Aquatics Lesson Registration

For information about programs and registration, please check the Health and Active Living Guide.

Pre-registration is required for our swimming lessons. Registration is available online on i-Reg, by calling 905-478-4282 or in-person at Customer Service at the EG Sports Complex (E.G.S.C.) or Civic Centre. 

Fall registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on August 29 for residents and September 5 for non-residents. 

Winter registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on December 5 for residents and December 12 for non-residents.

 

Swim for Life Program

East Gwillimbury (EG) is proud to partner with the Lifesaving Society to provide high-quality swim lessons for residents. 

Swim for Life® is a complete learn-to-swim program from Parent and Tot through to Leadership. You can spot Water Smart® swimmers right away. They’re the ones who know how to swim and behave safely around water. The Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life® program ensures swimmer are Water Smart® before they get in too deep.

You’re never too young to start, and never too old to learn. Swim for Life® offers different strokes for different folks – of all ages and abilities.

Today, the Society’s Swim for Life program has grown into a major, national program that teaches hundreds of thousands of Canadians how to swim every year.

 

Swimming Pathway 

Swimming Lessons Pathway

 

Program Descriptions

 Parent and Tot Lessons Icon Parent and Tot (up to 3 years)

Parent and Tot 1

The Parent and Tot program is designed to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills by exploring the water through play. This class is designed for the 4 to 12 month old with parent/guardian participation and will learn to help their child build confidence and comfort in the water through play. These activities and progressions are based on child development and we recommend parents register in the level appropriate to their child’s age.

Parent and Tot 2

The Parent and Tot program is designed to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills by exploring the water through play. This class is designed for the 12 to 24 month old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/guardian. These activities and progressions are based on child development and we recommend parents register in the level appropriate to their child’s age.

Parent and Tot 3

The Parent and Tot program is designed to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills by exploring the water through play. This class is designed for the participant to learn to enjoy the water with the parent/guardian. These activities and progressions are based on child development and we recommend parents register in the level appropriate to their child’s age.

 Preschool Lessons Icon Preschool (3 to 5 years)

Preschool Prep

Participants will be learning to float and glide on their front and back. We'll help them jump into the water and they will learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles. Parent/guardian participation is required for this level and will transition out of the class by the end of the session.

Preschool 1

Participants will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We’ll help them jump into chest deep water. They’ll float and glide on their front and back and learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater.

Preschool 2

Participants will continue to work on floats, glides and jumps into chest deep water by themselves, but with lifejackets or buoyant aids. They'll submerge and exhale underwater and will kick on their back for 5 metres with a buoyant aid. 

Preschool 3

Participants will learn to float, glide, and kick on their front and back without assistance or buoyant aids. They will also be introduced to deep water by doing jumps and sideways entry into deep water with a lifejacket.

Preschool 4

Participants will continue to develop skills in deep water by doing treading water with a lifejacket, sideways entries and jumps into deeper water and getting out by themselves. They’ll master a 5 metres swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and using their flutter kick to master gliding on their front, back, and side. 

Preschool 5

Participants will work on endurance by treading water for 10 seconds, interval training, developing their front and back crawl swims and learning whip kick. In deep water they will be learning to do forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket.

 Swimmer Lessons Icon Swimmer (6 to 12 years)

Swimmer Prep

Participants will be learning to become comfortable in the water by learning the basics of swimming. They will be building their confidence by submerging and opening their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They’ll learn how to float, glide and kick through the water on their front and back. 

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.

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 m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 m).

Swimmer 3

These junior swimmers will dive and do in-water front somersaults and handstands. They’ll work on 15 m of front crawl, back crawl and 10 m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 m.

Swimmer 4

These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m 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 over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training.

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 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 m. Then they’ll pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 m breaststroke.

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 m. They’ll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they’ll complain about the 300m workout.

 Swim Patrol Icon Swim Patrol (8 to 12 years)

 Rookie Patrol Icon Swimmer 7: Rookie Patrol

Swimmers continue stroke development with 50 m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving Sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and 15 m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims. 

Prerequisite: None; Swimmer 5 is Recommended.  

 Ranger Patrol Icon Swimmer 8: Ranger Patrol

Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 m 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. 

Prerequisite: None; Swimmer 6 or Rookie Patrol is Recommended.  

 Star Patrol Icon Swimmer 9: Star Patrol

Swimmers are challenged with 600 m workouts, 300 m timed swims and a 25 m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100 m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of bone, joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defence methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water. 

Prerequisite: None; Swimmer 6 or Ranger Patrol is Recommended.

Swim Patrol First Aid IconSwim Patrol H2O Pro IconSwim Patrol Rescue Icon

 Youth Lessons Icon Youth (13 to 17 years)

Youth 1

Participates will work towards a 10-15 m swim on your front and back. Also will do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improving fitness and flutter kick technique with 4 x 9-12 m interval training.

Youth 2

Participants will be working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 m kicking and front or back crawl. Learning dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 m. Further developing fitness by doing 1-2 minutes of surface support, and showing off your handstands in shallow water.

Youth 3

Participants will learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. Further developing fitness by doing a 300 m workout and sprinting 25-50 m. Developing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke techniques. 

Youth Fitness (COMING SOON)

The Fitness Swimmer program is for swimmers who want to improve their overall physical fitness in the water. Fitness Swimmer provides a structured approach based on accepted training principles and practices including interval training. Participants set their own goals

 Adult Lessons Icon Adult (18+ years)

Adult 1

Participates will work towards a 10-15 m swim on your front and back. Also will do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improving fitness and flutter kick technique with 4 x 9-12 m interval training.

Adult 2

Participants will be working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 m kicking and front or back crawl. Learning dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 m. Further developing fitness by doing 1-2 minutes of surface support, and showing off your handstands in shallow water.

Adult 3

Participants will learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. Further developing fitness by doing a 300 m workout and sprinting 25-50 m. Developing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke techniques. 

 Youth Lessons Icon Private (3+ years)
Private - Shallow 
  • 1:1 swim lessons focusing on any of the Preschool 1 to 6 and Swimmer 1 to 2 within the private class, or any goal you may have including fitness, endurance, stroke correction and more.

Private - Deep

  • 1:1 swim lessons focusing on any level from Swimmer 3 to Swimmer 6 within the private class, or any goal you may have including fitness, endurance, stroke correction and more.

*Please note: Patrol levels, Bronze Star and Advanced Aquatic Leadership certifications cannot be completed during a private swim lesson.

 

Tips and Information

Swim Lesson Icon Swim Assessments

First Day Skill Assessments 

  • On the first day of lessons, a swim assessment will be conducted to evaluate participants' proficiency in the skills required at the previous level. If any participants are unable to meet the established standards for those skills, they will be withdrawn from the class. This measure is in place to ensure proper safety supervision and to group participants with similar skill levels, allowing them to focus on developing the new skills required for their current level while minimizing the risk and skill regression.

Booking Swim Assessments

  • Free swim assessments are available for any age to introduce them to the facility, assess their skill level, and assist with selecting the correct level to register at. All swimmers under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a guardian in the water.
  • Assessments are not required for private swim lessons.
  • Please contact the Aquatic Coordinator to set up a swim assessment. 

 Swim Lesson Icon Registration Age Overrides

  • Parent and Tot and Preschool level participants need to meet the age requirement before the start date of the program.
  • Swimmer level participants need to meet the age requirement by the last date of the program.

*Please Note: Age overrides will not be processed. Please contact customer service or the Aquatics Coordinator if you have any questions.

 Refund Icon Refunds

  • No refunds will be issued except for medical reasons. A doctor's note may be required.
  • All requests for refunds must be made in writing to the Recreation Services office.
  • A $20 administration fee plus a fee for classes attended will be deducted from all approved refunds.
  • Refunds will be processed according to the date your written request is received by Recreation Services.
  • Please allow three to five weeks for any refunds to be processed.
  • Recreation Services reserves the right to cancel programs due to insufficient registration.
 Transfer Icon Transfers
All requests for transfers must be made by emailing usTransfer requests are accepted until the second day of the swim program, subject to program space availability.
 Swim Lesson Icon Make-Up Lessons
Make-up classes or credit due to participant’s illness or commitments will not be available. Where a pool may close in an untimely manner, every effort will be made to appropriately accommodate participants.

If an accommodation is not possible (at the discretion of the Deck Supervisor) the classes will end. If over 50% of the class was taught then no credit or refund will be issued.

 Guardian Icon Guardian’s Day

Join us during the fifth lesson of each session to speak with your child’s instructor at the end of the class, check in on their progress and ask questions.

 Pajamas Icon Pajama Day
Swimmers can participate in a fun day of jumps, floats and swimming in pajamas. Please ensure your child wears their pajamas over their swimsuit for the lesson. This prepares and teaches swimmers how to handle an unexpected fall into the water. Preschool, Swimmer, Youth, Adult, and Private swim lessons participate.
 Report Card Icon Last Day

Join us during the last day of each session to receive a progress update and your swimmer's report card. Join us on the pool deck to take a photo. Photos are not permitted in the pool area during any other time.

 East Gwillimbury Logo Icon First Time in EG Aquatic Programs 

Please see directions to the Main St. Aquatic Centre on our Aquatics page. When you arrive, please park in the parking lot and not on the road. When you walk in the door, you will see the Female changeroom on the right. If you walk straight ahead, you will pass the washrooms. At the end of the hall is the Male changeroom and Lifeguard Office. Please check in at the Lifeguard Office if you have any questions. 

 

EG's Aquatics Program Location

East Gwillimbury is running Aquatic programs at the Main Street Aquatic Centre located at 241 Main Street North, Newmarket (enter from Old Main St). This is in anticipation of our own Aquatic Centre to be located in the Health and Active Living Centre in 2025. Get directions to the Main Street Aquatic Centre. 

 Pathway Icon Swim for Life Swimming Lessons Pathway 

Parent and Tot Levels (up to 3 years)
  • Parent and Tot 1 - 4 to 12 months

  • Parent and Tot 2 - 12 to 24 months
  • Parent and Tot 3 - 24 to 36 months

Preschool Levels (3 to 5 years)

  • Preschool 1 Prep
    • Recommended for swimmers with little to no exposure to swimming or who are uncomfortable in water.
  • Preschool 1
    • Recommended for swimmers who have never attended formal swimming lessons but are comfortable putting their face and head underwater.
  • Preschool 2
  • Preschool 3
  • Preschool 4 
  • Preschool 5

Swimmer Levels (6 to 12 years)

  • Swimmer 1 Prep 
    • Recommended for swimmers with little to no exposure to swimming or who are uncomfortable in water. Or swimmers coming from a Preschool 3 to Preschool 4 level. 
  • Swimmer 1
    • Recommended for swimmers who have never attended formal swimming lessons but are comfortable putting their face and head underwater. Or swimmers coming from a Preschool 5 level. 
  • Swimmer 2
  • Swimmer 3
  • Swimmer 4
  • Swimmer 5
  • Swimmer 6

Swim Patrol Levels (8 to 12 years)

  • Swimmer 7 - Rookie Patrol
  • Swimmer 8 - Ranger Patrol
  • Swimmer 9 - Star Patrol

Youth Levels (13 to 17 years)

  • Youth 1
    • Recommended for swimmers who have never attended formal swimming lessons and are learning to be comfortable in the water and the fundamental skills. 
  • Youth 2
    • Recommended for swimmers who are comfortable underwater, able to float and swim 15 meters. 
  • Youth 3 
    • Recommended for swimmers looking to build endurance and skill development. 

Adult Levels (18+ years)

  • Adult 1 
    • Recommended for swimmers who have never attended formal swimming lessons and are learning to be comfortable in the water and the fundamental skills. 
  • Adult 2
    • Recommended for swimmers who are comfortable underwater, able to float and swim 15 meters. 
  • Adult 3 
    • Recommended for swimmers looking to build endurance and skill development. 

Private Levels (3+ years)

  • Private - Shallow (Preschool 1 to 5 and Swimmer 1 to 2)
  • Private - Deep (Swimmer 3 to 6)

 Swim for Life Icon Program Feedback

Share your thoughts to ensure EG is providing safe and engaging aquatic programs to its diverse growing community. Your feedback is essential to ensuring program quality and service variety.

Aquatic Program Feedback Form

 

Swimming Lessons Photo