Aquatics

Swimming Lessons

• What level should I register my child In?

  Parent & Tot Program Overview

  Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun and learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and answers to your questions. Because activities and progressions are based on child development, you register in the level appropriate for your child’s age.

  • Parent & Tot 1 (4-12 months): With a caregiver the child will explore the water through buoyancy, movement skills, introduction to PFD’s and entries. Learn how to help your child play in water with comfort
    and confidence.
  • Parent & Tot 2 (12-24 months): With a caregiver the child will perform assisted front and back floats, learn how to travel at the surface by kicking and introduction to entries with a PFD. This level teaches children to get their face wet and blow bubbles.
  • Parent & Tot 3 (24-36 months): With a caregiver the child will have fun jumping into the water with assistance. They learn how to hold their breath and open their eyes under water. Kicking on front and back
    provide the building blocks for orientation and stroke development

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  Preschool Program Overview

  Give your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In our basic aquatic progressions we work to ensure 3 to 5-year-olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.

  • Preschool A (ages 3-5): These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We’ll help them jump into chest deep water. They’ll use floats and glide on their front and back, and learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater. Caregiver optional.
  • Preschool B (ages 3-5): These preschoolers learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They’ll submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket they’ll glide on their front and back.
  • Preschool C (ages 3-5): These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They’ll recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They’ll work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back

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  Swimmer Program Overview

  The Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 5 years and older 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 Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Swimmer levels.

  • Beginner (ages 6-8): This is an introductory class for children ages 6 to 8 with little or no experience in the water. Participants will learn head and face submersion: front/back and side swim (assisted). The swim instructor works to ensure that the participants become comfortable in the water and have fun developing a basic foundation of water skills.
  • Swimmer 1 (6 years+): Swimmers become comfortable jumping into water with and without a PFD. They open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They work on floats, glides and kicking on front and back.
  • Swimmer 2 (6 years+): Advance beginners jump into deeper water and become comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a PFD. Swimmers support themselves at the surface without an aid, recover an object in chest-deep water. Fitness swim in 10-15m. 
  • Swimmer 3 (6 years+): Swimmers develop front and back crawl strokes, and explore whip kick in a vertical position. Swimmers tread water for up to 30 seconds and learn to transition from front to back flutter kick. Fitness swim in 20-15m.
  • Swimmer 4 (6 years+): Swimmers work towards stride dives and standing dives into deep water. They improve the front crawl, backcrawl and whip kick. Swimmers are introduced to a 3m underwater swim. Fitness swim is 50m.
  • Swimmer 5 (6 years+): Junior swimmers shallow dive into deep water and perform in-water back somersaults. They achieve the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: roll into deep water, tread 1 minute and swim 50m. Swimmers continue to develop front and back crawl while breaststroke skills are introduced. Fitness swim is 100m.
  • Swimmer 6 (6 years+): Intermediate swimmers increase efficiency in front crawl, back crawl, and work to develop breaststroke skills. They are introduced to stride entries, scissor kick and vertical dolphin kick. They also develop strength and power by performing front and back crawl sprints. Fitness swim is 150m.
  • Swimmer 7 (6 years+): Intermediate swimmers master dolphin kick, diving and eggbeater. They are introduced to sculling and continue to maximize efficiency in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Fitness Swim is 300m.
  • Swimmer 8 (8 years+) Swimmers rise to the challenge of advanced aquatic skills including head and foot first surface dives and a 25m obstacle swim. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. They swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Fitness swim is 350m.
  • Swimmer 9 (8 years+): Swimmers continue stroke development with 75m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving skills include a rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Fitness swim is 500m.
  • Swimmer 10 (8 years+) Advanced swimmers develop each stroke over 100m. They also learn lifesaving skills such as entries with aids and removal of unconscious victims. First aid focuses on treatment of victim with bone and joint injuries and respiratory emergencies. Swimming drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation. Fitness swim is 600m.
• Private and Semi-Private Lessons

  The Township is thrilled to provide both Semi-Private and Private classes, available in five-session blocks from Monday to Friday. For those interested in semi-private lessons, we suggest that one person in your group registers for a private lesson first, and then contacts our team recreation@wellington-north.com to add additional learners to the group. 

  Semi-Private

  Semi-private lessons are cost-effective, allowing learners to share expenses while benefiting from personalized attention in a small group setting. Additionally, semi-private lessons provide flexibility, enabling a customized learning experience that caters to the group's needs. 

  Private

  Private lessons offer individualized instruction, focusing entirely on the learner's specific needs, pace, and learning style. With the instructor's undivided attention, students can achieve faster progress and a deeper understanding of the material. Private lessons also offer flexible scheduling and are ideal for targeting specific skills or areas requiring extra help.

• What Happens if it is Raining?

  In the event that there is rain/thunderstorms during swimming lessons we will provide an alternative to in-water instruction.

  For the younger levels, Instructors will go over water-smart messages (sun-smart, boat-smart, etc.) as well as activities that reinforce the water-smart messages. For older levels, Instructors will introduce some first-aid and CPR skills.

• Pool Admission Standards

  Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purpose of preventing injuries and fatalities. 

  Children Under the Age of Ten (under 10) who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a caregiver who is 12 years of age or older and responsible for their direct supervision. The caregiver must be a confident swimmer as determined by the Head Lifeguard.

  Children Aged Six to Nine (ages 6 – 9) May be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied, provided they pass the facility swim test administered by a lifeguard. A caregiver must be present for the swim test and remain in the pool enclosure.

  Recommended Supervision Ratio: children under the age of ten (10)

  • A caregiver, 12+ years of age, may provide direct supervision for up to a maximum of two non-swimmers.
  • A caregiver, 12+ years of age, may provide direct supervision for up to a maximum of four non-swimmers if two are in life jackets, and no more than two children are under the age of six.  
  • A caregiver, 16+ years of age, can provide direct supervision for five to eight non-swimmers, provided all children are wearing life jackets.

  What this means to you:

  • If you are 10 years of age, or older, you can swim unaccompanied.
  • The Head Lifeguard can request a swim test be taken by any pool guest, at any time, regardless of age.  
  • If you’re six to nine (6 - 9) years of age and think you can swim, bring a caregiver to the pool and take the swim test. 
  • What if you are a non-swimmer under the age of 10? You need a caregiver to provide direct supervision.
  • Direct supervision is defined as in the water and within arm’s reach.   
• Cancellation and Refund Policy

  General

  1. Refunds will not be granted once a course or program has been completed.
     Refunds requested after the start of a course or program will only be issued for medical reasons.
  2. A $10.00 administration fee applies to all refund applications, except for those exceptions outlined below, or cancelled by the Recreation, Community & Economic Development Department.
  3. A full refund will be issued for any course or program cancelled by the Recreation, Community & Economic Development Department, with no administration fee applied, notwithstanding clauses listed above.
  4. No administration fee will be charged for transfers within a program.
  5.  Refunds will not be issued for swimming lessons cancelled due to inclement weather or facility closures, except in the following cases:
     1. If more than 40% of classes are impacted (4 out of 10 lessons) a request can be made for consideration for partial reimbursement of the program pending review.
     2. If a private or semi-private class is cancelled. The township will work to provide alternative lesson dates.

  Refund Procedure

  • 10 Business Days or More: Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course or program start date will receive a full refund, minus a $10.00 administration fee.
  • 5 Business Days or More: Cancellations made 5 business days or more before the course or program start date will receive a 50% refund of the program fee. The administration fee will be waived.
  • 5 Business Days or Less: Cancellations made 5 business days or less before the course or program start date will not be eligible for a refund. The administration fee will be waived.
    
    Phone: 519.848.3620 x 4335
    Email: recreation@wellington-north.com
    Mailing: 7490 Sideroad 7W
    Kenilworth, ON N0G 2E0
• Thinking of Becoming a Lifeguard?

  Looking for a meaningful way to build skills and serve your community? Start your lifeguard journey with our Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross courses. 

   Visit the registration page or call 519‑848‑3620 ext. 4235 to learn more.

Pool Programming

• FREE Public Swims (Sponsored)

  Thank you to our generous sponsors for making FREE public swimming at the Arthur Pool on Fridays, Saturday, PD Days and holidays possible!

  Date	Time	Sponsor
  Friday, August 21	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Musashi
  Saturday, August 22	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Musashi

  The Township of Wellington North would like to thank the Arthur Optimist Club, Arthur OptiMRS, and B.E.N. Stoneworks for sponsoring a public swim this summer. A special thank you goes to Musashi, who sponsored all of the Friday and Saturday free public swim sessions at the Arthur pool this summer!

• Specialty Programming

  Aquafit
  Mondays and Fridays, 6:10 - 7:00 p.m.
  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

  Aquafit is a low-impact, full-body fitness class held in the pool that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises. Suitable for a variety of fitness levels, Aquafit provides a fun and effective way to stay active while reducing stress on joints and muscles.

  Gentle Aquafit
  Wednesdays, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

  Gentle Aquafit is a low-impact water exercise class designed for older adults, beginners, or anyone looking for a slower-paced workout. The buoyancy of the water helps reduce stress on joints while improving strength, flexibility, balance, and overall fitness.

  Sensory Sensitive Swim
  Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

   Sensory Sensitive Swim offers a quieter, more relaxed swimming experience designed for individuals who may find busy pool environments overwhelming. With reduced noise, lower attendance, and a welcoming atmosphere, participants can enjoy the pool in a comfortable and supportive setting.

   Water Confidence Nights
  Thursdays, 6:10 - 7:00 p.m.

  Water Confidence Nights are beginner-friendly swim sessions for adults and families designed to help participants build comfort and confidence in the water. With supportive instructors, small group sizes, and a welcoming, judgment-free environment, participants can develop essential water safety and swimming skills at their own pace.

   Junior Guard Squad

   Junior Guard Squad is a fun, hands-on pool program where participants build water safety and lifeguarding skills through rescue challenges, teamwork activities, games, and real lifesaving equipment. Open to all ages with no registration required, it's a great way to learn, stay active, and explore what lifeguards do every day.

• How much do our pool programs cost?

  Pass Type	2026 Rate (no HST)
  Infants and toddlers (under 2)	$0.00
  1 visit - Individual	$5.00
  1 visit - Family: up to 5 members same house	$15.00
  1 visit - Aquafit	$15.00
  Season Pass - Individual	$120.00
  Season Pass - Family: up to 5 members same house	$270.00
  Season Pass - Aquafit	$100.00

• Admittance Policy and Swim Test

  Admission Standards for Public Pools

  Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards to maintain adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purpose of preventing injuries and fatalities.

  • Children under the age of 10 who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision (within arms reach at all times).
  • Children aged 7-9 may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied if they can demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test administered by a lifeguard. Lifeguards may use their professional judgement to determine whether a child’s swimming ability is deemed as adequate for a “swimmer” or not.
  • All children under the age of 6 years must be accompanied and directly supervised by a guardian, with a maximum of 2 children for each parent or guardian.
  • Non-swimmers MUST remain in arm’s reach of their guardians at all times. Unsuccessful swimmer’s must wait until the following day to make another attempt to pass the swim test.
  • Caregivers age 12-17 are only allowed to supervise up to 2 children at a time. An adult aged 18+ may supervise a maximum of 4 bathers, of which only 2 can be under the age of 6.

  

  *Swim test criteria: Front swim with face in water as much as possible one length, pull self out of pool, jump back in and tread for 1 minute *

Rent the Pool

• How much does it cost to rent the pool?

  Rental Type	2026 Rental Rate (plus HST)
  Pool Rental (1 hour, 0-25 people, 2 Guards)	$133.00
  Pool Rental (1 hour, 26+ people, 3 Guards)	$169.00
  Pool rental School rate (1 hour, 3 guards)	$90.00

Splash Pads

• Arthur Optimist Splash Pad

  Location: 158 Domville Street, Arthur

  The Arthur Optimist Splash Pad was officially opened in 2017. 
  Open daily June 1 - September 30, 10:00am - 8:00pm.

• MacDonald-Schwindt Lions Splash Pad

  Location: 326 Wellington Street East, Mount Forest

  The Mount Forest Lions Splash Pad was officially opened in 2019.
  Open daily June 1 - September 30, 10:00am - 8:00pm.

Mount Forest Outdoor Pool

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For more information on the construction of a new outdoor pool in Mount Forest, please visit the Mount Forest Pool.