We offer swim programs for all ages, ability levels and schedules. Pay as you go or register for an ongoing swim program.

Register for a program

On this page:

  1. Register for a program
  2. Aquatic fitness programs
  3. Single-visit swimming
  4. BE U Swim program
  5. Women's only swim times
  6. Class trips
  7. Swimming camps
  8. Lifeguard training
  9. Swimming fees
  10. Pool guidelines

Register for a program

You can sign up for one of our swimming programs using ActiveNet. You can also visit your local pool to sign up in person.

Aquatic fitness programs

Get a great workout in the water at any fitness level with one of our aquatic fitness programs. These programs will give you a full-body workout in a non-competitive, instructor-led space. You can go at your own pace!

Aqua cardio

Shallow water

Exercise preformed in chest deep water designed to get your heart pumping and your body moving. Class focus is on muscle strengthening and cardio conditioning. 

Offered at:

Deep water

Exercises preformed suspended in deep water with the use of a floatation device. Designed to get your heart pumping and your body moving. Class focus is on muscle strengthening and cardio conditioning. 

Offered at:

Aqua strength – warm water pool

Exercises preformed in chest deep water in a warm water setting at a moderate pace. Focuses on muscle conditioning and coordination. 

Offered at:

Aqua stretch – warm water pool

Exercises preformed in chest deep water in a warm water setting. Large body movements focusing on lengthening muscles and overall coordination. 

Offered at Breithaupt Centre.

Aqua cycle

Exercises preformed in chest deep water with the use of an aquatic stationary bike. Focuses on cardio and muscle conditioning.

Offered at Breithaupt Centre.

Masters swim club

This program is geared towards dedicated adult swimmers whose skills ranger from beginner fitness to serious triathlete. This club offers three lanes of training: beginner, intermediate and intense.

Offered at Forest Heights Pool.

Synchro Fit

Active adults will learn synchro techniques such as sculling, torpedoes, ballet legs and more and then put the skills together in a fun routine. Synchronized swimming combines cardiovascular training, core strength training and flexibility all into one fun, intense workout.

Offered at Lyle Hallman Pool.

Single-visit swimming

Join us at one of our pools to go for a swim. Some of the single-visit swims we offer are:

  • adult swim: enjoy the pool with other adults
  • family swim: recreational swimming, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • lane swim: the pool is divided into lanes, choose the lane the best fits your swim speed
  • BE U swim times
  • women's only swim

Check our swimming schedule (default view is for Breithaupt Centre, use the drop-down menu to choose the pool) to find a swim time at your local pool. Swim fees depend on age and the size of your group.

Register online for a single-visit swim:

Choose your pool from the menu, the calendar will show Breithaupt Centre Pool or Forest Heights Pool by default.

BE U Swim program

Dedicated swim times for trans and non-binary individuals, as well as their friends and family members to use our pools in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

During BE U Swims, we'll provide added privacy for everyone in attendance. Change rooms will be accessible to everyone, and all swimming attire is acceptable.

BE U Swim: lane and leisure swim (adults over 18)

Swim time for trans and non-binary community members, their friends, families and allies. This swim will include sections of the pool that are set aside for lane swimmers and people looking to swim or water walk or float at their own pace.

BE U Swim: open swim (all ages)

Swim time for trans and non-binary community members, children, family members, friends and allies. This swim is open for people of all ages to swim together.

Registration

Register for a BE U Swim time on ActiveNet. The swim times at Lyle Hallman Pool are open for drop-ins as well.

Register online

To ensure cost is not a barrier, supports are available through our leisure access program. Visit our Leisure Access page to learn more and apply.

Women's only swim times

This is a swim for women and girls only. Boys under 7 years old are also welcome. Splash around or practice your swimming skills. Come out and meet new people during this swim guarded by female lifeguards.

Register online

Class trips

Get out of the classroom for a trip to the pool. We base the cost on the number of students attending a class trip.

Choose from one of these programs:

  • Swim to Survive: This program works on the minimum skills required to recover from an accidental fall into deep water.
  • Swim to Survive + (Plus): This program builds on the Swim to Survive skills required to recover from an accidental fall into deep water.
  • Aquatic fitness programs for gym classes
  • Swim team rentals

To set up a class trip, contact your local pool.

Swimming camps

Subscribe to this page to get an email about 2024 swimming camps.

Lifeguard training

Learn about lifeguard and leadership training on our lifeguarding page. You can also learn about lifeguarding in Canada from the Lifesaving Society.

Swimming fees

You can purchase tickets at these pools:

NEW! Summer Splash Pass

Get a Summer Splash Pass and swim all summer long for one great price! Our Summer Splash Passes are valid from June 3 to September 2, 2024.

Pool guidelines apply.

This pass is good for recreational swims, for all ages, at indoor and outdoor pools, including:

  • public swims
  • family swims
  • women-only swims
  • Be U open swims

Cost:

  • child and youth (ages 0 to 17): $32 + HST
  • adult (ages 18 to 54): $45 + HST
  • senior (ages 55+): $32 + HST

Get your Summer Splash Pass

Adult

  • single: $6.62

  • 5 tickets: $31.47

  • 20 tickets: $119.24

  • 60 tickets: $317.97

  • 3-month pass: $213.72
  • daily pass: $10.62

Child (0-17) and senior (55+) 

  • single: $4.42

  • 5 tickets: $20.96

  • 20 tickets: $79.42

  • 60 tickets: $211.78

  • 3-month pass: $136.03
  • daily pass: $6.81

Family

Maximum two adults and all their children under 17 years old in the same household.

  • single family admission: $15.06

  • 5 family admission tickets: $67.76

  • 3-month pass: $314.59
  • daily pass: $24.15

Apply for lower fees

Through our leisure access program, you can apply for lower fees for city-run programs. Find out if you're eligible and learn how to apply on our Leisure Access (fee assistance) page.

Get inclusion support

If you or your child has a disability, you can apply for an inclusion membership to get inclusion support. Support can include personal assistance for leisure activities (PAL).

Pool guidelines

Open the accordions below to learn about our pool guidelines.

Age requirements

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.
Deep end and swimmer safety
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.
Proper bathing attire
Proper bathing attire must be clean and used specifically for the purposes of bathing. It should not constrict bather mobility in the water.

Swim admission test

To provide a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment, we've established a facility swim test standard to help evaluate participants’ swimming ability. This test is used in conjunction with the Wristband Identification Program.

Open the accordions below to learn about the swim admission test.

Swim test assessment

The requirements of the patron are to demonstrate comfort in the water and swim on their front for 20 metres in the designated swim test area of the pool. The swim test will also include a change in direction.

To properly assess a participant’s swimming ability, aquatic staff must observe the following during the swim test:

  • no touching of the bottom or wall of the pool
  • completion of the entire distance comfortably and confidently
  • swimmer’s body must be positioned horizontal and near the surface
  • continuous swimming with no stopping or resting at any point
  • strong forward movement throughout
  • an open water change of direction
  • swimmer’s ability to submerge face under water
  • swimmer’s ability to take a breath while swimming
Swim Card

Children between 7 and 9 years old, who successfully complete the swim test, will receive a swim test card. Swimmers must present their swim test cards to receive a green band before admission to a recreation swim.
Wristband Identification Program

Upon entry to a pool, visitors 0 to 9 years old will be given a coloured wristband to help staff identify their swimming ability. The colours are defined as follows:

Red band

  • children 0 to 6 years old must be accompanied and within arm’s reach of caregiver.
  • caregiver ratio 2:1

Yellow band

  • children 7 to 9 years old are assumed to be non-swimmers and must be accompanied and within arm’s reach of caregiver
  • caregiver ratio 4:1 without lifejackets
  • caregiver ratio 8:1 with lifejackets for all children

Green band

  • children 7 to 9 years old who have passed the Swim Admission Test may swim unaccompanied
  • caregiver must remain in the pool environment to supervise.

Blue band

  • all swimmers 10 years and older will get a blue wristband to show that they have paid admission to the pool