Swimming Lessons

Vancouver Park Board
Swimming Program Levels

• Infant
• Preschool
• Child
• Adult
• Aquatics Continuum

Registration Information

Children must be registered in lessons designated for their age group, and should complete each level or demonstrate equivalent competency, before advancing to the next level.

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering the Red Cross Parent and Tot and Preschool Swim program at all Vancouver Park Board facilities. The Canadian Red Cross has been a leader in Swimming and Water Safety for close to 60 years and continues to renew and refine their learn-to-swim program to meet the growing needs of Canadians.

Refunds & Cancellations:

• Full refund if notice received five or more working days prior to the start of the program.
• Refund of registration fee minus the cost of one class or transfer to a future session, if request received within four working days of the start of the program or after the first program date (class/lesson).
• No refunds issued for requests received after the second date of the program.
• Fees for one or two-day programs are non-refundable.

Red Cross Swim Parent and Tot (4-36 months)

PT 1 Starfish 4 to 12 months	An introductory class for babies and their parent or caregiver. To enter this level, babies must be able to hold their head up. The goal of this orientation to water class is to experience buoyancy, movement, entries, and songs and play in the water. Babies must be able to hold their head up on their own.
PT 2 Duck 12 to 24 months	For toddlers or older babies with a parent or caregiver. Toddlers build confidence while enjoying the water through games, songs and active water play.
PT 3 Sea Turtle 24 to 36 months	This program is for parents and their toddlers. At this level children will develops skills in swimming, glides, and floating and build awareness of deep water and safe entries.

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Red Cross Swim Preschool (3-5 years)

PS 1 Sea Otter	This is the preschool introductory level. Preschoolers will develops skills in swimming, glides, and floating and build awareness of deep water and safe entries.
PS 2 Salamander	Preschoolers actively learn new swimming skills including assisted floats and glides through games and songs. The fun includes learning to jump into chest deep water.
PS 3 Sunfish	Assisted by an Instructor, preschoolers work on stroke and skills progressions. Learning also focuses on good judgment in, on and around the water, and entries and floats in deep water.
PS 4 Crocodile	Preschoolers start independent glides and kicking in deep water. Endurance is built through increasing distance for front and back swims. Swimmers learn about the dolphin kick and try synchro skills in the water.
PS 5 Whale	In the Whale level, children will learn to swim independently and participate in team games. Preschoolers will increase their distance and improve skills in front and back swims. Swimmers also learn about throwing assists to help another person in the water.

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Children (5-12 years) Program Levels

Swim Kids 1	This is an entry level for children ready to move in shallow water. Can enter shallow water safely; float and glide on the front and back without assistance; jump into chest deep water, do front and back floats and recover in deep water, do surface support for 5 seconds and swim on front for 2m.
Swim Kids 2	This level helps the child build skills in front, back, and side swims. Can float/move in deep water with assistance; flutter kick while gliding on front, back, and side; do surface support for 10 seconds and swim 5m continuously.
Swim Kids 3	This level provides an introduction to front crawl as well as the foundation for making wise choices on where and when to swim. Can move comfortably in deep water; do front crawl at least 5m, arms recovering above water, and swim 15m continuously.
Swim Kids 4	This level develops front crawl, back glide and shoulder roll for back crawl. Can swim front crawl at least 10m while comfortably breathing to the side, and swim 25m continuously.
Swim Kids 5	This level introduces back crawl, along with sculling skills and whip kick on the back. Can tread water for 1 minute; swim front crawl at least 15m; swim back crawl at least 15m, arm recovering above the water; swim 50m continuously.
Swim Kids 6	In this level front and back crawl continue to be refined and elementary back crawl is introduced. Can swim efficient front and back crawl at least 25m; perform whip kick on front and back at least 10m; swim 75m continuously.
Swim Kids 7	This level continues to build skills and endurance for front crawl, back crawl and elementary back stroke. Can swim front crawl and back crawl at least 50m; swim coordinated elementary backstroke and breaststroke at least 15m; swim 150m continuously.
Swim Kids 8	In this level breast stroke is refined and foot first surface dives and rescue entries are introduced. Can swim front crawl and back crawl at least 75m; swim elementary backstroke and breaststroke at least 25m; swim 300m continuously.
Swim Kids 9	In this level front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke continue to be refined. Can swim front crawl and back crawl at least 100m; swim elementary backstroke and breaststroke at least 50m; swim coordinated side stroke at least 15m; perform dolphin kick at least 10m; swim 400m continuously.
Swim Kids 10	In this level children further refine strokes, with an introduction to butterfly and scissor kick. Can swim front and back crawl at least 100m; swim elementary backstroke and breaststroke at least 50m; swim 500m continuously.

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Adults Program Levels

Level 1	Basic introduction to the water. Introduction to front and back floats and basic propulsion.
Level 2	Introduction to front and back glides with basic propulsion. Introduction to front crawl, 1-2-3 breathe. Introduction to deep water activities.
Level 3	Introduction to whip kick. Work on stroke mechanics of front and back crawl over a 25m distance. To complete this level participants must be able to swim 50m continuously.
Level 4	Work on stroke mechanics. Work on developing swim work outs and use of training equipment. Introduction to breaststroke and side stroke. Develop endurance.

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