The City of St. Catharines offers Lifesaving Society swimming lessons to residents of all ages at the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and our outdoor pools. We also offer leadership courses for anyone looking to become a lifeguard or swimming instructor.
View available courses and course times, and register for all swimming lessons, lifeguard / swimming instructor programs and volunteer workshops with our ActiveSTC online portal.
You can choose to register for programs in-person at Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, located at 425 Carlton St., St. Catharines, ON L2M 4W9.
How do I know which Lifesaving Society level to register my child in?
If your child previously took swimming lessons with the Canadian Red Cross discover the Lifesaving Society next step in the chart below.
Lifesaving Society Conversion Chart
Previously completed Red Cross Swim level:
Register in Lifesaving Society:
Starfish
Parent and Tot 1 (4 to 12 months)
Duck
Parent and Tot 2 (12 to 24 months)
Sea Turtle
Parent and Tot 3 (2 to 3 years)
or Preschool 1 (3 to 5 years)
Sea Otter
Preschool 2 (3 to 5 years)
Salamander
Preschool 2 (3 to 5 years)
Sunfish
Preschool 3 (3 to 5 years)
or Preschool 4 (3 to 5 years)
Crocodile
Preschool 5 (3 to 5 years)
Whale
Swimmer 1 or 2 (5 years +)
Swim Kids 1
Swimmer 2
Swim Kids 2
Swimmer 2
Swim Kids 3
Swimmer 3
Swim Kids 4
Swimmer 3
Swim Kids 5
Swimmer 4
Swim Kids 6
Swimmer 5
Swim Kids 7
Swimmer 6
Swim Kids 8
Rookie Patrol
Swim Kids 9
Rookie Patrol
Swim Kids 10 (incomplete)
Ranger or Star Patrol
Swim Kids 10 (complete)
Bronze Star
Swimming levels and descriptions
Our Swim for Life program stresses lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart® education that will last a lifetime.
View our swimming levels to find out which level is right for you or your child, youth or teen. Classes are geared to students registered in the appropriate level only. For safety reasons, anyone who registers in an incorrect level, above or below the child's ability, will be un-registered and charged an administration fee.
If your child has not taken lessons for more than a year or you are unsure which level they should be registered in, please bring them to any Leisure Swim for a free assessment.
Evaluation process
Children are progressively evaluated throughout the session. Each child receives a progress card at the end of each session. They will receive a sticker if they complete a level. We keep progress cards on file for one complete session.
Course cancellations and combinations
We may cancel, change or combine courses due to insufficient registration.
Lifesaving Society Parent and Tot
Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun and learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Activities and progressions are based on child development, parents register in the level appropriate for their child's age.
All classes are 30 minutes. Parents or caregivers participate in the class with their child.
Program levels
The following Parent and Tot levels are offered. A full description of each level and registration options can be found on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Parent and Tot 1 (4 to 12 months)
Parent and Tot 2 (12 to 24 months)
Parent and Tot 3 (2 to 3 years)
Lifesaving Society Preschool
Give your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep.
In our basic aquatic progressions we work to ensure 3 to 5-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.
All classes are 30 minutes.
Program levels
The following Preschool levels are offered. A full description of each level and registration options can be found on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Preschool 1 (3 to 5 years)
Preschool 2 (3 to 5 years)
Preschool 3 (3 to 6 years)
Preschool 4 (3 to 6 years)
Preschool 5 (3 to 6 years)
Lifesaving Society Swimmer
The Lifesaving Society's 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 5 years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics.
We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Water Smart® education in all levels.
In each level, participants are evaluated based on performance criteria and progress to the next level once all criteria have been successfully completed.
All Swimmer 1 to 4 classes are 30 minutes.
All Swimmer 5 to 6 classes are 45 minutes.
Program levels
The following Swimmer levels are offered. A full description of each level and registration options can be found on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Swimmer 1 (5 to 12 years)
Swimmer 2 (5 to 12 years)
Swimmer 3 (5 to 12 years)
Swimmer 4 (5 to 12 years)
Swimmer 5 (5 to 12 years)
Swimmer 6 (5 to 12 years)
Canadian Swim Patrol - Rookie, Ranger and Star
Participants develop swim strokes and skills while having fun. Canadian Swim Patrol develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on Water Smart behaviour. Swim Patrol levels provide enriched training for children who are ready to go beyond Learn to Swim.
All Swim Patrol classes are 60 minutes.
Program levels
The following Swim Patrol levels are offered. A full description of each level and registration options can be found on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Rookie Patrol
Ranger Patrol
Star Patrol
After completing Star Patrol, you can enroll your child in youth swimming lessons and/or leadership programs, such as lifeguard and swimming instructor courses.
Youth and adult swimming lessons
We offer youth and adult oriented swimming lessons where candidates set their own goals. Whether just starting out or wanting to improve their current swimming ability and fitness.
All teen and adult classes are 60 minutes.
Program levels
The following teen and adult levels are offered. A full description of each level and registration options can be found on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Teen 1
Teen 2 and 3
Teen Fitness
Adult 1
Adult 2 and 3
Adult Fitness
Lessons for children with difficulties
We offer the Angel Fish swimming lessons program for children and youth who live with learning, physical or intellectual difficulties.
Angel Fish (3 to 14 years)
In this class for children and youth with learning, physical or intellectual difficulties, the focus is on developing solid water safety habits and basic swimming skills. To participate, each child must be accompanied in the water by a caregiver or volunteer. The caregiver or volunteer should be familiar with the child's physical and emotional needs and manage their general progress safely. Our qualified Adapted Aquatics instructors work with caregivers and volunteers to help children learn to swim and be water safe.
We are not currently offering private or semi-private swimming lessons.
In private swimming classes, participants three years old and up can benefit from special attention and plenty of practice. Private lessons are restricted to the Lifesaving Society Preschool, Swimmer 1 to 6, Teen and Adult levels.
Semi-private swimming lessons
With one instructor and two participants, you can sign up two children who can benefit from personal instruction at the same time. You can expand any private lesson to a two-person class. Simply select the time of the private swim lesson and request to convert it to semi-private lessons by contacting us by phone or making a note in your booking after registering a single registrant in the private class.
We recommend that both semi-private lesson participants be within one swim level ability up or down from one another.
Specific instructor requests
You can request a specific instructor or specific gender of instructor for your private class. We make every effort to meet your request, but we cannot guarantee that it will be granted. Please contact us by phone or through the booking system if you have a specific instructor request.
Becoming a lifeguard or swimming instructor
Learn how to become a lifeguard or swimming instructor with the City of St. Catharines! View our current job opportunities for any available lifeguard or swimming instructor opportunities.
What to expect as a lifeguard
Lifeguards accept a big responsibility. They work hard to master risk-management principles and skills in, on and around the water that are crucial to survival and lifesaving success. As a lifeguard, you will learn the following skills that will stay with you for a lifetime:
As a swimming instructor, you can impart your love, passion and wisdom around swimming into countless students! As a Swim Instructor, you will teach all Lifesaving Society Swim for Life programs to various age groups - from infants to adults. Certifications are recognized Canada-wide. The skills you learn can prepare you for future jobs in aquatics, recreation and many other fields.
Do you love the water and enjoy working with children of all ages? We need volunteers to help with the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program! To be a volunteer, you must be at least 13 years old with the Bronze Medallion Award or over 18 years old with a love of the water. Please complete the Aquatics Volunteer Application and an Aquatics Coordinator will reach out with more information.
Steps to becoming a lifeguard or swimming instructor
To become a lifeguard or swimming instructor with the City, you must achieve the following first seven steps:
Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion (age 13 and up or completed Bronze Star)
Standard First Aid with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) "C" and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
Bronze Cross (completed Bronze Medallion and Standard First Aid)
National Lifeguard - Pool (15 years and up and completed Bronze Cross). You are now a certified lifeguard!
Swim Instructor (15 years and up and completed Bronze Cross). You are now certified to teach the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program.
Lifesaving Instructor (15 years and up and completed Bronze Cross). You are now certified to teach the Lifesaving Society Bronze Star, Medallion and Cross courses.
The courses of Lifesaving Instructor or Swim Instructor are not required to take your National Lifeguard course. You can take these courses based on age or at the same time as one another.
Learn. Grow. Get hired.
The Learn. Grow. Get Hired program is an opportunity through the City of St. Catharines to receive discounted Aquatic Certification courses to individuals ages 13 and older, and adults of any age.
All interested individuals are asked to register in this program on our ActiveSTC online portal.
Those individuals who are successful in the skills assessment will be offered participation in upcoming courses.
The City of St. Catharines will cover the cost of the course and certification fees. Candidates will be responsible for purchasing the material cost of the course (course books).
Bronze Medallion
Standard First Aid
Bronze Cross
Swim Instructor
Lifesaving Instructor
National Lifeguard Pool
High Five
Aquatic Certifications can lead to employment with the City as a lifeguard and swim instructor.
These courses provide an opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills while achieving seven provincially recognized certifications.
We encourage all passionate swimmers to consider lifeguarding and instructing.
The journey to become a lifeguard and instructor can be demanding. Those who pursue it are rewarded with endless opportunities. Aquatic leadership programs help participants develop sound judgement, decision making, problem solving and communication skills that employers value. Whether we are a step on your employment journey or the end goal, individuals who complete their courses and who have worked as lifeguards and instructors open doors to successful careers in the field of business, education, emergency services, medicine, law and beyond.
Swim Assessment
Prerequisites:
Minimum age 13
A strong swimmer, can swim 16 lengths without stopping
What to expect at the assessment?
1.5 hours
Participants will swim front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and lifesaving kicks
Swim 16 lengths without stopping
Object recovery from bottom of deep end
Will receive instruction and help to complete the assessment
You can take the assessment as many times as you like. We just ask you practice in-between assessments and we will help you with that too
Please come prepared with:
Bathing suit
Goggles
Towels
Water
What will happen after the assessment?
Participants will be directed into the appropriate course for their skill level.
What if I used to hold one or all of the certifications listed?
We would like to find out what qualifications you held and when they expired. Don’t worry if you held qualifications 40 + years ago, we can help! We can discuss fast tracking you through the process.
To take advantage of our family rate, you may register your first child at full price, with each additional child receiving a 20 per cent discount.
Children must be from the same family, living in the same household, registered for the same seasonal session and registering on the same receipt for the discount to apply. The family rate does not include those registered for private lessons, semi-private lessons or leadership (lifeguard and swimming instructor) programs.
Refunds and class transfers
View our swimming lessons' refund and transfer policies, applicable to all programs except Aquatic Leadership and First Aid:
If you would like a refund, you must request a Program Withdrawal Request Form from any registration centre and submit it to our staff. Please bring your receipt when submitting the request.
If the program has started, registration fees will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.
We do not issue refunds or transfers after the third class.
All refunds and transfers are subject to a $12.80 administration fee, per participant.
A full (100 per cent) refund is given if the program is cancelled by the City.
Aquatic Leadership programs
Refunds are only issued until 14 days prior to the start of the program.
No refunds are issued after this time.
Pool protocols
We encourage you to minimize any pool foulings by fitting babies, tots and those without bowel control with snug, protective swim diapers.
We encourage participants to avoid eating or drinking too much before swimming.
If you are feeling unwell, we encourage you to stay home.
If there is a pool fouling during your lesson or if the pool is closed, we will teach water safety outside of the water. We encourage you to still come at your lesson.
There are no make-up classes due to absenteeism, thunder, lightning, pool foulings, emergencies or maintenance closures.
All participants must shower before entering the pool. It's clean, green and the law. The Public Pools Health Protection and Promotion Act mandates that every swimmer and bather must use soap and water before entering the deck.
Street shoes and strollers are not permitted on the pool deck.
How to have a successful swimming lessons experience
Participate in a Leisure Swim before your first lessons. Orient your child to the change room, washrooms and pool to help them know what to expect. Have fun in the water and practice skills that your child already knows.
Have your child assessed to determine the appropriate level you should register in. We offer free screening during any Leisure Swim at all City pools.
Swimming requires patience, practice and positive feedback. Children progress at their own rate. Talk with your child about appropriate lessons and have realistic expectations. Swimming lessons are a long-term progression and a time for enjoyment in a special environment!
Speak to your child's instructor. Ask about progress and any areas that you can work on with your child during Leisure Swims.
Ask the pool's head lifeguard if you have any questions or concerns. They will provide a link between you and the instructor.
Check your registration receipt carefully for lesson dates, times and cancellations due to holidays and special events.
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