Swim School – YM-YWHA Fitness Community Center

Swimming and aquatics courses for all ages

Our 25-metre, 8-lane pool supports swimmers at every stage, from parent & tot and preschool programs to youth lessons, swim team, and boys-only and girls-only swims. With adult classes, private and semi-private lessons, lifesaving programs, open swim, and aquafit, our aquatics offerings help everyone build confidence in the water.

For more information contact the front desk: 514-737-6551 or email aquatics@ymywha.com.

Parent & Tot

Aquababy

For babies 2 weeks to 10 months old.

Here we teach parents and guardians to coach their infants in the water; as a result, the swimming babies develop emotional stability, deeper sleep, and better feeding. Teaching a newborn to swim is not just a fashionable trend; it is an opportunity to unleash the baby’s potential.

Infants with psychomotor developmental delays benefit the most from the program: the weightless environment restores and normalizes body functions, rhythmical diving accelerates metabolic processes, and the organism goes into “repair mode”. Swimming and water exercise allow infants to: “take a break” from gravity and move freely in the 3D environment; learn to swim and have fun in the water; get exercise therapy; become stronger and more resistant to illnesses.

Parent & Tot 2

For children ages 12 to 24 months.

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.

Parent & Tot 3

For children ages 24 to 36 months.

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.

Preschool

For ages 3 to 5 years old.

Preschool 1

Is 3 to 5 years and just starting out on his or her own.

Preschool 2

Can get in and out and jump into chest-deep water assisted; float and glide on front and back; blow bubbles and get face wet.

Preschool 3

Can jump into chest-deep water; submerge and exhale underwater; float on front and back assisted for 3 sec.

Preschool 4

Can jump into deep water wearing a lifejacket; recover objects from the bottom; hold breath underwater; float, glide and kick on front and back.

Preschool 5

Can do solo jumps into deep water; swim front crawl 5 m wearing a lifejacket and flutter kick on front, back and side.

Swimmer

For ages 5 to 13 years old.

Swimmer 1

Is 5 to 12 years and just starting out.

Swimmer 2

Can jump into chest-deep water by themselves and into deep-water wearing a lifejacket; open eyes, hold breath, and exhale underwater; float, kick and glide on front and back.

Swimmer 3

Can jump into deep water and do a sideways entry wearing a lifejacket; support self at the surface for 15 sec.; do whip kick in vertical position; and swim 10 m on front and back.

Swimmer 4

Can tread for 30 sec.; do kneeling dives and front somersaults; 10 m whip kick on back; and swim 15 m front crawl and back crawl.

Swimmer 5

Can complete the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: Roll – Tread (1 min.) – Swim (50 m); dive; swim underwater; 15 m whip kick on front; breaststroke arms with breathing; and swim front and back crawl 25 m.

Swimmer 6

Can do shallow dives and cannonballs; eggbeater and scissor kick; swim 50 m front and back crawl; breaststroke for 25 m; sprint 25 m; interval training 4 x 50 m.

Swimmer 7

Can do stride entries and compact jumps; legsonly surface support for 45 sec.; sprint 25 m breaststroke; swim 100 m of front crawl and back crawl and 300 m workout.

Swimmer 8

Swimmers increase their distance on front and back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m) and breast stroke (25m), learn sidestroke kick, perform head-first surface dive, and swim 400 metres continuously.

Lifesaving

Bronze Medallion

13+ years old.

The Bronze Medallion award introduces the four basic components of lifesaving: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. You will learn towing, carrying, defending, and disengaging techniques to be prepared to rescue conscious and unconscious victims in increasingly dangerous situations.

Prerequisite: 13 years and hold a Bronze Star certificate.

Bronze Cross

13+ years old.

The Bronze Cross course is a advanced training to learn lifeguarding fundamentals. You will also learn how to rescue a victim with a spinal injury in the deep end and a submerged victim in cardiorespiratory arrest. The Bronze Cross certification allows you to work as an assistant lifeguard at a pool starting at 15 years old, and on a beach starting at 16 years old.
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion.

Standard First Aid

Standard First Aid is a 16 hour CPR and first aid course that prepares a candidate to take the national lifeguard course.

This course must be completed before the National Lifeguard Exam takes place.

There is no prerequisite needed for SFA.

First Aid Instructor recertification is also available.

National Lifeguard

15+ years old.

The National Lifeguard award is a national performance standard and the only award recognized throughout Canada that allows its holder to work as a lifeguard anywhere in the country. The course has been developed to better understand lifeguarding principles and develop good judgment and a responsible attitude regarding the lifeguard’s responsibilities in an aquatic facility. You can specialize in the following four options: pool, waterpark, waterfront and surf. Holders of a National Lifeguard award are entitled to work as lifeguards as soon as they reach 16 years old.

Prerequisite: Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid (must be completed before the exam).

Swim Instructor Course

15+ years old.

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. Current Swim Instructors teach and certify candidates in all levels of the Swim for Life® program.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the Swim Instructor Course, and Bronze Cross (or higher) certification

Lifesaving Instructor Course

15+ years old.

The Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate Bronze Level. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, and correction techniques.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the Lifesaving Instructor Course, Standard first aid and Bronze Cross (or higher) certification valid

Recertification

Standard First Aid Recertification

The Standard first aid recertification exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills and recertify your certificate. You are responsible for reviewing the required content and skills and preparing yourself for the exam. Your exam is based on the Standard first Aid Award curriculum.

Prerequisite: Expired SFA

National Lifeguard Recertification

The National Lifeguard recertification exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills and recertify your certificate. You are responsible for reviewing the required content and skills and preparing yourself for the exam. Your exam is based on the National Lifeguard Award curriculum.

Prerequisite: Expired NLS

Boys only & Girls Only

Swim-HER

Swim-her is a girls only 45 min. class program with a ratio of 1:4 (beginner and intermediate) or 1:5 (advanced). We focus on individual progression in a smaller group setting.

Adult Classes

Adult Group Swim - Beginner

For ages 18+

If you have never learned how to swim or learned a long time ago and need a refresher, this Adult swim class for beginners is for you. Basic water safety skills and techniques will be taught.

Adult Group Swim - Intermediate

For ages 18+.

If you have a basic knowledge of how to swim and would like to learn more, this Adult swim class is for you. Basic water safety skills and techniques will be taught.

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Private Swim

Private swim lessons offer 1 on 1 instruction with a certified lifeguard, the goal is to get each participants comfortable in the water and swimming alone.

Private swim lessons will be held at the same time every week. Every customer gets 1 remake if they give their instructor 48 hours notice. If more than one class is missed or if not enough notice is given the class is lost.

Classes are sold in packages. Not for individual sale.

Price for member:

$28/30 minutes

$41/45 minutes

$51/1 hour

Price for non-members:

$33/30 minutes

$48/45 minutes

$61/1 hour

Semi-Private Swim

Semi-private swim lessons offer 2 on 1 instruction with a certified lifeguard, the goal is to get each participant comfortable in the water and swimming alone. Semi-private lessons are available for 2 individuals of the same age or same aquatic level and capacities.

Semi-private swim lessons will be held at the same time every week. Every group gets 1 remake if they give their instructor 48 hours notice. If more than one class is missed or if not enough notice is given the class is lost.

Classes are sold in packages. Not for individual sale.

Price for member:

$40($20 each)/30 minutes

$60($30 each)/45 minutes

$72(36$ each)/1 hour

Price for non-members:

$45($22.50 each)/30 minutes

$70($35 each)/45 minutes

$82($41 each)/1 hour

swim team

Junior Swim Club

For ages 6 – 12.

An alternative to a traditional swim team.

For kids who swim independently and still need to learn stroke techniques but also want to swim in a social setting. The Junior Swim Club will focus on doing multiple different type of swim activities, not just doing laps.

Swim Team - Beginner

For ages 8 – 13.

Swim team is a competitive program that develops racing skills and technique, improves fitness, and fosters team spirit.

Please note that participants must be a Swimmer 6 level (or equivalent).

Fitness

Aquatics

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Spring 2026

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Sleepaway Camp

Youth Programs

Events

Together. Stronger. For Tomorrow. For Our Kids.

Swimming and aquatics courses for all ages

Parent & Tot

Preschool

Swimmer

Lifesaving

Boys only & Girls Only

Adult Classes

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

swim team

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*Friday closing changes to 3:30PM as of November 6, 2026)

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