Swimming Lessons and Activities

Registration information

• Registration is recommended to secure your space and to save time when you arrive at the facility. Some swims reach capacity and drop-in spaces may not be available. Log in to register.

• Pre-registration may be required for some early morning and late evening swims outside of regular customer service hours.

• Registration opens 72 hours in advance for Milton residents and 48 hours in advance for non-residents
• Visit our registration information web page for step-by-step registration instructions, including how to create an account.

Drop-in swimming program descriptions

All participants must check in with staff upon arrival and adhere to the supervision requirements listed below.

Length swims

• Swimmers are asked to swim in the lane that best fits their swim speed (slow, medium, fast) compared to other swimmers attending the swim.

Play pool swims

• Attendees have access to the warm water play pool for fun swimming, water exercise, water walking, and relaxing. Supervision requirements are in effect for children under 10.

Fun swims

• A recreational swim with both lap pool and play pool available for use. Supervision requirements are in effect for children under 10. Lane swimming is not available.

Adult leisure swims

• Participants have access to both the warmer play pool and the cooler lap pool and can move freely back and forth between the pools throughout the swim.
• Adult leisure swims are ideal for self-led water exercise, water walking and aqua jogging, therapeutic exercise and stretching, or just relaxing in either pool.

Female only swim

• Open to women and girls of all ages; boys are not permitted at any age.

• Participants of all ages are welcome. Supervision requirements are in effect for children under 10.

• Windows are covered during this swim and only female lifeguards are on duty.

Male only swim

• Open to men and boys of all ages.

• Supervision requirements are in effect for children under 10.

• Windows are not covered during this swim, and only male lifeguards are on duty.

Sensory-Friendly Swims

• Enjoy a sensory-friendly swim, in an adapted pool environment without music or running water features, and a reduced number of swimmers in the pool and change rooms.
• Attendees have access to the play pool for swimming, exercise, water walking, and relaxing.
• Accompanying adults or support persons swim free of charge. Please note that support workers are not provided and supervision requirements are in effect for children under 10.

Supervision requirements

Supervision requirements are enforced at all swims and pool rentals. Our requirements indicate the maximum number of children that one responsible person, who is at least 14 years old, is able to supervise.

In addition to the above supervision requirements, groups attending swims must also maintain a minimum supervision ratio of eight children per guardian.

On-deck viewing

• Spectators who are not registered may observe from the appropriate viewing area.

Facility swim test

Upon arrival at the swim, you’ll complete a facility swim test. To successfully complete the test, you must demonstrate that you can swim continuously for at least 25 metres and you must be able to put your face in the water and breathe while swimming.

Memberships

Cancellations/withdrawals

Please withdraw from a program you can no longer attend as early as possible to allow another community member to participate. No refunds or transfers will be issued once the program has started. To cancel a program you have registered for, please log into your account or email Recreation staff.

You can withdraw from activities online by following these steps:

1. Log in to your account
2. Select participant name
3. Select 'Schedule' from the list on the left hand side
4. Switch your view to 'List View' and select 'Action' beside the course you wish to cancel
5. Select 'Withdraw' from drop-down list and choose the reason for cancellation

Notes:

• The refund method is displayed on screen
• Credit card payments will have the option to refund back to the original card
• Withdrawal fees will be charged as per Town policy
• Subsidy payments will be returned to subsidy account
• Refunds take three business days to process

Registration

Visit our registration information web page for step-by-step registration instructions, including how to create an account.

Registered swimming program descriptions

Parent and tot programs

• In our parent and tot programs, you will introduce your child to the water and help them get comfortable swimming in a fun and nurturing environment. Classes are based on the child’s age so that activities and skills are developmentally appropriate. For list of currently offered swim programs please visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Service.

Preschool programs

• Our preschool programs are for children ages 3 to 5. For list of currently offered swim programs please visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Service.

Swimmer level descriptions

• Our swimmer programs are for children between the ages of 5 and 12. If your child is five, you can choose between enrolling them in the preschool programs or swimmer programs. If your child completed Preschool D or E, they should register in Swimmer 2 when moving to the Swimmer program. For list of currently offered swim programs please visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Service.

Adult and youth program level descriptions

• These programs are for adults and youth ages 12+ who want to learn to swim or improve their swim strokes and technique. Swimmers who have completed Swimmer 9 should advance to the Aquatic Leadership programs. For list of currently offered swim programs please visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Age or Service.

Private lessons

• Enjoy swim lessons with personalized one-on-one instruction for your specific needs. To register for currently offered swim programs please visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Service.

ICAN swim programs

• Our inclusive ICAN swim programs offer extra support to children and youth with exceptionalities. Please browse program availability before registering.

Program Guidelines

• Find program descriptions on the Fitness registration page
• Arrive on time 
• Wear appropriate attire for your program
• Outdoor shoes are not permitted to be worn on the pool deck
• Photography and Videography is not permitted on the pool deck
• Spectators must be in the designated location
• Parents are required to be in the water for all Parent & Tot levels
• Children’s Programs:     
  • A parent/guardian/caregiver must accompany children under ten (10) years of age to the program area for drop-off and pick-up, at the designated program start and end times.
  • Parents/guardians/caregivers of children under ten (10) years of age participating in a Town program/service will remain responsible for supervising the child outside of the direct program area. Inclusion programs, care programs (e.g. camps), and those programs in excess of two (2) consecutive hours are excluded from this requirement unless otherwise stated).
• Every participant, together with staff, volunteers, and parents/guardians, contributes to the success of the programs and services offered by the Town.  In order to provide quality programs and services, the Participant Code of Behaviour has been established.

Cancellations/withdrawals

For information on withdrawals and refunds, check out our terms and conditions for registered and drop-in programming.

 Bronze Star

Participants develop problem solving and decision making skills individually and in partners. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. This program includes a timed 400-metre swim and will help to prepare participants for success in Bronze Medallion.

Prerequisite:

 Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid

Gain an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue: judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers will learn tows, carries, defence methods and releases in preparations for challenging rescues.

Prerequisite:

 Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid

Lifesavers learn to perform safe rescues in challenging emergency scenarios, providing advanced training in the lifesaving principles learned in Bronze Medallion. Bronze Cross is the prerequisite for the Swim Instructor and National Lifeguard courses. Standard First Aid covers all aspects of first aid and CPR training, including CPR-C certification, breathing and cardiac emergencies, bone and joint injuries, bleeding, and other medical emergencies.

Prerequisite:

 Lifesaving and Swim Instructor

This program prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate swim strokes and lifesaving skills. Through classroom learning and in-water practice, instructor candidates explore proven teaching methods; learning strategies and activities; a variety of strokes and skills; effective correction techniques and evaluation criteria. Practice teaching is emphasized throughout. Complete attendance is required.

Prerequisite:

 National Lifeguard

Recognized as the standard measurement of lifeguard performance in Canada, National Lifeguard education is designed to develop a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. Complete attendance is required.

Prerequisite: