Swimming Lessons

WSPR SWIM!

With Red Cross phasing out their Canadian swim program, we’ve custom designed WSPR Swim to meet the needs of our growing community. WSPR Swim focuses on physical literacy, fun and safety. It includes a revitalized version of our existing preschool program, and a newly developed program for swimmers 5+.

WSPR Swim’s school age program contains 3 modules designed to establish swimming safety, skills, strength, and speed in core strokes including front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Treading water, eggbeater, diving, and dolphin kick are also developed.

WSPR Swim can be adapted for swimmers with unique needs and abilities.

What level am I in? SWIM LEVEL CONVERSION ON PAGE 13

These parented levels for the youngest swimmers provide a fun and safe introduction to the pool environment through play and songs.

Aqua Babies

(Previously Diaper Dive)

4 – 13 Months

1:1 Parent participation required. Focus is on entering and exiting the pool safely, bubble blowing, front and back floats and submersions through creative games and songs.

Aqua Tots

(Previously Little Learners)

14 – 23 Months

1:1 Parent participation required. Focus is on floating on front and back more independently, jumping into water, bobs and rollover floats through creative games and songs.

Twos – Beginner

(Previously Twos in Training)

24 – 35 Months

1:1 Full parent participation is required. Designed to introduce children to structured swimming lessons. To complete, children must be confident blowing bubbles, submerging and doing assisted front floats and kicks.

Twos – Advanced

(Previously Terrific Twos & Twos at the Top)

24 – 35 Months

1:1 Parent participation required at first lesson and / or at discretion of instructor Designed for swimmers to start participating independently. To complete, children must eventually be comfortable without in-water parent support and must be comfortable trying assisted floats, glides, kicks and games using a variety of equipment with the instructor.

Lesson Cancellation Policy:

Prorated refunds or credits may be obtained if requested before the second class. Classes cannot be rescheduled. Makeup lessons are not provided.

Young swimmers learn basic swim and water safety skills through songs and play. On completion of Dolphin, swimmers are comfortable swimming independently on front and back.

Level 1 – Starfish

(Previously Yellow Seahorse)

3 – 5 Years

1:1 Parent participation required at first lesson and / or at discretion of instructor. For children being introduced to the pool environment, submersions and assisted front and back floats and glides.

Level 2 – Jellyfish

(Previously Orange Jellyfish)

3 – 5 Years

1:1 Parent participation required at first lesson and / or at discretion of instructor. For children comfortable with submersion and ready to be introduced to unassisted front and back floats and glides.

Level 3 – Snapper

(Previously Red Snapper)

3 – 5 Years

Unparented

Front and back swims are developed, and children are introduced to deeper water. Children will be skilled doing front swims with big arms and back swims. Recovery to the pool edge and comfort swimming in the big pool is required to advance to Dolphin.

Level 4 – Dolphin

(Previously Maroon Starfish & Blue Dolphin)

3 – 5 Years

Unparented

Front and back swims will continue to be refined and confidence will be developed in the big pool. Front and back crawl, side glides and changing direction in deep-water are taught.

Suit up for swimming:

Children who have not mastered toileting must wear a swim diaper in the pool. Swim diapers may be purchased at reception.

SPRING 2023 - WSPR SWIM SCHEDULE & FEES

SUMMER 2023 - WSPR SWIM SCHEDULE & FEES

Swim Safe Swim Skills Swim Strong

Swimmers learn basic swim and water safety skills. On completion of Swim Safe 4, swimmers are safe in deep water for moderate distances.

Swim Safe 1

(Previously Swim Kids 1)

5 – 13 Years

For beginners being introduced to submersions, unassisted front and back floats and glides. Parent participation is optional for younger beginners.

Swim Safe 2

(Previously Swim Kids 2)

5 – 13 Years

Confidence performing front and back swims will determine advancement to Level 3. Children will be comfortable performing deep water activities.

Swim Safe 3

(Previously Swim Kids 3)

5 – 13 Years

Front crawl is the focus of this level. Diving, change of direction and treading water are also introduced.

Swim Safe 4

(Previously Swim Kids 4)

5 – 13 Years

Front crawl, back glides and shoulder rolls are developed. Students must complete a 25 metre endurance swim to move on to Level 5.

Swimmers develop stroke technique and more advanced water safety skills. On completion of Swim Skills 10, swimmers have achieved the skills needed to swim for lifelong safety, fitness and enjoyment.

Swim Skills 5

(Previously Swim Kids 5)

5 – 13 Years

Back crawl is introduced, along with sculling and whip kick on the back. Stride dives are taught and endurance is increased to 50 metres.

Swim Skills 6 & 7

(Previously Swim Kids 6 & 7)

5 – 13 Years

Work continues on front and back crawl. Elementary backstroke is introduced, endurance increases to 150 metres and basic rescue skills are taught.

Swim Skills 8/9/10

(Previously Swim Kids 8/9/10)

5 – 13 Years

For children able to swim distances of at least 150 metres (6 lengths) and those that have advanced front crawl, back crawl and elementary backstroke. Ready to learn breast stroke, side stroke, and egg-beater support, while continuing to refine front crawl, back crawl and focus on endurance.

Swimmers master technique to build endurance, improve strength and swim speed. Swim Strong is a great way to improve fitness and prepare for lifesaving & swim instructor courses.

Swim Strong 11

8– 15 Years

For swimmers who have completed Swim Skills 10 or equivalent, and seek to perfect technique such as whip kick and eggbeater, and continue refining front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Dolphin Kick and butterfly introduced.

Swim Strong 12

8– 15 Years

For swimmers who have completed Swim Skills 11 or equivalent, and seek to improve speed for timed swims, or work on endurance challenges. Drills and speed challenges introduced.

WSPR SWIM - What level am I in?

WSPR

AQUA BABIES (4-12 months)

AQUA TOTS (12-24 months)

TWOs - BEGINNER (2-3 1/2 years)

Learners in Training

TWOs - ADVANCED (2-3 1/2 years) Terrific Twos/ Twos at the Top

1 STARFISH (3-5 years)

2 JELLYFISH (3-5 years)

3 SNAPPER (3-5 years)

4 DOLPHIN

Seahorse

Jellyfish

Snapper

Starfish/ Blue Dolphin

SWIM SAFE Preschool Equivalency

Adult Aquatic Programs

Adult & Youth Level 1

14 Years +

Increase your comfort level and confidence in the water through floats, glides, kicking and swimming. Work with your instructor to set goals to develop your swimming skills. This program is an introduction to swimming with a focus on front swims.

Adult & Youth Level 2

14 Years +

Focus on developing front and back crawl, establishing comfort in deep water, and increasing your endurance.

Aqua Zumba

Come make a splash by adding low-impact, high-energy aquatic exercise to your fitness routine. Aqua Zumba® blends the Zumba® philosophy with water resistance, for one pool party you shouldn’t miss! Water creates natural resistance, which means every step is more challenging and helps tone your muscles with less impact on your joints so you can really let loose.

Find program details online at explore.wspr.ca

Click to search and register

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Bronze Medallion

Prerequisites: Minimum 13 years old by last class or Bronze Star. Recommended swimming ability equivalent to Swim Skills 8 or higher.

Develops an understanding of lifesaving principles. Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defence and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a time swim.

Bronze Cross

Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion

For lifesavers who want more advanced training. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced Lifesaving Society programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certifications.

National Lifeguard Pool Option

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by last day of program, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid.

Develops fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required to be a lifeguard. Worth 2 credits for Grade 12. 100% attendance is mandatory.

National Lifeguard Pool Option Recert

Prerequisites: National Lifeguard Pool option

Lifeguards need to recertifiy every two years to remain current.

WSPR Swim Instructor Program

Pre-Requisite: 15 years old by the last day of the course AND Bronze Cross.

Interviews for Spring 2023 hiring are guaranteed upon completion of this course. For those interested in becoming a Swim Instructor with West Shore Parks & Recreation. This course plus a supervised/ guided apprenticeship covers everything an instructor needs to know to teach with us.