Swimming Lessons at Zatzman Sportsplex 

Bibs & Bubbles

Bibs & Bubbles is our parented class where parents and children are in the water together. This class get kids used to being in the water having fun, singing songs, and going over introductory skills such as blowing bubbles, floating, and kicking.

Bibs & Bubbles 1: Ages 4 months - 12 months

Bibs & Bubbles 2: Ages 13 months - 24 months

Bibs & Bubbles 3: Ages 25 months - 36 months

Preschool

In our Preschool levels, children are in the water with an instructor learning the basics of swimming in a group setting. Skills learned are blowing bubbles, floating, kicking, jumping and basic arm motions. The age range for the preschool program are 3 years - 4 years 11 months.

If your child will be 5 years old before the start of the next swimming term, they will register in the Swimmer levels. Preschoolers in levels 1, 2 or 3 register for Swimmer 1. If your child has been referred to Preschool 4 or 5, they can be registered in Swimmer 2.

Preschool 1: Participants may be a little hesitant to put their face in the water or even get in the water with an instructor. Skills are performed with the assistance of the instructor.

Preschool 2: Participants are comfortable putting their face or head in the water and going with an instructor. Skills are performed with the assistance of the instructor or buoyant aids.

Preschool 3: Participants have been in swimming lessons before and are very comfortable in the water. Participants should be starting to float and glide on their own.

Preschool 4 & 5: Participants would be advanced swimmers for their age and would be performing skills easily on their own. The skills at this level are equal the skills that would be taught in Swimmer 1 & 2 but with less emphasis on technique and endurance.

Swimmer

Swimmer levels continue to build on the skills learned in the preschool levels or children who are new to swimming and are too old for the preschool program. The age range for the swimmer levels is from 5 years - 11 years 11 months.

Swimmer 1: This is a beginner swimming level, where participants learn to float, glide, breathe and swim on their own or with some assistance. They must swim without assistance for 5m. This lesson is primarily in the small pool.

Swimmer 2: Participants should be able to perform basic skills on their own or with minimal assistance from the instructor. Distance needed to swim unassisted is 10m. These lessons are primarily in the small pool.

Swimmer 3: This is a transition level, participants should be able to perform basic skills on their own and be comfortable in water that’s over their head. Class will slowly move from the small pool to the deep pool over the course of the term. Distance needed to swim is 25 meters in the deep pool.

Swimmer 4: Distance needed to swim is 50m. Class takes place in the deep pool.

Swimmer 5: Distance needed to swim is 75m. Class takes place in the deep pool.

Swimmer 6: Distance needed to swim is 300m. Class takes place in the deep pool.

Canadian Swim Patrol are swimming levels with a heavy focus on first aid, survival and skill that prepare the participants for the Advanced Bronze level courses.

The levels are called Rookie (Swimmer 7), Ranger (Swimmer 8), and Star (Swimmer 9). The age range is 8 years-12 years 11 months. Participants should be able to swim 200-300 meters.

Youth Swim

Youth Swim program is designed to teach participants swimming while also keeping them in their peer group. The age range of the program is 8 years to 14 years 11 months.

Youth 1: New swimmers or swimmers still learning the basics of swimming, such as breathing in the water, floating, kicking and basic strokes. Skill level of Swimmer 1 and 2.

Youth 2: Basics of swimming and gaining comfort in water over their head. Will focus on learning proper swim strokes. Skill level of Swimmer 3 and 4.

Youth 3: Participants will improve their strokes and work on endurance. Skill level of Swimmer 5 and 6.

Q: When can I register for lessons?

A: We run four lesson terms a year Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer. We try to have our registration at least two weeks before the first day of lessons. Please check our website and our social media accounts for exact dates and times. We have a different registration date from the HRM operated facilities, so please get our registration date from Zatzman sources.

Q: How can I register for lessons?

A: You can register for lessons through Halifax MyRec or in person at the welcome desk. Please note that if you choose to book in person, if you are in a physical line, people that are booking online are booking ahead of you. We do not take registration over the phone.

Q: What level should I register my child for?

A: Please consult the info above and register your child for the level that best suits their skill level. If you need more info, please contact the aquatics department.

Q: Do the levels matter?

A: Yes! It is very important that your child is in the correct level to have the best chance of success. Also registering your child in a level too high can be a safety risk and may have a negative effect on their experience at swimming lessons.

Q: The level I need to have my child in is full, what do I do?

A: Right now, the demand for lessons has out paced what the area can supply. While we wish we could get every child into lessons, we are limited by staffing and pool space. Add your child’s name to a wait list and we will contact you if a spot becomes available. Please do not register your child for a class because there is space available; we will be unable to transfer them to their appropriate level.

Q: Why didn’t my child get referred to the next level?

A: Participants move to the next level when they are proficient in their current level. The Life Saving Society sets benchmarks that must be achieved to complete the level. We do not use terms such as “pass” or “fail”; we use term such as “complete” or “incomplete”. If a participant does not complete it simply means they need more time to work on skills and build a better foundation before moving to the next level. It is very common for a participant to be in a level for more than one session.

Q: What is your cancelation policy?

A: You can cancel up to 14 days before the start of your program. Please contact the Welcome Desk or the Aquatics department for cancellation.

We have three locker rooms off the pool deck—one male, one female, and a large universal changing room.

To ensure your safety, we highly encourage everyone to lock up their valuables when not present in changing room.

Each locker room has both coin-operated and bring-your-own-lock lockers. Coin-operated lockers accept loonies.

Are you an adult who wants to improve their swimming skills? We offer three levels of Adult Swimming Lessons at our facility to help build your confidence in the water!

Participants are not required to register for an entire session; this course is week by week and no commitment!

This course is included with your Zatzman Sportsplex Membership. Non-Members must purchase a Day Pass to attend.

This course requires you to register through Halifax MyRec under 'Drop-in Bookings'.
Participants can now cancel their bookings themselves on Halifax MyRec. 

See our Program Guide for this session's adult swimming lessons dates and times.