Swimming
Parkinson Recreation Centre Pool and Aquatics Centre
The aquatics facility at Parkinson Recreation Centre (PRC) includes a 25-metre swimming pool, children's play pool, hot tub and steam room. Find swim courses and schedules for ages and abilities at PRC including aqua fitness classes, preschool swim, and kids Swim for Life lessons. See the latest pool schedule here:
Swimming Programs
View all Fall 2024 Aquatics Programs
Swim for Life - Children's Swim Lessons Progression Chart
Swim for Life is a complete learn-to-swim program from Parent & Tot programs through to leadership training. There are five modules within the Swim for Life program: Parent & Tot (up to 3 years), Preschool (3-5 years), Swimmer (6 years and older), Adult Swimmer and Fitness Swimmer. Click the program name below to register online!
| Age Range | Program | Description | Red Cross / YMCA Program Alignments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-12 months | Parent & Tot 1 (Jellyfish) | An orientation to water for infants and their parent/caregiver who will learn how to swim safely through instruction of holds and supports. Infants will be introduced to getting their face wet, blowing bubbles, and floating. | Starfish Splashers |
| 12-24 months | Parent & Tot 2 (Goldfish) | Toddlers will learn how to enter and exit the water with help from their parent/caregiver and will play games to encourage blowing bubbles in the water, floating and kicking skills. | Duck Bubblers |
| 2-3 years | Parent & Tot 3 (Seahorse) | Parent & Tot 3 teaches toddlers how to safely enter the water wearing a PFD (lifejacket). They’ll develop underwater skills such as opening their eyes underwater. | Sea Turtle |
| 3-5 years | Preschool 1 (Octopus) | A transitional level which transfers the preschooler / swimmer to the care of the instructor. | Sea Otter Bobbers |
| If 6+ years... | Swimmer 1 | ||
| 3-5 years | Preschool 2 (Crab) | Swimmer should be able to get in and out and jump into chest-deep water assisted; float on front and back assisted for 3 sec; blow bubbles in water and get face wet. | Salamander Floaters |
| If 6+ years... | Swimmer 1 | ||
| 3-5 years | Preschool 3 (Orca) | Swimmers will learn to entre deep water safely with a PFD (lifejacket). Should be able to jump into chest-deep water; submerge and exhale underwater; float on front and back assisted for 3 seconds. | Sunfish Gliders Divers |
| If 6+ years... | Swimmer 1 | ||
| 3-5 years | Preschool 4 (Sea Lion) | At this level, the swimmer can jump into deep water wearing a lifejacket; recover objects from the bottom; hold breath underwater; float, glide and kick on front and back. | Crocodile Surfers |
| If 6+ years... | Swimmer 1 | ||
| 3-5 years | Preschool 5 (Narwhal) | At this level, swimmer can do solo jumps into deep water; swim front crawl 5 m wearing a lifejacket and flutter kick on front, back and side. | Whale Dippers |
| If 6+ years... | Swimmer 2 | ||
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 1 | These beginners will become comfortable jumping into the water with and without a PFD (lifejacket). They’ll learn how to open their eyes, exhale, and hold their breath underwater. Floats, glides and kicking skills are introduced. | Swim Kids 1 Otter |
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 2 | These swimmers will jump into deeper water and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a PFD. They’ll learn how to tread water, develop kicking skills, and will be introduced to front crawl and back crawl. | Swim Kids 2 Seal |
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 3 | These swimmers will learn how to dive and will do in-water somersaults and handstands to develop weight-transfer skills. They’ll learn Swim to Survive® skills, whip kick on back and will further develop their front crawl and back crawl. | Dolphin Swimmer |
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 4 | These swimmers will become better at diving, treading water, and swimming underwater. They’ll learn the Swim to Survive® standard and start to develop breaststroke. Front crawl and back crawl are further developed. | Swim Kids 4 Swim Kids 5 Star 1 |
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 5 | These swimmers will master dives and swimming in deep water. They’ll further their Swim to Survive® skills and start to develop eggbeater kick. | Swim Kids 6 Star 2 |
| 6-12 years | Swimmer 6 | These swimmers will become proficient at deep water skills including stride entries and compact jumps. | Swim Kids 7 Star 3 |
| 8-12 years | Swimmer 7 Rookie Patrol | For Swimmer 7, 8 and 9 - each level is broken into 3 categories:H2O Proficiency, First Aid, and Recognition & Rescue. Swimmers will continue to develop their skills while increasing focus on first aid and lifesaving skills. These courses also prepare swimmers for Bronze level courses. | Swim Kids 8 Star 4 |
| 8-12 years | Swimmer 8 Ranger Patrol | Swimmers will continue to develop their skills while increasing focus on first aid and lifesaving skills. Preferred successful completion – Swimmer 7 / Rookie Patrol | Swim Kids 9 Star 5 |
| 8-12 years | Swimmer 9 Star Patrol | Swimmers will continue to develop their skills while increasing focus on first aid and lifesaving skills. Preferred successful completion – Swimmer 8 / Ranger Patrol | Swim Kids 10 Star 6 |
| 13 years+ | Bronze Medallion | Bronze Medallion, as our flagship certification, teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Candidates who are successful then move onto the Bronze Cross level to learn further advanced training in deep water. | |
| 13 years+ | Bronze Cross | Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safety supervision. The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as Assistant Lifeguards. |
Reminder: Children under 7 years of age and under must always remain within arm’s reach of a parent or adult caregiver in the water. A responsible adult or caregiver 16 years or older in the water may supervise up to 3 children under the age of seven regardless of swimming ability.
We welcome you to join us at a Public Swim session where a lifeguard can help to assess your child's swim level.
Reminder: Children under 7 years of age and under must always remain with a parent or adult caregiver.
Usually the instructor will identify that the participant is in the wrong level during the screening process on the first day. The staff will communicate with you and work to find a space in the appropriate level. If a space cannot be found the participant may be moved to another session.
It is recommended to have your child assessed in advance if you're unsure at a Public Swim session.
No, due to many contributing factors including each instructor does a screening on the first day so they are familiar with each participants skill level and we are firm on the maximum number of participants in each class.
We strive for consistency. If an instructor is ill we ask that they stay home and get well. If this carries over to more days we will try to have the same substitute or have another instructor take over the class. Your child’s progress is tracked regardless of the instructor attendance.
Participants in all levels are welcome to wear goggle in class. However, please note that Preschool levels, Swimmer 1 and Swimmer 2 participants must be able to demonstrate skills without goggles at the instructors request in order to successfully complete the course.
Each participant must perform the skill to the performance criteria required for the swim instructor in order to progress to the next level.
If you're unsure where to register your child based on the progression chart on this page, contact the clerks at the front desk at 250-469-8800. They can help arrange a time with a swim instructor to perform an assessment.
