Parent & Tot programs require a caregiver 14 years of age or older to accompany each participant in the water every class. Taught exclusively in the Kids Pool basin where the depth ranges from 0.3 - 0.5 metres.

Parent and Tot registration

Parent & Tot 1: Age: 4-12 months

Parents and babies will explore the water together under the watchful eyes of their instructor. They will learn how to safely enter and exit the water, and work on getting ready to discover the water safely. Parents will learn how to safely support their child while they play.  

Parent & Tot 2: Age: 12-24 months

Instructors will lead sessions to help parents and children learn basic water safety skills in a welcoming environment. Parents are taught how to support their child with assisted entries and exits into water, and support them in learning to float and kick. They can celebrate together when the child can get their face wet and blow bubbles for the first time.  

Parent & Tot 3: Age: 2-3 years

Parents will work towards supporting their toddlers in becoming more independent in the water. Getting in, getting out, going under, and floating, parents and toddlers will be introduced to different iterations of these fundamental skills. 

Children 3-5 years old will have fun while gaining foundational water skills and become comfortable in the water. Water Smart® education is incorporated into all preschool levels to support children in learning how to keep themselves safe in and around the water.

Swim for Life preschool registration

Preschool 1 

Preschoolers will be assisted by their instructor when learning to enter and exit water safely, jump into chest deep water, and put their faces in the water to blow bubbles. Becoming comfortable with floats and glides and moving safely in shallow water while wearing lifejackets will help them gain confidence with their water skills.  

Preschool 2

Preschoolers will work on becoming more independent with their water skills. Some of these skills include jumping into chest deep water unassisted, submerging and exhaling underwater, and floating and gliding with various buoyant aids. They will be introduced to lateral rollovers and practice their flutter kick on their backs.  

Preschool 3

Preschoolers will kick and glide their way through the water on their fronts and backs. They will work on retrieving objects from the bottom in water that is waist deep, and work towards mastering their floats, rollovers, glides and kicks. In this level they work their way into deeper water for side entries and jumping in with their lifejackets on.  

Preschool 4 

Preschoolers will gain some independence in deep water. They will practice jumping into deeper water (including getting out by themselves), sideways entries, and opening their eyes underwater. These swimmers in training will work on completing 5m of front crawl in their lifejackets and work on their ability to tread water.  

Preschool 5

Preschoolers will work towards achieving important swimming milestones. They will work on being able to support themselves treading in deep water for 10 seconds and complete 5m swims with front crawl and back crawl. Wearing a lifejacket, they will practice forward roll entries into deep water, learn to whip kick in a vertical position, and be introduced to interval training.

Swimmer is a 6-level, success-oriented learn to swim program for children 5-14 years old. There is a prominent focus on in-water swimming practice as swimmers learn fundamental strokes and skills, mastering them as they progress through the program. Swimmers also learn how to be safe in, on, and around the water through Water Smart® education (incorporated into every level).

Swim for Life Swimmer 1-6 registration

Swimmer 1

Building the foundation of swimming skill development, beginner swimmers will gain confidence in the water as they learn safe entries into various depths of water; treading water in a lifejacket, opening their eyes underwater and breath control. Once they have learned their floats, rollovers, glides, and kicks from front to back, they will front crawl their way into the next level.  

Swimmer 2

Swimmers will gain comfort in deeper water by jumping in, learning their sideways entry and treading water without a lifejacket. Swimmers will be challenged by the introduction of various skills including flutter kick on their front, back, and side, vertical whip kick with an aid, and swimming front crawl and back crawl for 10m. Swimmers will get to work on their Swim to Survive skills and be introduced to interval training.  

Swimmer 3

Swimmers will make a splash with their kneeling dives and forward roll entries. Swimmers will be challenged with the introduction to more difficult (but fun) skills such as handstands in shallow water and in-front somersaults (in water). Increased time and distance components are incorporated for skills learned such as flutter kick on front and back, whip kick on back, front and back crawl, and interval training.  

Swimmer 4

Swimmers will move from a beginner to intermediate swimming level. Swimmers will complete standing dives, tread water for 1 minute, and work towards being able to swim underwater for 5m. Swimmers will achieve the Swim to Survive standard by being able to roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute and swim 50m. In addition to improving their front crawl, back crawl, and whip kick, swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke.  

Swimmer 5

Swimmers will be challenged with a whole new set of skills: shallow dives, tuck jumps (cannonball entries), eggbeater kick and backward somersaults (in water). Technique and endurance will also receive greater focus as swimmers will need to complete longer distance swims and interval training sessions for all their strokes.  

Swimmer 6

As the final level in the Swimmer program, swimmers will build up their advanced skillset. Swimmers will work towards mastering stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks. They will also refine their strokes to increase their swimming strength, power and endurance - critical for success in the 300m workout required to complete the level.

The Lifesaving Society’s 3-level Canadian Swim Patrol program is for swimmers who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim. The programs focus on developing strength and proficiency while introducing swimmers to the challenging world of lifesaving. Swimmers will have fun enhancing their capability in the water, increasing their physical conditioning and learning lifesaving judgement. Each level will continue to develop swimmers' strokes and provide a skill foundation that will prepare them for success in the Society's Bronze Medal Awards.

Each level of the Canadian Swim Patrol program has three modules: Water Proficiency, First Aid and Recognition and Rescue.

Develop one or more swimming strokes, working towards proficiency and increased endurance. Work with your Water Safety Instructor to choose strokes and set your goals.

Adult and teen swimming registration

Did you know the Lifesaving Society recently updated their certification programs for lifeguards and instructors? View our lifeguard and instructor development program page to learn more.

Leadership and Certification registration

Private lessons are customized swim lessons for all ages and abilities. These lessons are offered as single class, 30-minute lessons or as multiple-week sessions. An additional 1-2 registrants can be added to a private lesson with an additional fee for each participant.

Private lesson registration

Ocean Sports registration

Discover Snorkel: Learn to snorkel or improve your skills in the comfort and safety of the pool. Join one of our sessions with a certified PADI Pro to help you breathe and kick more efficiently, and get comfortable with your snorkel gear before snorkeling in the ocean. Snorkel gear is provided; registrants are welcome to bring your own gear if you have it.

Discover Scuba: Join one of our experienced Professional Association of Diving Instructors and get a taste of scuba in this 90-minute experience for all ages 8 and up. 

PADI Open Water Certification: Join Strathcona County for our PADI Learn to Dive Program (Confined Water Course) brought to you by our friends at Ocean Sports.

Certified Diver Refresher: Are you a CERTIFIED scuba diver and want to brush up on your skills, this refresher session is for you! You will work with a PADI instructor or divemaster in a small group and go through a 20-skill circuit to boost your confidence for your next dive adventure. Includes a PADI Pro signature in your logbook on completion.   

Once registered, we will contact you to complete the required paperwork. Please remember to bring your certification card and log book, as well as any snorkel gear and equipment you own. Gear rental (as needed) is included.   

Bubble Around: If you have not been diving for a few months and are looking to blow a few bubbles and get back into the swing of things, this option is perfect for you. We provide any gear you need - just bring your buddy and jump in to practice your skills and dive around.  This option is for CERTIFIED DIVERS and will NOT provide a signature in your log book, as you are not working directly with a PADI professional. 

This program is designed and targeted for swimmers who require complex physical, emotional, or cognitive adaptations. Instructors are knowledgeable about a variety of conditions and modifications that are possible for swimmers with special needs. Lessons offered on Saturday mornings are during a dedicated lower stimulus time.

Adapted aquatics registration

Adapted Sensory: In this one-on-one experience enjoy the freedom and mobility offered in the water and work on basic movement skills like floats and glides. This program offers one-on-one instruction for individuals with complex needs that require direct supervision and support. Participants should be recommended for this program by a member of the Aquatic Programming Team. Please contact us at swimming@strathcona.ca for additional information. 

Adapted Basics: In this 2-participant class, work with your instructor to increase your comfort and confidence in the water as you build on your introductory swimming skills. Skills include floating, gliding, kicking, and front swim. 

Adapted Strokes: In this 3-participant class, work with your instructor to improve endurance and increase swimming skills, distance, and efficiency. Participants should be recommended for this program by their previous swim instructor or be able to swim 25m with minimal assistance.

Tidal Waves Lifeguard Club is Strathcona County's premiere aquatic program, offering youth a comprehensive and exciting aquatic alternative. Fall registration only.