Swimming lessons

A young swimmer gets set to hoist himself out of the shallow end of the University pool.

Winter Registration is now Open!

COVID-19 information

  •  Winter 2023 Swimming Lesson Dates 

    Day Start date End date No class No. of lessons Start time Duration
    Saturdays January 7 March 18

    February 18

    		 10

    10:30 AM, 11:15 AM,

    12:00 PM, 12:45 PM

    		 45 min.
    Sundays January 8 March 19

    February 19

    		 10

    10:30 AM, 11:15 AM,

    12:00 PM, 12:45 PM

    		 45 min.

    Mondays

    January 9

    March 20

    February 20

    10

    6:00 PM and 6:45 PM

    		 45 min.

    Wednesdays

    		 January 11 March 22

    February 22

    		 10

    6:00 PM and 6:45 PM

    		 45 min.
    Fridays January 6 March 17

    February 24

    		 10

    6:00 PM, 6:45 PM,

    and 7:30 PM

    		 45 min.

Fall, winter, spring, summer Learn to swim programs

  • ICS swimming lessons

    (AGES 5-13)

    ICS is a dynamic aquatic program in which participants learn to swim better, faster. It promotes participation, fun and success in the water. It is the only program that allows children to learn at their own pace, with rewards at every step of the way. Children will be grouped according to their skill level, so it’s easy to register all of your children at the same time.

    Length: 45 minutes

    Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 5-6 swimmers

    Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

    Lesson days offered: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (dates and times above)

    Price: $140

    Register now

  • The swim academy

Beginner Youth ICS

(AGES 10-15)

This program is designed especially for youth/teens that have little or no experience in the water.

Length: 45 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 5-6 swimmers

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Saturdays at 10:30 AM, Mondays 6:45 PM, Fridays 7:30 PM (dates and times above)

Price: $140

Please Note: Registration for this program is not available online. Eligibility must be approved by a member of our Aquatics Leadership Team. Via email to mu.aquatics@umanitoba.ca, and share with us the age of the child who wishes to participate and a brief description of their swim ability. 

Register now

Teen ICS

(AGES 13-16)

This program is designed for teens wanting to continue/complete the ICS program. Swimmers will be in a class with participants of similar age and will work on skills needed to complete their learn to swim program. 

Length: 45 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 5-6 swimmers

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Sundays at 12:45 PM, Wednesdays 6:45 PM (dates and times above)

Price: $140

Register now

  • Private/semi-private swimming lessons

    (AGES ANY)

    Private and semi-private swimming lessons are available for individuals who require or want more personalized instruction. All selections are open to children and adults. For semi-private lessons, it is the responsibility of the participants to find the group they would like to swim with and register for the program at the same time. A semi-private lesson is for 2 people of approximately the same ability. 

    Length: 45 minutes

    Leader to swimmer ratio: Private 1 leader to 1 swimmer, semi-private 1 leader to 2 swimmers

    Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

    Lesson days offered: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (dates and times above)

    Price:
    Private: $370
    Semi-private per participant: $210

    Thank you for your interest! However, all our private lesson spaces are at capacity for the Winter 2023 session. 

  • private swimming lessons

FALL, WINTER, SPRING Tots Swimming

Just getting your feet wet? This program will help the young swimmers become comfortable in the water in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment.

Parent and Tot (AGES 0 - 3)

Parent and Tot is designed for children to have fun in the water with a parent or guardian while learning swimming fundamentals.

(AGES 0-3)

Length: 30 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 7 swimmers and 7 parents/guardians

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Saturdays 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM; Sunday 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM; Monday 6:30 PM; Wednesday 6:00 PM; Friday 6:30 PM (dates above)

Price: $105

Register now

Tots 1 (AGES 3-5)

Tots 1 is recommended for young swimmers who are just becoming comfortable in the water and want to have fun while learning basic swimming skills. Swimmers should be willing to try to swim without a parent or guardian.

(AGES 3-5)

Length: 30 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 4-5 swimmers

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Saturday 10:30 and 12:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM; Monday 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:00 PM; Friday 7:00 PM (dates above)

Price: $105
 

Register now

Tots 2 (AGES 3-5)

Tots 2 is recommended for young swimmers who are comfortable in the water and want to explore the water further, as well as improve their swimming skills. Swimmers should be comfortable moving through the water independently with or without a flotation aid.

(AGES 3-5)

Length: 30 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 leader to 4-5 swimmers

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Saturdays 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM; Sunday 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM; Monday 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM; Friday 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Price: $105
 

Register now

FALL, WINTER, SPRING Adult Swimming

The perfect swimming lessons for adults of all swimming abilities. If you’re starting to learn the basics or looking to refine your skills, look no further than our adult swim lessons. These classes are a great environment to practice your strokes, improve your fitness, and make new friends!

Adult Introduction to Swimming

It is never too late to learn how to swim. This course is for new swimmers and is designed to help participants progress at their own rate. The course will cover: basic floatation, movement and breathing skills, and an introduction to swim strokes. Course will be primarily in the shallow end. Previous experience in the water is not necessary for participation in this course.

(AGES 18+)

Length: 45 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 to 6

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Sundays 10:30 AM and 12:45 PM; Mondays 6:45 PM; Wednesdays 6:45 PM; Fridays 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Price: $140

Register now

Adult Intermediate

This class will help you learn the best technique for various strokes though a variety of drills and lots of feedback. Intermediate swimmers who are already familiar with front and back crawl are best suited for this class.

(AGES 18+)

Length: 45 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 to 6

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Sundays 11:15 AM; Wednesdays 6:00 PM; Fridays 6:00 PM

Price: $140
 

Register now

Adult Advanced

If you want to become an efficient swimmer in the water, this is the course for you. You will learn to maximize your swim workout to be able to swim further and faster with focus on proficiency and endurance. This class is deigned for advanced swimmers who are looking for a 45 minute workout.

(AGES 18+)

Length: 45 minutes

Leader to swimmer ratio: 1 to 6

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Lesson days offered: Sundays 12:00 PM; Mondays 6:00 PM

Price: $140

 

Register now

Junior Bisons swimming

  • Junior Bisons logo

  • Mini Bisons

    AGES 7-14

    Training time: 1 hour, 1 - 3 times/week

    Swimmers may choose from:
    Saturdays OR
    Tuesdays and Thursdays OR
    Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

    Dates: Fall, Winter, and Spring session offered

    Winter Session Start Dates:

    Tuesday January 10, 2023

    Saturday January 14, 2023

    Price: 
    Saturdays: $135
    Tuesdays and Thursdays: $270

    Contact Dillon.Perron@umanitoba.ca to Register

Mini Bisons program description

The Mini Bisons swim program is designed to introduce young swimmers who have taken swimming lessons (to an appropriate level) to the skills required for competitive swimming. Swimmers 10 years old or younger (and new to the program) may need to have an assessment done prior to enrollment. To set up an assessment please contact Dillon at Dillon.Perron@umanitoba.ca. 

  • Junior Bisons logo

  • High performance swimming camp 

    Ages 11-17

    Coach: Bisons assistant coach Dillon Perron

    Dates: Summer 2023 TBD

    Time: 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

    Price: 

    Register now

High performance swimming camp description

This annual program is designed for novice to experienced competitive swimmers. The emphasis will be on the development of increased training capacities and the development of stroke-specific competition skills. Camp includes dryland components.

Steps to becoming a lifeguard

Step 1: Bronze Star

(AGES 10-13)

This course is the first step to becoming a lifeguard if you are under the age of 13.

Bronze Star is a preview to the world of lifeguarding. This course will introduce basic lifesaving skills and water safety procedures. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as individuals and as members of a team. An endurance swim of 400 meters is required for the successful completion of this level.

Prerequisites: Swim ability is the only prerequisite, participants must feel comfortable in deep water without a floatation device. 

Length: 1 hour

Sessions Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Days offered (Fall): Mondays 6:30 p.m., Saturdays 12:30 p.m.

Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (recommended) $49

Price: $145

Step 2: Bronze Medallion

(AGES 13+)

Bronze Medallion focuses on the four components of a water rescue – judgement, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. This is the first step to becoming a lifeguard if you are 13 years of age or older. Endurance swim of 400 meters in 12 minutes is required for successful completion of this level. 

Prerequisites: 13 years of age or older (or have successfully completed Bronze Star)

Length: 1.75 hours

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Days offered (Fall): Wednesdays 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m.

Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (required) $49

Price: $160 

Step 3: Bronze Cross

(AGES 13+)

Bronze Cross teaches the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding, the principles of emergency procedures, and teamwork. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for National Lifeguard. Lifesavers learn the skills involved in the rescue of a victim with a spinal injury, the rescue of an unconscious victim, and the rescue of a victim with deteriorating circumstances. Endurance swim of 400 meters in 11 minutes is required for successful completion of this level.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Bronze Medallion.
Participants must bring their Bronze Medallion card with them to the first class.

Length: 2.25 hours

Sessions offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Days offered (Fall) : Fridays 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (required) $49

Price: $160

Step 4: National Lifeguarding (NL) Award

(AGE 15+)

NL is the nationally recognized lifeguard certification and is the final step to becoming a lifeguard. The program includes classroom and water activities. 100% attendance and participation are required. The final exam will be held on the final day of the course, accommodations for an alternate exam time/date will not be accommodated.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR C certification or Aquatic Emergency Care & CPR - C. Proof of each must be presented on the first day of the program.

Participants MUST be 15 years by the final day of the program.

Length: Approx 44 hours total

Sessions Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Required materials: Alert textbook ($43), National Lifeguard Award Guide ($24). Participants are also required to bring a whistle. May be purchased at the ALC Customer Service Desk ($7.25)

Price: $310

Day and Time: 

Winter Session:
Sundays January 8 - March 19   – 1:30 - 6:30 p.m (No class February 19)

Our commitment to your safety

  • Sanitization, equipment and PPE

    • Swim leaders (when not in the water) and Mini U leadership team members will be wearing masks during lesson time. 
    • Swimmers are encouraged to bring their own lifejackets/ aquatic equipment (i.e. goggles/ pool noodles/ flutter board etc). 
    • Our pool equipment (flutter boards, lifejackets, flippers etc) and high touch surfaces (i.e. stair rails) will be sanitized by aquatics staff between each group of swim lesson participants and by custodial staff at the conclusion of each day. 
  • children in swimming pool with instructor

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What to expect when you arrive

Arrival and Departure - Swimmers / Parents & Guardians

  • All swimmers and family members are asked to screen for COVID-19 symptoms at home before attending. Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be turned away. Please ensure you stay home when you or someone in your household is ill.
  • Masks are mandatory on campus and all swimmers and parent/guardians must wear a mask of face covering when arriving/departing the facility and while observing. 
  • Swimmers should remove masks while in the water.

Parking 

  • Available in ‘U Lot’.

Pool Temperature 

  • Our pool is used as a training centre for our Manitoba Bison athletes and is required to be held between 27-28 degrees Celsius. Users may find the temperature to be cool. We recommend planning your swim attire accordingly. Your child may be more comfortable in a swim shirt or wetsuit. 

Pool Access

  • Swimmers will enter the Active Living Centre via the South facing door (you will see a cuing line here).
  • All outdoor footwear must be removed at the Customer Service desk. Please feel free to bring indoor footwear with you for wearing while in the facility.

Parent/Guardian Accompaniment

  • Children 14 years of age and younger must be supervised while in the facility. 
  • We require that each household attend with only one parent/guardian as space for observing lessons is limited.

Change Room/Toileting & Locker Use

  • Swimmers and their guardian will be permitted to use the male/female and community change room spaces. 
  • The community change room is limited to 14 people at at time. Please use the larger male/ female change rooms when possible and maintain social distancing at all times.
  • Showers are available but limited to rising before and after pool use. 
  • Participants are encouraged to arrive at the pool in swim attire and bring as few personal belongings to the pool as possible. 
  • Showering (at home) before and after swimming is recommended.
  • Day use lockers are available.

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