Aquatics Programs

The Town of Oakville offers lessons according to the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program.

Age guidelines

Children must be the age required for the level they are taking by the program start date.

Children who are 5 years-old do not need to complete all preschool levels before moving to the Swimmer programs.

Children who have completed the Preschool E and who are 5 years-old should enrol in Swim for Life Level 2.

Open the Aquatic Leadership Ladder (pdf) overview of the training required to become an instructor or lifeguard.

Re-certification courses include Bronze Cross Challenge Exam (ages 13+), Standard First Aid and CPR C/AED Re-certification (ages 14+), and NLS Re-certification (ages 16+).

Please note: Your original award card must be shown to the examiner to participate in the re-certification test.

Challenge Exams

The Bronze Medallion Challenge Exam (ages 13+) is for Bronze Medallion candidates who need to re-certify their award, or for swimmers who are looking to challenge the exam as a self-presented candidate. Re-certification candidates must bring their original certification card; challenge candidates must bring proof of course prerequisites: Bronze Star award or proof of age (candidate must be 13 years or older on exam date).

The Bronze Cross Challenge Exam is for Bronze Cross candidates who need to re-certify their award, or for swimmers who are looking to challenge the exam as a self-presented candidate. Re-certification candidates must bring their original certification card; challenge candidates must bring proof of course prerequisites: Bronze Medallion award and Emergency First Aid with CPR (Level B).

Aquatics Leadership Development courses

The following courses are offered to help participants develop their leadership skills but are not prerequisites.

Lifesaving Fitness (ages 13-16) focuses on speed, endurance, and flexibility as you work towards achieving bronze, silver, and gold awards in a variety of skill items. Includes 25-metre sprints, 200-metre timed swims, tows, and treading water with a 10-lb. brick.

Pre Bronze Skill Session (ages 13+) is for swimmers who are looking for extra practice on their water skills. Focuses on timed swims, lifesaving kicks, rescue techniques, and spinal rollovers. Candidates work in pairs and on their own. Prerequisite: Bronze Star.

If you have completed Bronze Cross and are waiting to take your National Lifeguard Service (NLS) certification, Pre N.L.S. (ages 14+) will reinforce the water rescue skills learned in Bronze Cross and introduce new skills that will be part of the NLS program. You'll work in pairs and on your own. Prerequisite: Bronze Cross.

Only those pre-registered in a program will be allowed into our facilities.

Patrons must also be able to confidently pass our COVID-19 screening questionnaire. To save time, you can complete this online form in advance and bring your confirmation email or PDF with you to the facility. If you are sick or have travelled in the past 14 days, please stay at home.

Outdoor pools close during thunderstorms and refunds will be issued as applicable. Rain days are non-refundable as our outdoor pools remain open.

Please visit our Pools page for locations and details.

Are pools safe to use?

Yes. Swimmers must continue to take general precautions, including physical distancing of at least 2 metres/6 feet, especially in communal areas such as washrooms.

Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 is largely transmitted through respiratory droplets that can spread up to six feet but does not spread through water in recreational water facilities.

The town ensures proper operation of water filtration and disinfection systems that should remove or inactivate the COVID-19 virus.

Cleaning and disinfection of the pool area, as well as washrooms, will be done after every swim.

Do I have to wear a mask?

Participants and parent/guardian must wear a mask at all times unless in the swimming pool. Instructors will be wearing face shields when in the water and masks while on deck.

What do I need to know before I arrive at the pool?

For aquatic programs, please arrive dressed to swim, with a towel, goggles and anything else you might need. The change rooms at our indoor pools will be open and accessible but capacity is limited due to physical distancing restrictions.

If possible, participants are encouraged to take a shower prior to visiting the pool to avoid having to rinse off prior to entering the pool.

There are fewer resting areas and pool/swimmer capacity is based on 2-metre distancing requirements.

Staff will follow all revised CPR and First Aid treatment processes, as amended by the Lifesaving Society in our safety guidelines. On-deck First Aid treatment stations will be established for outdoor pools.

What can I expect when I come for my swimming lesson?

• Swimmers must complete the COVID screening prior to entering the pool area.
• Swimmers are asked to keep their masks on until they are ready to go into the water.
• Spectators are asked to remain in the viewing areas with their masks on, maintaining 2 metres distance from other spectators unless from the same household.
• Instructors will be wearing a mask and a face shield while on deck when a 2-metre distance can’t be maintained.
• Instructors will be wearing a face shield while in the water.
• If an instructor needs to demonstrate a skill in the water they will ensure there is 2 metres distance from the participants and remove their shield to perform the skill. Once they have finished their demonstration they will don the face shield.
• All lessons are contactless, instructors will be maintaining 2-metre distancing while in the water.
• For Preschool A-E and Swimmers 1-3 lessons, parents are required to be in the water to assist their child.
• All lessons have low capacities to accommodate 2-metre distancing.
• Swimmers must bring their own goggles.
• All equipment used is sanitized prior to use, and will be sanitized again after the lesson is complete for the next group.

Does my support worker have to be registered to attend a swim with me if I have an Express Pass?

Express Pass holders do not need to register the support worker attending with them as their contact details will be taken when they arrive at the pool.

Will washrooms be open?

Washrooms are open. Please come dressed and ready to swim.

When are change rooms open for public use?

Change rooms will not be accessible at the outdoor pools

For aquatic programs, please arrive dressed to swim, with a towel, goggles and anything else you might need. The change rooms at our indoor pools will be open and accessible but capacity is limited due to physical distancing restrictions.

Will equipment be available?

Lifejackets will be available and will be disinfected after every use but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Equipment for lessons, Leadership and Waterfit classes will be available.

Swimmers must bring their own equipment such as goggles and towels.

Only essential equipment will be provided to patrons and all shared equipment will be disinfected between uses.

How many people are allowed to swim?

For length swims, five (5) swimmers per double lane will be allowed.

For leisure swims, each pool will have their own capacities depending on configuration. Physical distancing is required.

If a friend wants to swim in the same lane as me, can we swim together?

Yes, but please let the lifeguard know upon entering the pool and we will do our best to accommodate requests.

What will length swims look like this year?

The pools offering length swims will be divided into double lanes. Each double lane will have a maximum of five(5) people per lane.

Will we be able to swim length swims during leisure swims?

No. Lanes will not be put out for leisure swims.

What happens if someone swims faster or slower than me during a length swim?

• If any swimmer needs to pass another, participants must do so while maintaining a distance of 2 metres/6 feet.
• Swimmers are asked to swim continually throughout the 45-minute timeslots.
• Short breaks (i.e. drinking water, adjusting goggles) are allowed in the pool. For any longer breaks, participants must come out of the water and rest on deck, maintaining a distance of 2 metres/6 feet from any other person.
• Resting and socializing at the end of the lane is not permitted.