Cochrane Swim Lessons
SLS Centre offers swim lessons for all ages and abilities! Browse this page to see all our offerings, and what skills are required for each level and program. Summer Swim Lessons Registration: Members: June 2, Public June 5
Lifesaving Society's "Swim For Life"SLS Centre offers Swim Lessons from ages four months to adults with the Lifesaving Society, 'Swim For Life' learn to swim and lifesaving programs.
Cochrane Swim Lessons
- Adult Swimmer
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Adult Swimmer 1/2/3
At least 13 but less than 99 ADULT SWIMMER | 13+ YEARSThe Adult Swimmer program helps beginners or those improving strokes achieve their goals. With a certified instructor, participants gain confidence, develop smooth strokes, improve water fitness, and learn Water Smart® safety. Skills and awards are adapted for adult learners’ needs and personal goals.Progression through this program is based on completion of skills at each level.ADULT 1Adult swimmers will work towards being able to complete short distance swims (10-15 m) on their front and back. They will work through swimming stroke fundamentals such as floats, rolls, glides, and kicks. Swimmers will develop their underwater skills as they continue to build their confidence in the water. ADULT 2Adult swimmers will practice different entries into deep water including dives, rolls, and tuck jumps (cannonballs). As they work on building strength and endurance, they will aim to be able to tread water for 1-2 minutes. New underwater skills are introduced such as handstands in shallow water and front somersaults (in water). Swimmers will achieve the Swim to Survive standard by being able to roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, and swim 50m. In addition to improving their front crawl, back crawl, and whip kick, swimmers will be introduced to breaststroke. ADULT 3Adult swimmers will work towards mastering front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke. Challenging skills such as shallow dives, stride entries, and compact jumps will be completed as well as a focus on developing lifesaving kicks. Swimmers can expect to improve their fitness levels as they work on completing 300m workouts and 25-50 m sprints.Next Steps: Profession -> Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Swim InstructorNext Steps: Active Lifestyle -> Fitness Swimmer
- Certification & Leadership
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Lifesaving Bronze Star
10 and upBronze Star| 10+ years The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill, and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport. Prerequisites: None (Canadian Swim Patrol experience recommended) Certification Currency: 2 years DATES: August 4 - 27, 2026TIME: 4:30 - 5:45 PMNext Steps: Lifeguarding -> Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard Next Steps: Active for Life -> Fitness Swimmer - Learn more and register
Lifesaving Society Lifesaving & Swim Instructor
15 and upThe Lifesaving & Swim Instructor course prepares candidates to teach and evaluate the Swim for Life®, Canadian Swim Patrol, and Bronze Medal programs, as well as Distinction, Boat Rescue, and Lifesaving Society CPR courses.Through this combined certification, candidates develop and apply Level 1 leadership competencies and instructional strategies to effectively teach swimming, stroke development, water rescue, and lifesaving skills. The course emphasizes judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness—the foundation of effective aquatic instruction.Successful candidates will be certified to teach and evaluate swimmers of all levels, from learn-to-swim participants to advanced lifesaving award candidates. In Alberta and the Northwest Territories, certification also includes CPR Instructor status.DATE:August 4 - 13, 2026TIME:9:00 - 3:30 PM (With 1 hr Lunch)Apprenticeship: Completed in-course, Successful candidates may attend an in-house training hosted at SLS CentreCertification Currency: 2 years from the date of certificationAppointment: Lifesaving Instructors are appointed as Bronze Examiners by the BranchRecertification Process: Attend a Swim and Lifesaving Instructor Recertification course (Online) and complete a Leadership Development Plan
- Parent and Tot
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Parent & Tot 1-3
At least 4m but less than 100 PARENT & TOTParent & Tot program structures in-water interaction between parent and child to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. Activities and progressions are based on child development, so parents register in the level appropriate for their child's age. Targeted Water Smart drowning prevention messages are an integral part of the Swim for Life program. These messages are delivered in all Parent & Tot levels.PARENT & TOT 1 (4-12 MONTHS)Parents and babies will explore the water together under the watchful eyes of their instructor. They will learn how to safely enter and exit the water and work on getting ready to discover the water safely. Parents will learn how to safely support their child while they play.PARENT & TOT 2 (12-24 MONTHS)Instructors will lead sessions to help parents with children learn basic water safety skills in a welcoming environment. Parents are taught how to support their child with assisted entries and exits into water and support them in learning to float and kick. They can celebrate together when the child can get their face wet and blow bubbles for the first time.PARENT & TOT 3 (2-3 YEARS)Parents will work towards supporting their toddlers in becoming more independent in the water. Getting in, getting out, going under, and floating, parents and toddlers will be introduced to different iterations of these fundamental skills.Next Step: 0-3 years > Parent & TotNext Step: 3 & Over > Preschool 1
- Preschool
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Preschool 1
At least 3 but less than 6 Preschool 1 introduces water safety and comfort while building confidence in the pool. Children learn assisted entries and exits, jump into chest-deep water, blow bubbles, and practice supported front and back floats and glides. Lifejacket skills and Water Smart® messages build early safety awareness.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Preschool 2 - Learn more and register
Preschool 2
At least 3 but less than 6Preschool 2 builds confidence and basic independent movement in the water. Swimmers jump into chest-deep water on their own, submerge and exhale underwater, and practice floating, gliding, and kicking with and without a lifejacket. They learn simple rolls, gain independence, and receive Water Smart® safety lessons.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Preschool 3 - Learn more and register
Preschool 3
At least 3 but less than 6- Preschool 3 builds stronger swimming and safety skills in deeper water. Swimmers jump into deep water in a lifejacket, practice safe exits and sideways entries, submerge and exhale, retrieve objects, float and roll on front and back, glide and kick, and continue learning Water Smart® safety messages.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Preschool 4 - Learn more and register
Preschool 4
At least 3 but less than 6Preschool 4 strengthens aquatic skills and stamina while promoting water safety. Swimmers jump into deep water, do sideways entries, tread in a lifejacket, and retrieve objects underwater. They glide on their side, practice flutter kicking on front, back, and side, and begin 5 m front crawl with Water Smart® safety tips.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Preschool 5 - Learn more and register
Preschool 4/5
At least 3 but less than 6Preschool 4 strengthens aquatic skills and stamina while promoting water safety. Swimmers jump into deep water, do sideways entries, tread in a lifejacket, and retrieve objects underwater. They glide on their side, practice flutter kicking on front, back, and side, and begin 5 m front crawl with Water Smart® safety tips.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Preschool 5 - Learn more and register
Preschool 5
At least 3 but less than 6Preschool 5 advances swimming skills and water safety. Swimmers practice forward roll entries in a lifejacket, tread for 10–20 seconds, submerge and recover objects, and complete sideways entries into deep water. They swim or kick 10 m, learn vertical whip kick, practice 5 m front and back crawl, and review Water Smart® safety tips.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 1 at 6 years old
- Private Swim Lessons
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Private Swim Lessons
At least 3 but less than 99PRIVATE LESSONSPrivate Swim lessons offer personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of swimmers of all ages. Whether you're a child learning basic water safety, a teen refining your strokes, or an adult looking to improve your technique, private lessons provide focused attention to help you progress at your own pace. With customized lesson plans and individualized feedback, these sessions are perfect for anyone seeking a flexible and personalized learning experience in the water. Please come to the first class ready to discuss with the instructor what skills you want to improve upon.Next Steps: TBD
- Swim Abilities
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Swim Abilities - Private Lessons
At least 3 but less than 16 SWIM ABILITIESSwim Abilities is a learn to swim program suitable for children with diverse needs. Certified instructors will provide lessons with a 4-level, progressive curriculum where the caregiver is in the water. This program will assist children and their caregivers to increase safety, independence, and enjoyment in and around the water. Swim Abilities lessons are best suited for children, aged 3-18 years, who would benefit from slower paced lessons with additional practice time and one-on-one safety supervision. Every child who does not yet fit into regular swim lessons is welcome in Swim Abilities.
- Youth Swim Lessons
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Swimmer 1
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 1 builds confidence in the water. Participants practice shallow entries and exits, jumps into chest-deep water, treading for 30 seconds, 5 m front crawl, submerging and exhaling, front and back floats, rolling front-to-back, 3 m glides, 5 m flutter kicks, and learn Water Smart® safety tips.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 2 - Learn more and register
Swimmer 2
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 2 develops confidence and endurance in deep water. Participants jump into deep water, do sideways entries in a lifejacket, tread 30 seconds, swim or kick 15 m, recover objects, flutter kick 10 m front, back, and side, perform 30-second whip kicks, swim 10 m front and back crawl, and follow Water Smart® safety tips.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 3 - Learn more and register
Swimmer 3
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 3 advances water skills with kneeling dives, forward roll entries, 30-second treading, handstands, and front somersaults. Participants jump into deep water, swim or kick 25 m, practice flutter kicks front and back, whip kick 10 m, 15 m front and back crawl, interval training, and follow Water Smart® safety tips.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 4 - Learn more and register
Swimmer 4
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 4 refines advanced skills with standing dives, 1-minute treading, 5 m underwater swims, and 25 m front and back crawl. Participants learn whip kick, breaststroke arms, complete the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard, do 25 m sprints, 4 × 25 m interval training, and follow Water Smart® safety tips.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 5 - Learn more and register
Swimmer 5
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 5 masters shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They refine 50 m front and back crawl, 25 m breaststroke, complete 25 m sprints, and advanced interval training, with Water Smart® messages reinforcing water safety.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 6 - Learn more and register
Swimmer 5/6
At least 6 but less than 12y 11m Swimmer 5 masters shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They refine 50 m front and back crawl, 25 m breaststroke, complete 25 m sprints, and advanced interval training, with Water Smart® messages reinforcing water safety.Need Help? |Schedule a swim assessment to help determine what level to register in.Next Steps: Learn to Swim -> Swimmer 6