Sets 2 & 3 at Lake Koocanusa - Beginners to Advanced

Private/Semi-private lessons 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. Privates lessons are by request only, for swimmers with disabilities or diverse learning needs. Preferably, you will organize your own swimmer’s match (sibling, cousin, friend) in advance of pre-registration, or you can request a match for your single swimmer by describing their ability on the 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.

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Small group classes are available for intermediate to advanced swimmers, with 4 similar ability swimmers matched together. Recommended for swimmers 7-15 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 (Swimmer 4+ if comparing to Lifesaving Society program). You are welcome to sign up with a sibling, cousin or friend(s) of similar ability, or you can sign up your single swimmer by describing their ability on the pre-registration form.

Private/Semi-private lessons include 6 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. 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. Intermediate and advanced swimmers will also practice lifesaving skills, such as learning survival strokes and skills, what to do in a an emergency, how to recognize a distressed swimmer and what to do (and not do), and how to make safe decisions in and around the water.

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Small group classes include 6 x 45 minute classes at the same time on each day of the set. Four swimmers will be grouped together according to age and ability as best as possible. Along with swimming, survival and lifesaving skills described above, more advanced swimmers have the option to participate in the Lifesaving Society Junior Lifeguard Club program (details shown at the bottom), according to demand. Please note if there is not enough similar swimmers available at the same time/set to make up a small group class, you may be offered a semi-private lesson instead,

Lesson times will vary depending on the number of 30 minute and 45 minute lessons requested, which may include 10.00am, 10.30am, 10.45am, 11.00am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 12.45pm and 1pm.

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Set 2: July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26

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Set 3: August 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15

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Makeup lesson dates have been scheduled at the end of each week (Set 2: July 20 and 27 / Set 3: August 9 and 16) 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!

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

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Directions: From Fernie (approximately 30 minutes):

- Drive West on Hwy#3 towards Cranbrook. Turn Left at Kikomun Creek Rd. (Right after the 3 and 93 Intersection/Dairy). 

- Follow the road straight down (past the provincial park) to the bridge across the lake. Koocanusa Campsite and Marina is on the far side of the bridge at the left hand side.

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, professional development - on top of high expenses to cover insurance, operating costs and more.

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• 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 $36 per swimmer/per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $36 x 6 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $246.80 each total).

• 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 $54 per swimmer/per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $54 x 6 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $360.20 each total).

• Small group classes (45 mins) include 4 swimmers of similar ability (intermediate to advanced) - book with a sibling or friend, or sign up as a single. The cost is $40 per swimmer/per class (i.e. $40 x 6 classes + 5% tax + $20 registration = $272 each total). 

• 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 $72 per lesson plus tax and registration fee (i.e. $72 x 6 lessons + 5% tax + $20 registration = $473.60 total). 

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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.

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 the lesson sets are shorter during the Summer season. 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. We would like to offer a stronger focus on survival swimming, open water safety skills and endurance. Verbal feedback will be provided on your final lesson day.

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For Junior Lifeguard Club (add $8 each for materials): Swimmers will receive a Lifesaving Society passport for recording the Junior Lifeguard Club member's progress and achievement; space is provided to record personal bests with waterlog seals.