Learning how to swim can prepare you for a lifetime of fun, fitness and water safety. Register for swimming lessons at one of our pools.
Main page content:
- COVID-19 updates
- Swimming lessons
- Where we offer swimming lessons
- Swimming lesson descriptions
- Private lessons
- Lifeguard training
COVID-19 updates
Select indoor pools are open
The Region of Waterloo is in Step 3 of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health restrictions.
All visitors and staff will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone over 18 who will be responsible for ensuring physical distancing for members of their group.
Proof of vaccination
Individuals entering a City of Kitchener recreation facility or community centre must show proof of vaccination via a paper or electronic copy of their vaccine record as well as identification. Some exceptions apply. Learn more.
You can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal.
Before you visit a pool
- Complete the Province's online screening
- If you cannot complete the online screening process, staff can screen for symptoms when you arrive at the pool
When you arrive at the pool
- Be prepared to show proof that you have completed the screening on your phone or other device
- Wear a face covering and maintain your physical distance while in line and in the facility
Visit our COVID-19 updates page to learn what's open and closed as well as how city services are affected.
Swimming lessons
Registration for swimming lessons in 2021 is now open.
Due to COVID-19, we've made these changes to our Learn to Swim lessons:
- one caregiver per student must be in the water for all lessons, level A to H
- the support person must be comfortable in the water and able to join in the lesson
- level B to H and levels 1 to 3 will be combined into 45-minute lessons
- children in levels I through N can attend lessons on their own
The maximum number of students will depend on the space available to make sure the instructor, students and caregivers can maintain their physical distance.
Register for swimming lessons or other programs on ActiveNet. Family swims are also available.
Where we offer swimming lessons
You can register for swimming lessons at one of these pools:
Swimming lesson descriptions
You can find a description of each level below. We are offering fewer lessons than usual due to physical distancing guidelines. Check for the appropriate levels and bundles under lesson titles.
Adult & Tot/Adult & Tot Advanced
Building foundation swimming skills with parent through playful water discovery and introducing safe play in water with parent.
Age: 9 months to 30 months
Level highlights:
- Entries and exits with assistance from parent
- Child voluntarily puts face in water
- Child pushes off ledge or steps in to water to parent
- Submersion with assistance from parent
Class capacity: 4 (parent participation required)
Toddler Program
Developing independence with instructor/facility while building foundation swimming skills through playful water discovery.
Age: 2 to 3 years
Appropriate for swimmers in these levels:
- Tots and Sometimes Me
- Supertots
Level highlights:
- Vertical movement through water with assistance
- Blow bubbles, unassisted
Class capacity: 4 (parent participation required)
Level 1
Swimmers will learn how to submerge, float, glide on front and back, and jump into chest deep water.
Age: 3 years and older
Appropriate for swimmers in levels B, C and D.
Level highlights:
- Front/back float
- Glides
- Jump into chest deep water, unassisted
Class capacity: 4 (parent participation required)
Level 2
Swimmers will learn how to use forward and underwater propulsive movement with arms.
Age: 4 years and older
Appropriate for swimmers in levels E and F.
Level highlights:
- Front crawl
- Back crawl
- Eggbeater
- Whip kick
- 5m and 10m distance
Class capacity: 4 (parent participation required)
Level 3
Swimmers will develop confidence and independence in the water. Swimmer will be introduced to deep water.
Age: 6 years and older
Appropriate for swimmers in levels G and H.
Level highlights:
- Front crawl with side breathing
- Side glide with arms
- Whip kick on back
- Breaststroke
- Sitting dive entry
- 15m and 25m distance swim
Class capacity: 4 (parent participation required)
Level I
Swimmer will focus on stroke fundamentals.
Age: 7 years or older
Level highlights:
- Elementary backstroke
- Dolphin kick
- Entries: kneeling dive, forward roll
- 50m distance swim
Class capacity: 4
Level J
Swimmer will focus on stroke efficiency.
Age: 7 years or older
Level highlights:
- Sidestroke with scissor kick
- Dive
- Foot first surface dive
- 75m distance swim
Class capacity: 4
Level K
Swimmer will develop strokes for lifelong training.
Age: 8 years or older
Level highlights:
- Butterfly
- Eggbeater travelling backward with object
- 150m distance swim in 6 min
Class capacity: 4
Level L
Swimmer will develop stroke endurance and water rescue skills.
Age: 9 years or older
Level highlights:
- Developing strokes for lifelong training
- 250m distance swim in 8 minutes
- 25m sprint in 40 seconds
Class capacity: 4
Level M
Swimmer will improve stroke endurance and water rescue skills.
Age: 9 years or older
Level highlights:
- Developing strokes for lifelong training
- 400m distance swim
Class capacity: 4
>Level N
Swimmer will review all strokes for proficiency and endurance.
Age: 10 years or older
Level highlights:
- 10lb object support for 2 minutes
- Timed swims:
- 350m in 10 minutes
- 50m sprint in 50 seconds
Class capacity: 4
Private or drop-in lessons
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.
Lifeguard training
Learn about lifeguard and leadership training on our lifeguarding page. You can also learn about lifeguarding in Canada from the Lifesaving Society.