It is important that your child be placed into the correct level so that they get the most benefit from the swim program.

Parented Programs (3 years and under)

Children under the age of three years should be enrolled into one of the Red Cross parented programs.  These programs require that a parent or guardian who is 14 years of age and older be in the water with the child and actively participating in the class. Parented programs are age based as follows:

• Starfish (3-12 months of age)
• Duck (12-24 months of age)
• Sea Turtle (24-36 months of age)

Red Cross Swim Preschool Programs (3 to 6 years)

Children between the ages of 3 and 6 years should be enrolled into the Red Cross Swim Preschool Program, this program consists of five swimming levels and each level builds on the skills learned in the previous level. Children in the Red Cross Swim Preschool program do not have a parent in the pool with them.

The progression of the Red Cross Preschool Swim Program is:

• Sea Otter Salamander, Sunfish. Crocodile and Whale.

Red Cross Swim Kids Programs (6 to 12 years)

Red Cross Swim Kids levels one to ten are geared for children ages 6 to 12, and each level builds on the previous with new strokes and additional fitness, endurance, and water safety components being introduced.

Since all levels build on the previous, it is necessary that children successfully complete one level in its entirety before moving onto the next. All swimming classes run for a 30-minute duration. For descriptions on swim levels please visit our Red Cross Learn to Swim Levels.

If you are unsure, as to what level your child should be registered into please contact our customer service staff at 905.666.1991 or getactive@whitby.ca. Alternatively, you can bring your child in for a free assessment during any of our recreational swim times.  

Since the Whitby Civic Pool is currently closed for renovations pool time and space is limited.  We are currently not offering semi private swimming lessons. Private lessons are offered Saturdays evenings only.

What happens if I register my child into the wrong level?

If your child is registered into an incorrect level they will be assessed and they will be moved to the correct level (if space is available), please note, the day and time of the class may change. If space is not available in the correct level or a new day/time cannot be accommodated the participant will be removed from the program and a pro-rated refund will be provided.

What is a Progress Report Card?

Final progress report cards will be provided to participants on the last day of the program. If you have questions or concerns regarding the progress report please connect with the Pool Coordinator who is available on the pool deck during all swim lessons.

Please bring the progress report card to the first class of a new session so instructors can focus on the skills that your child needs to complete.

What options do I have for watching my child’s swim lesson?

On deck bleachers are available during swim lessons for spectators, shoes must be removed before entering the shower and pool area. The upper pool viewing gallery is also available for spectator viewing.

What are the change room guidelines?

Gender specific change rooms as well as a family change room are available for all swim lessons.  Children 6 years and under are permitted to use an opposite gender change room when with a parent.

The Family Change room provides individual cubicles for changing and accommodates all genders. When in common areas of the family change room (halls, showers etc.) clothing or bathing attire must be worn at all times. All personal belongings must be stored in a locker and can not be left in the cubicle.

Where do I store my belongings when I swim?

Change room facilities have lockers for you to store your personal belongings.  It is recommended that you bring a lock to secure your personal items.  The Town is not responsible for lost or stolen items so it is highly recommended that if you are going to utilize a locker that you bring your own lock.  All lockers are for day use only.

What should I wear in the pool?

All participants using the pool must change from street clothes to a swimsuit and/or clean clothing brought to the facility for swimming.

Participants may choose to wear t-shirts, thin long sleeve shirts, shorts or tight fitting leggings. Clothing worn in the pool must permit individuals to participate safely in programs. Head coverings must be tight fitting to ensure the safety of the participant.

Undergarments, cut-offs, jeans and loose clothing are not permitted in the pool.

My child is not toilet trained; can they use the pool?

Children who are not toilet trained are required to wear snug fitting plastic pants or a specifically designed swim/pool diaper (available at the customer service desk or retail stores) under suitable bathing attire.

Regular diapers are not permitted in the pool. 

Can I take pictures of my child during their lesson?

In order to respect the privacy and safety of all patrons, the use of all cell phones and picture-taking equipment is prohibited in all change rooms, washrooms and on pool deck. We do ask that anyone wishing to take pictures obtain permission from the Pool Coordinator.

Swim Lesson Etiquette

• Participants are encouraged to come dressed and ready to swim.
• Please arrive no more than 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled class time.
• There is no food or beverage allowed on the pool deck.
• Please exit the facility promptly after your program has ended.
• Please make everyone’s swim an enjoyable experience and help prevent pool fouling’s by feeding your children after swimming or at least one hour before.
• Have your child use the washroom facilities prior to entering the pool.

Coming soon, Whitby will offer swimming, lifeguarding and aquatic leadership programs provided by the Lifesaving Society of Canada. Earlier this year the Canadian Red Cross announced that it is transitioning to focus on its humanitarian efforts and will end its aquatic programming after training generations of swimmers for over 75 years. This means that our swim program names and levels will change as we adjust our lessons to follow the Lifesaving Society program.

Stay tuned for more information on this important change.

 Lane Swimming

Recreational Swimming (Mon/Wed limited lanes)

Parent and Tot (small pool only)

Physio Swim

55+ and Inclusion Swim

Lane Swimming

Recreational Swimming

Parent and Tot (small pool only)

Physio Swim

Amenities

At Anne Ottenbrite Pool, you'll find:

• 25-metre long indoor pool with a deep end, and a capacity of 192
• Aquatics programs
• Family change room and locker area
• Toddler pool with spray feature
• Tarzan rope (currently closed)

Amenities

At the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex Pool, you'll find:

• 25-metre long one depth, indoor pool with capacity of 294
• Amusement slide, spray bar and mushroom
• Aquatics programs
• Family change rooms and locker area
• Recreational, leisure pool
• Toddler pool with spray feature