The Bronze Star program builds your swimming skill, lifesaving ability, and personal fitness. You will refine your strokes, learn self-rescue techniques and apply fitness principles in training. This program is excellent preparation for Bronze Medallion and a fun introduction to lifesaving sport. You must be able to swim 300 metres (Swimmer 7, 8, or 9 experience is recommended).
Swimming Lessons
You can dive into swimming at the Kinsmen Pool, located in our Aquatic Centre at 100 Water St E. Whether you're learning the basics or refining your technique, our lessons focus on safety and fun. You can also apply for assistance to help with recreation program fees.
Parent and tot programs
Register for the Parent & Tot program to enjoy structured in-water play with your child. You’ll learn activities based on your child’s development to build positive water attitudes and skills together.
Preschool programs
You can register your child for our Preschool swim program. It’s a fun, safe way for 3 to 5-year-olds to develop a healthy respect for the water and essential skills before they progress to deeper lessons.
Swimmer programs
You can register your child for the Swimmer program. We ensure kids aged 5 to 12 learn proper techniques through lots of practice, building a solid swimming foundation whether they're just starting or improving their skills.
Adult and teen swimmer programs
You can register for the Adult Swimmer program, whether you're just starting out or want to improve your stroke. In this program, you set your own pace to gain confidence and improve your swimming skills.
Advanced Aquatic Leadership
You can register for advanced aquatic leadership to advance your lifesaving and leadership skills. Explore the four key certifications: Bronze Star for fundamentals, Bronze Medallion for decision-making, Bronze Cross for assistant lifeguarding and the National Lifeguard program for professional readiness. Begin your journey toward certification and a rewarding role in aquatics safety.
Bronze Medallion with Emergency First Aid & CPR-B
The Bronze Medallion program challenges you mentally and physically. Your training will be based on the four components of water rescue: judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. You will learn to make good decisions in, on and around the water by developing assessment and problem-solving skills. This certification is the prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in the Bronze Cross program. You must be at least 13 years of age or hold a Bronze Star certification.
The Bronze Cross program transitions you from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares you for the role of an assistant lifeguard. You will strengthen your lifesaving skills and learn to apply active surveillance techniques in aquatic facilities. The training emphasizes the critical importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to water emergencies. This certification is required to advance to the National Lifeguard and leadership programs. You must hold a Bronze Medallion certification and either a Lifesaving Society Emergency/Standard First Aid certification or an equivalent first aid certificate from a training agency approved by the Ontario government
The National Lifeguard program develops your understanding of lifeguarding principles, judgment, and a responsible attitude toward the role. Your training focuses on emergency prevention, effective rescue response, and first aid. You will also build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. The course includes fitness tests such as a timed object recovery, a 50-metre sprint, a 50-metre rescue drill and a 400-metre endurance swim. The program requires 100% attendance. Course dates depend on instructor availability. You must be at least 15 years old and hold a Bronze Cross certification.
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