We are proud to offer a variety of swimming lessons, aquatic programs and drop-in programs. Please take a moment to see the available programs below.
To register for an aquatic program click here.
For more information please contact Heather McIlveen, Aquatics Supervisor 905-549-2814 ext.225 | heather.mcilveen@bgchh.com.
Click here to view a virtual tour of BGC Hamilton-Halton and see the pool area.
Swimming Lessons & Aquatic Programs
Parent & Tot
Parents spend quality time with their child while having fun learning and socializing with others. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, our Parent & Tot Program stresses the importance of play in developing water- positive attitudes and skills. We provide Water Smart® tips on keeping children safe in any aquatic setting.
Ages: 4 Months-2 Years
Various dates and times available. Please see RecDesk for program times.
Preschool Lessons
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. Preschool levels develop an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In five Preschool levels, we work to ensure 3 to 5 year old become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Water Smart® education in each level.
Various dates and times available. Please see RecDesk for program times.
Please click through the levels below to see which one is best for your child!
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These preschoolers will have fun and gain confidence in the water through learning to get their faces wet, blow bubbles, float, glide and jump into chest deep water.
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These preschoolers will learn to submerge in water as well as jump, float and glide independently while wearing a PFD.
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These preschoolers will work toward floating and gliding independently as well as opening their eyes in the water to recover submerged objects.
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These preschoolers are advanced yet young swimmers. They will work on developing confidence in deep water, learn to tread water and practice swimming on their front, back and side glides.
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. These preschoolers are advanced yet too young for the swimmer program. They will work on deep water skills including entries and treading independently for 10 seconds or more. These super star swimmers will also work on swimming front crawl for 5m.
Children’s Lessons
The Swim For Life Program makes sure children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate 5 to 12 year olds including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Water Smart® education in all 6 levels.
Various dates and times available. Please see RecDesk for program times.
Please click through the levels below to see which one is best for your child!
These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They’ll learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They’ll work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back.
These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They’ll be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 m).
These junior swimmers will dive and do 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.
These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They’ll cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training.
These swimmers will master 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.
These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including 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 they’ll complain about the 300 m workout.
The Canadian Swim Patrol Program focuses on enhancing and developing strong swimming strokes while providing an introduction to rescue and first aid skills. These advanced swimmers will complete obstacle swims, object carries and a 300M+ endurance challenge.
Private Lessons
Reccomended for swimmers of any age looking for additonal attention and/or with aquatics goals relating to a specific skill or stroke. Members who wish to secure a semi-private lesson should register 1 person online and then call our front desk 905-549-2814 to register an additional member of the household.
Various dates and times available. Please see RecDesk for program times.
Newcomer Women’s Swimming Lessons
In a safe space for newcomer women with female only staff, adult swimmers will be introduced to the basics of swimming including but not limited to floating on front and back, swimming short distances and developing comfort and confidence in the water!
Adult (18+)
When: Saturdays at 3:00 & 3:30pm
Adult AquaFit
AquaFit is designed for non-swimmers and swimmers alike. This is a challenging full body workout with little to no impact on joints. Participants will work on stretching and flexibility, cardio, strength and core exercises in each class.
Ages 18+
When: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 10am
For more information about our aquatic programs, please contact:
Heather McIlveen
Supervisor, Aquatics
905-549-2814 ext.225
heather.mcilveen@bgchh.com
Certification Programs
We frequently host a variety of swim and lifeguard certification programs. Please check back regularly to see what we are offering next:
Bronze Star: Ages 9+
Bronze Medallion: Completed Bronze Star or Ages 13+
Bronze Cross: Ages 13+
Please see RecDesk for program dates and times.
Drop-in Swim Programs
Drop-in Swim Programs begin Monday, September 26th.
Open Swim
Open Swim runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00-7:45pm.