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Pools may open up more class spaces or times closer to the start of each session. If there are no spaces available when you check ActiveNet, add yourself to a waitlist or visit ActiveNet closer to when the session starts to check if there are new spaces available.
New in 2025: Kitchener Swims programs
Earlier this year, we launched Kitchener Swims, a new program based on the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program, widely used across Canada. In partnership with the Lifesaving Society, recognized experts in lifeguarding, swim lessons, and drowning prevention, the program will teach basic swim skills for safe water activities and introduce advanced skills for lifesaving, lifeguarding, and aquatic sports.
Where we offer swimming lessons
You can register for swimming lessons at these pools:
Depending on the age of a swimmer or lesson level, we have different caregiver requirements:
Parent and Tot programs: caregiver 12 years or older must be in the water, actively participating
all children under age 10: caregiver 12 years or older must be in the pool area, which includes the viewing galleries, during the lesson
ages 10 and older: caregiver is not required to remain in the pool area during the lesson
Swimming lesson descriptions
Open the accordions below to learn about the swimming lessons we offer at our pools.
Below, you will find the new Kitchener Swims titles and descriptions. Titles of similar levels from the previous program are next to the new title in brackets to help find the best fit. Use the new title when searching for lessons in ActiveNet.
This level is designed for children aged 12 to 24 months to learn to enjoy the water with their parents. A guardian must be in the water with the child for this level.
We encourage the parent to participate until their child lets them know they can do it themselves.
These preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We'll help them jump into chest-deep water. They'll float and glide on their front and back, get their faces wet, and blow bubbles underwater.
These preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, learn to jump into chest-deep water by themselves and get in and out wearing a lifejacket. They submerge and exhale underwater, and wearing a lifejacket, they glide on their front and back.
A caregiver 12 years or older must be in the pool area, including the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
These youngsters, ages 3 to 5 years, 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.
A caregiver 12 years or older must be in the pool area, including the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
sideways entry wearing a personal flotation device
Advanced preschoolers ages 3 to 5 will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get independently. They'll also do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They'll master a short swim on their front, wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.
A caregiver 12 years or older must be in the pool area, including the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
tread water for 10 seconds wearing a personal flotation device
front crawl 5m wearing a personal flotation device
These youngsters, ages 3 to 5, get more adventurous with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 seconds. They'll work on front and back crawl swims for 5 m, interval training, and getting a giggle out of whip kick.
A caregiver 12 years or older must be in the pool area, including the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
forward roll entry wearing a personal flotation device
tread water for 10 seconds
whip kick in a vertical position for 20 seconds wearing a personal flotation device
These beginners, ages 5 to 12, will become comfortable jumping into the 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.
Children under 10 years old require a caregiver 12 years or older to be in the pool area, which includes the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
treading water for 30 seconds wearing a personal flotation device
floating on front and back for five seconds
gliding on front, back and sides for three metres
flutter kick on front and back for five metres
front crawl for 5 metres wearing a personal flotation device
These advanced beginners, ages 5 to 12 years, 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 10 metres on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 metres).
Children under 10 years old require a caregiver 12 years or older to be in the pool area, which includes the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
treading water for 15 seconds
whip kick in a vertical position for 30 seconds with an aid
flutter kick on front, back and sides for 10 metres
front crawl and back crawl for 10 metres
swim to survive skills: wearing a personal flotation device, jumping into deep water, tread 30 seconds and swimming/kicking 15 metres
These junior swimmers, ages 5 to 12 years, will dive and do in-waterfront somersaults and handstands. They'll work on 15 m of front crawl, back crawl, and 10 m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 m.
Children under 10 years old require a caregiver 12 years or older to be in the pool area, which includes the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Level highlights include:
treading water for 30 seconds
whip kick on back for 10 metres
front and back crawl for 15 metres
swim to survive skills: jump into deep water, tread for 30 seconds and swim/kick 25 metres
These intermediate swimmers, ages 5 to 12, will swim five metres underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes completing the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard. They'll cap it off with front crawl sprints over 25 metres and 4 x 25 metres front or back crawl interval training.
Level highlights include:
treading water for one minute
swim underwater for five metres
whip kick on the front for 15 metres
breaststroke arms drill 15 metres
front and back crawl for 15 metres
Canadian Swim to Survive standard: roll entry into deep water, tread one minute and swim 50 metres
These swimmers, ages 5 to 12, will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They'll refine their front and back crawls to over 50 metres, swims of each, and breaststrokes to over 25 metres. Then, they'll pick up the pace in 25-metre sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50-metre front or back crawl and 4 x 15-metre breaststroke.
Level highlights include:
jump into deep water and tread for two minutes
stationary eggbeater kick for 30 seconds
breaststroke for 25 metres
front and back crawl for 50 metres
head-up front crawl for 10 metres
swim to survive skills: roll entry into deep water, tread for 90 seconds and swim 75 metres
For children 8 years and older that have successfully completed Level J
*child must be comfortable swimming alone in deep water*
Children under 10 years old require a caregiver 12 years or older to be in the pool area, which includes the viewing galleries, during the lesson.
Swimmers will continue to develop their strokes for lifelong training. Additional lifesaving skills will be taught including rescue breathing, introduction to barrier devices and AED. Swimmers will perform first aid treatments through roleplay. Distances increase to 75 metres with a timed swim of 150 metres.
Once this level is successfully completed, swimmers will be able to:
Breaststroke – 75 metres completed in a horizontal body position with eyes forward, water between hairline and eyebrows, strong symmetrical whip kick
Butterfly – 25 metres completed with streamlined body, unison kick, and a sequence of kick pull kick breathe
Timed Distance Swim – 150 metres completed within 6 minutes
Swimmers continue stroke development with 50-meter front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke swims. Lifesaving Sports skills include a 25-meter obstacle swim, and a 15-meter object carry. First aid assesses conscious victims, contacts EMS, and treats bleeding. Fitness improves in 350-meter workouts and 100-meter timed swims.
Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 metres swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sports skills in a lifesaving medley, using timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on the assessment of unconscious victims and the treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation.
Swimmers are challenged with 600-meter workouts, 300-meter timed swims, and a 25-meter object carry. Strokes are refined over 100-meter swims. First aid focuses on treating 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.
Teens ages 12 to 17 will work towards a 10-15 metres swim on their front and back, do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improve fitness and the flutter kick with 4 x 9-12 metres interval training.
Level highlights include:
treading water for 30 seconds wearing a personal flotation device
whip kick in a vertical position with a personal flotation device for 15-30 seconds
floating on the front and back
gliding on front, back and sides for 3-5 metres
flutter kick on front, back and sides for 10-15 metres
front or back crawl for 10-15 metres
swim to survive skills: wearing a personal flotation device, jumping into deep water, treading for 30 seconds, and swimming/kicking on back 5-10 metres
Kick it up by working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 metres, kicking and front or back crawling. Swimmers ages 13 to 17 can perform dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 metres, support themselves at the surface for 1-2 minutes, and show off their handstands in shallow water.
Level highlights include:
tread water for 1-2 minutes
whip kick on back for 10-15 metres
whip kick on the front for 10-15 metres
breaststroke arms drill for 10-15 metres
front crawl and back crawl for 25-50 metres
Canadian Swim to Survive standard: roll entry into deep water, tread 1 minute, and swim 50 metres
No sweat (or at least none anyone can see). Teen swimmers ages 13 to 17 will learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. They'll be doing a 300 metres workout and, sprinting 25-50 metres, and mastering the front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke.
Level highlights include:
legs only surface support 30-60 seconds
swim underwater 5-10 metres to recover an object
eggbeater kick on the back or scissor kick on the side 10-15 metres
Adults ages 18+ will work towards a 10-15 metres swim on their front and back, do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improve fitness and the flutter kick with 4 x 9-12 metres interval training.
Level highlights include:
treading water for 30 seconds wearing a personal flotation device
whip kick in a vertical position with a personal flotation device for 15-30 seconds
floating on the front and back
gliding on front, back and sides for 3-5 metres
flutter kick on front, back and sides for 10-15 metres
front or back crawl for 10-15 metres
swim to survive skills: wearing a personal flotation device, jumping into deep water, treading for 30 seconds, and swimming/kicking on back 5-10 metres
Kick it up a notch by working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 metres, kicking and front or back crawl. Swimmers aged 18+ can perform dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 metres. They'll be supporting themself at the surface for 1-2 minutes and showing off their handstands in shallow water.
Level highlights include:
tread water for 1-2 minutes
whip kick on back for 10-15 metres
whip kick on the front for 10-15 metres
breaststroke arms drill for 10-15 metres
front crawl and back crawl for 25-50 metres
Canadian Swim to Survive standard: roll entry into deep water, tread 1 minute, and swim 50 metres
No sweat (or at least none anyone can see). Adult swimmers aged 18+ will learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. They'll be doing a 300-metre workout, sprinting 25-50-metre, and mastering the front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke.
Level highlights include:
legs only surface support 30-60 seconds
swim underwater 5-10 metres to recover an object
eggbeater kick on the back or scissor kick on the side 10-15 metres
Adapted Aquatics—Beginner is for children and youth with special needs and little or no swim experience. The program will take place in our warm-water pool. The ratio is 1-1 with a volunteer. Each 40-minute class includes transition time to get in/out of the pool. Inclusion Membership is required to register.
Adapted Aquatics—Beginner is for children and youth with special needs and little or no swim experience. The program will take place in our warm-water pool. The ratio is 1-1 with a volunteer. Each 40-minute class includes transition time to get in/out of the pool. Inclusion Membership is required to register.
Adapted Aquatics Fit Swim is for swimmers with special needs. Swimmers are encouraged to develop strokes for fitness or competition. It's a fun way to keep active. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 metres and be comfortable in deep water without assistance. One-on-one support from a volunteer may not be available for all swimmers at this timeslot. Inclusion Membership is required to register.
We also offer private lessons. If you’re looking for one-on-one support or lessons outside of our schedule, contact your local pool for more information.
For swim admission purposes, a caregiver is defined as someone 12 years or older, responsible for the child.
A swimmer to caregiver ratio defines the number of swimmers that can be supervised by a caregiver. Example: (4:1 ratio) means four swimmers can be supervised by one caregiver.
under 10 years old: requires supervision
under 7 years old: must be within arm’s reach of the caregiver in the shallow end (2:1 ratio)
7 to 9 years who have not passed a swim test: must be within arm’s reach of the caregiver in the shallow end (4:1 ratio) or (8:1 ratio) if all swimmers are wearing lifejackets.
lifejackets may need to be supplied by swimmers as there is a limited supply at each facility
lifejackets may not be available at all programs
lifejackets must be the appropriate size for the swimmer and approved by Transport Canada
water wings, puddle jumpers or any other floatation devices are not acceptable as lifejackets
7 to 9 years who have passed a swim test: may swim unaccompanied as long as a caregiver remains in the pool environment to supervise.
An aquatic staff member may request any swimmer attempts a swim test at any time. To ensure the safety of all swimmers, if at any point a swimmer exhibits any signs that they are tired or weak, aquatic staff may ask them to leave any deep area of a pool and return to the shallow area to attempt a swim test. This also includes anyone over the age of 10. It is up to the lifeguards on duty to allow swimmers to return to the deep area.
Do not swim if you are feeling sick or unwell, are experiencing digestive distress, have open wounds or sores.
Children who are not fully toilet-trained, or adults with incontinence, must wear watertight elastic pants, or specially designed disposable swim diapers available for purchase at the pool.
Please respect others’ privacy when taking photos. All photos must be taken from the pool deck. Please photograph your child only and do not include other participants or staff (who could be minors) in the photo.
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