Swimming programs

Swimming registration updates
Additional spring swimming lesson opportunities are coming soon, mark your calendar! Programs will be offered at both Kinsmen Leisure Centre and Emerald Hills Leisure Centre .
- May swimming programs (May 3-30) will be open for registration on Friday, April 23 at 7 a.m.
- Program information (date / time / location) will be viewable on Recreation Online beginning Wednesday, April 21.
- June swimming programs (May 31-Jun 27) will open for registration on Monday, May 17 at 7 a.m.
- Program information (date / time / location) will be viewable on Recreation Online beginning Monday, May 10.
Registered programs update
The Government of Alberta announced a return to Step 1 restrictions on April 6. Here is a listing of what programs are currently available:
- Virtual programs for all ages, including adult group fitness classes.
- Preschool, child and youth programs (sports, fitness, visual arts, performing arts, outdoor pursuits, swimming) including in-person indoor, outdoor and virtual.
- All swimming lessons are able to run as scheduled, including Parent and Tot – Learn to Swim lessons. Note: Registration starts for May swimming lessons on April 23 and for June swimming lessons on May 17.
If a class or program is cancelled, all registered participants will be notified. All affected participants will be automatically issued a pro-rated refund (where applicable) or a credit on their account.
All programs running meet the provincial guidelines in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Welcome to Strathcona County's swimming and water safety programs! Working with our partners at the Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society of Canada, all of our professional aquatic team members hold a complement of certifications to ensure you have the best experience every time you register.
The safety of our swimmers and staff is our top priority. All swimming programs have been created to meet all provincial guidelines in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Programs offered
Follow the links below to find the full class schedule and register. Learn more about setting up your Recreation Online account. Need assistance? Call 780-464-2112.
Private lessons
Single class, 30 minute lesson. Registration can be done on Recreation Online. Participants below Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4 require a caregiver to accompany them in the water. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times. Find private lessons schedule.
Multi-week private lessons
4-week session of 30 minute, private lessons. Registration can be done on Recreation Online. Participants below Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4 require a caregiver to accompany them in the water. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times. Find private lessons schedule.
Household lessons (up to 3 family members living in the same household)
4-week session of 30 minute lessons with up to 3 members of the same household. Register one individual using Recreation Online to book your time slot, then email swimming@strathcona.ca or call 780-464-8236 to add additional family members to your registration. Participants below Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4 require a caregiver to accompany them in the water. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times. Find household lessons schedule.
Star Fish / Duck
For students ages 4 months to 24 months accompanied by a responsible caregiver. This class will focus on comfort in the water, water safety skills for the caregiver, alongside lots of fun and games! Taught in the kids pool. Registration can be done on Recreation Online. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times. Find parented learn to swim schedule.
Sea Turtle / Sea Otter
For students 2 years to 5 years old, who have not yet completed Sea Otter. Each student must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver in the pool. This class is ideal for students who have low confidence in the water and are still working on their comfort in aquatic environments. Registration can be done on Recreation Online. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times. Find parented learn to swim schedule.
Program details
- Instructors will guide and support caregivers and students as they learn swimming strokes related to their current level and provide evaluations. Instructors will consistently maintain 3 meters (10 ft) distance from students and caregivers.
- Swimmers in Red Cross Swim Kids 4 and up do not require a caregiver to accompany the swimmer in the water. Instructors will teach from the pool deck and support students verbally.
- If an instructor needs to demonstrate a skill, all swimmers will be asked to exit the water to maintain a physical distance of 3 metres between the instructor and other students. Students will have a ‘set’ of equipment assigned to them for the duration of their lesson to ensure that no equipment is shared between participants.
- At this time, no spectators are allowed in the facility during lessons. Individuals under the age of 8 years old are permitted / required to have a caregiver with them on the pool deck for the duration of their lesson. All caregivers must wear a mask or face covering while in the facility and on the pool deck.
Know before you go
- Each guest entering the facility must check in with the front desk prior to entering the change room. You will be asked a series of screening questions and provided with a tag to indicate which locker you will use, this tag lets our staff know which lockers need to be sanitized following each use.
- Stay home if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Please arrive a maximum of 10 minutes before your scheduled class. Only one caregiver is permitted to accompany each swimmer into the building for their lessons.
- We recommend arriving with your bathing suit on underneath your clothes to decrease congestion in changing areas.
- We encourage any caregivers accompanying students aged 8 and up to drop off and pick up students rather than coming into the building for the duration of the lesson. Under the provincial guidelines in place, spectators are not permitted at this time however, students under 8 years old must have a caregiver with them on the pool deck for the duration of their lesson.
- Caregivers may accompany and assist children 8 years of age and older in the change room if needed, however they are not permitted (as per provincial guidelines in place) to remain on the deck or in the facility as a spectator during class at this time.
- Masks are required (for individuals 2 years of age and older) in all common areas including the lobby, hallways, change rooms, and on the pool deck. Program participants must wear a mask while on the pool deck and may only remove their mask in the water. Masks can be stored in a ziplock baggie or with a towel on the pool deck. Caregivers must wear a mask at all times whether on deck or in the water supporting the swimmer during their lesson.
- A full cleansing shower is required for ALL individuals that will be entering the water.
- Following your lesson please proceed to the change rooms and maintain proper physical distancing from others.
- Take a quick rinse, put your mask on, change and head home without delay (personal grooming strongly discouraged) so staff can begin sanitizing the area as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
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1. Can I accompany more than one swimmer in the water if their lessons are at different times?
Permanent link to Can I accompany more than one swimmer in the water if their lessons are at different times?A parent or responsible caregiver (14 years of age or older) must accompany any swimmer below Red Cross Swim Kids Level 4 in the water. If lessons run at different times, the same parent or caregiver may accompany more than one swimmer. Swimmers in Swim Kids Level 4 and higher, do not require a parent or caregiver to accompany them in the water.
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2. Can I accompany more than one swimmer in the water if they are in the SAME level / lesson?
Permanent link to Can I accompany more than one swimmer in the water if they are in the SAME level / lesson?Yes, one parent or caregiver can be in the water supervising two to three participants in the same class, at the same time, if swimmers are close in ability levels. For example, a single caregiver may accompany a household lesson where the students are working on Red Cross Swim Kids Levels 2, 3 and 5. However, if you have multiple children under Red Cross Swim Kids Level 3, who cannot touch the bottom of the pool, 2 caregivers may be more practical.
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3. What cleaning protocols are in place for equipment used?
Permanent link to What cleaning protocols are in place for equipment used?- Students will have a ‘set’ of equipment assigned to them for the duration of their lesson to ensure that no equipment is shared between participants.
- Any porous or equipment that is difficult to sanitize has been removed.
- Any equipment that was used will be sanitized thoroughly before it is used by another participant.
- Students will have a ‘set’ of equipment assigned to them for the duration of their lesson to ensure that no equipment is shared between participants.
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4. What first aid safety measures are in place?
Permanent link to What first aid safety measures are in place?- Instructors will be equipped with a rescue tube to use in case of an emergency that will allow them to maintain a 2 meter (6ft) distance while assisting the swimmer in need.
- Should a first aid emergency arise, all instructors and lifeguards are equipped with pocket masks and non-surgical masks for themselves and the individual they are assisting to ensure effective treatment can be provided while maintaining staff and guest safety.
- Instructors will be equipped with a rescue tube to use in case of an emergency that will allow them to maintain a 2 meter (6ft) distance while assisting the swimmer in need.
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5. What happens if someone is displaying COVID-19 symptoms?
Permanent link to What happens if someone is displaying COVID-19 symptoms?- All staff and program participants must stay home if they are sick or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. If a participant or staff member displays any symptoms related to COVID 19 without a known cause (an example of a known cause includes something like ingesting pool water) they will be asked to don a face covering and immediately quarantined until they depart the building through an alternate (non-public) exit. All areas this guest or staff member may have contacted will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected prior to allowing any other staff or guests to enter that space. Any necessary follow up or potential contact tracing would be undertaken by Alberta Health Services.
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6. What is being done to reduce the number of people at the pool?
Permanent link to What is being done to reduce the number of people at the pool?At this time we are only running private, household and very low ratio parent and tot classes with no spectators permitted.
To reduce the number of people on deck at any given time, less classes have been scheduled for each time slot. Only one caregiver is permitted to accompany each swimmer into the building for their lessons. We encourage any caregivers accompanying students aged 8 and up to drop off and pick up students rather than coming into the building for the duration of the lesson as spectators are not permitted at this time. Students under 8 are permitted to / must have a caregiver with them on deck or in the water (if in a level lower than Red Cross Swim Kids 4) at all times.
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7. Why are there no leadership classes offered right now?
Permanent link to Why are there no leadership classes offered right now?The Aquatic Programming team is exploring how to safely offer leadership classes in accordance with the current provincial restrictions in place. Any changes will be posted on this page and on Recreation Online.
Questions?
780-464-2112
swimming@strathcona.ca
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