We provide a range of swimming opportunities including swim lessons for all ages and abilities.
- Learn to swim group and private lessons
- Aquatic leadership and lifesaving (train to be a swim instructor and lifeguard)
- Lane swimming for recreation and fitness
- Public swims
- Aquafit classes (advance registration required)
- Masters Swim (advance registration required)
Public Sessions
View the drop-in swim schedule.
| 2023 Single Admission Fees | |
|---|---|
| NVRC Fitness Members | Free |
| Adult | $7.45 |
| Children under 3yrs | FREE |
| Child (3-12yrs) | $3.65 |
| Youth (13-18yrs) | $4.61 |
| Student (19-64yrs with valid student ID) | $5.60 |
| Senior (65yrs & older) | $5.60 |
| Family* | $3.82 per person ($7.45 min) |
All admission prices include tax. * Family refers to one or two adults of the same household with their children or youth.
Swimming Lessons
Registration for swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs can be done online or by calling 604-987-7529.
Swim Lessons
Our Early Years program is designed to focus on fundamental movement skills, stroke progressions, safety education and fun in the pool!
Parent Participation (0-3yrs)
These 30 minute classes are designed to introduce your child to the water and to teach safety in and around the pool.
- Parent Participation 1 Guppies (6-18mos) - Introduction to the pool environment, pool safety education, and how to correctly hold your child in the water for floating and gliding. A parent or guardian 16yrs+ must be in the water at all times for the duration of the lesson.
- Parent Participation 2 Clown Fish (18mos-3yrs) - This 'Parent Participation' program introduces infant/child first aid, independent movement in the water, and transition from swimming with a parent to swimming with a teacher. Ready-Swim-Return and the Fundamental Movement Skills of standing, walking, hopping, bubbles and floats. A parent or guardian 16yrs+ must be in the water at all times for the duration of the lesson.
- Parent Participation Sea Otters (2-4yrs) - Introduction to beginner swim skills and gaining independence in the water. Beginner swim skills include introduction to bubbles, submersions, floats, glides, and facility safety. All registrants will start the class with a caregiver in the water, with a goal of completing the course independently with the instructor.
On My Own (2-6yrs)
These 30 minute classes are designed to teach the fundamental movement skills in aquatics. Basics of the four swimming strokes: Front Crawl, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly are introduced as well as safety in and around the pool.
- Tiny Tots 1 Turtles – Karen Magnussen Only (2- 3yrs) An 'On My Own' swim class offered to 2yr olds who are comfortable leaving mom & dad. Focus is on pool orientation, assisted floats, submersion, and assisted kicks.
- Tiny Tots 1 Tadpoles (3-6yrs) - Focus is on pool orientation, assisted floats, submersions, and assisted kicks.
- Tiny Tots 2 Jellyfish (3-6yrs) - Swim class emphasizes floating, entries & exits, and assisted kicks.
- Tiny Tots 3 Seahorses (3-6yrs) - Swim class introducing your child to deep water, gliding, and kicking independently.
- Tiny Tots 4 Seals (3-6yrs) - Includes an introduction to front crawl, propulsive kicking for all 4 strokes, and deep water safety skills.
- Tiny Tots 5 Sting Rays (3–6yrs) - Focus is on an introduction to backstroke and breaststroke with unassisted swims in the deep water.
- Tiny Tots 6 Orcas (3-6yrs) - This final level of the preschool program introduces basic lifesaving skills, distance swims for front crawl and backstroke, and an introduction to butterfly.
- Adapted Swim Lessons (3-6yrs & 6-12yrs) - Low ratio lessons for pre school age children with physical or developmental disabilities. First time registrants must contact the Inclusion Programmer 604.983.6415 prior to their first class. There is a limit of one registration per student per season.
View available programs
Swim Stages are now called Swim4Life. New name, same excellent instruction!
- Swim4Life Stage 1a: Orientation to Water - Orientation to water: Swimmers will develop the confidence to float, glide, and kick on their front and back.
- Swim4Life Stage 1b: Orientation to Deep End Swimming - Developing independent Swimming: Focus on Body position, kicking, arm movement, breath control, deep end orientation, and an unassisted swim of 25m.
- Swim4Life Stage 2a: Skill Development - Work through the first 9 skills of Stage 2 including deep end swims, an introduction to freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke arm action, and dolphin kick.
- Swim4Life Stage 2b: Stroke Development - Work on stroke technique for freestyle and backstroke with an introduction to breaststroke and butterfly.
- Canadian Swim Patrol (8-12yrs) - Swim patrol is a 3-level award progression for lifesaving skills. This course provides a head start for the Bronze Awards. We recommend children participate in Canadian Swim Patrol for at least one session prior to registering in Stage 3.
- Swim4Life Stage 3: Skill Improvement - This stage involves improving all four strokes-body position, leg and arm action and rhythm. Endurance is also developed in this stage. More advanced dives and turns are covered. Entering into Stage 3 swimmers should able to swim 100 meters without stopping.
- Swim4Life Stage 4: Swim FAST - The focus for the continuing swimmer is skill refinement and stroke enhancement. This stage provides swimmers with the knowledge and confidence to swim efficiently, effectively, and fast. When entering into Stage 4, swimmers should be able to swim 200 meters (8 lengths) without stopping.
- Junior Lifeguard Club (8yrs+) - Kids learn attitudes and skills that could one day save a life--their life, or someone else's. The Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) is designed to let kids participate in activities similar to those of real lifeguards-- in a safe, fun and controlled setting. Must have completed Swim4Life Stage 2B prior to participating.
- Adapted Swim Lessons (3-6yrs & 6-12yrs) - Low ratio lessons for pre school age children with physical or developmental disabilities. First time registrants must contact the Inclusion Programmer 604.983.6415 prior to their first class. There is a limit of one registration per student per season.
- Swim Academy 2.0 (6-14yrs)
This program offers swimmers guidance through a swim workout emphasizing skill, stroke improvement and swim endurance. Required: Participants must have completed Swim Stage 2b or Swim Academy 1.0. - Swim Academy 3.0 (6-14yrs)
This program offers swimmers guidance through a swim workout emphasizing skill, stroke improvement and swim endurance. Required -participants must have completed Swim Stage 3 or Swim Academy 2.0.
View available programs
At this age you can pursue one or more swimming streams
Learn-to-Swim Swim for Fitness Lifesaving Become an Instructor/Lifeguard Youth Beginner - This learn-to-swim program will teach participants the fundamental movement skills for the 4 strokes and learn useful entries including dives and rolls.
Youth Intermediate - Provides youth with the intermediate skills to perform the strokes of their choice; freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
Youth Advanced - Work towards participating in a Masters Swim programs by practicing workouts drills, and endurances.
Jr. Masters (12-17yrs) - For all those kids who love the water and want to excel at swimming. This program will help build endurance, fitness and health. Must be able to swim 10 lengths of the pool. Bronze Star 12yrs&up - The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Star develops swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness. Candidates refine their stroke mechanics, acquire self-rescue skills, and apply fitness principles in training workouts. Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion and provides a fun introduction to lifesaving sport.
Bronze Medallion 13yrs&up - Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Pre-requisites: 13yrs of age or Bronze Star and swimming ability at an I Can Swim Stage 3 level.
Bronze Cross - The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as lifeguards. Pre-requisite: Bronze Medallion.
Please see AQUATIC LEADERSHIP below View available programs
- Adult Beginner - Teaches beginner progressions from which all strokes are taught. Participants are introduced to breath control, deep water and surface support
- Adult Intermediate - Provides adults with the intermediate skills to perform the strokes of their choice: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and butterfly. Must be able to swim in the deep lanes to register.
- Adult Advanced -Work towards participating in Masterswim by practicing workouts, drills, and endurance.
- Adapted Swim Lessons - Low ratio lessons for adults with physical or developmental disabilities. First time registrants must contact the Inclusion Programmer 604.983.6415 prior to their first class. There is a limit of one registration per student per season.
Once you have completed Adult Advanced, check out our Fitness Membership and pay-as-you-go options:
- Masters Swim 1 (pre-registration required)
Must be able to swim 75m continuously and at least two of the following: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly. Good for the recreational swimmer who would like to improve their strength and endurance. - Masters Swim 2 (pre-registration required)
Must be able to swim 400m continuously & at least 100m of three of the following: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly. Great for the triathlete or recreational swimmer who would like to improve their strength and endurance.
View available programs
We offer adapted swimming lessons for children, youth and adults who have physical or developmental disabilities, or other support considerations. These beginner lessons are available when a group lesson might not be a fit, and the curriculum is modified to focus on water safety and independent swimming skills. Classes are offered as low-ratio or parent participation small group. We encourage participation in our group lessons but if you feel that adapted lessons might be an option for you or your family member, or it has been recommended by an aquatic staff member, please contact the Inclusion Programmer prior to the first lesson 604-983-6415. There is a limit of one registration per season. Please see the swimming class listings for specific days and times.
Practice makes perfect! Here are three simple tips on how you can help your child practice and improve their swimming skill:
- Take your kids to public swim sessions and have fun with them in the pool
- Ask them to show you what they learned in class (and watch them practice!)
- Practice swimming with them if you are able.
Due to limited staffing resources the NVRC is not running private swim lessons at this time.
Are you or your child passionate about swimming? The North Shore is home to six community swim clubs that offer training in competitive swimming, diving and waterpolo:
How to Become a Swim Instructor & Lifeguard with the NVRC
North Vancouver Recreation & Culture offers all the courses you need to qualify to teach swimming and be a lifeguard. Both swim instruction and lifeguarding certifications are needed in order to be employed at our pools.
All courses require 100% attendance. Withdrawals must be made at least 8 days before the start of a course to receive a full refund. Many of these courses require re-certification - please see certification chart below.
Please Take the Following Courses in Order:
Lifesaving Certifications
- Bronze Star (optional) - pre-requisite: 12yrs of age
- Bronze Medallion - pre-requisite: 13yrs of age or Bronze Star
- Bronze Cross - includes CPR 'C' - pre-requisite: Bronze Medallion
View courses online
Lifeguard Certifications
- Standard First Aid (SFA) - includes CPR 'C - pre-requisite: 15yrs of age
Standard First Aid is a comprehensive course that demonstrates how to initiate emergency care. This course covers instruction on prevention, recognition and treatment of life-threatening emergencies. - National Lifeguard Program (NLP) - pre-requisite: 16yrs of age, Bronze Cross and AEC or SFA
Standard First Aid is a comprehensive course that demonstrates how to initiate emergency care. This course covers instruction on prevention, recognition and treatment of life-threatening emergencies.
Instructor Certifications
- Water Safety Instructor (full course) - pre-requisite: 15yrs of age and Swim Stage 3 or equivalent
This course is designed to provide candidates with the proper knowledge and skills to teach the Red Cross swimming and water safety program. Prerequisites: 15yrs of age and Bronze Cross. - Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) - pre-requisite: 16yrs of age and Bronze Cross
Learn how to teach and evaluate the Lifesaving Society Bronze Medal awards. Candidates will be taught teaching methodology, course planning, class management, safety supervision and the principles of evaluation. Pre-requisite: 15yrs of age, Bronze Cross, and online course: COVID-19 Instructor Update. - Swim Academy Instructor (Swim4Life School age Program)
The Swim Instructor Update course provides candidates with the philosophy, theory and teaching methods necessary to plan, and deliver NVRC learn-to-swim lessons. Pre-requisites: 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, and Water Safety Instructor. - High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development
This one-day training will help front-line leaders (anyone working with children aged 4 to 12 – i.e. camp leaders, coaches, swim instructors) improve the quality of programs. It provides in depth training in the HIGH FIVE Principles of healthy child development so front-line leaders understand what they need to do to ensure each child’s social, emotional and cognitive needs are met.
View our Aquatic Leadership courses online.
Once you complete all of your courses please apply online to become a Swim Instructor/Lifeguard with the NVRC!
Lifeguard
Certification Re-certification Required Bronze Medallion No Bronze Cross No Standard First Aid Every 3 years or if you are employed as a lifeguard, every 2 years CPR 'C' Certificate Every 3 years or if you are employed as a lifeguard, every 1 year NLP Pool Option Every second year Learn more about careers in lifeguarding by visiting the Lifesaving Society website.
Swim Instructor
Certification Required To Teach Re-certification Required Lifesaving Instructor Canadian Swim Patrol
Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion
Bronze CrossEvery second year Water Safety Instructor Red Cross Program Every second year Swim Instructor Update School-age Learn to Swim program Every year through professional development opportunities Learn more about careers in swim instruction by visiting the Lifesaving Society and Red Cross websites.
To find out more about becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor, talk to the aquatic staff at one of the NVRC pools or contact Matthew Logan at 604-983-6506 or by email.
