2–24 mo
Baby Seal
Gentle caregiver-supported water discovery builds comfort through safe holds, floating and play.
- Water comfort
- Safe holds and exits
- Floating and movement
- Format:
- Caregiver in the water
- Levels:
- Baby Seal 1–4
Swim school · Aquatic leadership
Programs for every age and stage
Swimming lessons for every age in Toronto follow one pathway from a first splash to a first shift — parented classes, independent lessons, coached squads, private lessons and leadership courses across four pools.
One pathway, from first splash to first shift
The same ladder connects parented classes, independent swimming, coached training and professional aquatic roles.
- Swim School1–4
Baby Seal
Caregiver-supported water discovery.
Explore - 1–3
Seal Pups
From caregiver support to independence.
Explore - 1–5
Little Stars
Independence and swimming foundations.
ExploreLevel details
- Level 1: Build comfort floating and gliding with the face in the water.
- Level 2: Kick 5 metres with the face in the water, unsupported.
- Level 3: Kick 10 metres and roll onto the back to breathe.
- Level 4: Kick on the back for 25 metres while staying relaxed.
- Level 5: Turn to the side to breathe while kicking with a kickboard.
- 6–9
Big Stars
Stroke technique, endurance and lane skills.
ExploreLevel details
- Level 6: Swim freestyle for 25 metres with side breathing.
- Level 7: Build breaststroke technique alongside established freestyle.
- Level 8: Swim 200 metres continuously while building endurance and pacing.
- Level 9: Develop rescue skills, stroke technique and squad readiness.
- Squads & Adults1–3
Squads & Adults
Coached training or goal-led adult stages.
Explore - Aquatic Leadership13+
Bronze Medallion
Lifesaving judgement and rescue skills.
Explore - 14+
Bronze Cross
Advanced lifesaving and readiness.
Explore - 15+
National Lifeguard
Canada’s professional lifeguard standard.
Explore - 15+
Swim Teacher / first shift
Training leads to a role on deck.
Explore
What your swimmer will learn, by age
Start with age, then explore the skills, format and pathway that fit.
2–4 yr
Seal Pups
Seal Pups 1 and 2 are caregiver-supported; Seal Pups 3 is the first independent level.
- Water confidence
- Independent movement
- Early safety skills
- Format:
- Caregiver-supported, then independent
- Levels:
- Pups 1–3
3–12 yr
Swim Stars
Nine levels build independence, stroke technique, endurance, starts, turns and lane awareness.
- Floating and propulsion
- Four-stroke development
- Starts, turns and pacing
- Format:
- Independent group lessons
- Levels:
- Little Stars 1–5 · Big Stars 6–9
9–17 yr
Swim Squads
Coached practice develops technique, fitness, starts, turns, pacing and lane etiquette.
- Stroke technique
- Fitness and pacing
- Starts and turns
- Format:
- Coached practice
- Levels:
- Junior and Senior squads
13+
Teens & Adults
Practical teaching supports water confidence, freestyle development and fitness goals.
- Water confidence
- Freestyle technique
- Fitness and endurance
- Format:
- Goal-led group lessons
- Levels:
- Water Confidence · Learn Freestyle · Fitness Squads
Children–adults
Private & Semi-private
Individual teaching supports specific goals, confidence, learning needs or scheduling.
- Individual goals
- Confidence and control
- Skill refinement
- Format:
- 1:1 or 2:1 lessons
- Levels:
- Matched to the swimmer
13+ / 14+ / 15+
Lifeguarding Courses
Aquatic leadership and lifeguarding certification follows published course prerequisites.
- Lifesaving judgement
- Rescue skills
- Lifeguard readiness
- Format:
- Certification courses
- Levels:
- Bronze Medallion · Bronze Cross · National Lifeguard
15+
Swim Teacher Courses
Training for people who want to teach swimming, with prerequisites in the live course listings.
- Lesson planning
- Skill correction
- Safe class leadership
- Format:
- Certification course
- Levels:
- Seal Swim Teacher
Course prerequisites apply
First Aid & CPR
Practical emergency-response training for aquatic, workplace and everyday settings.
- First aid response
- CPR skills
- Emergency readiness
- Format:
- Certification courses
- Levels:
- Basic and Intermediate First Aid
Six things every swimmer learns
The emphasis changes by age and level, but the pathway keeps these foundations in view.
Water safety and exits
Safe entries, exits, self-rescue and awareness of depth and distance.
Breathing and floating
Breath control, body position, balance, floating and gliding.
Confidence and independence
Comfort grows through predictable routines, practice and clear milestones.
Stroke technique
Body alignment, coordinated movement, breathing rhythm and stroke development.
Endurance and pacing
Increasing endurance, steady pacing and fitness through purposeful repetition.
Lifesaving skills
Upper levels build rescue skills and readiness for aquatic leadership.
How our lessons work
Classes of three
Swim Stars 1–5 have three swimmers per swim teacher. Levels 6–9 have up to five.
A consistent rhythm
Baby Seal (Baby 1–4): 30 min; Seal Pups (Pups 1–3): 30 min; Swim Stars 1–5 (Little Stars): 30 min; Swim Stars 6–9 (Big Stars): 45 min; Swim Squads (Junior and Senior): 60 min; Teens & Adults 1–3: 60 min; Private and semi-private lessons: 30 or 45 min
Placement by assessment
Age, experience, confidence and demonstrated skill guide the right starting point.
SplashCheck every week
Weekly skill ratings and swim teacher notes show progress and what comes next.
Not sure which program fits? Placement is guided by age, experience, confidence, demonstrated skill and assessment.
Find your swimmer's class
Match the right program and level to a Toronto pool, day and class time.
Register nowGetting ready for your first lesson
- A secure, well-fitted swimsuit
- A swim cap or hair tie for shoulder-length or longer hair
- Goggles, strongly recommended for most levels
- A reusable swim diaper for swimmers who are not toilet trained
- A clean, dry towel
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in and settle
SplashCheck + My Swim Portal
Skills, notes and next steps, together.
Your swimmer’s progress, in one place
A weekly SplashCheck shows 1–5 star ratings for each key skill, plus swim teacher comments and the next stage your swimmer is working toward.
In My Swim Portal, families can check schedules, view attendance and progress, report absences, request eligible make-up lessons, update swimmer information and register for future sessions.
Questions, answered
Which program is right for my swimmer?
Use the Class Finder for a recommendation based on your swimmer’s age, experience and comfort in the water. If the result is unclear, contact the team to discuss the right starting point.
Can we try a class or get a level assessment?
Trial classes are not typically offered. Start with the Class Finder; when needed, the team may recommend a short, informal in-person assessment at a pool location.
How does my swimmer move up a level?
Swim teachers monitor progress through ongoing observation and weekly SplashChecks. A swimmer is recommended for the next stage after consistently demonstrating the level’s skills, confidence, control and safety benchmarks.
How often should we attend swimming lessons?
We recommend at least one lesson each week. Consistent weekly attendance helps swimmers retain skills, build muscle memory and make progress more visible; a second weekly lesson can reinforce technique faster.
What swimwear do swimmers need?
Swimmers need a secure, well-fitted swimsuit. Swim caps are required for shoulder-length or longer hair, goggles are strongly recommended, and swimmers who are not toilet trained need a snug reusable swim diaper.
How do make-up lessons work?
Make-up lessons are a courtesy, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Report an absence through the Swim Portal at least 8 hours before class; limits and a 90-day validity period apply.
Also at our pools
Self-directed and family pool time sit outside the lesson pathway.
Lane Swim
Dedicated sessions for swimmers aged 13 and up to train, build endurance or swim at their own pace.
Open Swim
Relaxed, unstructured pool time for families to play, explore and practise together.
Know before you swim
How we keep swimmers safe
Lifeguards, assistant lifeguards and swim teachers on every shift, with one team leader per deck and Water Safety Standards taught at every level.
Read our safety protocols
