Summer 2025

Outdoor swim lessons and classes offered in July and early August at Lake Koocanusa!

Summer Registration Opens: 8pm Tuesday 1st April

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This Summer we will be continuing to run lessons at our favorite location - Koocanusa Campsite & Marina! Located on Lake Koocanusa near Baynes Lake (about 30 mins drive from Fernie and 15 mins from Jaffray), there is a large enclosed swimming area with two docks to swim out to, space for our floating teaching mats, varied depths, a wide sandy beach, ample parking, facilities and even an ice cream shop too.

We are excited to announce that our Summer Seasonal Instructor Ellie, who joined us last year, will be returning for another season! We are less excited to announce that this will be our final outdoor season, and indeed final year, of Mountain Kids Swim Lessons operating here. Head Swim Instructor/Founder Sarah will be seeking career development through a Master's of Occupational Therapy in 2026! This will offer further skills, expertise and modalities to continue to support kids to achieve their goals, especially within the Autistic and disabled communities. After over 7 years calling this beautiful little part of the world home, she has decided to study in Australia to be closer to her family, baby nephew, affordable housing, the beach and expanded professional opportunities, and will be moving back most likely at the end of the Fall season. This was an incredibly difficult choice, and your swimmers will be missed immensely!

Why Learn Outdoors?

We live in such a beautiful region surrounded by plenty of open water, lakes and rivers. Especially as kids and teenagers get older, it's important we equip them with skills to keep themselves, and their friends, safe around the water. Not only does this include the ability to swim competently, but also to make safe judgements and decisions, learn how to increase their chances of survival if something goes wrong, how to call for help and get emergency assistance, and to understand and practice appropriate lifesaving skills. Who knows, some might even decide to become lifeguards and swim instructors when they get older too, so even more kids can learn how to swim!

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), as well as working towards stroke development and endurance. We also discuss water safety scenarios to get swimmers thinking about safe choices around open water, rivers, lakes, cliffs, ice and boats. 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. Lessons are fun, calm, encouraging, and swimmers progress on to new skills as soon as they are ready. We focus first and foremost on survival skills, water safety, and developing their swimming skills. More advanced swimmer will also be introduced to lifesaving skills, including distressed swimmer recognition and what to do (and not to do) if someone needs help in the water. These classes also aim to help bridge the gap between learn to swim lessons and Bronze (pre-Lifeguard) Courses, and can offer great open water exposure and skills for Swim Club swimmers too.

The water temperature varies depending on when the ice went out that year, when the reservoir opens up and how much water fills it, if there are heatwaves or thunderstorms - every day, week and year is different. That's the nature of learning outdoors in the open water and the elements, and it can be truly magical being out in the sunshine. Unfortunately, we will not be returning to offer lessons at Tie Lake this year due to very low water levels. Last year even the little kids could touch in the deepest area near the buoy line - barely chest deep on Instructors, while standing in the muck...

The Details

Who

See our Learning Options page for further details.

Small group classes (1:4) are available for intermediate to advanced swimmers and are recommended for swimmers 7-16 years who can swim at least 25 meters front crawl and back crawl, can tread water for at least 1 minute and are competent in deep water (around Swimmer 4+ if comparing to the Lifesaving Society program). You are encouraged to sign up with a sibling, cousin or friend(s) of similar ability (mixed ages is fine), or you can sign up your single swimmer by describing their ability on their pre-registration form.

Semi-private lessons (1:2) are available for any ability and are recommended for swimmers 4 years+ as previous years have shown it’s not warm enough or calm enough to provide a comfortable learning environment for those under 4 years. You are encouraged to sign up with a sibling, cousin or friend, or you can sign up your single swimmer by describing their ability and experience on their pre-registration form. If you are asking family or friends to find a match for your swimmers, please keep in mind that anything more than a 2 year age gap will usually result in a different ability. Similar ability means they will learn well together. Example 1: If one swimmer can barely swim 2M, but the other swimmer can confidently swim 10M, then the more proficient swimmer may not be challenged as much, as we will need to stay shallow and close. Example 2: If one swimmer can swim 5M, and the other can swim 10M (or 10M versus 20M), this may work fine as they can complete different distances as they progress. Experience has shown that having a good match makes all the difference in boosting confidence, encouraging swimmers to challenge themselves and progress faster, and providing a more fun experience. A lot of time and consideration is taken when selecting a match for your swimmer.

Privates lessons (1:1) are available for any ability by request only, for swimmers with disabilities or diverse learning needs. We specialize in (and prioritize) supporting swimmers with disabilities and/or neurodivergent brains, especially Autistic and ADHD swimmers, and have completed additional certifications such as Autism Swim (3 years) and the Autism and Neurodiversity Masterclass, on top of years of special interest researching, disability support work, and being neurodivergent myself. Our Seasonal Instructor Ellie has also been focusing on supporting kids with disabilities in her placements for her undergrad Physio and Kinesiology studies too. Autism BC funding can be used to pay for your swim lessons as a Life Skills Program.

What

Small group classes include 8 x 45 minute classes at the same time on each day of the set. Four swimmers will be grouped together according to ability as best as possible, with mixed ages welcome.

Private and semi-private lessons include 8 x 30 minute or 45 minute lessons at the same time on each day of the set. 30 minute lessons are recommended for beginner swimmers, younger swimmers and/or those who get cold quickly. 45 minute lessons are recommended for intermediate to advanced swimmers, or older beginners.

When

Lesson/class times will be running between 10am and 2pm.

Set 1: June 30, July 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 (*plus July 4 and 11).

Set 2: July 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 (*plus July 18 and 25).

Set 3: August 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (*plus August 8 and 15).

*Additional lesson dates above (shaded on table) have been scheduled at the end of each week just in case lesson days need to be rescheduled due to thunderstorms, wildfire smoke, Instructor illness or similar. Please also keep these in dates available in your calendars, and your Instructors will too. Hopefully we won't need them!

Please note: Families who can attend the above lesson set dates will be be offered a spot first, however, if there are still spots available, we will offer remaining spots to families who can attend only 1 week/4 lessons, or 2 different weeks/8 lessons total.

Where

Koocanusa Campsite & Marina - 2354 Kikomun Road, Baynes Lake, BC.

Investment

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $20, which is put towards the immense time it takes for this solo human to complete registration, match swimmers, develop schedules, plan lessons, courses and sets, daily set up/set down, secure location agreements, website and administration, book keeping, professional development/certifications - on top of high expenses to cover insurance, operating costs and more.

Semi-private lessons (30 mins) include 2 swimmers of similar age and ability (beginners to advanced) - book with a sibling or friend, or request a match. The cost is $38 per swimmer/per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $38 x 8 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $339.20 total each).
Semi-private lessons (45 mins) include 2 swimmers of similar age and ability (intermediate to advanced) - book with a sibling or friend, or request a match. The cost is $56 per swimmer/per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $57 x 8 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $490.40 total each).
Small group classes (45 mins) include 4 swimmers of similar ability (intermediate to advanced) including lifesaving skills - book with a sibling or friend, or sign up as a single. The cost is $38 per swimmer/per class (i.e. $38 x 8 classes + 5% tax + $20 registration = $339.20 total each).
Private one-on-one lessons (30 mins) are only available by request, for swimmers with diverse learning needs and/or disabilities (beginners to advanced). The cost is $76 per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $76 x 8 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $658.40 total).

Please note: lesson costs have had to be increased a little this set to try to keep up with high costs of living, increased special risk insurance costs, drive time and fuel, and reducing pre-registered sets to allow for wet weather make up days, as well as taking out late August lessons, which have historically been cancelled anyway due to thunderstorms and wildfire air pollution.

Progress

We will not be offering the Lifesaving Society (previously Red Cross) swim program at the lake, as many skills cannot be completed in the open water, distances are a challenge to measure and we prefer to offer a stronger focus on open water safety skills and survival swimming. Verbal feedback will be provided on your final lesson day. If you plan to join group swim classes at your local aquatic center in the future, you can request a swim assessment from them so they are placed in the appropriate level.

How to Pre-Register

Pre-registration will open at 8pm on Tuesday 1st April, when a link/box will appear in the dark green strip at the top of this web page. This will take you to a Google form to fill out, which takes 2-4 minutes to complete (and will likely book out quickly). Please see Terms and Conditions before pre-registering. You will be able to select your preferred sets and times, and we will accommodate these as best as possible.
After you complete your pre-registration form, your details will be added into our tetris-game-of-color-coded-excel-spreadsheets to prioritize swimmers, match swimmers, and place in their availability (back-to-back siblings if possible). We will wait until the end of the week to start organizing swimming spots, and you can expect to receive an email by the end of the following week (April 11th), either offering you a lesson spot, or letting you know you missed out this set. You may receive a lesson spot with either Instructor Sarah or Instructor Ellie.
If you are offered a lesson time, you will receive a link to our Jackrabbit Swim booking site, where you can complete your family registration on the Parent Portal (or log back in), enroll into your lesson time, complete waivers/policies and send e-transfer payment. This must be completed within 48 hours to secure your lesson booking. If you change your availability at this point, it is unlikely we can offer you an alternative spot, so please triple check your available dates first.

FAQ

Why Pre-registration? The reason for pre-registration is that it allows for siblings to be placed back-to-back (or at the same time with different Instructors), allows single swimmers to be matched with another swimmer of similar age and ability, with the same availability, and allows prioritized swimmers (who often have no other accessible options) to have a chance to participate too. There is huge benefit from having a good match, as it often results in a more fun experience, encourages swimmers to challenge themselves more, creates faster progress, and helps to build confidence too.

Prioritized Swimmer? This includes swimmers who are neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, OCD, trauma and more), have sensory processing challenges, other disabilities or medical challenges (diagnosed or awaiting assessment) AND it affects their ability to participate in other swim options available in our community, and/or they do not have their support needs accommodated there. We will also do our best to prioritize swimmers who were cancelled last Summer when all July lessons and some August lessons were cancelled due to my emergency trip back home, as well as rural swimmers who too often miss out.

Not sure of their swimming ability? These options will be provided on the pre-registration form - You will be able to select a maximum of 2 options if you're not quite sure or they're between (Note: skills performed without a lifejacket). For reference, the Fernie Aquatic Center main pool is 25m long and 5m to the flags, and the leisure pool is 10m wide. The hotel pool at Canada's Best Value Inn is 8m long x 4m wide, so a "double lap" is 16m. If applicable, you can also include which swim level they completed last or which Swim Club pod they are in.

New Swimmer - first set of formal lesson
Learning to float, glide and go underwater with assistance
Can swim a few meters with face in unassisted, almost float independently
Can swim over 5m front and back kicks, float, jump in and go underwater
Can swim over 10m front crawl and back crawl, can tread water 30 secs+
Can swim over 15m front crawl and back crawl, can tread water 1 minute+
Can swim over 25m front crawl, back crawl and learning breaststroke
Can swim over 50m front and back crawl, and over 150m continuously
Can swim over 75m front and back crawl, and over 300m continuously
Can swim over 100m front and back crawl, and over 500m continuously

Funding Options? If your swimmer has funding for homeschooling physical education, e-Streams, SelfDesign, disability funding (such as Autism BC funding) or similar, please let me know and we can arrange direct invoicing and billing (paid upfront for new swimmers if you're able, then refunded upon approval/receipt). Please allow an additional $25 for invoicing time.

Financial challenges this year? Please consider the following options that may be of assistance:

- Jumpstart Individual Child Funding for Sports - may be an option for your children 4 years and over.

- Emily Brydon Youth Foundation - may be another option for youth in the Elk Valley, or your children 4 years and over.

- Other options? Please let us know if you discover any other funding options for kids in the Kootenays.

Any questions? After checking this page for your answers first, please email any questions to Sarah at

mountainkids.swimlessons@gmail.com