Swimming
At this time, due to a shortage of lifeguards, swim instructors, and AquaFit instructors, we are only able to offer a limited number of aquatic programs with capacity limits in place. Your continued patience is appreciated as we work towards hiring and training staff. View aquatic drop-in schedules and registered programs. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our Aquatics team as a lifeguard or aquatics instructor, please apply today.
Township aquatics update
Beginning in January 2023, the Township of Langley is transitioning from the Canadian Red Cross Swim Kids program to the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program for swimming lessons. This transition affects lessons for children 5 to 12 years of age. Preschool and adult lessons are not impacted by this transition. This also does not affect swimmers registering or currently registered in fall 2022 swimming lessons.
What does this mean for you? View the swimming lesson transition chart which shows which Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program swimmers will move into based on their current or previous Red Cross Swim Kids or Westcoast Preschool program.
Answers to frequently asked questions.
| Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre |
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| W.C. Blair Recreation Centre |
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| Aquatic fitness schedule |
| Walnut Grove Community Centre |
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| Aquatic fitness schedule |
At all swimming pools, at all times in and out of the water, children less than 7 years of age must be under the direct supervision of a responsible guardian.
Admission fees
Admission fees for drop-in swimming.
Admission fees for Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre.
Learn to swim
Register your swimmer for lessons and build swimming and water safety skills in a fun, encouraging environment with well-trained instructors. Effective January 1, 2023, the Township of Langley will be providing the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life learn-to-swim program for children 5 to 12 years of age.
View swimming lesson registration dates and times.
Please note swimming lesson participants cannot be registered for more than one set of lessons at a time and must successfully complete the prerequisite level before registering in the next level. View cancellation and refund guidelines.
View swimming lesson brochure.
Swim Level Assessment
Are you planning to register for swimming lessons but unsure what level to register your child in? Ask our aquatic staff to provide a swim level assessment next time you are at a public swim!
Swim level assessments are available during public swim times at all of our pools.
Children under 7 years of age must be accompanied in the water by an adult for the assessment.
Swimming lesson levels
| Parent Participation 6 months – 3 years |
Li’l SquirtsEnjoy the water with your 6 - 12 month old child. Children are introduced to a class environment with basic holds and movement in the water.Li’l Puddle JumpersEnjoy the water with your 12 - 24 month old child. Children are introduced to assisted basic skills such as entries and floats.Li’l Water SkippersEnjoy swimming with your 24 - 36 month old child. Children are encouraged to perform skills individually, and submerge their face and head. |
| Westcoast Preschool 2-3 years |
Wee Sea StarsThis is an introduction to the Westcoast Program for independent two year olds. This course is for children who are familiar with the water and are ready to participate in a class on their own. Focus is on orientation and comfortable movement through the water. Children must complete an assessment and be approved by a lifeguard or instructor to access the Wee Sea Stars program. You can request an assessment at any Township of Langley pool. |
| Westcoast Preschool 3-6 years |
Sea StarsFocus is on orientation and comfortable movement through the water.Sea UrchinsIntroduction to submersion and assisted floats.JellyfishFocus is on unassisted floats and introduction to assisted glides.SalmonFocus is on unassisted glides, assisted rollovers, and an introduction to deep water.Sea LionsFocus is on unassisted rollovers, introduction to kicking, and a 5 m endurance swim.OrcasFocus is on side glides, deep water activities, introduction of overarm recovery, and an endurance swim of 8 m. |
| Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life 5-12 years |
Swimmer 1Beginners will become comfortable jumping into the water with and without a personal flotation device (PFD). Children will learn how to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. Floats, glides and kicking skills are introduced.Swimmer 2Swimmers will jump into deeper water and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a personal flotation device ( PFD). Children will learn how to tread water, develop kicking skills and will be introduced to front crawl and back crawl.Swimmer 3Swimmers will learn how to dive and will do in water somersaults and handstands to develop weight-transfer skills. Children will learn Swim to Survive® skills, whip kick on back and will further develop their front crawl and back crawl.Swimmer 4Swimmers will become better at diving, treading water and swimming underwater. Children will learn the Swim to Survive® standard and start to develop breaststroke. Front crawl and back crawl are further developed.Swimmer 5Swimmers will master dives and swimming in deep water. Children will expand their Swim to Survive® skills and start to develop their eggbeater kick. Breaststroke, front crawl and back crawl are further developed. Interval training and sprinting drills continue to challenge these swimmers.Swimmer 6Swimmers will become proficient at deep water skills including stride entries and compact jumps. Children will develop lifesaving kicks such as eggbeater and scissor kicks. Breaststroke, front crawl and back crawl are further developed. Head-up swims, interval training and a 300m workout to develop strength and endurance.Swimmer 7 - Rookie PatrolSwimmers continue developing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Swimmers develop individual fitness to meet a timed 100 m swim and 350 m workout. Water proficiency skills include swimming with clothes, ready position and feet first,head-first surface dives. Demonstrating the ability to conduct a primary assessment and calling EMS are included as first aid skills. Victim recognition and throwing assists are other key elements of the program.Swimmer 8 – Ranger PatrolRanger Patrol enhances capability in the water including stride entries and underwater, forward and backward somersaults. Swimmers learn lifesaving sport skills with a lifesaving stroke medley, timed object support and a non-contact rescue with a buoyant aid. Eggbeater kick and increased fitness levels are developed to meet a 20 m timed swim. First aid focuses on unconscious victims and obstructed airway procedures.Swimmer 9 – Star PatrolStar Patrol challenges swimmers with a 300 m timed swim, 600 m workout and a 25 m object carry. Strokes are continued to be refined. Lifesaving skills include use of rescue aids, defence methods, victim removals and supporting a victim in shallow water. First aid focuses on treatment of bone or join injuries and respiratory emergencies. Once complete, swimmers can register into Bronze Star. |
| Adult Swimming 14+ years |
Fearful SwimmerHave you always been afraid of the water? Now is the time to conquer that fear. Learn how to overcome your fears in this small group setting. Classes will progress at a pace aimed at increasing comfort and building confidence.Adult Swimming Lessons Level 1Focus on being comfortable in the water, submersion, and floating in this introductory course.Adult Swimming Lessons Level 2Focus is on front crawl and the introduction of other stroke progressions.Adult Swimming Lessons Level 3Know how to swim, but want to improve? Focus on fine-tuning your kick, breathing, stroke, and body position in a non-competitive environment. Participants should be able to swim 25 m. |
Frequently asked questions
| Why are you switching from Red Cross swimming lessons to Lifesaving Society swimming lessons? |
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After over 75 years, the Canadian Red Cross is winding down its Swimming & Water Safety and Lifeguard training to focus on surging humanitarian demands in other areas – such as disaster, pandemic response, opioid harm reduction, and caregiving for seniors. As a result, the Canadian Red Cross Swimming & Water Safety and Lifeguard Programs will no longer be offered as of December 31, 2022. The Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program has been endorsed by the Canadian Red Cross and effective January 1, 2023, the Township of Langley will be offering the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life lesson program for children ages 5 to 12. |
| What about preschool swimming lessons? |
| The transition to the Lifesaving Society only affects swimming lessons for children ages 5 to 12 so preschool swimming lessons are not impacted. The Township of Langley will continue to offer its successful and high-quality Westcoast Preschool swimming lesson program. |
| When does registration open for winter 2023 (January to March) swimming lessons? |
Due to this transition, there will be two separate registration dates for winter 2023 recreation programs:
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| How will I know what swimming level to register my child in? |
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View the swimming lesson transition chart which shows which Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program swimmers will move into based on their current or previous Red Cross Swim Kids or Westcoast Preschool program. You can view what swimming lessons your child has completed as well as what lesson they are currently registered in my logging onto your registration account:
If you are unsure as to what level your swimmer should register in, please contact the front desk of your local swimming pool: Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (604) 857-4299 W.C. Blair Recreation Centre (604) 533-6170 Walnut Grove Community Centre (604) 882-0408 |
| How do I prepare for registration*? |
*Please note that these suggestions do not guarantee that you will secure a spot in your chosen program. |
| Will you continue to offer private lessons or personal swim sessions (pss)? |
| We will continue to offer private and semi-private lessons and personal swim sessions when we can, however offering group swimming lessons is our priority. Due to the demand of swimming lessons, it is important that we offer group lessons to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take swimming lessons. |
| My child has completed the Westcoast Preschool program. The transition chart says I register them into Swimmer 1- why? |
| Completing Orcas or aging out of the Westcoast Preschool program gives your child a good swimming foundation to head into the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program. We encourage all preschool swimmers to start in Swimmer 1 as there are more complex swimming skills in Swimmer 1 such as deep water, glides and strong flutter kick. |
| My child is in the Orca level in the Westcoast Preschool program and is now 6-years-old. What are my options for lessons? |
| Our Westcoast Preschool program is for children ages 3 to 6 years old so it is at your discretion if you would like to keep your child in the Westcoast Preschool program and repeat the Orca level or you can register into Swimmer 1 as the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program is for children 5 to 12 years of age. |
| The swimming lesson I want to register for is full. What should I do? |
| Please click on the green “waitlist” button to select the waitlist option for swimming lessons that best fit your schedule. When a spot becomes available, you will be notified using either the phone or email on file in your account. Once you receive confirmation that a spot is available, you must confirm your spot within 24 hours. |
Join our aquatics team as a lifeguard / instructor
Learn how to become a lifeguard/instructor.
Swimming birthday parties (currently not available)
Splish splash for your birthday. Find party details and booking information.
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