Swimming Lessons

Thames Centre offers swimming lessons based on the Lifesaving Society standards for all ages and abilities. There are four two-week sessions throughout the summer. Find a lesson that best suits your family's needs! Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment is due upon registration. Once lessons are full, we will close registration on that particular session.

Lesson Types

Parent & Tot

4 months - 3 years of age, and participating with a parent or caregiver (assisted)

Babies/toddlers and their caregivers work on getting wet, buoyancy and movement, front, back and vertical position in the water, rhythmic breathing, moving forward and backward, front and back float with recovery and glides, submersion, shallow water entries and exits and jumping into chest-deep water with assistance, kicking on front and front swim.

PreSchool (Levels 1-5)

3 years of age +

Children progress through fun and educational swim classes, starting with basic water safety and skills such as floating, gliding, and blowing bubbles underwater. As they advance, they practice jumping into chest-deep and deep water, wearing lifejackets, submerging, exhaling, retrieving objects, and developing kicking and gliding techniques. Advanced levels focus on solo jumps, side entries, swimming short distances, and treading water. For more information on the specifics of these classes please contact our office.

Swimmer (Levels 1-9)

5 years of age + (each level builds on skills learned in the previous class)

Swimmer classes guide children from beginners to advanced swimmers. Starting with basic water comfort and safety, participants learn essential skills like floating, gliding, and kicking. As they progress, they master deeper water entries, various swimming strokes (front crawl, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke), lifesaving techniques, and advanced skills like somersaults, dives, and lifesaving kicks. Higher levels focus on increasing stamina, speed, and lifesaving judgment, culminating in rigorous workouts and timed swims.

Bronze (Medallion, Cross, Star)

For ages 13+ or completion of Swimmer 9

Bronze programs develop lifesaving skills, physical fitness, and swimming proficiency for participants. Bronze Star focuses on stroke refinement, self-rescue skills, and fitness principles, providing a fun introduction to lifesaving sport and preparing candidates for Bronze Medallion. Bronze Medallion challenges candidates with the four components of water rescue: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness, and prepares them for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross. Bronze Cross transitions participants from lifesaving to lifeguarding, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and active surveillance in aquatic facilities, and is a prerequisite for advanced lifeguard training.

Adult/Private Lessons

The Municipality of Thames Centre offers private and semi-private 30-minute lessons for participants throughout the summer. Private lessons can be booked at the pool. Contact dorchesterpool@thamescentre.on.ca.

2025 Fees: Private Lessons: $26 per lesson. Semi-Private Lessons: $19 per lesson