Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life® Program
This is a progressive program. Participants must complete a level before advancing.
Swim lessons are now offered through the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life® learn-to-swim program. Swim for Life® is a complete learn-to-swim program offering courses for Parent & Tot through to Leadership.
This means our program names and levels have changed. If you are interested in registering a child for swimming lessons please ensure you review the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life® program transition chart below. The chart will help determine which level a child should be registered in. It outlines the former Red Cross program names and the new corresponding Swim for Life® programs. Program transition charts can also be picked up at any community recreation centre listed in the Contact Information below.
Swim for Life® Program Transition Chart
View Available Programs and Register
| Swim for Life® Swimming Lessons Descriptions |
| Parent & Tot 1 and 2 – 6 Months to 36 Months |
| Parent & Tot 1 |
| Designed for the 6 to 12-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with a parent/guardian. |
| Parent & Tot 2 |
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Designed for the 12 to 36-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with a parent/guardian.
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| Preschool 1-5 - 3 to 5 Years |
| Preschool 1 |
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Preschoolers have fun learning to get in and out of the water. They will be encouraged and assisted with jumping into chest-deep water; learn how to float and glide on their front and back; and will learn to get their faces wet and blow bubbles underwater.
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| Preschool 2 |
| Preschoolers learn to jump into chest-deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They'll submerge and exhale underwater. They will glide on their front and back while wearing a lifejacket. |
| Preschool 3 |
| These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They'll recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They'll work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back. |
| Preschool 4 |
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Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They'll do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They'll master a short swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.
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| Preschool 5 |
| These youngsters get more adventuresome with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 sec. They'll work on front and back crawl swims for 5 m, interval training and get a giggle out of whip kick. |
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Swimmer 1-6 - 6 to 12 Years
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| Swimmer 1 |
| These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They'll learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They'll 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'll be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 metres on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 metres). |
| Swimmer 3 |
| These junior swimmers will dive and do in-water front somersaults and handstands. They'll work on 15 metres of front crawl, back crawl and 10 metres of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 metres. |
| Swimmer 4 |
| These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 metres 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'll cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 metres and 4 x 25 metre front or back crawl interval training. |
| Swimmer 5 |
| These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They'll refine their front and back crawl over 50 metre swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 metres. Then they'll pick up the pace in 25 metre sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 metre front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 metre 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 and scissor. They'll develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 metres. They'll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they'll complain about the 300 metre workout. |
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| Adapted Swim - 3 to 17 Years |
| Swim for Life® for swimmers with differing abilities continues the progressions used in the Lifesaving Swim Preschool and Swimmer programs. Each skill is broken down into small manageable steps to create a positive learning environment and make the success of each swimmer more achievable. These steps have been created to help swimmers learn at their own pace using repetition and integration of new skills, which help swimmers move along the skill progression more effectively. |
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Private Lessons - 3 Years+
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| Located in the lap or leisure pool, this is a 1:1 ratio swimming lesson that focuses on individual personal/physical needs and allows instructors to correct students individually by breaking down skills and techniques outside of a group environment. This lesson can accommodate levels: Preschool 1-5, Swimmer 1-6 & Adult 1-3. |
| Teen Lessons - 13 to 17 Years |
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Swimmer 1 & Swimmer 2
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| Learn to swim and improve your swimming strokes. This program allows you to swim with youth who share the same goals. Advance through the Swim for Life® program at a comfortable and safe pace. Duration may change depending on the number of participants. |
| Swimmer 3 & Swimmer 4 |
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Learn to swim and improve your swimming strokes. This program allows you to swim with youth who share the same goals. Advance through the Swim for Life® program at a comfortable and safe pace. Duration may change depending on the number of participants.
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| Swimmer 5 & Swimmer 6 |
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Learn to swim and improve your swimming strokes. This program allows you to swim with youth who share the same goals. Advance through the Swim for Life® program at a comfortable and safe pace. Duration may change depending on the number of participants.
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Adult Lessons 18 Years+
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| Adult 1 |
| You’ll work towards a 10-15 metre swim on your front and back. You’ll do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improve your fitness and your flutter kick with 4 x 9-12 metre interval training. |
| Adult 2 |
| Kick it up a notch working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 metre kicking and front or back crawl. You’ll be able to perform dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 metres. You’ll be supporting yourself at the surface for 1-2 minutes, and showing off your handstands in shallow water. |
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| Moving from Preschool to Swimmer Levels |
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My child turned 6, what level should I register them in?
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If they took Swim for Life® Preschool:
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And the level was marked:
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Then enrol them in Swim for Life® Swimmer:
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Parent & Tot 1
Parent & Tot 2
Preschool 1
Preschool 2
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Complete or Incomplete
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Swimmer 1
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Preschool 3
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Incomplete
Complete
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Swimmer 1
Swimmer 2
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Preschool 4
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Incomplete
Complete
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Swimmer 2
Swimmer 3
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Preschool 5
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Incomplete
Complete
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Swimmer 3
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| Frequently Asked Questions About Swim Lessons |
| What should I bring to my swimming lesson? |
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Swimsuit, towel and goggles if needed or preferred. If you have a progress card from a prior swim lesson, please bring it with you (not required for Winter 2023 session during transition to Swim for Life® program). This allows the instructor to have a better idea of the skills that need to be worked on.
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| Is there a parents' day? |
| Yes. Please join us during the 5th lesson. Watch your children from the pool viewing gallery, and speak with your instructor at the end of lessons, to receive an update on your child’s progress. If you visit, please remember to remove your shoes before walking through the showers and onto the pool deck. |
| What level is my child in? |
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This is a progressive program. Participants must complete a level before advancing.
If you are unsure what level your child is in, screening is available during public swim times when it is not busy. Screening is free. If you stay to swim, the public swim fee applies. Please speak to the Head Guard on duty about screening for class levels. Admission Standards apply and may require a parent or guardian to enter the water with a child being screened, based on age and/or ability of the child.
Summer Lessons - We recommend two weeks to complete a level. Weeks do not have to be consecutive.
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| What happens if I register my child into the wrong level? |
| If your child is registered into an incorrect level they will be assessed and they will be moved to the correct level (if space is available). Please note, the day and time of the class may change. If space is not available in the correct level or a new day/time cannot be accommodated, the participant will be removed from the program and a pro-rated refund will be provided. |
| What are the guidelines for accessing the pool deck during swim lessons? |
| Children and adults are not permitted to wait on the pool deck. For those waiting for a swim program to begin, please stay in the change room until 3 minutes prior to the start time. Please stay with your child until they are with their instructor. Children are not permitted to wait on deck unaccompanied by an adult. Experience has proven that children perform at their best without additional on-deck distractions. |
| What should I expect from swimming lessons? |
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Developing swimming skills requires a lot of patience and positive feedback. In order to be successful, we encourage you to talk to your child about their lessons. Make sure that you have realistic expectations and your child feels no pressure to complete a level. You both should acknowledge the importance of completing the skills taught during each lesson at a pace that is suitable for your child – swimming lessons are a long term progression.
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| What if I have questions or concerns about lessons? |
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A pool deck supervisor is on duty at all times during our swimming lessons. The supervisors are available to answer any lesson-related questions and assist you with any of your concerns. Should you have a concern, do not hesitate to speak with the pool deck supervisor immediately – we encourage you not to wait until the last class.
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| Can I request a specific instructor? |
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No. Due to the large volume of swimming participants, we are unable to accommodate instructor requests.
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| Are there make-up classes for missed lessons? |
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Due to the large volume of swimming participants, we are unable to reschedule missed lessons. If you miss the last lesson, you may pick up your progress card at the facility where the lessons took place.
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| Contact Information |
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Questions? Email activeajax@ajax.ca, call 905-619-2529, ext. 7506 or call one of our community recreation centres:
- Ajax Community Centre (75 Centennial Rd.) 905-427-8811
- McLean Community Centre (95 Magill Dr.) 905-428-7711
- Audley Recreation Centre (1955 Audley Rd. N.) 905-427-2468
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Are you looking to complete the final steps toward becoming a certified lifeguard?
In addition to certification, aquatic leadership programs teach teamwork, self-confidence, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Find Out More
Space is limited! Don’t miss out!
| Leadership Information Packages |
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Thinking about a future part time career in aquatics? Get prepared now! Read through the leadership packages below to see if it’s right for you. The opportunity to work in aquatics, while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills will set youth on a path to success.
| Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross |
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The Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross programs are the first step to becoming a lifeguard. This information package has useful information to prepare you for exactly what to expect when enrolled in these courses.
Find out more
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| First Aid |
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Knowing how to assist others in a medical emergency is a life skill that everyone should have. Through the Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid programs you’ll learn many skills that can be used in your day to day life in the event of an emergency. This information package has useful information to prepare you for exactly what to expect when enrolled in this course.
Find out more
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| National Lifeguard |
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Have you ever thought about becoming a lifeguard? The National Lifeguard program will get you there! The program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and communication in the prevention of accidents and in first aid treatment of medical emergencies. This information package has useful information to prepare you for exactly what to expect when enrolled in this course.
Find out more
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| How to Prepare for a Wet/Dry Aquatic Interview |
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Applications are submitted online to open job postings on our Careers page. Applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted with information regarding the interview process.
We look forward to meeting you!
| Wet Interview |
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The Wet Interview is the first step in our hiring process. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate a wide variety of skills from applicable aquatic leadership courses (ex. National Lifeguard and Red Cross Water Safety Instructor).
The Wet Interview can evaluate: emergency situations, resuscitation skills, spinal management, instructional skills and a water safety skill or activity. You will also be required to do the National Lifeguard time swim which is 16 lengths in 10 minutes as well as the National Lifeguard under water swim which is 15m.
Applicants must be prepared to perform any or all of the items listed above as well as additional skills. Candidates who cannot perform these skills will not proceed to the next steps in recruitment.
 
| The Interview |
- Interviews typically last 3-4 hours.
- You will be asked to come prepared with your swimsuit, whistle, and current qualifications.
- The interview is an opportunity for you to showcase your knowledge, judgement and response to emergency situations.
- The interview will take place in small groups and stations.
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| Tips to Help Prepare For Your Wet Interview |
- Ensure you check your email regularly for communication about your interview.
- Confirmation of attendance prior to the stated deadline is required in order to participate.
- Practice your physical skills regularly for optimal performance.
- Review aquatic leadership course information.
- Arrive on time (or early) so that you have time to check in and prepare yourself before the interview begins.
- Be confident in the skills you have learned and developed throughout your aquatic leadership courses.
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| Dry Interview |
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When you successfully pass your wet interview you will be invited to a dry interview.
The dry interview gives you the opportunity to share your strengths and accomplishments with us.
We already know that you have your aquatic qualifications so be prepared to tell us how you are involved in your school and your community and we look forward to hearing about the extra circular activities you are in involved in.
| Tips to Help Prepare For Your Dry Interview |
- Prepare for Interview Questions
- Review the job posting. Many of the questions asked will be directly related to the skills, knowledge & experiences required in the job posting.
- Prepare some examples of times you employed these skills successfully, which led to a positive outcome.
- Prepare for a variety of questions and answers.
- Make Yourself Comfortable During the Interview - For some of you this might be your first interview and it is normal to be nervous. Take a deep breath and try to relax once you enter the room and get seated. Most interviews are about 20 minutes in length.
- Be Yourself - We want to capture everything you say so please know that some of us will be writing while you are speaking. We are still listening so please tell us all about yourself. Share job experiences, school achievements, clubs or sports and what you are involved with outside of school.
- When answering questions, it is critical to give as much relevant detail as possible. This is your best chance to highlight your skills, knowledge and contributions, so be sure to take advantage of it.
- Take your time, consider the question & gather your thoughts before answering.
- Do not hesitate to ask for clarification. The goal of the interview is to learn as much about you as possible. If you don’t understand the question, or would like to hear it again, just ask.
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