The City is excited to increase access to swimming and skating lessons for fall 2023, with an enhanced registration process.
With the demand and popularity of swimming and skating programs, beginning this fall, the Recreation Department will be implementing two updates to the registration process to increase registration opportunities in those programs.
These improvements include:
- Adding skills as a pre-requisite to a customer's profile in the registration system as a requirement for aquatics and skating lessons and
- Adding additional registration dates for swimming lessons on a rolling registration. A rolling registration will provide an opportunity for particpants to register for a lesson more frequently throughout the season and provide less breaks in learning.
Registration for swimming lesson programs will go as follows:
- Port Coquitlam residents will have access at 8:00 a.m. 30 days prior to the first day of swim lessons
- General public will have access at 8:00 a.m. 27 days prior for the first day of swim lessons
By adding these improvements, this will provide less breaks in learning and greater access to swimming and skating lesson registration.
Fall registration for swimming lessons will begin August 19 at 8:00 a.m. for Port Coquitlam residents and August 22 at 8:00 a.m. for non-residents for classes beginning September 18. Registration for swimming lessons after this date will then begin rolling registration (30 days for Port Coquitlam residents and 27 days for the general public from the start of the first day of lessons).
Get Ready for Registration
To ensure children are registered in the appropriate swimming/skating level for their age and ability, proof of pre-requisites and skill level completion will be required to complete an online, over the phone or in-person registration. This will ensure the safety of all participants in a successful learning environment.
When registering online, customers should ensure they have an up-to-date Recreation account (address, date of birth, etc.) and provide the Recreation Department with the previous swimming and / or skating level that the participant has completed.
If a participant has taken swim lessons at one of the City's Recreation centres since January 2019, your previous swim lesson is recorded in the system and no further action is required.
If a participant completed a swim level at a different aquatic facility such as YMCA BC or in another municipality, your previous swim level will not be recorded in our system and you will need to provide proof of skill level before you register.
Providing Proof of Pre-requisites
Bring a report card to one of the Recreation Centres (Hyde Creek Recreation Centre or Port Coquitlam Community Centre) in person or send an email with the participant's name and a photo of the report card to [email protected]. Please ensure the photo includes the participant's name and the last level they have passed.
If you are unsure whether the pre-requisites are in the system, please contact the Recreation team at [email protected] or call 604-927-PLAY (7529).
No Proof of Lesson Level
Customers who do not have proof of lesson level are able to drop-in to public swims or public skates and be assessed for free by our qualified team of professionals in person and have the necessary pre-requisite added to their account.
Customers who have not completed their most recent lesson level or assessment in Port Coquitlam and/or have not had their latest credential assessed by Port Coquitlam staff will not meet the necessary pre-requisite for online enrollment and will not be able to enroll in the program.
The Recreation team will make every effort to ensure your registration experience is as smooth as possible. Ensuring your information is accurate and up-to-date will help the team help you.
For more information or to speak to the Recreation team please call 604-927-7529 or email [email protected].
Become a Lifeguard
The City recognizes the importance of its aquatic programs and that learning to swim is an important life skill. Aquatic programs including swim lessons, aqua-fit and drop-in swims are among the most popular activities within the recreation centres.
Since the fall of 2021 the City has hired 28 Aquatic Leaders and 24 Aquatic Attendants to allow for more offerings of swimming program. Lifeguards are essential workers in Recreation and to the community. To allow for more programming over the next coming months the City is providing training and development opportunities for levels of the Aquatic staff team.
The City continues to hire for all recreation positions, including skate instructors, rink guards, facility attendants and gatekeepers, sports, fitness and swimming instructors and lifeguards.
More information about available positions and upcoming information sessions are available on the City's jobs page at portcoquitlam.ca/jobs.
Financial Assistance and Program Support Available
The City offers a variety of supports and resources to ensure all residents have the opportunity to get involved in recreation and arts programs. Through the Financial Assistance Program, eligible families can receive a 75 percent discount on activities, including camps.
Families can also apply for an Individual Child Grant through Canadian Tire's Jumpstart Program.
Recreation 1:1 Program Support provides accessible and inclusive opportunities for children or youth in registered activities. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/financialassistance.
Stay Informed
Program and registration information will be provided in the fall leisure guide, available online at portcoquitlam.ca/leisureguide.
For more information about program registration, contact Recreation via email [email protected] or call 604-927-PLAY(7529).
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]