Swim Lessons

As an authorized service provider for the Lifesaving Society of Canada,
the BGC provides all Lifesaving Swim programs from structured lessons
for Parent & Tot to advanced Aquatic certification and training.

If your child has taken swim lessons with another provider, click the conversion chart below to find the comparable level.

If cost is a barrier to your child’s participation in aquatics or recreation programs there are several programs that may be able to help. 

City of Niagara – Activity Subsidy Fund
https://niagarafalls.ca/city-government/grants/#RecreationCommittee-Activitysubsidyfund

Jumpstart
https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants

If your family is denied or not able to access funding from the above options, BGC Niagara’s Child and Youth Opportunity Fund may be able to help. BGC Niagara is committed to helping reduce financial barriers so children and youth can participate in our programs.

When funding is available, fee assistance may be offered to eligible families. 

EJ Freeland Community Centre

EJ Freeland (Fort Erie) location 
1555 Garrison Road, Fort Erie

Click the following for additional information and swim lesson schedules:

Niagara Falls Centre

8800 McLeod Road, Niagara Falls

Click the following for additional information and swim lesson schedules:

Swim Lessons

Parent & Tot

(4 months-3 years)

Parents spend quality time with their child while having fun learning and socializing with others. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, our Parent & Toddler program stresses the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. “Water Smart” tips on keeping children safe in an aquatic setting are provided. 

Preschool A-E

(3-5 years)

Preschool levels develop an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before kids get in too deep. In five preschool levels, instructors work to help 3 to 5-year-old children become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. Water Smart education is incorporated at each level.

Swimmer 1-6

(6-12 years)

Swimmer progressions accommodate 5-12 years old children and youth including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. Instructors stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. Water Smart education is incorporated at each level.  

Fitness Swimmer

The Fitness Swimmer program is for swimmers who want to improve their overall physical fitness in the water, endurance and stroke technique. Fitness Swimmer provides a structured approach based on accepted training principles and practices including interval training.

Canadian Swim Patrol – Rookie, Ranger & Star Patrol

(Completion of swimmer 6)

The Lifesaving Society’s 3-level Canadian Swim Patrol program provides enriched training for those who want to develop swim strokes and skills while having fun in the challenging world of lifesaving. Swim Patrol develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on Water Smart behaviour. Skill drills enhance capability in the water, good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment. (1-hour lesson)

Private Lessons (one on one); or Semi-Private (2 participants)

BGC Niagara is pleased to offer private and semi-private swim lessons. These lessons are recommended for all swimmers ages 3+ who are looking for individual attention.

Please note: when signing up for semi-private lessons, one person will register for a private lesson, and between the day after registration and the day before the lessons start, that person must contact the Aquatics Manager to upgrade the private lesson to a semi-private lesson for an additional fee.

Lifeguard Academy

For more information about our Lifeguard Academy CLICK HERE. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

ADMISSION STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC POOLS

Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the  whereabouts and the activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the  purposes of preventing injuries and fatalities.

· Children under the age of 10 years who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision.  The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be a maximum of 4 bathers to one parent or guardian (4:1).  The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be increased to a maximum of 8 bathers to one parent or guardian (8:1) if lifejackets are worn by all non-swimmers in their charge.

· Children under the age of 10 who are swimmers (able to demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test) may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied.

· Children under the age of 6 years may not be admitted to the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their direct supervision, with a maximum of two children for each parent or guardian. 

· Guardians or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times.

· Guardians or group leaders should be at least 12 years of age.

· Ratios of instructors/lifeguards to bathers must also be maintained as per Regulation 565.