Kids & Youth Swim

Learning to swim lasts a lifetime. Our programs encourage everyone to have fun and be comfortable in the water. Our Lifesaving Society swimming lessons develop great swimmers. All instructors are certified by the Lifesaving Society and High-Five™ trained.

A fun and safe environment for your child to gain confidence, learn water safety, and develop basic swimming skills

Learning to swim lasts a lifetime. Our programs encourage everyone to have fun and be comfortable in the water. Our Lifesaving Society swimming lessons develop great swimmers. All instructors are certified by the Lifesaving Society and High-Five™ trained.

Programs for Kids & Youth

Fall Swim Lessons Begin Monday, September 11th. Our New Settlement Swim Program starts this fall!

We have developed our very own Settlement Swim Program. Please see below for the swim level conversion between our new Settlement Swim Program and other swim programs.

Red Cross Swim Program

RED CROSS TOT SWIM program is now the BABY SHARKS program
  • TOT SWIM 1 is now Baby Sharks
  • TOT SWIM 2 is now Baby Sharks
  • TOT SWIM 3 is now Baby Sharks
RED CROSS PRESCHOOL program is now the PRESCHOOL PUPS program
  • Sea Turtle is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Sea Otter is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Salamander is now Preschool Pups 2
  • Sunfish is now Preschool Pups 3
  • Crocodile is now Preschool Pups 3
  • Whale is now Preschool Pups 3
RED CROSS SWIM KIDS program is now the SHARKS program
  • Swim Kids 1 is now Sharks Level 1
  • Swim Kids 2 is now Sharks Level 2
  • Swim Kids 3 is now Sharks Level 3
  • Swim Kids 4 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Swim Kids 5 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Swim Kids 6 is now Sharks Level 5
  • Swim Kids 7 is now Sharks Level 6
  • Swim Kids 8 is now Sharks Level 7
  • Swim Kids 9 is now Sharks Level 7
  • Swim Kids 10 is now Sharks Level 8

City of Toronto’s Swim Program

GUARDIAN program is now the BABY SHARKS program
  • Guardian 1 is now Baby Sharks
  • Guardian 2 is now Baby Sharks
  • Guardian 3 is now Baby Sharks
PRESCHOOL program is now the PRESCHOOL PUPS program
  • Preschool 1 is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Preschool 2 is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Preschool 3 is now Preschool Pups 2
  • Preschool 4 is now Preschool Pups 3
ULTRA program is now the SHARKS program
  • Ultra 1 is now Sharks Level 1
  • Ultra 2 is now Sharks Level 2
  • Ultra 3 is now Sharks Level 3
  • Ultra 4 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Ultra 5 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Ultra 6 is now Sharks Level 5
  • Ultra 7 is now Sharks Level 6
  • Ultra 8 is now Sharks Level 7
  • Ultra 9 is now Sharks Level 8

Swim for Life Program

PARENT & TOT program is now the BABY SHARKS program
  • Parent & Tot 1 is now Baby Sharks
  • Parent & Tot 2 is now Baby Sharks
  • Parent & Tot 3 is now Baby Sharks
PRESCHOOL program is now the PRESCHOOL PUPS program
  • Preschool 1 is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Preschool 2 is now Preschool Pups 1
  • Preschool 3 is now Preschool Pups 2
  • Preschool 4 is now Preschool Pups 3
SWIMMER program is now the SHARKS program
  • Swimmer 1 is now Sharks Level 2
  • Swimmer 2 is now Sharks Level 3
  • Swimmer 3 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Swimmer 4 is now Sharks Level 4
  • Swimmer 5 is now Sharks Level 6
  • Swimmer 6 is now Sharks Level 7

Baby Sharks (Lessons for Ages 0 to 3)

This program is designed to promote comfort and safety in the water for the caregiver and child. The course provides an introduction to the aquatic environment and to basic swimming skills such as: entries and exits, submersion and breath control, and basic floats with assistance.

One caregiver per participant must always participate in the water.

Prerequisites: None

Fall Sessions

  • Saturday, 11:00 am to 11:30 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sundays, 11:00 am to 11:30 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8

Lesson Fees

$20 per class

Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Preschool Pups (Lessons for Ages 3 to 5)

This is the first opportunity for a child to participate in a swim program without their guardian. It may also be their first swimming experience. Students will learn skills such as floats, glides, kicks, surface support and more!

Preschool Pups Level 1

In Preschool Pups Level 1, your child will practice swim skills to get them more familiar with the water, such as: enter and exit shallow water with assistance, submersion and breath control, and basic floats with assistance. No prerequisites.

Fall Sessions
  • Monday, 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm (September 11 to November 13)
  • Wednesday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 13 to November 15)
  • Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:30 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Preschool Pups Level 2

In Preschool Pups Level 2, your child will practice swim skills to get them more familiar with the water, such as: entering and exiting water, bobbing and floats with assistance, and introduction to front and back swim.

Prerequisite

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Preschool Pups 1.

Fall Sessions
  • Wednesday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 13 to November 15)
  • Thursday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 14 to November 16)
  • Saturday, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:30 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Preschool Pups Level 3

In Preschool Pups Level 3, your child will practice swim skills to get them more familiar with the water, such as: development of front and back swim and introduction to side glides, sculling, and deep water.

Prerequisite

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Preschool Pups 2.

Fall Sessions
  • Saturday, 11:00 am to 11:30 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 11:00 am to 11:30 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Lesson Fees

$20 per class

Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Sharks (Lessons for Ages 5 to 13)

Sharks Level 1

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Entries and exits
  • Submersion and breath control
  • Basic floats with assistance
Prerequisites

None

Fall Sessions
  • Monday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 11 to November 13)
  • Friday, 5:00pm to 5:30 pm (September 15 to November 17)
  • Saturday, 10:30 am to 11:00 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 2

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of front swim, back kick, glides
  • Introduction to deep water, surface and kicking
  • Distance swim of 5 metres
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 1 or Preschool Pups 3.

Fall Sessions
  • Tuesday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 12 to November 14)
  • Thursday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 14 to November 16)
  • Friday, 5:00pm to 5:30 pm (September 15 to November 17)
  • Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 10:30 am to 11:00 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 3

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of surface support, side glide, and kicking
  • Introduction to front crawl, diving, and back swim
  • Distance swim of 10 metres
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 2 or Preschool Pups 3.

Fall Sessions
  • Monday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 11 to November 13)
  • Friday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 15 to November 17)
  • Saturday, 10:30 am to 11:00 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 4

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of front crawl and treading water
  • Introduction to side breathing, somersault, whip-kick and forward roll
  • Distance swim of 25 metres
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 3.

Fall Sessions
  • Tuesday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 12 to November 14)
  • Friday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 15 to November 17)
  • Saturday, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 10:30 am to 11:00 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 5

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of front dive, forward roll and front crawl
  • Introduction to back crawl, eggbeater kick and elementary backstroke arms
  • Distance swim of 50 metres
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 4.

Fall Sessions
  • Wednesday, 5:30pm to 6:00 pm (September 13 to November 15)
  • Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:30 am (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 6

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and eggbeater
  • Introduction to stride entries, surface dives, breaststroke and interval training
  • Distance swim of 100 metres
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 5.

Fall Sessions
  • Wednesday, 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm (September 13 to November 15)
  • Thursday, 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm (September 14 to November 16)
  • Saturday, 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm (September 16 to November 18)
  • Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:30 am (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Sharks Level 7/8

Skills Taught in This Level
  • Development of surface dives, lifesaving kicks, front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke
  • Introduction to shallow dive into deep water and lifesaving principles
  • Distance swim of 200 metres for Sharks Level 7 and 400 metres for Sharks Level 8
Prerequisites

Successful completion or skill ability equal to Sharks Level 6 or Sharks Level 7.

Fall Sessions
  • Tuesday, 5:30pm to 6:15 pm (September 12 to November 14)
  • Thursday, 5:30pm to 6:15 pm (September 14 to November 16)
  • Sunday, 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm (September 17 to November 19)

*No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31

Class Capacity

Group lesson (4 per class)

Fall Lesson Fees

$20 per class

Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons are one-on-one swim instruction with a Lifesaving Society Certified instructor. The great thing about Private lessons is that you can learn at your pace and you can communicate your personal swimming goals with the instructor.

Private lessons are available for all age groups.

Capacity

1 person

Fall Sessions (September 11 to November 19, 2023)
  • Lesson Duration: 30 minutes or 45 minutes (note: 45-minute lessons are recommended for Sharks Level 5 and higher)
  • Availability: Please visit our online portal to view the fall schedule and to register online (available starting August 17th).
  • No Lessons on Holidays: October 7, October 8, October 9, October 31
Private Lesson Fees
  • 30-Minute Lesson: $35 per class
  • 45-Minute Lesson: $40 per class
Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Junior Lifeguard Club

The Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) offers a unique aquatic alternative for children who love the water and wish to complement the skills they are learning in swimming lessons.

In a safe, fun and controlled setting they will learn about lifesaving and lifeguarding, challenge themselves for personal bests, get fit, make friends, and have a great time. University Settlement’s Junior Lifeguard Club will also a unique opportunity for participants to volunteer and assist in aquatic programs!

Prerequisite

Minimum 8 years old and completion of Sharks Level 6 is recommended.

Fall Session

Thursdays, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
(September 14 to November 16)

Fees

$100

Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register and pay online for all swim lessons and courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Settlement Sharks (Youth Swim Team for Ages 7 to 17)

Settlement Sharks competitive swim team is for those who want to improve their swimming strokes. The entire program is focused on the competitive practice of swimming as fast as possible. This program is special compared to the Sharks Program because of the opportunities to challenge and develop yourself along with our friendly competitors from other centres.

This program has three goals that we try to achieve at every practice and meet: stroke improvement, fun, and competition!

All swim meets are optional. Swim meets may require travel to a different pool to compete. Swimmers must be able to complete at least 2 lengths of the pool non-stop. Open for 8 to 18 years old, recommended completion of Sharks Level 6 or higher.

Capacity

16 people

Fall Schedule

Thursdays, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
(September 14 to November 16)

Fees

$100

Fall Registration is Now Open

You can register online for Settlement Sharks. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Supervisor at aquatics@universitysettlement.ca, or call 416‑598‑3444 ext. 228.

Agency Membership Fees: In addition to program fees, an annual Agency Membership ($25 plus HST per year) is required for all individuals participating in swim lessons and courses at University Settlement.

Free Leisure Swim

Come and enjoy the pool. Have fun and get comfortable in the water. Our Free Leisure Swims are open to all ages – adults, seniors, kids, and youth. Everyone in the pool!

  • Shallow and deep areas separated
  • Proper supervision ratios
  • Age restrictions for swimming alone
  • Swim tests for deep-end access apply

Capacity

30 people

Fall Schedule (Begins September)

  • Friday: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm

Fees

Included in University Settlement Agency Membership

Admittance Policy: Child(ren) that are 9 years and under must be accompanied by a guardian that is 14 years and older. The guardian must remain within arms reach of the child(ren) at all times.

Please note: This is a drop-in program on a first come, first serve basis. Spots are limited.

Family Swim

Don’t forget to check out our Family Swim programs!

Friendly Reminder: Don’t Forget to Bring your Mask, Gear, and Water

Mask wearing is not required but it is encouraged. Please wear a mask in all indoor spaces (including locker rooms). Don’t forget to bring any gear you need, including your own water bottle (filled).

High Five

Proudly HIGH FIVE™ Accredited

HIGH FIVE™ is Canada’s only comprehensive quality standard for children’s programs. Based on a holistic approach to healthy child development, it’s quality framework addresses Staff Training and Development, Program Assessments, Policies/Procedures, and Awareness.