Frequently Asked Questions
This is a quick guide showing the requirements to enter each level in the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life program:
Swimmer 1: 5+ years old. This is an introductory level.
Swimmer 2: Swim 5 meters.
Swimmer 3: Swim 15 meters and tread water for 15 seconds.
Swimmer 4: Swim 25 meters and tread water for 30 seconds.
Swimmer 5: Swim 50 meters and tread water for 1 minute and swim underwater 5 meters.
Swimmer 6: Swim 75 meters and tread water for 90 seconds.
Preschool 1: Under age 5. This is an introductory level.
Preschool 2: Put face in water. Blow bubbles in water. Swim 3m assisted. Preschool 3: Submerge and exhale 3 times. Swim 3m assisted.
Preschool 4: Swim 5 meters on your front and back.
Preschool 5: Swim 7 meters on your front and back and tread water for 15 seconds.
Parent & Tot: Age 4-12 months old (must be able to hold their head up on their own)
Parent & Tot: Age 12-24 months old
Parent & Tot: Age 2-3 years old
Adult 1: This is for adults who are not yet comfortable in deep water. This class focuses on strokes with the goal of getting the students ready to swim in deep water.
Adult 2: This is for adults who ARE comfortable in deep water. This class focuses on improving strokes, learning treading water, diving, and swimming farther distances with a goal of swimming 100 meters.
Adult 3: This is for advanced students with a goal of learning advanced strokes, treading water for a minute and swimming 300 meters.
Yes, absolutely. We will teach any student regardless of ability and do our best to provide instruction to them. If your student requires supervision to remain safe or on topic, you and/or a caregiver is welcome to come into the water with them. I understand that some people can not perform certain tasks that might normally be required to pass a level, and, unless it's a safety issue, will not hold a student back for that.
A Bathing Suit is all that is absolutely required to swim.
Goggles are nice to have. When you purchase Goggles it is best if you try on test moddles. The Goggles should stick to your face without using the straps, at least for a few sections, otherwise they don't fit your face. Goggles should NOT cover your nose, those are for SCUBA, and restrict your ability to breath out your nose properly.
If you have long hair, you should consider a Hair Tie and/or Swim Cap. This will keep the hair out of your face which can block vision, and make it hard to breath without wiping it away first. A Towel and separate bag for wet clothing are handy.
Everything else will be provided; Kick boards, noodles, foam dumb-bells, toys, mats and so forth.
Hostility and Unacceptable Behavior
Anyone who is unacceptably rude or violent towards staff members may be asked to leave and your registration(s) may be cancelled without refund.
We understand that children and persons requiring support can get very excited and might strike an instructor or say something inappropriate. That is usually still acceptable behaviour although we will discourage it. If you witness unacceptable behaviour, please report it to one of our staff.