Swimming Lessons

Indoor swim lessons

• You can join private swim lessons at the MacBain Community Centre all year!
• Each session includes ten 30-minute lessons
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online

Outdoor swim lessons

• You can sign up for private swim lessons at two outdoor pools this summer!
• Each session includes five 30-minute lessons.
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online: 
  • F.H. Leslie Pool - Lesson schedule and registration
  • Chippawa Lions Pool - Lesson schedule and registration

• Description: An introductory level to enjoy the water together.  Parents join their child in the pool to learn basic water skills like bubbles, submersion, assisted floats and glides. Infants must be able to hold their head up
• Equivalent to: YMCA Splashers/Bubblers
• Prerequisite: None
• Location: MacBain Community Centre, 7150 Montrose Road
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:

Class offerings

Preschool level 1

• Description: An introductory level designed to help your child feel comfortable in the water. Skills taught include assisted entering and exiting, face in water, blowing bubbles, and assisted front and back floats and glides.  A parent or caregiver may join in the water, but is not required
• Equivalent to: YMCA Bobbers
• Prerequisite: None
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes.  Check class offerings for available dates
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

Preschool level 2

• Description: Focuses on helping your child fully submerge their head and exhale underwater.  Skills taught include submersion, front and back floats and glides with a PFD, and flutter kick on back with a buoyant aid for 5m.  Participants joining should be able to blow bubbles, be comfortable putting their face in the water and swim independently with a PFD
• Equivalent to: YMCA Floaters
• Prerequisite: Completed Preschool 1 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

Preschool level 3

• Description: This level helps your child complete their swim skills without assistance or a PFD.  Skills taught include submerge and exhale 5 times, front and back floats for 5 seconds, front and back glides for 3m, and front and back flutter kick for 5m. Participants joining should be able to submerge under the water completely, do a front and back float, and glide with a PFD without assistance
• Equivalent to: YMCA Gliders
• Prerequisite: Completed Preschool 2 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool       

Preschool level 4

• Description: Focuses on extending the distance that your child can swim without assistance. Skills taught include jumping into deep water, sideways entry, treading water with a PFD, gliding on the side 3m, flutter kicking on the front 7m, on the back 7m and on the side 5m. Participants who join should be able to float and glide on their front and back without a PFD or assistance
• Equivalent to: YMCA Divers 
• Prerequisite: Completed Preschool 3 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

Preschool level 5

• Description: Starts front and back swim for 5m using arm and leg movement and introduces the vertical whip kick. Skills taught include forward roll entry, treading water, front and back crawl for 5m. Participants who join should be able to flutter kick for 7m on their front and back and jump into the deep end without any PFD or assistance
• Equivalent to: YMCA Surfers/Jumpers
• Prerequisite: Completed Preschool 4 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 1

• Description: An introductory level to introduce the basic learn to swim skills. Skills taught include entering and exiting shallow water, submerging and exhaling 5 times, front and back floats for 5 seconds, front/back/side glides for 3m, and flutter kicks on front and back for 5m
• Equivalent to: YMCA Otter
• Prerequisite: None
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 2

• Description: Participants who join should be able to complete a front, back, and side glide for 3m without a PFD or assistance. Teaches students the basic movements of front and back crawl. Skills taught include flutter kick on front, back and side for 10m, whip kick in vertical position for 30 sec, front and back crawl for 10m, and Treading Water for 15 seconds
• Equivalent to: YMCA Seal
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 1 or Preschool 5
• Class duration: Each class is 30 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool    

LSS Swimmer level 3

• Description: Participants who join should be able to swim 10m of front and back crawl. Spends time working on stroke form and building your child's endurance in Front and Back Crawl. Skills taught include dives, in-water front somersaults and handstands. They’ll work on 15 m of front crawl, back crawl and 10 m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 m
• Equivalent to: YMCA Dolphin/Swimmer
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 2 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 45 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 4

• Description: Participants who join should be able to tread water for 30 seconds, swim 15m front crawl, and swim 15m back crawl. Adds the basic skills of legs-only and breaststroke. Skills taught include treading water for 1 minute, swimming underwater for 5m and 25m swims of front and back crawl.  They will complete the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They will also do front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training
• Equivalent to: Red Cross Level Swim Kids 4/5 and YMCA Star 1
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 3 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 45 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 5

• Description: Participants who join should be able to tread for 1 minute and swim 50 metres without stopping using front or back crawl. They will work on breaststroke and head-up front crawl. Skills taught include shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They’ll refine their front and back crawl over 50 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 m. Then they’ll pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 m breaststroke
• Equivalent to: YMCA Star 2
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 4 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 45 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 6

• Description: Participants who join should be able to use eggbeater and scissor kick, swim 50 m of front and back crawl and swim 25 m of breaststroke. They will work on their lifesaving skills while increasing endurance. Skills taught include stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick. They’ll develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m. They’ll easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and will complete a 300m workout
• Equivalent to: YMCA Star 3
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 5 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is 45 minutes
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool           

LSS Swimmer level 7 – Rookie Patrol

• Description: Swimmers continue stroke development with 50 m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and a 15 m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS, and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims
• Equivalent to: YMCA Star 4
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 6 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is one hour
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 8 – Ranger Patrol

• Description: Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 m swims of each stroke. They tackle lifesaving sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation
• Equivalent to: YMCA Star 5-7
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 7 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is one hour
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

LSS Swimmer level 9 – Star Patrol

• Description: Swimmers are challenged with 600 m workouts, 300 m timed swims, and a 25 m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100 m swims. First aid focuses on treating bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies, including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defence methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water
• Equivalent to: YMCA Star 5-7
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 8 or equivalent
• Class duration: Each class is one hour
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:
  • Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool
  • Classes at FH Leslie Outdoor Pool
  • Classes at Chippawa Lions Outdoor Pool

• Description: Teens will work with a certified instructor in a small group of five participants to become comfortable in the water. You'll work towards a 10-15m swim on your front and back, while doing jump entries from the side and getting objects from the bottom of the pool. The goal is to improve your fitness and flutter kick with interval training
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:

Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool

Adult swim lessons - Learn to swim (18+)

• Description: Adults must be at least 18 years old. They will work with a certified instructor in a small group of five participants to become comfortable in the water. Participants will establish personal goals, and the instructor will support and instruct them on their goals. Participants in Learn to Swim are new to swimming and will work on water comfort in both shallow and deep water, and floating and gliding on the front and back
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:

Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool

Adult swim lessons - Stroke correction (18+)

• Description: Adults must be at least 18 years old, able to glide independently on the front and back, and put their face in the water. They will work on personal goals in a small group setting of five participants with a certified instructor. Participants will work on techniques for front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke to help improve their endurance. Participants must be able to float and glide on their front and back and be comfortable in both the shallow and deep ends
• Check fees, pick a class and register and pay online:

Classes at MacBain Indoor Pool

• Description: Swim squad is a team-oriented introduction to a competitive swimming program. It offers the opportunity to learn skills and improve youth fitness. By belonging to a team, each person enjoys learning to swim faster by challenging themselves to improve their personal best times. Swim squad is based upon the values of fair play and allows each swimmer an opportunity to contribute to their team. The program includes stroke and skill improvement and physical training. Participants should be able to swim one length of the pool efficiently
• Prerequisite: Completed Swimmer 2 or equivalent

• Details: Join the Niagara Falls Swim Team and build strong swimming skills in a fun and supportive environment. Our coaches help swimmers gain confidence, improve technique, and enjoy the excitement of competitive swimming. Team members will take part in a few regional swim meets throughout the summer. Swimmers must be comfortable in deep water, swim 25 m without help, and jump into the deep end with ease.
• Location: All practices will be held at the Lions Club outdoor pool, 4981 Drummond Road
• Dates: June 30 to August 16
  • Junior Practice (age 6 to 9): Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
  • Senior Practice (age 10 to 17): Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm 
• Cost: $153 (includes swim meets and swim cap)

Register and Pay