Develop essential swimming skills with our variety of safe and fun swimming lessons and programs.
Registering for Swimming Lessons
Review important information to successfully register for swimming lessons.
- Participants may only register for one swim lesson set (including performance enhancers).
- Participants currently enrolled in a swim lesson set may NOT be on another waitlist.
- Participants not currently enrolled in a lesson set can be added to multiple waitlists.
- Participants must successfully complete a swim level prior to registering in the next level.
- Pre–requisites must be documented on customer’s profile in the registration system as a requirement for aquatics lessons.
- If pre–requisites have been taken outside of the City of Port Coquitlam's programs, 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. - Unsure whether the prerequisites are in the system? Please contact Recreation at [email protected]
or call 604–927–PLAY (7529).
- If pre–requisites have been taken outside of the City of Port Coquitlam's programs, bring a report card to one of the Recreation Centres (Hyde Creek Recreation Centre or Port Coquitlam Community Centre) in person or send
- Additional swim class registrations will result in participant being withdrawn from additional registrations (refund policy in effect).
- Drop-in during a public swim for an evaluation if you are unsure of your child’s level.
Participants register for swimming lessons on a rolling registration system. Port Coquitlam residents will have access at 8am 30 days before the first day of swim lessons. General public will have access at 8 am 27 days prior for the first
day of swim lessons.
Swimming Lesson Programs
Register and learn more about our swimming lesson levels and programs.
Introduce your little one to the water with our Parent & Tot swimming lessons.
Age group: 4 months-2 years
We offer two individualized swimming lesson programs ideal for those needing additional assistance in the water, or wanting a change from group swimming lessons. Participants are asked to provide the instructor with a previous or current progress memo outlining the skills that need additional assistance. This is a great option for those currently registered in swimming lessons or have a missed a sessions and want to keep their skills sharp.
Private lessons are recommended for:
- Who require additional attention on a specific skill, or series of skills.
- Who need additional in-water support to enhance learning and promote safety.
- Children who have tried group lessons but want to overcome their initial fear of the water.
- Youth who have not taken lessons for a long time and want a refresher before taking advanced leadership courses.
- Adults who want a practice session prior to registering in Adult Lessons.
Private lessons are not recommended for:
- Participants who incomplete a level due to an endurance based issue. Building endurance takes time. The best tip for those with endurance challenges is to sign up for group lessons and also practice swimming lengths on their own.
- Under three years of age.
"Swim for Life" Program Information
We transitioned from the Canadian Red Cross "Swim Kids" program to the Lifesaving Society's "Swim for Life" program in January 2023. Canadian Red Cross will be focusing on humanitarian initiatives going forward, passing on the torch of teaching swimming lessons to the long-established Lifesaving Society of BC. For more information, check out the following websites: read the Canadian Red Cross news release or visit lifesaving.bc.ca/swim-for-life.
If your child has aged out of any of our Swim for Life Programs, please reference the following progression chart as it will guide you to the next steps. For any additional inquiries please connect with our Recreation Support staff at [email protected] or by calling 604.927.PLAY (7529).