“Swim Like a Hippo” Swim Program

One parent is required to participate in the water during lessons if their child is under the age of 2 years old.  If your child is 2 years old or older and is registered in Hedgehog, one parent can participate if desired (but not required).

Once a child is registered in Level #2: Flamingo (or higher), a parent is not able to participate in the lesson.

Level skills are constantly evaluated, and once a child is able to complete each skill to the level’s requirements, they will receive a passing report card.  Level progression will depend on many factors: including how frequently a child attends lessons, how long their lessons are, whether the lessons are private or semi-private, whether the child has any fears of the water, etc.

If you have questions about your child’s progress within a level, please speak with your instructor at the end of a lesson, and they will be happy to provide you with an update.

Children will receive motivational stickers and rewards as they make progress in their respective level.  Once they complete all the skills, then they will receive a passing report card!

Water safety is a very important part of swimming lessons, and our students will learn how to be safe in and around water through monthly water safety campaigns.  Each monthly water safety campaign will have a different water safety focus point, and through take-home and in-lesson activities, all of our students will become more water-wise.

Absolutely!  If you prefer your child to have custom lessons and focus on learning a few specific skills, please include that information when booking online.

We offer private and semi-private lessons at our three indoor pool facilities.  Clients can choose either 30 minute or 45 minute lessons.  As parents know their child’s attention span best, clients can choose the lesson length that they think will be best for their child’s learning style.

We suggest 30 minute lessons for children in Hedgehog, Flamingo, and Penguin.  45 minute lessons are suggested for children in Capybara, Tiger, and Hippo.

Our semi-private lessons are for two swimmers that are registered together by one client.  For example, two siblings, two cousins, two best friends, etc.   Unlike the City of Ottawa or other swim lesson providers, we do not put strangers together for semi-private lessons, so clients are responsible for signing up two swimmers for these types of classes.

When purchasing semi-private lessons, you will need to purchase the entire class, which means you are paying for both swimmers.  

If you are registering only one swimmer, our private lessons will be the appropriate service option.

It is our company’s policy to cap semi-private lessons at two swimmers of a similar swimming ability because it allows us to ensure that all swimmers receive adequate attention during each lesson.

When lessons include more than two children, it is difficult to tailor the lesson to each child’s strengths and weaknesses.  Children are never identical, and each child has a different learning style and personality.  By capping classes at two swimmers, our instructors can help guarantee that each of our students becomes a stronger swimmer at the end of every session.

Yes, we do offer swim lessons for adults.  At your first swim lesson with us, your instructor will chat with you about your specific goals for the lessons and will then tailor the lesson to match those goals.  Whether you are just starting on your swimming journey or are looking to fine-tune your stroke technique, our instructors will be happy to work with you!