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
| Summer Swimming Lessons Registration Opens! March 1, 2025 |
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On Saturday, March 1st at 12:00 AM, registration will officially open for our Summer Swimming Lessons! Don't miss your chance to sign up early and secure a spot for your child in our fun and safe swim classes. Get ready for a summer filled with splashes, skills, and sunny memories! Mark your calendars and set your alarms! See you at the pool! |
How can we direct you?
Adapted Aquatics, Swim Team, Water Fitness
Become a Lifeguard/Instructor
Poor Weather Policy
Lessons for 4 months to 5 years
Lessons for 5 years and older
Student Drop Off and Spectating Policy
Swim Lesson Programs
Our facility uses the Lifesaving Society program. If you or your child have taken swimming lessons in another program with another organization, (i.e.: YMCA, Red Cross), see below for the course comparison by program.
| Lifesaving Society | Red Cross Learn to Swim | YMCA |
|---|---|---|
| Parent and Tot | Starfish | Splashers |
| Parent and Tot | Duck | Bubblers |
| Parent and Tot/Preschool 1 | Sea Turtle | Bobbers |
| Preschool 2 | Sea Otter | Floaters/Gliders |
| Preschool 3 | Salamander | Divers |
| Preschool 4 | Sunfish or Crocodile | Surfers |
| Preschool 5 | Crocodile or Whale | Dipper |
| Swimmer 1 | Swim Kids 1 | Otter/Seal |
| Swimmer 2 | Swim Kids 2 | Dolphin |
| Swimmer 3 | Swim Kids 3 | Swimmer |
| Swimmer 4 | Swim Kids 4 | Star 1 |
| Swimmer 5 | Swim Kids 5 | Star 2 |
| Swimmer 6 | Swim Kids 6 | Star 3 |
| Swimmer 7 | Swim Kids 7 | Star 4 |
| Swimmer 8 | Swim Kids 8 | Star 5 |
| Swimmer 9 (Rookie Patrol) | Swim Kids 9 | Star 6 |
| Swimmer 10 (Ranger Patrol) | Swim Kids 10 | Not Applicable |
| Swimmer 11 (Star Patrol) | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Please note: You must register for a course no later than 12pm on the Saturday before the week of lessons.
| Program | Age Requirement | In this Level: | Class Length | Registration Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Tot | 4 months to 3 years |
Participation with parent/caregiver in water activities. Once child is 3 years of age, they will progress to Preschool 1. Please note that progression in this level is solely based on age and not skill. |
30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Preschool 1 | 3 to 5 years | Front/back floats, glides, entries and exits, overall comfortability in the water. | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Preschool 2 | 3 to 5 years | Front/back floats, glides, jump into chest-deep water with a lifejacket, submerging and exhale underwater. | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Preschool 3 | 3 to 5 years | Glides with kicking on front and back, jumping forward and sideways in deep water with a lifejacket, recovering objects in chest deep water. | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Preschool 4 | 3 to 5 years | Flutter kick, front crawl, jump into chest deep water, open eyes underwater (without goggles). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Preschool 5 | 3 to 5 years | Front and back crawl, forward roll in deep water, whip kick with a buoyant aid in a vertical position (20 sec.), surface support (10 sec.), submerge and hold breath underwater (5 sec.). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Program | Age Requirement | In this Level: | Class Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swimmer 1 |
5 to 14 years |
Front/back floats, front/back/side glides, flutter kick (5m), front crawl, hold breath underwater (5 sec.), open eyes underwater (without goggles). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Swimmer 2 | 5 to 14 years | Flutter kick on front, back and side (7m), front and back crawl (5m), surface support (10 sec.), jump into deep water (assisted), interval training flutter kick (2 x 5m). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Swimmer 3 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (10m), flutter kick on front, back and side (10m), whip kick (30 sec. in vertical position with buoyant object), surface support (15 sec.), interval training flutter kick (4 x 5m). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Swimmer 4 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (15m), whip kick on back (5m), in-water front somersaults and handstands, surface support (20 sec.), interval training flutter kick (2 x 15m). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Swimmer 5 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (15m), whip kick on back (10m), in-water front somersaults and kneeling dive, surface support (30 sec.), interval training flutter kick (4 x 15m). | 30 minutes | $88.25/session |
| Swimmer 6 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (25m), whip kick on front (15m), elementary backstroke (10m), standing dives, surface support (1 min.), swim underwater (5m), completion of Canadian Swim to Survive Standard. | 45 minutes | $98.25/session |
| Swimmer 7 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (50m), breaststroke (25m), elementary backstroke (15m), scissor kick (15m), head-up front crawl (10m), tread water (2 min), shallow dives, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersault, interval training of 4 x 50 m front or back crawl and 4 x 15 m breaststroke, 25 m sprints of front and back crawl. | 45 minutes | $98.25/session |
| Swimmer 8 | 5 to 14 years | Front and back crawl (100m), breaststroke (50m), elementary backstroke (25m), head-up swim (25m), eggbeater kick on back (15m), stride entries, compact jumps, swim 300m. | 45 minutes | $98.25/session |
| Swimmer 9/Rookie Patrol | 9 to 16 years | Front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke (50m), obstacle swim (25m), object carry (15m), fitness swim (350m), timed swim (100m in 3min), assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding. | 45 minutes | $98.25/session |
| Swimmer 10/Ranger Patrol | 9 to 16 years | Front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke (75m), rescue with a buoyant aid, tread with object (1 min), timed swim (200m in 6min), assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. | 1 hour | |
| Swimmer 11/Star Patrol | 9 to 16 years | Front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke (100m), fitness swim (600m), timed swim (300m in 8min) object carry (25m), victim removals, supporting a victim face up in shallow water, care for bone and joint injury, care for respiratory emergencies (asthma and allergic reactions). | 1 hour |
| Program | Pre-Certification Courses | General Requirements for Successful Completion: | Class Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Star |
None, but recommended to have Swimmer 9, 10 and 11
|
This award develops proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness for skilled candidates. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion as well as a prerequisite for the Bronze Medallion award if participants wish to take Bronze Medallion before they are 13 years old. Completion of Bronze Star includes CPR-A. and Basic First Aid. | 1 hour | $105/session |
| Bronze Medallion | 13+ years of age by first day of class or successful completion of Bronze Star |
This award challenges candidates both mentally and physically. This includes judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Candidates learn assessment and problem-solving skills varying in degrees of risk. Bronze Medallion is a pre-requisite for Bronze Cross Award. Completion of Bronze Medallion includes CPR-B. and Emergency First Aid. |
3 hours | $235 plus book |
| Bronze Cross | Successful completion of Bronze Medallion | This award is designed for candidates to advance their training and transition skills from lifesaving to lifeguarding. Teamwork is integral, as candidates will learn how to rescue a spinal-injured victim and learning how to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite for all advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguard and leadership. |
3 hours | $235 plus book |
| Program | Requirements | In this Program: | Class Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adapted Aquatics | Emphasis is placed on individual experiences of the candidate in a positive, safe, and reinforcing environment. | 30 minutes | $88.25/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. | Monday to Friday, 1 hour | $170/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 | $5.25/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. Typically, seasonal job postings are released the January before the next summer employment.
Visit www.stratford.ca/careers
| Program | Pre-Certification Courses | General Requirements for Successful Completion: | Class Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Star |
None, but recommended to have Swimmer 9, 10 and 11 |
This award develops proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness for skilled candidates. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion as well as a prerequisite for the Bronze Medallion award if participants wish to take Bronze Medallion before they are 13 years old. Completion of Bronze Star includes CPR-A. and Basic First Aid. |
1 hour |
$105/session |
| Bronze Medallion | 13+ years of age by first day of class or successful completion of Bronze Star |
This award challenges candidates both mentally and physically. This includes judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Candidates learn assessment and problem- solving skills varying in degrees of risk. Bronze Medallion is a pre-requisite for Bronze Cross Award. Completion of Bronze Medallion includes CPR-B. and Emergency First Aid. |
3 hours |
|
| Bronze Cross | Successful completion of Bronze Medallion | This award is designed for candidates to advance their training and transition skills from lifesaving to lifeguarding. Teamwork is integral, as candidates will learn how to rescue a spinal-injured victim and learning how to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite for all advanced training programs in lifesaving, lifeguard and leadership. |
3 hours | $235 plus book |
| Lifesaving Swim Instructor | 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current). |
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. |
varies | varies |
| Lifesaving Instructor | 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current). |
The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares instructors to teach the Lifesaving Society's:
|
varies | varies |
| National Lifeguard Service | Minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, and Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid (need not be current) or Standard First Aid | 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. | varies | varies |
Student Drop Off/Pick Up and Spectating Policy
Student Drop
Each day of lessons, the Swim Instructor of the class will meet students on the hill directly in front of the facility’s main entrance. From there, the class will be led into the pool area, inside the fence barrier. Parents/guardians are to ensure young students are in the hands of an Instructor before leaving the facility.
Student Pick Up
Students in Preschool 1 through to Swimmer 4 can be picked up outside the fence to the left of the facility’s main entrance, at the shallow end emergency gate.
Students in Swimmer 5 and above can be picked up outside the fence to the right of the facility’s main entrance, at the deep end emergency gate (Huron Street side).
Parent/Guardian Spectating
In the interest of student and public safety, parents/guardians attending swim lessons are required to watch from outside the facility’s 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.
02/25/25