Swim Lessons and Programming

Absolutely! Our capacity restrictions have been lifted, so any family/friends are permitted to watch lessons from the pool deck viewing area.

No, parents/guardians are not required to be in the water with their child (except for the Parent and Tot swimming level).

What will swim lessons look like?

We are excited to be back to almost-normal lessons. The only current Covid-related precaution that remains is that lessons will continue to be low ratio (i.e., smaller class sizes).

Masks are optional - please be kind to those who choose to wear a mask.

Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and answers to your questions.
Because activities and progressions are based on child development, you register in the level appropriate for your child's age: 4-12 months, 12-24 months, or two to three-years old.

Parent and Tot 1

Designed for the 4 to 12-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent.

Parent and Tot 2

Designed for the 12 to 24-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent.

Parent and Tot 3

Designed for the 2 to 3-year-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent.

Give your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool Program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In our basic aquatic progressions, we work to ensure three to five-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.

 Preschool A

We encourage the parent to participate until their child lets them know they can do it themselves (thank you very much). These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We will help them jump into chest deep water. They will float and glide on their front and back and learn to get their faces wet and blow bubbles underwater. 

Preschool B

These preschoolers learn to jump into chest-deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They will submerge and exhale underwater. Wearing a lifejacket they will glide on their front and back. 

Preschool C

These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They will recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They will work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back. 

Preschool D

Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They will do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They will master a short swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.

Preschool E

These youngsters get more adventuresome with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 sec. They will work on front and back crawl swims for 5 m, interval training and get a giggle out of whip kick. 

The Lifesaving Society's 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children five years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Swimmer levels.

Swimmer 1

These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They will learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They will work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back.

Swimmer 2

These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They will be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 m). 

Swimmer 3

These junior swimmers will dive and do in-water front somersaults and handstands. They will 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. 

Swimmer 4

These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They will cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training. 

Swimmer 5

These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They will refine their front and back crawl over 50 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 m. Then they will pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 m breaststroke.

Swimmer 6

These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater or scissor kick. They will develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m. They will easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they will be proud to complete the 300m workout. 

The Lifesaving Society’s 3-level Canadian Swim Patrol program (swimmer 7, 8, 9) provides enriched training for those who want to develop swim strokes and skills. Swim Patrol develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on Water Smart® behaviour. Skill drills enhance capability in the water, good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment. 

Swimmer 7 (Rookie Patrol)

Swimmers 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. 

Swimmer 8 (Ranger Patrol)

Swimmers develop better strokes over 75m swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation. 

Swimmer 9 (Star Patrol)

Swimmers are challenged with 600m workouts, 300m timed swims and a 25m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defence methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water. 

If you are between 12-18 years of age and looking to take swimming lessons, the teen program is for you! Whether you have difficulty putting your face in water, swimming in deep water, or are simply looking for stroke correction, our Teen Swim Lessons will give you the confidence to enjoy being in and around the water.

Teen Lessons

Whether you’re just starting out or just want help with your strokes, our Adult Program is for the young at heart – no matter what your age. Set your own goals. Work with certified instructors to learn to swim, or improve your current swimming ability and water fitness.  You won’t be going to the Olympics, but you’ll develop water confidence and smooth recognizable strokes good enough for lane swimming and fit enough for the beach. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Adult levels.

Adult Lessons

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.

Participation: 8 years and older Prerequisite: None (Swim Patrol experience recommended) 

Bronze Star

Challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.

Prerequisite: Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (need not be current). 

Bronze Medallion

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid certification (need not be current). 

Bronze Cross

 Swim Synchro!

This creative, routine-based synchro orientation program is designed to develop basic synchro skills while increasing existing swimming skills. The program is designed so that there is success at every level! Recreational synchronized swimming teaches skill development, provides an opportunity for interpersonal relations in both individual and group components, physically and creatively challenges both participant and instructor and, in its simplest form, provides a FUN and exciting aquatic activity!

Swim Synchro

The Woodstock Lifesaving Club (WLC) aims to teach fair play, team-building, and ethics in sport while helping swimmers develop their skills in the pool and working towards achieving their personal best. Success with the WLC can be gained with a positive attitude and putting forth a best effort each week. We will be learning and practicing together as a team, so respect for ourselves and each other is a very important component in our progress. Please arrive to practice on time, ready to give your best effort so that the team can achieve their goals together.

WLC

Lion's Pool Summer Swim Team

Please note: the Summer Swim Team will be operating out of Southside Aquatic Centre this summer since Lions Pool will be closed for the 2023 season.

The Woodstock Summer Swim team is a great way to build your swimming skills and have fun while being part of one of Southwestern Ontario’s biggest summer swim teams. Get ready to do stroke drills and correction, as well as practice and learn flip turns and starting dives.

This year the Woodstock Summer Swim team will be operating in the same format as last year. Swimmers will register for individual 40 minute sessions and can also register for multiple sessions per week. In order to join the team, we ask that you to be able to comfortably swim 30m.

Staff is currently transferring programs from Lions Pool to Southside Aquatic Centre, the registration link will be posted shortly. 

Floating Yoga

Prepare your body for the day by gently stretching and warming up the muscles. This class is for all levels and will focus on simple flowing sequences and slow-paced movements as you increase balance, strength, and flexibility. Participants should bring a water, bathing suit and towel. The class will be taking place on floating mats on the water.

Floating Yoga

Adult Swim Fitness

Looking for some fitness motivation? This program is led by a swim coach who will help guide you through a swim workout each week. The coach will also work on your strokes and endurance, provide feedback and tips, and provide practices to do on your own throughout the week. Note: Must be able to swim at least 100m.

Adult Swim Fitness

Baby and Me Aqua Fitness

Babies help you work out while they get their first orientation to the water. Strong focus on tightening abdominals after childbirth. You and your child will participate in a music and movement filled class. This class is geared to improving the parent’s fitness level and the child’s comfort ability in the water. Bond with your baby and get fit with the benefits of the water. Your child must be able to sit independently. Note: First 15 minutes is unstructured play time during Parent and Child Swim. The last 30 minutes is an instructor led workout.

Baby and Me Aqua Fitness