Swimming Lessons and Programs

• The system will not allow you to pay online with any form of debit card (this includes Visa Debit Cards), a credit card must be used.
  • If you would like to use a debit card for payment, please visit the Kinsmen Pool to register.
• When you are creating your online account, please ensure that your address is inputted accurately with correct spelling and no abbreviations.
• If the system has marked your account as a non-resident and you live in the City of Pembroke or Township of Laurentian Valley, please proceed with the registration to reserve your spot. Once completed, contact pool@pembroke.ca to inform us of the error, and we will rectify the issue.
• If you are not able to reserve a spot in swimming lessons, please use our waitlist feature. We are often able to accommodate some of the swimmers on the waitlist. Additionally, it helps us identify which classes and times have the most demand and will help identify the needs of the community moving forward.
• Please note that the Kinsmen Pool is very busy on registration days. Phone lines may be busy, and we will do our best to return your calls in a timely fashion. 

 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.

The program is organized like this:

Descriptions of each level are helpful to place your child in the correct program. Swim evaluations are also available upon request to test your child's swimming abilities.

Private lessons are available for swimmers who are looking for a more personalized swim lesson. Private lessons are available in 15 minute sections and are tailored to whatever the swimmer wants to improve on. Swimmers don't come out of the lesson with a level completion badge but will have the skills to conquer their next level. 

The Canadian Swim Patrol program is the on-ramp to lifeguarding. Ability is the only prerequisite.

The Swim Patrol provides enriched training for those who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim. Swim Patrol's three levels - Rookie, Ranger, and Star - continue to develop participants' swim strokes and provide the skill foundation that prepares them for success in the Society's Bronze medal awards.

Bronze Star is a 10 hour course that 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 is a 15 hour course that 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. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water.

Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.

Prerequisites: minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (need not be current).

Bronze Cross is a 20 hour course that begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies.

Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion, and Standard First Aid.

Red Cross First Aid courses are available for those looking to certify in Standard First Aid and CPR/AED. The skills learned in this course are essential for those looking to become babysitters as well as for employees, first responders, instructors and training partners. Each course is delivered in easy-to-follow steps with practical hands-on components and a variety of training materials.

The Swim For Life Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life Program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

As part of the Swim for Life Instructor course, candidates will be required to complete a co-teach with current instructors. 

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current).

National Lifeguard is Canada's only nationally recognized lifeguard certification program. National Lifeguard is a legal certificate for lifeguarding throughout the country and is recognized by the Province of Ontario for lifeguarding public swimming pools.

National Lifeguard certification is available in four options: Pool, Waterpark, Waterfront, and Surf. 

Prerequisites: minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid.

The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares instructors to teach the Lifesaving Society's:

• Canadian Swim Patrol Program
• Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross
• Lifesaving Fitness, Distinction
• Basic and Emergency First Aid, and CPR-A, CPR-B and CPR-C

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current).