Swimming Lessons

four children in an indoor pool using a flutter board to learn to swim

The Municipality of Port Hope offers swimming lessons through the Lifesaving Society - Swim for Life. Our swimming lessons are for ages 4 months and up. All swimming lessons run at the Jack Burger Sports Complex.

megaphoneWinter 1 Registration Details

Winter 1 Aquatics: Registration opens October 28, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
Winter 1 Programs/Fitness: Registration opens October 29, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

 Learn more about session dates, how to register and more on our registration page.

Winter 1 2024 - 2025 Swimming Lesson Information:

The session runs from November 11, 2024 to February 1, 2025. There will be no classes over the holiday break from December 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

If you are unsure of which level to register in, please come in during one of our Public Swim times for a swim assessment, or schedule one with our Aquatics Coordinator.

Swimming Lesson Days and Times:

Here are the available days and times:

Parent & Tot and Preschool Descriptions and Times
Ages 4 months to 5 years old. All infants and toddlers must wear swim diapers if they are not potty-trained. These lessons are 30 minutes long.
Parent & Tot 1 & 2 (Parented)

Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun, learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water positive attitudes and will learn skills like buoyancy, movement, front and back positions, and shallow water entries and exits.
Ages: 4 to 23 months. One caregiver must take part in the water.

  • Mondays: 9:30 a.m.
  • Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:30 a.m.

Click here to register for swimming lessons online

Parent & Tot 3 (Parented)

Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, you will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. They will learn to jump into chest deep water, get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater. They will also practice doing floats and glides on their front and back.
Ages: 24 to 36 months. One caregiver must take part in the water.

  • Mondays: 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online

Preschool A

These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We’ll help them jump into chest deep water. They’ll learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater, and how to do floats and glides on their front and back.

Ages: 3 to 5 years old.

  • Mondays: 9:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m.,5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m.,5:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online

Preschool B

These preschoolers learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They’ll submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket they’ll glide on their front and back.

Ages: 3 to 5 years old.

  • Mondays: 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.,
  • Thursdays: 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online

Preschool C

These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They’ll recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They’ll work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back up to 3 meters.
Ages: 3 to 5 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
Preschool D
Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They’ll do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They’ll master a 5 meter swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.
Ages: 3 to 5 years old.
  • Mondays: 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
Swimmer 1 to Swimmer 9 Level Descriptions and Times

For ages 5 to 13. These lessons range from 30 minutes to 45 minutes long.

 Swimmer 1
These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They’ll learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They’ll work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back. This lesson is 30 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 2
These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They’ll be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 meters on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training. This lesson is 30 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 3
These junior swimmers will dive, do in-water front somersaults, and handstands. They’ll work on 15 meters of front crawl, back crawl and 10 meters of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases distance. This lesson is 30 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 4
These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 meters underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They’ll cap it all off with front crawl sprints, and front or back crawl interval training. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:45 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 5:45 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:45 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 5
These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They’ll refine their front and back crawl over 50 meter swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 meters. Then they’ll pick up the pace in 25 meter sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 meters of front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 meters of breaststroke. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Tuesdays: 6:45 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 6
These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick. They’ll develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 meters. They’ll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 7 - Rookie Patrol
Rookie Patrol features development of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke over 50 meters each, timed 100 meter swims and 350 meter workouts. A work hard/play hard approach develops swimming strengths and efficiency with emphasis on personal responsibility for water smart behaviour. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 8 - Ranger Patrol
Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 meter swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old.

  • Mondays: 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
 Swimmer 9 - Star Patrol
Star Patrol demands good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgement. Participants develop lifesaving and first aid skills further refined front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke over 100 meters each, complete 600 meter workouts and 300 meter timed swims. This lesson is 45 minutes long.

This course is divided into three categories:

  1. Water proficiency,
  2. First aid,
  3. Recognition and rescue.

Ages: 5 to 13 years old. 

  • Mondays: 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 10:30 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online
Private and Semi-Private Lessons Descriptions and Times

Private and semi-private lessons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All private and semi-private lessons are 30 minutes long.

Click here to register for swimming lessons online

 Private Lessons
 Private lessons are 1-on-1 lessons with an instructor. Instructor requests are not guaranteed. Private lessons are for ages 3 years and up. Each lesson is 30 minutes in length.
  • Mondays: 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
 Semi-Private Lessons
Semi-Private are 2-on-1 lessons with an instructor. Instructor requests are not guaranteed. Semi-private lessons are for ages 3 years and up. For semi-private lessons, you must supply your own partner. 

Partner requirements:

  • In the same level,
  • In the level below,
  • In the level above.
  • Please note that Swimmer 1 and Swimmer 2 do not go well together.

Semi-private lessons can register one child online in the private lesson time slot to reserve your spot and then phone the Jack Burger Sports Complex to register the second child. Additional fees apply.

Homeschool Lessons Descriptions and Times

We are now offering Homeschool Swimming Lessons. These learn to swim and stroke improvement classes are for those who are homeschooled. These lessons are 30 minutes long.

Prerequisites:

  • Beginner: new to swimming, or swimmer 1.
  • Intermediate: Have completed swimmer levels 1 or 2.
  • Advanced: Have completed swimmer level 3 and up.
  • Wednesdays:10:00 a.m.
Click here to register for swimming lessons online

Adult and Teen Lessons Descriptions and Times

Adult and teen lessons are available for anyone ages 13 and up. All lessons are 30 minutes long. Come to the first class with your goals.

Click here to register for swimming lessons online

 Bronze Stroke Improvement

In this lesson your focus will be on improving technique and endurance in preparation to take the lifesaving leadership courses.

  • Ages: 13 years and up.
  • Tuesdays: 7:00 p.m.
 Basic Skills

Basic Skills are lessons designed for adults who have little to no previous swimming experience, and who do not feel comfortable swimming over 10 meters. 

  • Ages: 13 years and up.
  • Mondays: 7:00 p.m.
 Strokes and Fitness
Strokes and Fitness is for all swimmers with basic skills. Bring your goals to your first class. Triathletes welcome. Ages: 13 years and up.

Prerequisite: Previous swimming abilities, and can comfortably swim over 10 meters.

  • Ages: 13 years and up.
  • Wednesdays: 7:00 p.m.
 

HIGH FIVE®

High Five LogoHIGH FIVE® is Canada's quality standard for children's programs and is an innovative approach to help us enhance program quality and provide positive experiences for children. HIGH FIVE® supports us with Training and Development, Program Assessments, Policies and Procedures and Awareness. HIGH FIVE® is a standard committed to assisting children along the path of healthy child development by:

  • Ensuring that program practitioners develop a high level of knowledge and expertise in child development; 
  • Helping parents to make informed choices and; 
  • Providing practitioners with the tools for enhancing and maintaining a high level of program quality. 

The Municipality of Port Hope is proud to be an Accredited HIGH FIVE® organization, maintaining the highest standard in Canada

Youth Friendly Community

Youth Friendly logo - Platinum Level

The Youth Friendly Communities recognition award is a program of Play Works, an Ontario partnership for youth. The program outlines criteria for communities to support engaged youth and highlights the investments the community makes to youth play. Promising practices for youth engagement are highlighted and celebrated. The award recognition is a community collaboration and involves youth to complete the submission. The Municipality has been recognized as a Platinum Youth Friendly Community since 2008.

Age-Friendly Community

An age-friendly community (AFC) is a community where policies, services and physical spaces are designed to enable people of all ages to live in secure and accessible physical and social environments. AFCs contribute to good health and allow people to participate fully in society throughout their lifetime. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities project developed eight domains of AFCs. These domains outline the physical and social aspects of communities that contribute to independent and active aging.

The Municipality of Port Hope is recognized as an Age-Friendly Community through the World Health Organization, and was Awarded the Ontario Age-Friendly Recognition Award in 2018 through the Ministry of Seniors Affairs