Using the Swim for Life Program offered by the Lifesaving Society.
Swim-level transitions and descriptions can be found below.
Online registration begins soon. Stay tuned for more details!
Parent and Tot 1/2
Swimmer age 4-24 months. Based on the principle of “Within Arms Reach”, these classes focus on close playful interaction and shared fun between child, parent and water. All skills are assisted by parent/guardian including entering and exiting water, bubbles, floats and submersion.
Previously known as Red Cross Starfish/Duck
Equivalent to YMCA splashers/bubblers
Parent and Tot 3
Swimmer age 2-3 years. . Based on the principle of “Within Arms Reach”, these classes focus on close playful interaction and shared fun between child, parent and water. All skills are assisted by parent/guardian including entering and exiting water, bubbles, floats, object recovery and submersion.
Previously known as Red Cross Sea Turtle
Equivalent to YMCA bobbers
Preschool 1
Swim for life preschool program gives children a head start on learning to swim. They’ll have fun developing the basics to be safe and confident little swimmers.
Swimmer age 3-5 years. Unparented class. All skills are assisted with instructor. Focus on building strength in water for floats, glides and front swim.
Previously known as Red Cross Sea Otter
Equivalent to YMCA floaters
Preschool 2
Swim for life preschool program gives children a head start on learning to swim. They’ll have fun developing the basics to be safe and confident little swimmers.
Swimmer age is 3-5 years. Unparented class. Based on the completion of Preschool 1. Floats, glides, and front swim are completed without assistance from the instructor.
Previously known as Red Cross Salamander
Equivalent to YMCA gliders
Preschool 3
Swim for life preschool program gives children a head start on learning to swim. They’ll have fun developing the basics to be safe and confident little swimmers.
Swimmer age is 3-5 years. Unparented class. Based on the completion of Preschool 2. Floats will be introduced in deeper water and distance increases for the glides and front swim. Glides and floats are performed without instructor assistance.
Previously known as Red Cross Sunfish
Equivalent to YMCA divers.
Preschool 4/5
Swimmer age is 3-5 years. Unparented class. Based on the completion of Preschool 3. Distance increases for glides and front swim. Introduces treading water and front crawl. Equivalent to Swimmer 1/2 class for children who are under 6.
Previously known as Red Cross Crocodile/Whale
Equivalent to YMCA surfers/dippers
Swimmer 1
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age is 5 years. The first level for children 5+ after preschool lessons. A great start point for older children who have never taken swimming lessons before. This is an unparented class that is taught in the big pool. Works on flutter kick, floats, glides, front crawl, treading water and submersion.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 1
Equivalent to YMCA Otter
Swimmer 2
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age 5 years. Based on the completion of Swimmer 1. Unparented class taught in the big pool. Develops and increases distances and skills learned in Swimmer 1.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 2
Equivalent to YMCA seal
Swimmer 3
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age 5 years. Based on the completion of Swimmer 2. Unparented class taught in the big pool. Develops and increases distances and skills learned in Swimmer 2.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 3
Equivalent to YMCA seal
Swimmer 4
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age 5 years. Must have completion of Swimmer 3 to register. Develops and increases distances on skills learned in Swimmer 3. Introduces diving and breastroke.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 4 and 5
Equivalent to YMCA Swimmer.
Swimmer 5
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age 5 years. Must have completion of Swimmer 4 to register. Develops and increases distances on skills learned in Swimmer 4. Skills include diving, eggbeater, treading water 2 minutes and stroke development.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 6
Equivalent to YMCA Swimmer.
Swimmer 6
Swim for life Swimmer lessons challenge school aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills and swimming strokes.
Minimum age 5 years. Must have completion of Swimmer 5 to register. Develops and increases distances on skills learned in Swimmer 5
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 7.
Equivalent to YMCA Swimmer.
Rookie Patrol
Must have completion of Swimmer 6 to register.
Continues to increase distances and develop strokes. Develops individual fitness levels to meet a timed 100m swim and 350m workout. Water proficiency skills include, swim with clothes, ready position and surface dives. Demonstrating an ability to conduct a primary assessment and throwing assists are key elements of the program.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 8
Equivalent to YMCA Star 2/3
Ranger Patrol
Must have completion of Rookie Patrol to register.
Enhances capability in the water, including stride entry, underwater swims, lifesaving eggbeater kick and increased fitness levels to meet a 200m times swim. Rescue skills involve victim recognition and non-contact rescues.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 9
Equivalent to YMCA Star 3/4
Bronze Star/Star Patrol
Must have completion of Ranger Patrol to register.
Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skills and personal fitness. Candidates refine stroke mechanics and acquire self-rescue skills. Bronze star is an excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport.
Previously known as Red Cross Swim Kids 10
Equivalent to YMCA Star 5/6/7