Swimming Lessons

Swimmer with Red Cross Logo

CANADIAN RED CROSS SWIMMING LESSONS Descriptions & General Information
Level	Age	Ratio of Participants to instructor	Length of Class	Brief Overview / Pre-Requisites	Click to Register
Private Swim Lessons	All Ages	1:1*	25 Minutes	You choose if the lesson is private or semi-private. Bring a second participant for no additional cost as long as they are within 2 levels for safety reasons.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Starfish (Parent & Tot)	4-12 Months & able to hold their head up	10 Tots : 1 Instructor *Note: Maximum 1 Adult accompanies each Tot in the water at all times	30 Minutes Instruction 20-30 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	To register in RecConnect click here.
Duck (Parent & Tot)	12-24 Months			Parents and their little 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	To register in RecConnect click here.
Sea Turtle (Parent & Tot)	24-36 Months			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.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Preschool Sea Otter	3-5 Years	4 : 1	45 Minutes	Focus on front and back floats, glides, kicking on front with a buoyant object, distance swim of 1 metre.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Preschool Salamander	3-5 Years			Focus on floats and glides through games, and songs. Little one can you jump in the water and open your eyes?	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Preschool Sunfish	3-5 Years			Focus on rolling from front to back, move to deeper water, more independence, and use new equipment like PFD’s! Can you pick up a toy off the pool bottom?	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Preschool Crocodile	3-5 Years			Focus on 5 metres front and back swim, kicking drills and increasing endurance, jump into deep-water and perform surface support for 10 seconds, recognizing when a swimmer needs help.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Preschool Whale	3-5 Years			Getting ready to swim with the big kids! Focus on distance swims, safety and improving skills.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 1	5-12 Years	6:1	45 Minutes	Beginners focus on orientation, floats, glides, basic kicks, submerging face and head, 5 metre swim.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 2	5-12 Years			Breathing techniques, recovery from floats, roll-over glides, distance swims & safety topics.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 3	5-12 Years			Introduction to front crawl, wise choices around water, diving, endurance challenges (15 metre swim)	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 4	5-12 Years			Introduction to back crawl drills, kneeling dives, surface support, self safety.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 5	5-12 Years	8:1		Focus on back crawl, sculling and whip kick on back. Stride dives, safe boating, dolphin kick	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 6	5-12 Years			Front and Back Crawl refined, Elementary back stroke, ice safety, throwing assists, tread water, dive.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 7	5-12 Years			Focus on endurance, introduce whip kick on front. Airway obstructions and first aid situations.	Tto register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 8	5-12 Years			Breaststroke, surface dives, danger of open water and hypothermia first aid.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 9	5-12 Years			Refine all strokes, endurance and focus on overall swimming strength and knowledge. 500 metre endurance swims.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Swim Kids 10	5-12 Years			Refine all strokes, endurance and focus on overall swimming strength and knowledge. 500 metre endurance swims.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Teen Basics	12-15 Years	8:1	45 Minutes	Introduces fundamental skills for shallow and deep water swimming; Equivalent to Swim Kids Level 1 through 4.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Teen Strokes	12-15 Years		45 Minutes	Designed to improve participant’s strokes; or increase their proficiency and endurance. Equivalent to Swim Kids Level 5 and up.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Adult Basics 1	16+		50 Minutes	Increase your comfort level and confidence in the water through floats, glides, kicking and swimming.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Adult Basics 2	16+			This course focuses on developing the front and back crawl, establishing comfort in deep water, and increasing the swimming distance.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Adult Strokes	16+			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.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Masters Swim	16+			Modules include Triathlon sport, Lifesaving Sport, and Swim Workout. Create an individualized program focusing on endurance and technical skills in a masters level environment. Participants should be able to swim 400m front crawl with short breaks as needed.	To register in RecConnect click here.
Red Cross Swim - Adapted	Open	Registrant dependant.		Learn-to-swim for swimmers with disabilities provides physiological benefits for people with disabilities. A well-designed adaptive aquatics program provides positive physical, motor, social, and emotional benefits for swimmers with diverse abilities. Aquatic experiences provide a variety of opportunities for individuals with disabilities to improve their well-being throughout their lives. While the City of St. John’s encourages swimmers of all abilities to register in our Red Cross Swim program, this specific opportunity allows participants who may require more individualized attention the occasion to participate.	To register in RecConnect click here. Please complete the Red CrossAdapted Form to register.

Aquatics Policy Notes

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. 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.
Please note Parents of children who are 5 years of age may register for either Pre-school or school aged lessons depending on the participant’s skill level and parents scheduling preferences. Please speak to an Aquatics staff member if you have any questions about the appropriate class for your child.
Low ratio: Preschool (maximum of 2 participants), Swim Kids (maximum of 3 participants). We require a minimum registration of two students before classes can proceed.
We are unable to accommodate makeup lessons.
For Private Swim lessons: You choose if the lesson is Semi-Private – maximum of 2 participants per lesson. Please note that participants must be within 2 lesson levels of each other.
For lessons missed due to circumstances beyond our control (Weather, Pool fouling, etc), the following policy will apply:
- If 1 lesson is missed 2 free swim passes will be given to participants at the end of the set.
- If 2 lessons are missed 4 free swim passes will be given to participants at the end of the set.
- If 3 or more lessons are missed a Department of Recreation credit will be placed on the account for all missed lessons. Free swim passes will not be issued.
Private lessons will always be credited for any number of lessons that may be missed due to circumstances beyond our control.