Kids & Youth Swimming Lessons at the UBC Aquatic Centre

For infants age 4-12 months. This level provides orientation to water for babies and their parent/caregiver. To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their head up. Goals of this level are to help babies experience buoyancy and movement through songs and play in the water and to teach the parent/caregiver age-specific water safety. This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

For toddlers age 12-24 months. This level provides orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver - age is the only condition for entering this level. Swimmers learn how to use floating objects for support and explore different water movements through games, songs and active water play. The parent/caregiver also learns age-specific water safety. This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

For toddlers age 24-36 months. This level provides orientation to water for toddlers and their parent/caregiver - age is the only condition for entering this level. Swimmers learn, through fun games and songs, how to combine skills, how to kick with a buoyant object and how to perform basic floats, glides and kicks. This level is participation-based only, without formal evaluation.

For children aged 3-5 years. This optional level is designed for students who are not quite ready for Sea Otter, but are too old for parented lessons. Students will spend time getting comfortable in the water and learning basic assisted floats, as well as blowing bubbles and intro to submersion. The smaller ratio of students to instructor (4:1) is ideal for those who haven’t spent any time around water, or those who have never taken any swimming lessons before. Students who have already taken Preschool 1, 2, or 3, or who are comfortable in the pool when with parents/caregivers, should go directly to Sea Otter.

For children aged 3-5 years. All skills are assisted by the Instructor. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to open their eyes under water, further develop basic floats and glides, and swim 1 metre. They also learn age-appropriate water safety skills. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Salamander once all criteria have been successfully completed.

For children aged 3-5 years. Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sea Otter. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 2 metres, further develop basic floats and increase their distance on front and back glide. Front swim and roll-over glide are also included, and swimmers learn appropriate water safety skills such as how to jump into chest-deep water and how to use a lifejacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Safety skills development includes water orientation, safe entries and exits and only swimming when an adult is present. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Sunfish once all criteria have been successfully completed. If it has been longer than 6 months since your last lesson, please come in for a free swim assessment to ensure your child is registered in the correct level.

For children aged 3-5 years. Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Salamander. Using games and activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres, increase their distance using buoyant objects, increase their front and back glide with kick, and develop their roll-over glide, side glide and front swim. Safety skills include deep-water skills and use of a lifejacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Safety skills development such as water orientation, safe entries and exits and always asking for permission before going near the water. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Crocodile once all criteria have been successfully completed. If it has been longer than 6 months since your last lesson, please come in for a free swim assessment to ensure your child is registered in the correct level.

For children aged 3-5 years. Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Sunfish. Through games and other fun activities, swimmers learn to swim 5 metres on their front and back, perform a dolphin kick and begin using rhythmic breathing. They also progress with kicking drills and increase their swimming distance to 10 metres. Safety skills include jumping into deep water and performing surface support for 10 seconds, recognizing when a swimmer needs help and using a lifejacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD) in deep water. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to Whale once all criteria have been successfully completed. If it has been longer than 6 months since your last lesson, please come in for a free swim assessment to ensure your child is registered in the correct level.

For children aged 3-5 years. Swimmers enter this level when they have successfully completed Crocodile. Through fun activities, swimmers perform a front and back swim for 10 metres. Swimmers work on developing their flutter kick and perform a distance swim of 15 metres. Safety skills include identifying safe swimming areas, jumping into deep water, swimming 5m, surface support for 20 seconds, a return to safety, throwing assists and sitting dives. Swimmers are evaluated based on performance criteria and complete the program once all criteria have been achieved. If it has been longer than 6 months since your last lesson, please come in for a free swim assessment to ensure your child is registered in the correct level. Children who have completed Whale and are 5 years or older should move to the Swim Kids program (Swim Kids 4).