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The City of St. John’s is proud to offer the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program, providing a wide range of swimming lessons for participants of all ages and abilities. All swimming lessons are led by certified instructors who are also trained lifeguards, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
Registration & Schedules
Registration will not be accepted after the second class of any swimming lessons.
View current schedules and register online through RECconnect.
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.).
Detailed descriptions of each swim program are provided below to help you choose the option that best fits your needs.
Parents or guardians of children who are five years of age may register their child in either preschool or school-aged lessons, based on the participant’s skill level and family scheduling preferences.
Private or Semi-Private Lessons
Age: all ages
Ratio: 1:1 or 1:2
Duration: 25 minutes
Description: Private or Semi-private (2 participants) lessons are available for all age. Please note, it is your choice to have a semi-private lesson, however participants must be within two levels of each other.
Age: all ages
Ratio: 1:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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)
Age: 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
Duration: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Description: 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 and able to hold their head up
Ratio: 10:1 - One adult for each tot in the water at all times
Duration: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Description: 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
Duration: 30 minutes instruction and 20 minutes stay & play
Description: 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.
Age: 3-6
Ratio: 4:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Focus on introducing the fundamentals, safety, and a focus on fun!
Age: 3-6
Ratio: 4:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 3-6
Ratio: 4:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 3-6
Ratio: 4:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 3-6
Ratio: 4:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Focus on introducing the fundamentals, safety, and a focus on fun!
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 5-12
Ratio: 6:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 8-12
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Swimmers are ready for Rookie Patrol if they 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.
Swimmers will continue stroke development with 50 m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving Sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and 15 m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims.
Age: 8-12
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Must have completed Rookie Patrol before registering for Ranger Patrol.
Swimmers will continue stroke development with 50 m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving Sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and 15 m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims.
Age: 8-12
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Swimming must complete Ranger Patrol before registering for Star Patrol.
Swimmers are challenged with 600 m workouts, 300 m timed swims and a 25 m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100 m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of 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.
Age: 8-12
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Pre-requisite not required for Bronze Star, however Swim Patrol is recommended.
Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport.
Age: 12-16
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 12-16
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Refining fundamental skills; Introduction of strokes, basic lifesaving, and endurance. Equivalent to Red Cross Swim Kids or LSS Swimmer Level 2 / 3.
Age: 12-16
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: Increase your comfort level and confidence in the water through floats, glides, kicking and swimming.
Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: This course focuses on developing the front and back crawl, establishing comfort in deep water, and increasing the swimming distance.
Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 45 minutes
Description: 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.
Age: 16+ years
Ratio: 8:1
Duration: 50 minutes
Description: 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.
Contact Us
Paul Reynolds Community Centre
35 Carrick Drive
St. John's, NL A1A 4N2
Phone: 709-576-8631
Email: recreation@stjohns.ca
H.G.R. Mews Community Centre
60 Blackler Ave
St. John's, NL A1E 3E7
Phone: 709-576-8499
Email: recreation@stjohns.ca
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