Aquatic summer camps
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Join us for our week-long water-based summer day camps. Our full day camp programs offer opportunities for both younger and older campers, from ages 6 to 12, and all include swimming!
Register for camp
- Registration is open. Visit the online registration portal to register www.saugeenshores.ca/register
- Activity numbers are included in the program schedule for easy searching online
Camp information
Ages, weekly themes and drop off and pick up locations may vary by camp. Download the camp schedule for descriptions or view online. Each week of I Need H2O! camp is themed. Camps run daily from Monday to Friday with core programming from 9am to 4pm and drop off from 8:30 to 9am and pick-up from 4 to 4:30pm.
Note: There is no early drop-off for Pool n’ Putt camp, drop-off at 9am.
Download aquatic camp schedule
Locations
- Centennial Pool: 780 Gustavus Street, Port Elgin
- Port Elgin Main Beach: 132 Green Street, Port Elgin
- The Club at Westlinks: 2089 Bruce Road 17, Port Elgin
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Swimming lessons
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Winter session
Winter swimming lessons and aquatic programs are underway.
- Lifesaving Sport fundamental programs: January 10 to April 2
- Winter swimming lessons: February 6 to April 6
Winter aquatic program schedule
Spring and summer sessions
Both sessions are open for registration online. The spring session starts April 11 and runs weekly. The summer session starts July 3, and lessons run daily for 5 days.
Download the program schedules for information or view online.
Spring aquatic program schedule
Summer aquatic program schedule
Private lessons
Private lesson availability varies by session. Lessons will be included in the session's aquatic program schedule when they're available.
Private lessons are best suited for swimmers that need extra support on 1 or 2 specific skills to move onto the next level. Preschoolers that are struggling with fear of swimming by themselves or putting their faces in the water and being comfortable, privates are an option to work on those fears and tailor the class to overcoming those obstacles and not focusing on all the skills to complete to the next level but improving comfort in the water, so they are ready to join a group class.
Contact us
- Registration questions: Corby by phone at 519-832-2008 ext 131 or email
- Swimming lessons or aquatic programs: Michael by phone at 519-832-2627 or email
Swim levels and descriptions
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We follow the Lifesaving Society's swim levels. View the level descriptions to choose the right swim level for your child.
- Tot levels: 4 months to 3 years
- Preschool levels: 3 to 5 years
- Swimmer levels 1 to 7: 6 years and older
- Swimmer levels 8 to 10: 8 years and older
A personal flotation device is described as a PFD in the descriptions.
Tot and preschool levels
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Parent and Tot 1 (4 to 12 months): With a caregiver the child will explore the water through buoyancy, movement skills, PFDs and entries. Learn how to help your child play in the water with comfort and confidence.
Parent and Tot 2 (12 to 24 months): With a caregiver the child will perform assisted front and back floats, learn how to travel at the surface by kicking and introduce entries with a PFD. This level teaches children how to get their face wet and blow bubbles.
Tots 3 (2 to 3 years): With a caregiver, for up to 5 classes, the child will have fun jumping into the water with assistance. They learn to hold their breath and open their eyes under water. Kicking on front and back provides the building blocks for orientation and stroke development.
Preschool A: Jump into chest-deep water assisted, float on their front and back, glide with assistance for 3 seconds, move in the shallow water wearing a PFD. Unassisted swim, 1 to 2 metres.
Preschool B: Jump into chest-deep water, climb in and out wearing a PFD, submerge and exhale underwater, glide on front and back 3 metres and flutter kick on back with a buoyant aid for 5 metres. Unassisted swim, 2 to 4 metres.
Preschool C: Jump and side roll into deep water wearing a PFD, recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water, work on kicking and gliding in the water on front and back unassisted. Unassisted swim, 5 to 7 metres.
Preschool D: Jump into deep water, recover objects from the bottom in chest-deep water and are introduced to front crawl for 2 to 3 metres. Unassisted swim, 7 to 9 metres.
Preschool E: Demonstrate a forward roll entry into deep water with PFD, practice holding breath underwater for up to 10 seconds and are introduced to interval training and whip kick. Unassisted swim, 10 to 12 metres.
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Swimmer levels
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Swimmer 1: Beginners become comfortable jumping into water with and without a PFD, open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater and work on floats, glides and kicking. Length of swim, 5 to 7 metres.
Swimmer 2: Jump into deeper water and become comfortable falling sideways wearing a PFD, support themselves at the surface without an aid and recover an object in chest-deep water. Length of swim, 10 to 15 metres.
Swimmer 3: Develop front and back crawl strokes and explore whip kick in a vertical position, tread water for up to 30 seconds, and learn to transition from front to back flutter kick. Length of swim, 20 to 25 metres.
Swimmer 4: Work on stride and standing dives into deep water, improve front crawl, back crawl and whip kick and are introduced to a 3 metre underwater swim. Length of swim, 50 metres.
Swimmer 5: Shallow dive into deep water and perform in-water back somersaults, roll into deep water, tread for 1 minute and swim 50 metres. Improve front and back crawl and learn breaststroke skills. Length of swim, 100 metres.
Swimmer 6: Increase efficiency of front and back crawl including sprints for endurance, work on breaststroke skills and learn stride entries, scissor kick and vertical dolphin kick. Length of swim, 150 metres.
Swimmer 7: Master dolphin kick, diving off blocks and the eggbeater. Introduced to sculling and maximize efficiency in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Length of swim, 300 metres.
Swimmer 8: Head and foot first surface dives, length swims and 25 metre obstacle swim, and first aid including assessment of conscious victims, contacting emergency services (EMS) and treatment for bleeding. Length of swim, 350 metres.
Swimmer 9: Continue stroke development with 75m swims, learn lifesaving skills and first aid including assessment of unconscious victims, treatment for shock and obstructed airway procedures. Length of swim, 500 metres.
Swimmer 10: Develop each stroke over 100 metres, build on lifesaving skills and first aid including treatment of bone and joint injuries and respiratory emergencies. Develops a strong lifesaving foundation. Length of swim, 600 metres.
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| Swim assessments |
| We also offer free swim assessments to help place children in the correct swim program. Contact us to book a time at 519-832-2627. |
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Pool schedule
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| Visit our pool page for the recreational pool schedule. |
New aquatic recruitment programs
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To support current operations, and new Aquatic and Wellness Centre (AWC) opening in early 2025, we are launching some new programs to support aquatic staff recruitment and training. If you've every thought about working in aquatics, contact us!
Upcoming programs
Programs are open for registration online.
Bronzed Up aquatic training program (16+)
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The Bronzed Up aquatic training program includes the first courses in becoming an aquatic staff member. At the end of the program successful candidates will have earned their Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid certifications, while only paying the certification fees. The program provides a cost-effective option for adults interested in working in aquatics.
Successful Bronzed Up candidates will be able to enroll in the Lifesaving Swim Instructors and Pool- NL (National Lifeguard) courses this summer or fall at no cost, with a commitment to work at the Centennial Pool for at least 6 hours a week through the 2023/2024 school year.
- When: Wednesdays, April 12 to June 21 from 10am to 2pm
- Where: Centennial Pool (classroom and in-pool instruction)
- Cost: $75 (certification fees for Medallion, Cross and Standard First Aid)
- Prerequisites:
- Must be 16 years of age
- Able to swim 400 metres in 12 minutes or less
- Tread water for 3 minutes
- Comfortable submerging up to 2 metres under water
Interested? Register online with activity number 23001. The program is open for 'interest' currently. If we have enough participants, it will run beginning April 12. Staff will be in contact with participants.
Questions? Contact our Aquatic Supervisor by email or 519-832-2627.
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Learn to Swim, Future Stars, Future Guards (12-15 years)
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Our Learn to Swim, Future Stars, Future Guards program is specifically designed for youth in grades 7 and 8. This free program runs on Fridays from April 14 to June 16 from 3:30-4:30pm with 3 streams of programming available based on skill level. This is a great opportunity for youth to interact and learn with peers.
Registration opens March 27 at 6am.
Learn to Swim Stream
The Learn to Swim program is for those that are uncomfortable in water. Participants will learn how to float and glide while becoming more confident in the water.
Future Stars Stream
The Future stars program is for candidates that are comfortable swimming and would like improvement in their endurance and strokes. This program will teach the basic skills that will help get candidates ready for their first step in the advanced aquatic courses that could lead them to a student job in aquatics.
Future Guards Stream
The Future guards program is for those that would like more practice before taking their Bronze Cross. The focus of this program will be on First Aid, specialized rescues used in Star and Medallion and endurance swims.
Participants must have either a Bronze Star or Bronze Medallion.
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Advanced aquatics and upcoming courses
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Saugeen Shores provides courses and training to pool professionals and the public. Advanced aquatic training courses take place throughout the year, including standard first aid and CPR courses. Whether you want to feel more comfortable with your kids or grandkids around water or you're a teen looking for a career in aquatics, we have the training for you.
Upcoming courses
Spring and summer courses open for registration.
Bronze Summer Camps
Our Bronze camps run during the week of August 14 to 17.
Lifesaving Assistant Instructors (14+)
Lifesaving Swim Instructors (15+)
NL - Pool National Lifeguard (15+)
Standard First Aid (16+)
Pool Operator 1 and 2
Program descriptions
Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross
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Bronze Star
As the say goes, you are not finished swimming lessons until you're ‘bronzed.’ This pre-bronze course will get participants ready to complete their bronze medal awards. Learning includes victim simulation, minor rescues, and CPR techniques.
Participants must be 11 years of age or older.
Bronze Medallion
This course is the second step towards the lifeguarding certification in Canada. The award is part of the Lifesaving Society's Bronze series of awards and includes water safety, rescues, resuscitation, and an introduction to spinal injury management. To participate in this program you must have the Bronze Medallion Manual and if not you can purchase one when registering.
Participants must be 13 years of age or older.
Bronze Cross
Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification. Includes a timed 400 m swim.
Participants must be 14 years of age or older and have Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid.
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Lifesaving Assistant Instructors
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Through classroom learning and in-water practice, this course will prepare you to assist instructors with swim lessons. This course provides an introduction to swimming instruction and will focus on key learning such as safety, swimming skills and stroke mechanics, as well as, communication and learning strategies. This course includes up to 20hrs of apprentice teaching which at this time will be dependent on Covid-19 restrictions.
Participants must have a Bronze Cross certification or higher to take this course.
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Lifesaving Swim Instructors
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This course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.
Participants must be 15 years of age or older and have a valid Assistant Instructor certification. 100% attendance is required to complete this course.
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NL Pool (National Lifeguard)
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This intensive 40 hour course will train participants in advance water rescue, emergency care and aquatic supervision. Emphasis will be on accident prevention, leadership, teamwork and communication. NL is the standard lifeguarding certification across Canada. 100% attendance is mandatory to complete this course.
Participants must be 15 years of age or older and have a valid Standard First Aid and Bronze Cross certification.
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Training path to become a Lifeguard/ Instructor
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Follow these steps to become a Lifeguard/Instructor. Students can continue to develop their skills through additional coaching, teaching and waterfront certifications.
Step 1, Bronze Star, 12 and older: We recommend starting here; laying the foundation of valuable lifesaving and first aid skills.
Step 2, Bronze Medallion 13 and older: Combined with emergency first aid training, this courses builds on the Bronze Star program and is a pre-requisite for Bronze Cross.
Step 3, Bronze Cross + Assistant Lifesaving Instructor, 14 and older: These courses are required to complete the National Lifeguard and instructor certifications. Bronze Cross is a pre-requisite to the Assistant Lifesaving Instructor course.
Step 4, Standard First Aid and CPR-C, 13 and older: A pre-requisite for National Lifeguard.
Step 5, National Lifeguard (NL) + Lifesaving Swim Instructor, 15 and older: These courses certify you to work as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Certification can be completed at 15 years and lifeguard instructors can start working as when they're 16 years.
Working and volunteering at the pool
We train youth volunteers and assist in their development as leaders. Volunteers can start when they are 13 and have their Bronze Medallion certification.
Do you have your Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and Assistant Lifesaving Instructor certifications? We are always interested in hearing from certified lifeguards and instructors. Contact the Aquatic Supervisor.
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Mini-Breakers and Master's Swim Team
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We have partnered up with the Breakers Swim Team on two great programs for youth and adults with an interest in competitive swimming. View the descriptions below.
Registration
These programs are currently underway. Program dates and fees are available online.
Mini-Breakers: Learn to Swim like a Breaker
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This weekly program provides an introduction to competitive swimming that focuses on team building, fun in the water, skill and stroke technique, and starts to build stroke endurance for stepping into competitive swimming. This program is for swimmers 7 to 10 years old and coached by the Breakers Swim Team coaches. Pre-requisite: Swimmer 3.
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Master's Swim Team
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The Breakers Swim Team have developed a new, competitive training focused Masters swim program. The Breakers Swim Team will deliver and coach the program using Breakers’ certified Swim Ontario coaches.
The Masters program is for adult swimmers, 18 and older, who are interested in training at a competitive swimming level either for fitness and or to participate competitively in swim meets. Each week swimmers will have two coach-led practices focusing on stroke correction, building speed, endurance, and proper training techniques.
Register by contacting the Breakers Swim Team at breakersswimming@gmail.com or visiting their website at www.breakerswimteam.com
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Land-based camps and PA day programs
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| Visit our registration page to learn more about our land-based programs. |
