tot program structures in-water interaction between parent and child to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. Activities and progressions are based on child development, so parents register in the level appropriate for their child’s age. Targeted Water Smart drowning prevention messages are an integral part of the Swim for Life® program.

Parent & Tot 1
Splish, splash, laugh – water can be so much fun! Babies just love to play in water. Parents with 4-12 month old babies will explore the water together under the watchful eyes of their instructor. They’ll learn how to safely enter and exit the water together. Parents will learn how to safely support their child while they discover water!

Parent & Tot 2
Water play – get set, get wet! Instructor lead sessions help parents with 12-24 month old children safely explore water together. Parents are taught how to support their child while floating and kicking. They can celebrate together when they can get their face wet and blow bubbles for the first time.

Parent & Tot 3
Just watch them grow! At 2-3 years these almost independent toddlers are really ready to explore: Getting in, getting out, going under and floating under the watchful eye of their parents and instructor.

3 years – 5 years
The Preschool program gives children a head start on learning to swim. Preschool Programs develop fundamental physical literacy skills for aquatic activities. In our preschool program we work to ensure 3-5 year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.

Preschool 1
Children become comfortable with their first independent water experiences.Preschoolers are introduced to entries/exits, safe movement in the water, submersion and breath control.

Preschool 2
For children who are comfortable submerging under-water. The focus of this level is floats, glides and kick. Pre-requisite: Preschool 1 or equivalent level.

Preschool 3
For children who are comfortable floating and gliding un-assisted. Preschoolers are introduced to front and back kick/swim and deep water skills. Pre-requisite: Preschool 2 or equivalent level.

Preschool 4
For children who are comfortable swimming short distances (5m) on their front and back un-assisted. Children develop the basic skills for the four competitive swim strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Pre-requisite: Preschool 3 or equivalent level.

Preschool 5
For children who are comfortable swimming longer distances (10m) on their front and back un-assisted. The focus of this level is basic development of front and back crawl. Children are challenged to develop skills at the Swimmer 4 level to prepare them to transition into the Swimmer 4 class. Pre-requisite: Preschool 4 or equivalent level.

6 years – 12 years
The Swimmer program makes sure children learn the fundamental physical literacy skills for aquatic activities. Progressions accommodate 6 – 12 year olds, including beginners and swimmers who want to build on the basics. Lots of in-water practice develops solid swimming strokes and skills. Water Smart education is a part of every level.

Swimmer 1
The focus of Swimmer 1 is entries and exits, floatation, submersion, breath control, and safe movement in the water. Children are introduced to floats, glides, kick and learning to be comfortable and relaxed in the water.

Swimmer 2
The focus of Swimmer 2 is propulsion through the water: glides and kick. Swimmers are introduced to front and back crawl, whip kick, interval training and deep water skills. Establishes a sound basis for the future acquisition of swimming skills. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 1 or Preschool 5 (and 6 years of age) or equivalent level.

Swimmer 3
The focus of Swimmer 3 is streamline positioning, propulsion and over-arm action for freestyle and back crawl. Swimmers build on skills taught in previous levels: whip kick, interval training and deep water skills and work-up to swimming 25m. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 2 or equivalent level.

Swimmer 4
The focus of Swimmer 4 is strength and endurance for freestyle and back crawl. Establishes basic movements and orientation ability needed for swimming skills like arm action, sculling and breathing. Swimmers are introduced to sprinting, underwater swims and components of breaststroke. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 3 or equivalent level.

Swimmer 5
The focus of Swimmer 5 is speed, arm action and breathing for Freestyle and Backstroke, working up to 50m distances. Interval training increases to improve propulsion and speed. Introduction to breaststroke, butterfly, eggbeater and dives/turns. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 4 or equivalent level.

Swimmer 6
The focus of Swimmer 6 is arm action, leg action and improving technique for Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly working up to 100m continuously. Swimmers are introduced to scissor kick and a 300m endurance swim. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 5 or equivalent level.

8 years – 12 years
The Canadian Swim Patrol program provides enriched training for those who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim. Progressions accommodate 8-12 year olds who have completed Swimmer 6 and want to build on the basics. These programs continue to develop participant’s swim strokes and provide the skill foundation that prepares them for success in the Bronze Medal awards.

Swimmer 7 (Rookie Patrol)
The focus of Swimmer 7 is perfecting breathing, technique, and stroke timing for: Freestyle, Backstroke, and Breaststroke. Swimmers will improve starts/turns, diving, continuous endurance (400-600m) and arm action/breathing for Butterfly. Lifesaving skills such as: head-up swim, surface dives, primary assessment, calling EMS, and basic first aid are introduced. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 6 or equivalent level.

Swimmer 8 (Ranger Patrol)
The focus of Swimmer 8 is perfecting breathing, technique, and stroke timing for: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Swimmers will improve starts/turns, diving, sprints and continuous endurance (600-800m). Enhances capability in the water; including stride entry, object support, assisted removals, and lifesaving eggbeater kick. Rescue skills involve an increase skill level in ABC first aid basics, victim recognition, and non-contact rescues. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 7/Rookie Patrol or equivalent level.

Swimmer 9 (Star Patrol)
An excellent preparation for Bronze Star or Junior Master’s, Swimmer 9 demands good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgement. Participants further develop lifesaving and first aid skills, refine all four competitive swim strokes and will be challenged with 800-1000m workouts. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 8/Ranger Patrol or equivalent level.