Aquatics

This 8-level preschool program from the Lifesaving Society teaches swimmers an introduction to swimming, basic swimming skills, and water safety.

Parent & Tot 1
Ages 4-12 months
Parents/guardians learn how to swim safely with their infant in the pool. Infants work on getting their face wet, blowing bubbles and floating with the help of their caregiver.

Parent & Tot 2
Ages 12-24 months
Toddlers and their parent/guardian learn how to play safely in the water! Working on getting wet, buoyancy and movement, front, back and vertical positions in the water and shallow water entries and exits.

Parent & Tot 3
Ages 24-36 months
Using songs and games, toddlers and their parent/guardian work on submersions, front and back floats and glides, jumping into chest-deep water, kicking on their front and independence in the water.

Preschool 1
Ages 3-5 years
Swimmers learn how to put their face in the water, blow bubbles in the water, and how to float and glide.

Preschool 2
Ages 3-5 years
Pre-requisite: successful completion of Preschool 1
Swimmers learn how to safely jump into chest-deep water, how to swim wearing a PFD, submersion skills as well as floats, glides, and kicking with buoyant objects.

Preschool 3
Ages 3-5 years
Pre-requisite: successful completion of Preschool 2
Swimmers learn how to enter deep water safely wearing a PFD, how to submerge and exhale underwater, retrieve objects underwater, as well as developing their floating, gliding and kicking skills.

Preschool 4
Ages 3-5 years
Pre-requisite: successful completion of Preschool 3
Swimmers learn deep-water entries and treading water wearing a PFD, retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool in chest-deep water and performing front and side glides. Front crawl wearing a PFD is also introduced.

Preschool 5
Ages 3-5 years
Pre-requisite: successful completion of Preschool 4
Swimmers learn Swim to Survive® skills wearing a PFD, tread water and perform vertical whip kick with a buoyant aid. Front crawl and back crawl are introduced as well as interval fitness training.

A 9-level school aged program from the Lifesaving Society that teaches swimming, basic swimming skills, and water safety.

Swimmer 1
Ages 6-13 years
Swimmers learn jumping into the water with and without a PFD, opening their eyes, exhaling and holding their breath underwater. Floats, glides and kicking skills are introduced.

Swimmer 2
Ages 6-13 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 1
Swimmers learn jumping into deeper water and falling sideways into the water wearing a PFD, treading water, and develop kicking skills. Front and back crawl are introduced.

Swimmer 3
Ages 6-13 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 2
Swimmers learn dives, in-water somersaults and handstands, Swim to Survive® skills and whip kick on back. Front crawl and back crawl are further developed.

Swimmer 4
Ages 6-13 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 3
Swimmers continue working on diving, treading water, and swimming underwater. They’ll learn the Swim to Survive® standard and start to develop breaststroke. Front crawl and back crawl are further developed.

Swimmer 5
Ages 6-13 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 4
Swimmers master dives and swimming in deep water. They’ll further their Swim to Survive® skills and start to develop eggbeater kick. Breaststroke, front crawl, back crawl and interval training are further developed.

Swimmer 6
Ages 6-13 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 5
Swimmers become proficient at deep water skills including stride entries and compact jumps. They’ll develop their lifesaving kicks (eggbeater and scissor kick) and head up swimming. Breaststroke, front crawl, back crawl and interval training are further developed.

Swimmer 7-9
Rookie, Ranger & Star Patrol
Ages 6-15 years
Prerequisite: successful completion of Swimmer 6
This unique course combines skills from Rookie, Ranger and Star. Ideal for those who are wanting to build on already established skills from the Patrol
series. See online for full description of Patrol series.

Adult Swim Lessons: Beginner to Advanced
Ages 13+ years
Our adult swimming lessons accommodate all skill levels – from beginners learning to float to experienced swimmers refining their technique. Whether you’re building confidence, increasing endurance, or improving your strokes, our instructors provide personalized guidance in both group and private lesson formats, all within a supportive and encouraging environment.

Adult Private Swim Lessons: up to 2 people
Ages 19+ years
Our adult-only private lessons take place during peaceful adult swim sessions. You’ll work one-on-one with a qualified instructor, no matter your skill level. Each lesson is customized to fit your individual goals and help you progress confidently in the water.

The Lifesaving Society offers a progressive series of certification programs that prepare participants for roles ranging from basic lifesaving to professional lifeguarding and instruction. Each course builds on foundational knowledge and skills, promoting safety, fitness, leadership, and confidence in aquatic environments. Participants advance through Bronze-level awards, lifeguard certification, and instructor training—each designed to develop competence and ensure readiness for real-life scenarios.

Bronze Star
Ages 10+years
Recommended prerequisite: ability to swim 100 meters
This course helps prepare swimmers for success in Bronze Medallion. Candidates are taught how to make WaterSmart® choices and learn basic lifesaving and resuscitation skills.

Bronze Medallion
Prerequisite: Ages 13+years or Bronze Star
This course teaches an understanding of lifesaving principles in water rescue education, including victim recognition, low risk rescues, victim care and fitness.

Bronze Cross
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion
This course is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training. This award is the prerequisite for all advanced training programs. Bronze Cross is worth 2 High School Credits, UXLS-11.

Swim Instructor
Prerequisite: 15 years & Bronze Cross
Learn how to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life programs. Candidates will be taught teaching methodology, course planning, class management, safety supervision, and the principles of evaluation.

Lifesaving Instructor
Prerequisite: Swim Instructor
Lifesaving Instructors are trained using a competency-based model that emphasizes both teaching and evaluation strategies. This model equips instructors with the skills and approaches necessary to teach water rescue, first aid, and related aquatic competencies. In addition, instructors gain knowledge in short-term and long-term planning, classroom management, safety supervision, and the principles of evaluation, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver effective and safe instruction.

National Lifeguard Pool
Prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR “C”.
The NL Pool option builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge, and values taught in the Bronze Programs to train lifeguards in safety supervision and rescue in a pool environment.

National Lifeguard Waterfront
Prerequisite: National Lifeguard Pool
The NL Waterfront option builds on the fundamental skills, knowledge and values taught in the NL Pool Course to train lifeguards to safely supervise and preform rescues in waterfront environments.

Child Private Lessons: up to 2 people
Ages 3-18 years
Private lessons are tailored to all abilities and skill levels, providing personalized instruction to help participants improve techniques and achieve their individual goals.

Children ages 6 years old or younger MUST remain within arms’ reach of an adult at a ratio of 1 adult for every 2 children. Youth ages 7 to 9 years old MUST be in the line of sight of an adult.  Children 10 years old or older may require a swim test.

1. Shower before entering the pool.
2. Children 0–6 years must be within arms’ reach of an adult at all times.
3. Children 7–9 years must be in line of sight of an adult at all times.
4. Food and drink not permitted except water in a glass-free container.
5. Do not swim with open cuts, sores or a communicable disease.
6. Do not pollute the pool by spitting or spouting water.
7. Observe safety at all times. No running, rough play or diving in shallow water.
8. Diaper-dependent children and incontinent patrons must wear a swim diaper.
9. People under the influence of alcohol or drugs not permitted.
10. Abusive or offensive language will not be tolerated.
    Capacity: 300

Users of City of Whitehorse Recreation Facilities are expected to act respectfully and to show good sportsmanship. This Code of Conduct applies to everyone who uses the facilities including members, participants, rental groups, visitors, parents, and spectators. People are expected to treat others with respect, follow the facility rules as posted, comply with directions from staff and volunteers, and use the equipment in a safe way. Shirts and shoes must be worn unless the activity/sport dictates otherwise. Roller blades, cleats, skateboards and bicycles are allowed only in certain areas. The use of personal recording devices (ie. Smartphones, tablets, cameras, etc) is allowed if photos/videos include family or group members or you have expressed permission from the other public participants featured in the recording. Photographing or filming for commercial purposes is prohibited without permission.Those who demonstrate a lack of respect to others and to the facility may be banned or suspended from the premises. The following types of conduct are specifically prohibited: 

Aggressive Behaviour: The City of Whitehorse will not tolerate any conduct that threatens the health and safety of others including physical, sexual or verbal abuse, threats, and harassment. If you engage in behaviour that is considered aggressive, you may be suspended or banned from the premises.

Disorderly Conduct: You are expected to treat the facilities and others with respect. You may not engage conduct that is disorderly or inappropriate, which includes loitering, solicitation, intoxication or impairment, public nudity, sexual activity, theft, and vandalism. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and illegal substances are not permitted on the premises.

Lack of Compliance: Recreation Services staff are responsible for maintaining the safety of our members and facilities. You are expected to follow their directions. Failure to comply may result in loss of membership, restricted access, cancellation of bookings, or removal from the facility. In addition, the City will not tolerate discrimination of an individual or group based on, but not limited to, age, ancestry, colour, gender, mental or physical abilities, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation.