Red Cross Swimming Lessons Program Guide
BROWSE PROGRAMS
Check swimming lesson availability and schedules on the eCity/Registration website.
REGISTRATION
Register in Person: Artillery Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre, 76 Ordnance St. (entrance off Bagot Street). For inquiries please call 613-546-7998.
Register Online: use the eCity/Registration website to sign up for lessons.
What Level Should I Be In?
Here are a few options to assist you in finding the right level:
- On-site registration — show staff your child's previous report card with the swim instructor's recommendation.
- Let us assess your child's swim level during an Adult and Family Swim. Pick up a blank Red Cross Swimming Lesson Assessment Card at Artillery Park registration desk and our Head Guard will complete the assessment.
- Review the Red Cross Swim level descriptions below. Determine your child's level based on the detailed skill based information provided.
- Call 613-546-7998, ext. 1719.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LESSONS
Swimming requires practice and positive feedback. The Red Cross Swim program allows students to progress comfortably and have tailored programs for their age groups. For this reason, City of Kingston Aquatic Centres do not allow age overrides for any swim programs. Talk about lessons with your child. Have realistic expectations so your child does not feel pressured to 'pass' a level or get a badge. Focus on 'completing' the skills at a comfortable level.
PARENT/PHOTO DAY
We invite you to join the class in the water for the mid-term class. There is also an opportunity to take a picture with the Instructor. Be sure to bring your suit.
MIDTERM REPORT CARDS / FINAL REPORT CARDS
Feedback is essential for successful learning. Participants will receive a written report card outlining their swimming progress. Final report cards should be kept and returned for your next instructor to see. You are required to complete all items on the report card to move to the next level. If your child is away on the last day of lessons, you can pick up the report card at the facility registration desk.
WATER DIAPERS
Children who are not toilet trained must wear tight legged plastic pants or water diapers. No disposable diapers are permitted.
PROGRAM DETAILS
|
RED CROSS PROGRAM |
RATIO |
LENGTH |
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|---|---|---|---|
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SWIM PRESCHOOL, PARENT ASSISTED |
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Starfish (4 - 18 months) |
1:10 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: An introductory class for babies/toddlers and their parent or caregiver. The goal of this orientation to water class is to experience buoyancy, movement, entries, and songs and play in the water. |
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Duck (18 - 30 months) |
1:10 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: An introductory class for babies/toddlers and their parent or caregiver. The goal of this orientation to water class is to experience buoyancy, movement, entries, and songs and play in the water. |
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Sea Turtle Jr. (30 - 36 months) |
1:10 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: A transitional level for preschoolers and their parents. Parents can gradually transfer the preschoolers to the care of the instructor. |
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SWIM PRESCHOOL - 3-5 YEARS |
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Sea Turtle Sr. |
1:4 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: This level is for children who have not previously taken swimming lessons. This level develops skills in swimming, glides, and floating and builds awareness of deepwater and safe entries. |
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Salamander |
1:4 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Preschoolers actively learn new swimming skills including assisted floats and glides through games and songs. The fun includes learning to jump into chest deep water. |
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Sunfish |
1:4 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Assisted by the instructor, preschoolers work on stroke and skill progressions. Learning also focuses on good judgment in, on and around the water, and entries and floats in deep water. |
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Crocodile |
1:4 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Preschoolers start independent glides and kicking in deepwater. Endurance is built through increasing distance for front and back swims. |
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Whale |
1:4 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Children will learn to swim independently and participate in team games. Preschoolers will increase their distance and improve skills in front and back swims. |
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KIDS - 6 YEARS AND OLDER |
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Level 1 |
1:6 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: This is an entry level for children ready to move in shallow water. This level provides an orientation to the water and the pool area and introduces floats and glides with kick. Children build their endurance by improving distance. |
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Level 2 |
1:6 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: This level helps the children build skills in front and back swims. Children are introduced to deep water activities and proper use of a Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Endurance is built on flutter kicking with assisted glides. |
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Level 3 |
1:6 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: This level works on front crawl, diving as well the foundation for making wise choices on where and when to swim. Children will work on floats and changing direction. Endurance is achieved by building strength in flutter kick and a 15-metre swim. |
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Level 4 |
1:6 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: The front crawl, back glide and shoulder roll for back crawl are further developed. Children work on kneeling dives, surface support and a sense of self-safety is created by understanding their own limits. Endurance is built through a 25-metre swim. |
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Level 5 |
1:8 |
8 45-minute lessons |
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Description: Back crawl is introduced, along with sculling skills and ship kick on the back. Children try stride dives receive an introduction to safe boating skills. Endurance is developed through dolphin kick and a 50-metre swim. |
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Level 6 |
1:8 |
8 45-minute lessons |
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Description: Front and back crawl continue to be refined as the elementary backstroke is newly introduced. Children are also introduced to safety on ice, elementary rescue of others with throwing assists, treading water and the front dive. Endurance is built through a 75-metre swim. |
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Level 7 |
1:10 |
8 60-minute lessons |
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Description: Continues to build skills and endurance for front crawl, back crawl and elementary back stroke and introduces whip kick on the front. Children learn about airway and breathing obstructions, and participate in timed treading water for increasing endurance. Endurance is built through timed treading water and a 150-metre swim. |
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Level 8 |
1:10 |
8 60-minute lessons |
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Description: Provides an introduction to the breaststroke, foot first surface dives, and rescue entries. Children learn about the dangers of open water, hypothermia, and the performance of rescue breathing on children and adults. Endurance is built on the dolphin kick and 300-metre swim. |
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Level 9 |
1:10 |
8 60-minute lessons |
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Description: Front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke continue to be refined. In this level children are encouraged to try combining different strokes and kicks for fitness. They also work on head-first surface dives and standing dives and learn about wise choices, peer influences, and self-rescue from ice. Endurance is built through a 400-metre swim. |
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Level 10 |
1:10 |
8 60-minute lessons |
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Description: Further refinement of strokes, with an introduction to butterfly and scissor kick as a warm-up/cool down stroke for fitness. Children learn about sun safety, rescue of others from the ice, and head-first and fee-first surface dives. Endurance is built using dolphin kick and butterfly drills and a 500-metre swim. |
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SWIMMING LESSONS |
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Private Lesson |
1:1 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: The instructor will work one on one with the student to improve skills and techniques. One person per class. Online registration not available. |
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Semi-Private Lesson |
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8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: A program designed to accommodate two participants at a time. The instructor works on improving skills with each individual while providing more individual attention to improve swimming technique. The level of the private lesson will be determined by the first person who signs up. Online registration not available. |
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Family/Group Lessons |
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8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Minimum of two participants with a maximum of three children all within three levels from one another. Space will be determined by staff availability. Online registration not available. |
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Aqua Adults |
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8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Adults who are learning to swim, improving their fitness or staying active in the water, benefit from this program which can be customized to meet swimmer's individual goals and rate of progress. |
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AquaFlow |
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6 45-minute lessons |
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Description: Experience the magical properties of the water. Joints, muscles, mind and spirit will enjoy this workout which aims to increase ease of movement over an optimal range of motion while strengthening core muscles. |
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Pro-Abilities Lessons |
1:1 |
8 30-minute lessons |
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Description: Designed to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. One-on-one instruction tailors the lesson to the individual needs of each participant in a fun learning environment. The skills introduced are survival techniques and gaining a new level of comfort in the water. The program is designed for youth 17 yrs of age and under. One person per class. Online registration not available. |
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Lifesaving Society Swim to Survive |
1:10; |
3 60-minute lessons |
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Description: Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program that teaches the skills necessary to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Minimum five, maximum 10 people per instructor. |
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REFUND POLICY
- Withdrawal from a program will be accepted up to 48 hours prior to the start of the program.
- Requests to withdraw from a program within 48 hours of the program start date, or after the program has started, will be accepted on a pro-rated basis for certified medical reasons. You must submit a request in writing to Artillery Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre or by email to ecityservices@cityofkingston.ca.
- Refunds will be credited to your account to be used toward future registrations for a maximum of one year after which the remaining credit will be refunded. If you wish to request a refund for the credit balance on your account, you must contact ecityservices@cityofkingston.ca or call 613-546-0000 during regular business hours. All refunds will be sent to the applicant within 30 days of the request and are subject to a $10 administration fee.
- No program refunds will be considered after the halfway point of the program.
- Insufficient registrations, facility malfunction, or other circumstances beyond the City's control may necessitate the cancellation of a program. In the event that the City cancels a program, every effort will be made to reschedule or to transfer the participant to another course. If alternate arrangements cannot be made, a full refund will be issued. Refund credits will be placed on your account (for any recreation or aquatic program use) unless otherwise requested.
