Swimming Lessons

NHWCC Aquatic Centre follows the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Program and offers swimming lessons for all ages and abilities.

You must register for private lessons by phone 519-357-1208 ext. 323, email or on-line registration.

The Centre has a Family Accessible Change room. Please make sure you check out Winter Closures.

COVID-19 Notice

Due to COVID-19 swimming lessons are limited to Private, Semi Private and Family Lessons, as well as, Mini sessions of Parent & Tot lessons.

COVID-19 Protocols

Parent/Guardian Expectations

Preschool Levels and Swimmer 1 & 2- Due to social distancing Parents/Guardians are required to be in the water with their child. Parent/Guardian will be providing supportive holds and physical manipulation. Swimmer 3 and up-No Parent/Guardian is required in the water as no supportive holds or physical manipulation is required. Note: Only 1 parent will be allowed to accompany a swimmer(s) in the building to watch their child's lesson. No siblings will be allowed in the building unless they are registered for private lessons.

Arriving at the pool

Please arrive showered and in your bathing suit as change rooms will not be available before your lesson. Wash rooms will be open during lessons.

Face coverings are required when entering the building, in the hallways and in the change rooms. Face coverings are not required in the water.

Everyone entering the building must do the Mandatory Health Screening.

Follow the blue arrows through the north corridor and wait for the lifeguards to unlock the door.

Footwear must be removed before entering the pool area.

Tables have been provided on the pool deck for members clothing. Footwear will be placed under the tables.

Leaving the pool

When the lesson is over swimmers will pick up their clothing and footwear and exit through either the ladies or family change rooms. No showers will be available.

Swimmers have 10-15 minutes to change and exit the change rooms before staff enter to disinfect.

Exit through the aquatic hallway and out the front door of the building.

Types of Swimming Lessons

Public Swimming Lessons

Not available at this time.

Private Swimming Lessons

Currently available. Are offered fall, winter, spring and summer. Swimmers will get 5 half hour lessons. Please see COVID-19 protocols above for more information. Please call (519)357-1208 ext.323 to register.

Looking for 1:1 instruction, extra practice on strokes and skills? Private lessons are a great way to get individualized swimming lessons.

Semi-Private Swimming Lessons

An option for swimmers who would benefit from a small group lessons. Parents/Guardians must find the other swimmer(s) who must be similar ages and levels.

Stroke Correction

Stroke Correction is not available at this time.

Swim for Life Levels

Parent and Tot (4-36 months) Link to Fusion

Parent & Tot 1 (4-12 months)

Currently available Link to Fusion. Through songs, games and play the parent and child will explore the water and experience buoyancy, movement skills and entries. Introduction to PFD's.

Parent & Tot (12-24 months)

Currently available Link to Fusion. Through songs, games and play the parent will assist the child perform assisted floats, learn to kick, get their face wet and blow bubbles.

Parent & Tot 3 (24-36 months)

Currently available Link to Fusion. Through songs, games and play the parent will encourage the child to have fun jumping into the water, learn to hold their breath and open their eyes underwater. Floats and glides will also be practised.

Preschool Levels (3-5 years)

Preschool A (3-5 years)

Preschoolers jump into chest deep water assisted, float on front and back and do back glides with assistance.

Preschool B (3-5 years)

Preschoolers learn to jump into chest-deep water without assistance, submerge and exhale under water. They glide on front and back 3m and work on flutter kick on back. Fitness swim 2-4m unassisted.

Preschool C (3-5 years)

Preschoolers try both a jump and side roll into deep water while wearing a PFD. They recover objects from the waist-deep water, work on kicking and gliding through the water on front and back unassisted. Fitness swim 7-9m unassisted.

Preschool D (3-5 years)

Preschoolers learn independent jumps into the deep water, and recover objects from chest-deep water. Front crawl is introduced in this level. Fitness swim is 7-9 m unassisted.

Preschool E (3-5 years)

Preschooler build on deep water skills by doing a forward roll with a PFD. They develop endurance by doing interval training and fitness swim 10-12m. Whip kick is introduced.

Swimmer Levels (6 years and up)

Swimmer 1

Beginners become comfortable jumping into the water with and without PFD's, open their eyes and exhale underwater. They will work on floats, glides and kicking on front and back. Fitness swim 5-7m.

Swimmer 2

Swimmers jump into deep water, learn unassisted surface support, recover objects in chest-deep water. Fitness swim 10-15m.

Swimmer 3

Swimmers develop front and back crawl, explore whip kick in a vertical position and tread for up to 30 seconds. Fitness swim 20-25m.

Swimmer 4

Swimmers learn stride dives and continue to improve their front crawl, back crawl and whip kick. Fitness swim 50m.

Swimmer 5

Swimmers are introduced to the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard, perform shallow dives, introduction to breaststroke skills and continue to work on front and back crawl. Fitness swim 100m.

Swimmer 6

Swimmers are introduced to stride entries, scissor kick and vertical dolphin kick. Swimmers continue to work on strength and power on front and back crawl and further develop breaststroke skills. Fitness swim 150m.

Swimmer 7

Swimmers are introduced to sculling, master dolphin kick and eggbeater. Fitness swim 300m.

Swimmer 8

Swimmers are introduced to advanced aquatic skills including head and foot first surface dives and some first aid. They swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Fitness swim 350m.

Swimmer 9

Swimmers continue stroke development with 75m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving skills include a rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid skills are continued. Fitness swim 500m.

Swimmer 10

Swimmers swim 100m of each front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. They learn entries with aids, removals of unconscious victims. Fitness swim 600m.

Frequently asked questions

What if the level I want is full?

Recreation Terms and Conditions

What happens if I miss a lesson?

Every attempt will be made to reschedule any public or private swimming lessons cancelled by the aquatic department due to unforeseen circumstances. Public lessons missed by the participant will not be reschedule. Any private lessons that are missed by the participant will be made up for an additional cost of $25 per lesson.

How do refunds work?