
Mountain Kids Swim Lessons is now the first Autism Swim approved provider in Western Canada!
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Building on my experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist/Support Worker with Autistic kids, being neurodivergent myself, as well as teaching swimming lessons to well over a dozen more over the last few years, this professional development training has reinforced my learning and added more skills and approaches to my toolbelt. I am always ready to learn more ways to support kids in our community!
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Prioritized swimmers including neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, etc.) and other high-risk and vulnerable populations are given a 24-hour boost to their registration every set. Autistic swimmers for example, are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers, so it imperative they have access to swim lessons right away. Many swimmers with disabilities have little to no options in the valley to access swim lessons that meet their complex needs, so Mountain Kids Swim Lessons is doing their best to provide a calm environment and flexible learning options to help them thrive.
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If you feel your child's neurotype, disability or medical condition limits their ability to participate in other aquatic options available in our community, please feel free to reach out to discuss their options further. Currently nearly half of the kids I teach are neurodivergent or have another disability, and funding can be used to pay for your lessons.
What do we offer?
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Outdoor Lessons
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Mountain Kids Swim Lessons focuses on a more simple, supported and individualized approach to lessons that is adapted to the open water environment of the lake. Lessons are tailored to your child's individual needs and goals, and will focus on the practice of safety and survival skills needed at the lake (such as floating, treading water, survival strokes, and knowing their limits), as well as stronger learning of the basics (such as gliding, movement and breath control), and moving towards stroke development and endurance. We also ask lots of questions to get swimmers thinking about safe choices around open water, rivers, lakes, cliffs, ice and boats, as well as introducing lifesaving skills to more advanced swimmers including distressed swimmer recognition and what to do (and not to do) if someone needs help in the water. We focus on providing a child centered and kind approach to learning, while having fun out in the sun!
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Offered at Koocanusa Campsite and Marina in July and early August. All abilities, 5 years and over.
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Indoor Lessons
​​​Just like our outdoor, open water lessons, the focus is on developing survival skills, confidence and endurance. Beginner swimmers will focus on getting comfortable in the water, while learning to float, hold their breath and go underwater. They will practice swimming on their front and back, learn water safety skills, personal responsibility, and practice survival skills in the case of an unexpected fall into the water (including a clothed swim practice). Beginner/intermediate swimmers will focus on the same, while adding more distance or duration, increasing independence, practicing breath control, developing stroke efficiency and moving between front and back swim/float to increase their ability to self-rescue in an emergency. Intermediate to advanced swimmers continue to develop their stroke efficiency, distance, endurance and speed, while adding additional deep water skills, improving on treading water and learning to dive, as well as basic lifesaving skills. We also offer Baby and Toddler classes for swimmers 6 months to 3.5 years with their parent/guardian in the water (small groups of 6), see learning options page for full details.
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Beginner to beginner/intermediate (3 years+) and baby/toddler classes (6 months+) offered at the hotel pool at Canadas's Best Value Inn, Fernie during Spring, Fall and Winter. Intermediate to advanced (7 years+) offered at Fernie Aquatic Center during Fall, Spring and most likely Winter, as well as outdoors in the Summer.​​