GENERAL SWIM LESSON INFORMATION Before you start swim lessons Become familiar with our facility by attending a public or family swim. Pool schedules are available at waterloo.ca/swim
How are we doing? Your feedback is welcome at any time. Comment sheets are available at the front desk. If you have a comment about current lessons please let us know.
Lockers and jewelry Lockers are provided for use with your own lock. Please do not wear any jewelry while swimming. Remember to lock your locker. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Missed lessons If you miss a scheduled lesson, we are unfortunately unable to make it up. You do not need to call us.
Shower before you swim All swimmers must shower with soap and water before entering the pool. Footwear (shoes or boots) is not allowed near the showers or pool area. We offer two choices: remove your footwear and go barefoot or purchase reusable shoe covers (available at the reception desk for 75¢). Lesson start time Swimmers should go to the pool deck at the lesson start time (not earlier). Parents can escort their child to the lesson on the first day to meet the instructor. Look for signs on the pool deck with the name of your child’s swim level (ex. Waterloo Splash 2) and wait for the instructor. Observation gallery Spectators are welcome to watch swimmers from our second floor observation gallery (seats over 300). Class transfers and new registrants You may switch classes prior to the start of the third lesson if space is available. We will accept new registrants, if space is available, up to the beginning of the fifth lesson. Swim level evaluations Free swim level evaluations are available if you have been out of lessons for more than a year. Call the Swimplex for details. Emergency closings If lessons are cancelled unexpectedly, announcements will be made on local radio stations. We are unable to make up lessons cancelled due to emergency closures. Instructor requests We review all requests for specific instructors or specific gender of instructor; however, we are unable to guarantee that any specific request will be granted. Feedback day On the fifth lesson, one parent is encouraged to meet the instructor on deck during the last 10 minutes of the class to receive a verbal progress report. If you have concerns about your child’s lessons, speak with the aquatic supervisor. An evaluation form can be found at waterloo.ca/evaluations
Appropriate levels Your child’s instructor may recommend a change in level if they feel your child is registered in an inappropriate level. Swimplex staff reserve the right to move a child if circumstances dictate. Program and lesson cancellations If enrollment is low, the City of Waterloo reserves the right to cancel swim classes up to three days prior to program start dates. Progress memo At the last lesson, a written progress memo is provided and the instructor will determine the next recommended swim level. Badges may be purchased at reception for all Waterloo Splash and Preschool levels. Photography/video policy Patrons wishing to photograph and/or videotape registered or supervised programs must receive permission from staff before filming. This will be permitted on the last day of lessons only. The use of all cell phones and PDAs for this purpose is prohibited in City of Waterloo recreation facility changerooms, washrooms, pool decks and gallery. Inclusion services If your child (in a group lesson program) requires one-on-one support, please contact the inclusion coordinator at least three weeks prior to the lesson start date at 519-741-2200 ext. 7228. Volunteers are subject to availability. Swimming diapers Children who are not fully toilet trained must wear water-tight elastic pants or specially designed disposable swimming diapers (available at the Swimplex reception desk for $2.00). Illness/pool fouling Do not send a child to lessons if they are not feeling well or are not fully toilet trained. Pool fouling affects all lessons in the pool. In the event of pool fouling, lessons are conducted on the pool deck unless otherwise announced. Refunds/credits are not given for pool fouling. PIN numbers If you have lost/misplaced your family PIN number and/ or your client numbers, please contact us prior to the registration start date in order to ensure prompt service.
GENERAL SWIM LESSON INFORMATION Swim for Life aquatic registration
Before you make your swim class selection, please review our registration guidelines below:
Previously in Red Cross Swim
Previously in YMCA
Previously in Kitchener Learn to Swim
Previously in Lifesaving Society Swim for Life
If your child...
Register in City of Waterloo:
Is 3 to 12 months old and ready to enjoy the water with a parent:
Parent & Tot 1
Starfish
Splashers
Waterbabies
Parent & Tot 1
Is 12 to 24 months old and ready to enjoy the water with a parent:
Parent & Tot 2
Duck
Bubblers
Adult & Tot
Parent & Tot 2
Is 2 to 5 years old and ready to enjoy the water with a parent:
Parent & Tot 3
Turtle
Bobbers
Adult & Tot
Parent & Tot 3
Is 2 to 3 years old and not quite ready to attend lessons on their own:
Tykes 1
Tykes 1
Is a minimum of 2 years and 3 months old, has completed Tykes 1 and can attend lessons on their own:
Squirts
Squirts
Is 4 to 6 years old and not quite ready to attend lessons on their own:
Tykes 2
Tykes 2
Preschool A If 5 years + Waterloo Splash 1
Sea Turtle
Bobbers
Tots/B
Preschool 1
Salamander
Floaters
Tots/C
Preschool 2
Sunfish
Divers
Supertots/D
Preschool 3
Crocodile
Surfers
Supertots/E
Preschool 4
Is 3 to 5 years and just starting out on their own:
Can get in and out alone; jump into chest-deep water assisted; float and glide in a PFD on front and back; blow bubbles and get face wet:
Preschool B
If 5 years + Waterloo Splash 1 Can get in and out alone; jump into chest-deep water; submerge and exhale underwater; and float on front and back assisted for 3 - 5 sec:
Preschool C
If 5 years + Waterloo Splash 1 Can jump into deep water wearing a PFD; recover objects from the bottom; hold breath underwater; float and glide on front and back:
Preschool D
If 5 years + Waterloo Splash 2
For detailed standards of performance, consult the admissions desk.
waterloo.ca/swim
GENERAL SWIM LESSON INFORMATION Winter 2015 swim session
Session dates vary based on which day you register for. 9 week, 8 week and five day March Break mini sessions are available. See lesson descriptions for dates and times. Previously in Kitchener Learn to Swim
Previously in Lifesaving Society Swim for Life
Previously in Red Cross Swim
Previously in YMCA
Whale
Dippers
Preschool 5
Waterloo Splash 1
Swim Kids 1
Otter
Swimmer 1
Can jump into water with and without a PFD; open eyes, hold breath, and exhale underwater; float, kick and glide on front and back:
Waterloo Splash 2
Incomplete Swim Kids 2
Seal
Incomplete Swimmer 2
Can roll sideways into water wearing a PFD; support self at the surface for 15 - 30 sec.; recover objects from chest-deep water; and swim 5 - 10m on front and back:
Waterloo Splash 3
Completed Swim Kids 2
Seal
E+
Completed Swimmer 2
Can jump into deep water and roll sideways; support self at the surface for 30 - 45 sec.; do whip kick in vertical position; and swim 10 - 15m on front and back:
Waterloo Splash 4
Incomplete Swim Kids 3
Dolphin
F
Incomplete Swimmer 3
Can forward roll into deep water; support self at surface for 45 - 60 sec.; do handstands; flutter kick and pendulum rolls; interval training 2 x 25m:
Waterloo Splash 5
Completed Swim Kids 3
Swimmer
G
Completed Swimmer 3
Can complete the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: roll – tread (1 min.) – swim (50m); kneeling dives and front somersaults; 10-15m whip kick on back; interval training 4 x 25m:
Waterloo Splash 6
Swim Kids 4 Swim Kids 5
Star 1
H
Swimmer 4
Can dive; swim underwater; tread water for 2 min.; whip kick on front; breaststroke arms with breathing; and Waterloo Splash 7 swim 25 - 50m front and back crawl:
Swim Kids 6
Star 2
I/J
Swimmer 5
If your child...
Register in City of Waterloo:
Can do solo jumps into deep water and get out without assistance; swim front crawl 3-5m and flutter kick on Preschool E front, back and side: If 5 years + Waterloo Splash 3 Is 5 to 12 years and just starting out:
For detailed standards of performance, consult the admissions desk.
waterloo.ca/swim
GENERAL SWIM LESSON INFORMATION Winter 2015 swim session
Please see chart below for important winter session dates including start, feedback and end dates. Previously in Kitchener Learn to Swim
Previously in Lifesaving Society Swim for Life
If your child...
Register in City of Waterloo:
Previously in Red Cross Swim
Can do shallow dives and cannonballs; stationary eggbeater kick; swim 50m front and back crawl; breaststroke for 15 - 25m; sprint 25m; interval training 4 x 50m:
Waterloo Splash 8
Swim Kids 7
Star 3
Swimmer 6
Is a minimum of 8 years old and can do stride entries and compact jumps; eggbeater and scissor kick; sprint 25m breaststroke; and work out 300m:
Rookie Patrol
Swim Kids 8
Star 4
Rookie Patrol
Is a minimum of 8 years old and has Ranger Patrol successfully completed Rookie Patrol:
Swim Kids 9
Star 5
Ranger Patrol
Is a minimum of 8 years old and has Star Patrol successfully completed Ranger Patrol:
Swim Kids 10
Star 6
Star Patrol
Master Swimmer
Bronze Star
Is a minimum of 11 years old and has successfully completed Star Patrol:
Bronze Star
Previously in YMCA
Notes from the pool deck Swim lesson feedback
We want to hear from you! Evaluations are available at waterloo.ca/evaluations
Spring 2015 aquatics
You can now register in person or online for our 11 week spring session (beginning March 30, 2015) as of February 10, 2015. Spring Program & Activities Guides will be available on February 25, 2015.
IMPORTANT: SWIM LESSON WINTER SESSION DATES
GET ACTIVE TODAY
Start date
Feedback
End date
MON
Jan 12
Feb 9
Mar 9
TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN TUES
Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 10 Jan 11
Feb 10 Feb 11 Feb 12 Feb 13 Feb 7 Feb 8
Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 7 Mar 8
Feb 3
Mar 3
Mar 24
THUR
Feb 5
Mar 5
Mar 26
Mar 16
None
Mar 20
No class Feb 16
WEEKLY WEEKLY
MB MINI
Join one of our winter waterfit classes or lane swims. Buy a FitPass at the Swimplex admission desk and get active!
waterloo.ca/swim