Learning Options
Our mission is to provide fun, compassionate and quality swim lessons that build trust, self-confidence and a connection with the water. Water safety, survival skills and drowning prevention are at our core, and we specialize in adaptive swim lessons for all kids, especially Autistic kids and swimmers with disabilities or learning differences.
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Lessons take a child led approach, working at each swimmers' own pace, using a variety of equipment, games and activities to build comfort, confidence and competence in the water. Skills are taught in a positive and encouraging manner, with swimmers progressing on to new skills as soon as they are ready, starting with survival skills first and foremost. We need to build a respectful and trusting relationship first, before swimmers will let us start to challenge them just beyond their limits, which is where real learning and progress is made.​​
Privates
One-on-one lessons (by request only) - only for swimmers with disabilities at this time (no parent/guardian in the water). All abilities are welcome and can be tailored to suit each swimmers' needs and learning preferences.
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Run at all locations throughout the year. Autism BC funding can be invoiced.
Semi-Privates
One-on-two lessons (our standard) - for 2 swimmers of similar age and ability (no parent/guardian in the water). Experience has shown that most swimmers enjoy having a peer to learn with, and pairing with a close match in ability can really help drive progress and build confidence. A lot of time and consideration is taken when selecting a good match for your swimmer, or you can sign up with a sibling or friend.
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Run at all locations throughout the year.
Small Group Classes
​​3-6 intermediate-advanced swimmers (ideally 4) aged 7 years+ who are competent in deep water and can swim at least 25m independently (front crawl AND back crawl). Swimmers will be grouped according to ability, will include some age/ability appropriate Lifesaving skills and will consider the goals of each swimmer in lesson planning.​
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Run at Fernie Aquatic Center (Spring, Fall and Winter) and Lake Koocanusa (Summer).
Family Lessons
One-on-two - for 2 beginner siblings/cousins aged 1-4 years with 1 parent/guardian in the water. The benefit of this option is that you can have both your kids in the water at the same time, rather than needing one adult per swimmer for our Toddler classes, or trying to book back-to-back Toddler classes and semi-privates. Additionally, since you will be in the water providing alternating support for your swimmers, I will also be taking the time to teach YOU how to teach your kids in the water.
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Run at Canada's Best Value Inn hotel pool in Fernie (Spring, Fall and Winter).
Babies & Toddler Classes
Small group classes with 6 littles and their parent/guardian in the water. Classes focus on building comfort and confidence, learning water safety and survival skills, along with sensory and developmentally appropriate swim skills to introduce little ones to the love of water. They also aim to equip caregivers (no matter their own swim ability) with water safe skills and routines to take with them to continue spending time in the water with their infants outside of lesson time too.​
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​- Babies Classes (6 months/able to sit up to around 18 months/starting to walk) - we take a play-based approach to learning a variety of foundational swimming skills including water acclimation, kicking and paddling, floating, breath control and safe entries/exits.
- Toddler Level 1 Classes (around 18 months/walking to around 2.5 years) - as above but also working towards age/ability appropriate survival skills and is suitable for first timers, and more nervous swimmers.
- Toddler Level 2 Classes (2.5 years to 3.5 years) is suitable for continuing swimmers (who have participated in our classes before, or a set of other swim classes) as well as more confident littles - we still take a play-based approach (as that's how little brains learn) and continue to advance foundational skills, but there will be a stronger focus on survival swimming skills such as flip-and-float and swim-float-swim sequences, which includes breath control for going underwater, jumping in and returning to the edge and first independent swims.
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Run at Canada's Best Value Inn hotel pool in Fernie (Spring, Fall and Winter).