Lessons

The Canadian Red Cross has withdrawn from swimming and water safety programs. The City of St. John’s will now be offering the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program beginning in January 2023.

The City of St. John's offers a wide range of swimming lessons for all ages.

All our instructors are also Lifeguards.

Look-up the current schedule and register at RECconnect.

Swim levels

Private Swim Lessons (all ages)

Ages: all ages
Ratio: 1:1
Class: 25-minute class

Swim Adapted (open)

Ages: open
Ratio: 1:1
Class: 45-minute
Must complete a swimmer intake form prior to start date.

Learn-to-swim for swimmers with disabilities. A well-designed adaptive swim program providing positive physical, motor, social and emotional benefits for swimmers with diverse abilities. Aquatic experiences help improve well-being for individuals with disabilities. While the City encourages swimmers of all abilities to register in our LSS Swim for Life program, Swim Adapted provides participants with individualized attention.

Parent and Tot 1 (4 to 12 months and able to hold their head up)

4 to 12 months and able to hold their head up
Ratio 10:1 - One adult for each tot in the water at all times
Class: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Babies and their caregivers work on getting wet, buoyancy and movement, front, back and vertical position in the water, and shallow water entries and exits. After the 30 minutes of instruction, parents and tots are invited to stay and play for an additional 30 minutes.

Parent and Tot 2 (12 to 24 months)

Age: 12 to 24 months
Ratio: 10:1 - One adult for each tot in the water at all times
Class: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Parents and their tots participate in active games and activities getting both comfortable in the water. After the 30 minutes of instruction, parents and tots are invited to stay and play for an additional 30 minutes

Parent and Tot 3 (24 to 36 months)

Age: 24 to 36 months
Ratio: 10:1 - One adult for each tot in the water at all times
Class: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Toddlers and their caregivers work on submersion, front and back floats and glides, jumping into chest-deep water with assistance, kicking on front and front swim. After the 30 minutes of instruction, parents and tots are invited to stay and play for an additional 30 minutes.

Preschool 1 (three to six years)

Age: three to six years
Ratio: 4:1
Class: 45 minutes
Focus on introducing the fundamentals, safety, and a focus on fun!

Preschool 2 (three to six years)

Age: three to six years
Ratio: 4:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for preschool 2 if you can get in and out and jump into chest-deep water assisted; float and glide on front and back; blow bubbles and get face wet.

Preschool 3 (three to six years)

Age: three to six years
Ratio: 4:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for preschool 3 if you can jump into chest-deep water; submerge and exhale underwater; float on front and back assisted for 3 seconds.

Preschool 4 (three to six years)

Age: three to six years
Ratio: 4:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for preschool 4 if you can jump into deep water wearing a lifejacket; recover objects from the bottom; hold breath underwater; float, glide, and kick on front and back.

Preschool 5 (three to six years)

Age: three to six years
Ratio: 4:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for preschool 5 if you can do solo jumps into deep water; swim front crawl 5 m wearing a lifejacket and flutter kick on front, back and side.

Swimmer 1 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 6:1
Class: 45 minutes
Focus on introducing the fundamentals, safety, and a focus on fun!

Swimmer 2 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 6:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Swimmer 2 if you 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.

Swimmer 3 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 6:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Swimmer 3 if you 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.

Swimmer 4 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Swimmer 4 if you can tread water for 30 sec.; do kneeling dives and front somersaults; 10 m whip kick on back; and swim 15 m front crawl and back crawl.

Swimmer 5 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Swimmer 5 if you 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.

Swimmer 6 (5 to 12 years)

Age: 5 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Swimmer 6 if you 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.

Rookie Patrol (8 to 12 years)

Age: 8 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Rookie Patrol if you can 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. More information is on our lifeguard page.

Ranger Patrol (8 to 12 years)

Age: 8 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Ranger Patrol if you have completed Rookie Patrol. More information is on our lifeguard page.

Star Patrol (8 to 12 years)

Age: 8 to 12 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Ready for Star Patrol if you have completed Ranger Patrol. More information is on our lifeguard page.

Bronze Star (11 to 13 years)

Age: 11 to 13 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Start the path to becoming an aquatic professional. More information is on our lifeguard page.

Teen 1 (12 to 16 years)

Age: 12 to 16 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Introduction of fundamental skills in shallow and deep water; basic stroke development and safety. Equivalent to Red Cross Swim Kids or LSS Swimmer Level 1.

Teen 2 (12 to 16 years)

Age: 12 to 16 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Refining fundamental skills; Introduction of strokes, basic lifesaving, and endurance. Equivalent to Red Cross Swim Kids or LSS Swimmer Level 2 / 3.

Teen 3 (12 to 16 years)

Age: 12 to 16 years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Designed to improve participant's strokes; or increase their proficiency and endurance. Equivalent to Red Cross Swim Kids Level 6 and up or LSS Swimmer 4 and up.

Adult 1 (16+)

Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Increase your comfort level and confidence in the water through floats, glides, kicking and swimming.

Adult 2 (16+)

Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
This course focuses on developing the front and back crawl, establishing comfort in deep water, and increasing the swimming distance.

Adult 3 (16+)

Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Class: 45 minutes
Develop one or more swimming strokes, working toward proficiency and increased endurance. You choose the strokes; your instructor helps to set your goals and priorities.

Fitness Swimmer (16+)

Age: 16+ years
For swimmers who want to improve their overall physical fitness in the water. Fitness Swimmer provides a structured approach based on accepted training principles and practices including interval training, sprints and distance swims. Candidates set their own goals to improve overall physical fitness.

Registration

Registration will not be accepted after the second class of any swimming lessons.

Classes may be cancelled prior to program start date due to low registration.
If a class is filled participants can have their name placed on the waiting list for the appropriate level.
For low ratio classes, we require a minimum registration of two students before classes can proceed.
Additional classes will be added where space and resources allow.
The City of St. John's reserves the right to make changes to any scheduled program as the need arises. As much notice as possible will be given.

Choosing the Right Class

Parents of children who are five years of age may register for either pre-school or school aged lessons depending on the participant's skill level and parents scheduling preferences. If your child previously took lessons through the Red Cross program, you may be wondering what level they need to register for in the Lifesaving Society program. This chart will help you decide. Please speak to an Aquatics staff member if you have any questions about the appropriate class for your child.

Missed Lessons

We are unable to accommodate makeup lessons. A credit will be applied to your account for lessons missed due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e., weather, pool fouling, etc.).