• 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
  • 905-845-6601
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Aquatics Programs

Our Aquatics programs adhere to the highest standards of safety, supervision and quality programming.
All programs are HIGH FIVE® certified.

Image of concept art for the new community centre at North Park.

Image of concept art for the new community centre at North Park.

What services do you want offered at the new community centre and library?

Complete our short online survey for a chance to win prizes!

Residents are invited to provide their input on preferred recreation, culture, and library programs and services planned for the future Sixteen Mile Community Centre and Library at North Park.

This survey takes about five minutes to complete and will remain strictly confidential and anonymous. Residents can provide an email address if they would like a chance to win a prize pack and to receive updates. Survey closes July 18.

Complete the online survey

North Park Development page

Image of a swimmer in a pool.

Image of a swimmer in a pool.

Save with a Summer Fun Pass!

Available to purchase online now, our Summer Fun Pass allows ages 2-17 to attend unlimited recreational swims and skates between June 1 and September 5 for just $41.03 (with tax).

Enjoy a dip in one of our outdoor pools!

Outdoor pools are now offering recreational swims and lessons until Labour Day, weather permitting.

Oakville's arenas are another great place to cool off when temperatures start to climb! Visit the Public Skating page for more information.

Memberships

Browse our weekly recreation and culture programs and workshops online now.

Visit the Public Swimming page for information about our drop-in aquatics programs.

Learn to Swim

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.

Leadership courses and re-certifications

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.

What do I need to know about pools, swims and aquatics lessons?

Please visit our Pools page for locations and details.

Participants must continue to take general precautions. If you are sick or have travelled in the past 14 days, please stay at home. Anyone displaying symptoms will not be admitted.

Outdoor swimming

All outdoor pools are now open for recreational swimming and lessons until Labour Day weekend.

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

Are pools safe to use?

Yes. Swimmers must continue to take general precautions. If you are sick or have travelled in the past 14 days, please stay at home. Anyone displaying symptoms will not be admitted.

Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 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.

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

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.

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?

  • Spectators are asked to remain in the viewing areas.
  • Parents are permitted in the water for Parent and Tot lessons only.
  • Swimmers must bring their own goggles.

Admission for support persons

Personal support workers assisting individuals in a program are admitted at no charge and are not required to register. For more information, please speak to a Customer Service Representative at your local recreation and culture facility.

Will washrooms be open?

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

Will equipment be available?

Lifejackets will be available 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.

How many people are allowed to swim?

Each pool will have their own capacities depending on configuration.

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 eight (8) 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 may pass one another when safe to do so.
  • Swimmers are asked to swim continually throughout the timeslots.
  • Short breaks (i.e. drinking water, adjusting goggles) are allowed in the pool.

Join the best Aquatics team in town!

Are you an enthusiastic person looking for a flexible job to help build valuable career skills and have fun at the same time? We are looking for responsible people to join our team as lifeguards, instructors and more! Whether you are a student, stay-at-home parent or an adult looking for part-time hours, we have a schedule that works for you.

All Town of Oakville Aquatic programs are HIGH FIVE® accredited.

HIGH FIVE logo

HIGH FIVE logo

  • What to expect
  • Positions
  • How to apply
  • Not sure if you're qualified?
  • Testimonials

Why join our team?

  • Great pay! Swimming instructors start at $19.18.
  • Develop leadership and customer service skills.
  • Opportunity for advancement and growth.
  • Flexible schedules – work at any one or combination of our pools.
  • Paid training.
  • Discounts on recertification.
  • Team environment.

What do you bring?

  • A positive attitude.
  • Ability to react calmly to changing environments.
  • You thrive in a team-oriented environment.
  • Capability to coordinate tasks and complete administration duties as needed.
  • Enthusiasm for working with people of all ages and abilities.

What is required?

  • Certifications based on the position. Click on the Positions tab for a list of job descriptions and the training required.
  • Demonstrated skill in application of lifeguarding surveillance and rescue techniques.
  • Able to work a minimum of two shifts a week.
  • Successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record check.

The town hires various staff such as aquatic instructors and lifeguards for summer programs, part-time day, evening and weekend hours. Please click on the following links for detailed job descriptions and requirements.

Aquatic Fitness Instructor (PDF) – starting rate is $30.23
Aquatic Therapeutic Instructor (PDF) – starting rate is $30.23
Cashier – Aquatics (PDF) – starting rate is $15.27
Deck Supervisor (PDF) – starting rate is $20.89
Lifeguard (PDF) – starting rate is $17.03
Maintenance Handyperson – Aquatics (PDF) – starting rate is $19.44
Maintenance Labourer – Aquatics (PDF) – starting rate is $15.27
Master Instructor – Aquatics (PDF) – starting rate is $30.23
Master Instructor – Leadership (PDF) – starting rate is $30.23
Seasonal Pool Supervisor (PDF) – starting rate is $24.16
Slide Attendant (PDF) – starting rate is $15.46
Specialized Instructor – Personal Best, Water Polo and Synchro (PDF) – starting rate is $20.31
Swim Instructor (PDF) – starting rate is $19.18

For more information about current opportunities, application deadlines, etc. please visit the Employment page.

Check out our Employment page to learn more about the positions available right now.

Create a Job Alert to be notified by email about new opportunities that match your job search criteria!

When to apply for Aquatics positions:

  • Fall positions – apply June to July
  • Winter positions – apply September to October
  • Spring positions – apply February to April
  • Summer positions – apply December to January

The current Aquatic Leadership Ladder overview of the training required to become an instructor or lifeguard is provided in the most recent Parks, Recreation and Culture program guide. This guide also provides program details, information about recertifications, etc.

Click on the Positions tab for a list of job descriptions and the training required.

Town-funded support

Need some financial assistance to become certified? The Town of Oakville is pleased to offer the Aquatic Leadership Assistance Program to qualified applicants.

Please contact Daniel Ridsdale at 905-845-6601, ext. 3630 for more information on how you might qualify.

Not qualified but still want to join our team?

Oakville Aquatics is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team as Pool Pals! As a volunteer, you provide support to swimming instructors on deck and in the water. Volunteers must be 13 years old and hold a Bronze Medallion Lifesaving Award and successfully complete a Pool Pal workshop.

To learn more about becoming an official Pool Pal, visit the Volunteer Opportunities page.

"I enjoy working in Aquatics for the Town of Oakville because it is a job that is very rewarding. You get to see the kids who you are teaching improve each week and, to me, that is very fulfilling."

Alyssa C.

Image of Alyssa C., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

Image of Alyssa C., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

"I enjoy working in Aquatics at the Town of Oakville because it has given me the opportunity to meet amazing new people and learn how to contribute to a team working environment."

Liam S.

Image of Liam S., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

Image of Liam S., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

"I love my Town of Oakville Aquatics job because everyone is always welcome and supported by coworkers. Individuals are constantly encouraged to challenge themselves and perform to their full potential."

Monica S.

Image of Monica S., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

Image of Monica S., a Town of Oakville Aquatics employee.

How to find us

  • Contact us
  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario
  • 905-845-6601

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