Parent and tot program types
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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.
Parent and tot 1 (4 to 12 months)
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Parents will help their child to feel and explore the water – floating, splashing, paddling, blowing bubbles, kicking, and gaining comfort through a variety of songs and activities.
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Parent and tot 2 (12 to 24 months)
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Children are taught to get their face wet, blow bubbles, and gain comfort in the water through a variety of songs and activities. With your guidance, they will learn assisted front and back floats, and begin to use kicking to travel across the surface.
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Parent and tot 3 (20 months to 3 years)
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Toddlers will have fun jumping in to their parents and climbing out again, and will learn to hold their breath and open their eyes underwater. Practicing front and back floats in “starfish” and “pencil” positions, along with kicking on front and back, provides the building blocks for moving to the Preschool program at 3 years of age.
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Preschool program types
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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.
Preschool A
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Preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water, getting their face wet, blowing bubbles underwater, jumping into chest deep water, trying floats with assistance, and practicing assisted glides on their front and back.
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Preschool B
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Participants will learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves and submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket, they will work towards mastering front & back floats, front & back glides, and work towards kicking on their back for 5 metres.
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Preschool C
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Participants will learn to independently perform front and back floats (5 seconds each) and front and back glides (3 metres each). They will work towards propelling themselves for 5 metres using flutter kick, and will jump and roll into the water wearing a lifejacket. |
Preschool D
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Participants will learn kicking glides on their front (7 metres), back (7 metres), and side (5 metres), front crawl using a lifejacket, jumps and rolls, and treading water while wearing a lifejacket |
Preschool E
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These advanced preschoolers learn to tread water, and they start swimming front crawl and back crawl without a lifejacket. They will also learn forward rolls, vertical whip kick, and challenge themselves with flutter kick interval training.
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Swimmer level descriptions
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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.
Swimmer 1
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These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water, floating on their front and back, gliding (front and back), kicking through the water, opening their eyes, and exhaling underwater.
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Swimmer 2
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Participants will learn front crawl and back crawl, working towards completing 10 metres of each stroke. Front crawl breathing in a regular breathing pattern with underwater exhalation is a key skill learned, along with jumping into deep water and treading water. |
Swimmer 3
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Junior swimmers will work to develop Swim to Survive® skills which include rolls into the water, treading water for 30 seconds, and swimming 25 metres. Swimmers will build on the strokes learned previously by increasing distance and mastering side breathing for front crawl.
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Swimmer 4
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Participants continue to strengthen their front crawl and back crawl, and swim full lengths of each stroke. Swimmers will also learn standing dives, whip kicks and breast stroke arm drills and will work towards completing the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard of a roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute and swim 50 metres. |
Swimmer 5
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Intermediate swimmers will learn breaststroke, shallow dives, tuck jumps and eggbeater kick. They will refine their front and back crawl technique over 50-metre swims, 25 metre sprints, interval training and they will learn head-up front crawl. |
Swimmer 6
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Participants will master stride entries, compact jumps, and lifesaving kicks such as eggbeater and scissor kick. They will develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints, further refine their front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke for improved efficiency and complete 300-metre swim workouts. |
Swimmer 7
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Swimmers develop strength and efficiency in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke and begin learning lifesaving and rescue skills including surface dives, obstacle swims and lifesaving kicks to support themselves and objects. Participants also begin learning the basics of first aid, including assessment of conscious victims, contacting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and treatment for bleeding. |
Swimmer 8
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Swimmers improve efficiency, speed and endurance with each swimming stroke and lifesaving kick. They tackle rescue skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid while learning to recognize victims and obstructed airway rescue procedures. |
Swimmer 9
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Swimmers are challenged with 600-metre swim workouts and a 300-metre endurance swim. Development of lifesaving and rescue skills continues with defence methods, rescues with a towing aid, and victim support and removals. Participants also learn to care for people with asthma, allergic reactions and bone or joint injuries. |
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Adult and youth program level descriptions
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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.
Adult and youth level 1
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This level is for beginning swimmers and includes skills similar to Swimmer 1 and 2. You will gain comfort in the water, learn to submerge and exhale underwater, practice floats and glides on your front, back and side, propel yourself by kicking and work towards swimming 10 metres of front crawl and back crawl. |
Adult and youth level 2
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This level includes skills similar to Swimmer 4 and is for those who are able to swim 10 metres on front and back. You will develop effective front crawl breathing and improve the efficiency of your front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Surface support (treading water) and dive entries are also practiced. |
Adult and youth level 3
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This level is similar to Swimmer 5 and 6. You will work towards a 300-metre workout, sprinting for 25-50 metres and mastering your front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Learn eggbeater kick, stride entries and compact jumps.
Note: 12-year-olds who have completed Youth level 2 should register in Swimmer 5 program. |
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Private lessons
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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.
Private lessons – Preschool A-E, Swimmer 1-3 capabilities
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Participants will work on beginning swim skills in the shallow play pool. Available for 5 to 13 year olds.
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Private lessons - Swimmer 4 and above capabilities (deep water, unassisted)
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Participants should be comfortable in the deep water of the lap pool. Available for 5 to 13 year olds.
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Private lessons – Adult and Youth (14 years old)
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Available for anyone 14 years or older.
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ICAN swim programs
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Our inclusive ICAN swim programs offer extra support to children and youth with exceptionalities. Please visit the Milton recreation platform for availability.
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Aquatic leadership program types
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Learn about the aquatic leadership programs available through the Town of Milton. Visit the Milton recreation platform and filter by Service, log in to register.
Bronze Star
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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:
Completion of Swimmer 9 (recommended), 12 years of age (recommended) |
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
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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:
Participants should be at least 13 years of age or have their Bronze Star certification |
Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid
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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:
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid |
Lifesaving Assistant Instructor
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Through classroom learning and in-water practice, this program prepares candidates to help certified instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. You will be introduced to key principles of learning and teaching, and master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized. Attendance in each class is required.
Prerequisite:
Participants should be at least 14 years of age and have their Bronze Cross certification |
Lifesaving and Swim Instructor
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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:
Participants should be 15 years of age and have their Bronze Cross certification and Standard First Aid. |
National Lifeguard
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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:
Participants should be at least 15 years of age and have their Bronze Cross certification and Standard First Aid. |
Total Lifeguard for Adults
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Fast track your way to becoming a lifeguard. This course covers all aspects of Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid, and National Lifeguard and is ideal for adult learners looking to become lifeguards. Candidates are encouraged to attend an information session to learn if this program is right for you.
Pre-requisite:
18+ years of age
Comfortable swimmers
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