Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
  • myStratford

City of Stratford Logo

Contact Us
  • Visit Us
    • Parking
    • Public Restrooms
    • Destination Stratford
  • Live Here
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Change
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
    • Heritage Stratford
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Health
    • Social Services
    • Stratford Naturally
    • Stratford Police Services
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater
    • Water
    • Wildlife
    • Senior's Resources
  • Play Here
    • Community Organizations
    • COVID-19 Return to Activity
    • Digital Advertising
    • Facilities
    • Parks & Forestry
    • Recreation Programs
    • Register for Programs
    • Sports Wall of Fame
    • Upcoming Events
  • Do Business
    • investStratford
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Licensing
    • Community Profile
    • Our Industries
    • Stratford Perth Centre for Business
  • Inside City Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Committees
    • Animal Control
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Awards
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • City Council
    • Contact Us
    • Cooper Block
    • Departments
    • Employment
    • Market Square
    • Mayor
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Municipal Elections
    • News & Public Notices
    • Other Reports & Publications
    • Privacy Statement
    • Proposed Municipal Boundary Adjustment
    • Strategic Priorities
    • Terms of Use
    • Tom Patterson Theatre
    • Website Feedback
Home...Recreation ProgramsAquaticsLessons

Swimming Lessons

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via Pinterest Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Play Here

The Stratford Lions Pool offers high quality swim lessons in four 2-week sessions throughout the summer. There are over 75 available times per session to choose from. 

News Items

 March 31, 2022 - Summer Day Camp and Swim Lesson registration opens April 1
As of noon on April 1, registration will open for Summer Day Camps and Swim Lessons. A digital version of our Recreation Activity Guide will soon follow.  

 

Click to download the Recreation Activity Guide and to Register for Programs

How can we direct you?

Adapted Aquatics, Swim Team, Water Fitness
Become a Lifeguard/Instructor
Poor Weather Policy
Lessons for 4 months to 6 years
Lessons for 5 years and older
Student Drop Off and Spectating Policy

Swim Lesson Programs

Our facility uses the Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program. If you or your child have taken swimming lessons in another program with another organization, (i.e.: YMCA, Lifesaving Society), see below for the course comparison by program. 

Swim Lesson Program Comparison by Organization
Lifesaving SocietyYMCARed Cross Learn to Swim
Parent and Tot 1 Splashers Starfish
Parent and Tot 2 Bubblers Duck
Parent and Tot 3/Preschool 1 Bobbers Sea Turtle
Preschool 2 Floaters/Gliders Sea Otter
Preschool 3 Divers Salamander
Preschool 4 Surfers Sunfish or Crocodile
Preschool 5 Dipper Crocodile or Whale
Beginner Swimmer 1 Otter Swim Kids Level 1
Swimmer 1 Seal Swim Kids Level 1
Swimmer 2 Dolphin Swim Kids Level 2
Swimmer 3 Swimmer Swim Kids Level 3
Swimmer 4 Star 1 Swim Kids Level 4/5
Swimmer 5 Star 2 Swim Kids Level 6
Swimmer 6 Star 3 Swim Kids Level 7
Rookie Star 4 Swim Kids Level 8
Ranger Star 5 Swim Kids Level 9
Star Patrol Star 6  Swim Kids Level 10
Bronze Star Bronze Star Bronze Star


Please note: You must register for a course no later than 12pm on the Sunday before the week of lessons. 

Red Cross Pre-School Swim Lessons Program (4 months to 6 years)
ProgramAge RequirementIn this Level:Class LengthCost
Parent Tot 4 months to 3 years Participate with parent/caregiver in-water activities. Getting wet, front, back, vertical positions in water, shallow water entry/exists, breathing and floats. Once the child is 3 years old, they can participate in Sea Otter. 30 minutes $84/session
Sea Otter 3 to 5 years Swimmers work on front and back floats and glides, kicking on front with a buoyant object, and will be able to swim 1 metre upon completion of this level. 30 minutes $84/session
Salamander 3 to 5 years Swimmers work on improving their front and back float and jumping into chest-deep water unassisted. Kicking is added to the front and back glide and swimmers will be able to swim 2 metres upon completion. 30 minutes $84/session
Sunfish 3 to 6 years Swimmers work on kicking and can perform glides (front and back), enter deep water safely, float in deep water, swim with a PFD, and swim 5 metres continuously. 30 minutes $84/session
Crocodile 3 to 6 years Swimmers further develop the front and back glide with kick, front and back swim, jump into deep water, swim with a PFD in deep water, and swim 10 metres continuously. 30 minutes $84/session
Whale 3 to 6 years Swimmers increase their distance on front and back glide with kick, increase distance on front and back swim, learn the sitting dive, and will be able to swim 15 metres continuously upon completion of the level. 30 minutes $84/session
Red Cross Swim Kids Level Swim Lessons (5 to 16 years old)
ProgramAge RequirementIn this Level:Class LengthCost
Swim Kids 1

5 years plus

Front and back float, front and back glide, flutter kick (assisted), shallow water entries and exits, swim 5m. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Kids 2 5 years plus Front and back glide with flutter kick, front swim, complete deep-water activities (assisted), swim 10m. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Kids 3 5 years plus Increase distance on front/back glide, perform flutter kick unassisted, float in deep water, swim 15m. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Kids 4 5 years plus Back swim and front crawl (10m), flutter kick on back, kneeling dive, intro sculling, swim 25m. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Kids 5 5 years plus Front and back crawl (15m), whip kick on back, treading water, head-first sculling on back, swim 50m. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Kids 6 5 years plus Front and back crawl (25m), elementary back stroke (15m), dolphin kick, front dive, swim 75m. 45 minutes $94/session
Swim Kids 7 5 years plus Front and back crawl (50m), elementary back stroke (25m), front scull, stride entry, swim 150m. 45 minutes $94/session
Swim Kids 8 5 years plus Front and back crawl (75m), elementary back stroke (25m), breast stroke (15m), eggbeater, swim 300m. 45 minutes $94/session
Swim Kids 9 5 years plus Front and back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m), breast stroke (25m), sidestroke kick, swim 400m. 45 minutes $94/session
Swim Kids 10 5 years plus Front and back crawl (100m), elementary back stroke (50m), breast stroke (50m), sidestroke (25m), swim 500m. 1 hour

$100/session

Lifeguard/Instructor Pre-Certification Program
ProgramPre-Certification CoursesGeneral Requirements for Successful Completion:Class LengthCost
Bronze Star Successful completion of Swim Kids 10 This award delivers high-performance training for skilled pre-teens. It provides excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Bronze Star is a prerequisite for the Bronze Medallion award if participants want to take Bronze Medallion before they are 13 years old. Completion of Bronze Star includes CPR-A.

More information on Bronze Star

1 hour  $100/session
Bronze Medallion Successful completion of Bronze Star or 13 years This award teaches understanding of lifesaving principles including judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Lifesavers learn to respond to increasingly complex situations with varying degrees of risk. Bronze Medallion is a pre-requisite for the Bronze Cross Award. Completion of Bronze Medallion includes CPR-B.

More information on Bronze Medallion

3 hours $220 plus book
Bronze Cross Successful completion of Bronze Medallion  This award is designed for lifesavers desiring advance training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Teamwork is emphasized, and lifesavers learn how to rescue a spinal-injured victim. Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite for all advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.

More information on Bronze Cross

3 hours $220 plus book
Specialized Aquatic Programs
ProgramRequirementsIn this Program:Class LengthCost
Adapted Aquatics Special Needs Emphasis is placed on successful experiences in a positive, safe, reinforcing environment stressing individualized aquatic programming. 30 minutes $84/session
Swim Team 6 to 18 years old This program delivers quality stroke correction, swim endurance, and pre-competitive training for all abilities. It is our goal to offer age-specific training for all of our swimmers. Practices are Monday through Friday from 8 - 9am. Swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of three practices a week, and participate in at least one swim meet before finals in August. It's typical for our team to have four Saturday swim meets throughout the summer. For practices, it is recommended that swimmers wear a swim cap, goggles, apply sunscreen, and bring a water bottle to stay fully hydrated. 

More information on Swim Team

Monday to Friday, 1 hour  $160/season
Water Fitness  16 years plus A shallow water fitness workout in chest deep water. Participants should be comfortable in chest deep water. No pre-registration required.  45 minutes $5/session 

Become a Lifeguard/Instructor

The Stratford Lions Pool program runs from June until the end of August each season. Although it varies from one year to the next, we may have to recruit new staff into available positions. Should this be the case, our recruitment process would typically begin in the spring through our Human Resources Department. Please note, we do not accept unsolicited resumes.

Lifeguard/Instructor Pre-Certification Courses and Requirements
ProgramPre-Certification CoursesGeneral Requirements for Successful Completion:Class LengthCost
Bronze Star Successful completion of Swim Kids 10 This award delivers high-performance training for skilled pre-teens. It provides excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Bronze Star is a prerequisite for the Bronze Medallion award if participants want to take Bronze Medallion before they are 13 years old. Completion of Bronze Star includes CPR-A.

More information on Bronze Star

1 hour

$100/session
Bronze Medallion Successful completion of Bronze Star or 13 years This award teaches understanding of lifesaving principles including judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Lifesavers learn to respond to increasingly complex situations with varying degrees of risk. Bronze Medallion is a pre-requisite for the Bronze Cross Award. Completion of Bronze Medallion includes CPR-B.

More information on Bronze Medallion

3 hours

$220 plus book

Bronze Cross Successful completion of Bronze Medallion This award is designed for lifesavers desiring advance training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Teamwork is emphasized, and lifesavers learn how to rescue a spinal-injured victim. Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite for all advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership.

More information on Bronze Cross

3 hours $220 plus book
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor 15 years plus Through classroom learning and in-water practice, this course prepares candidates to help certified instructors. Participants are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching, and mastery of basic progressions.

More information on Red Cross Water Safety Instructor

varies varies 
Lifesaving Instructor 16 years plus The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares individuals to organize, plan, teach and evaluate lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society's lifesaving and first aid awards being Canadian Swim Patrol Program, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Wading Pool Attendant, Lifesaving Fitness/Distinction.

More information on Lifesaving Instructor

varies  varies 
National Lifeguard Service 16 years plus This award builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge, and values taught in earlier lifesaving awards, including the practical skills and knowledge required by lifeguards. This course deals with lifeguarding principles and techniques found in the pool environment.

More information on National Lifeguard Service

 varies  varies

Back to top


Student Drop Off/Pick Up and Spectating Policy

Lesson students can be dropped off and picked up on the pool deck, closest to the main office. Please ensure your child is in the hands of an instructor before leaving them on the deck.

In the interest of student and public safety, we require that parents/guardians attending swimming lessons watch their child from outside the facility fence.


Inclement Weather Policy (Poor Weather)

The Pool will remain open on rainy days, unless: thunder and/or lightning is evident; or, the downpour is so heavy, that the black dot on the bottom of the pool is not visible. 

If either of the above two points are present, the pool must be closed immediately.  It may re-open after an interval void of these two conditions, or upon the discretion of the Supervisor on Duty.

Should students have to leave the pool, as described above, dry-land lessons/activities will be offered until the swim lesson can resume or the session time is over.

Back to top

  • Recreation Programs
    Toggle Section Recreation Programs Menu
    • Adult Recreation 55+
    • Adult Recreation 35+
    • Aquatics
      Toggle Section Aquatics Menu
      • Lessons
      • Open Swim Schedule and Fees
      • Private Rentals
      • Social Agency Passes
      • School Bookings
      • Sponsor a Swim
      • Swim for Free
      • Swim Team
    • Beach Volleyball
    • Bike & Pedestrian
    • Day Camps
    • Employment
    • Public Skating
    • Register for Programs
    • Rent Ice
  • View Full Play Here Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Community Organizations
      Toggle Section Community Organizations Menu
      • Leisure Activity Council
        Toggle Section Leisure Activity Council Menu
        • Membership
        • Calendar
        • Handbook
        • Local Project Funding
    • COVID-19 Return to Activity
    • Digital Advertising
    • Facilities
      Toggle Section Facilities Menu
      • Arenas
        Toggle Section Arenas Menu
        • Public Skating
      • Beach Volleyball
      • Community Centres
      • City Hall Auditorium
      • Golf
      • Halls and Meeting Spaces
      • Indoor Track
      • Multi Use Sports Fields
      • Pools
      • Rent Ice
      • Stratford Rotary Complex
    • Parks & Forestry
      Toggle Section Parks & Forestry Menu
      • Swans & Ducks
    • Register for Programs
    • Sports Wall of Fame
      Toggle Section Sports Wall of Fame Menu
      • Athletes
      • Teams
      • Builders
      • Legends
    • Upcoming Events
      Toggle Section Upcoming Events Menu
      • Canada Day 2019
      • Events Calendar
      • Holiday Feast
      • Santa's Parade of Lights
      • Stratford Winterfest

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

Stratford logo

  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Website Feedback
  • Privacy Statement

© 2019 The Corporation of the City of Stratford, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6W1, 519-271-0250

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our LinkedIn Page
Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.