Group Swimming Lessons in Toronto: Our Curriculum

The Baby Seal Foundations program offers swimming lessons for babies in Toronto. It has been specifically designed to teach parents and babies all the skills they will need to know to be safe and have fun in and around the water. 

The Foundations program is divided into four key learning states, each with its own set of swimming classes: 

• F1 - Introduction to water for the first time for parents and babies. 
• F2 - Progression of skills learning in F1 for babies developing motor skills.
• F3 - For parents and babies who have got the basics and are developing more confidence in the water.
• F4 - Upon completion of F4, babies will demonstrate comfort in the water and the ability to safely enter and exit the water independently.

The Baby Seal Fundamentals program offers swimming lessons for toddlers in Toronto. It’s a continuation of the Foundation stages, and is designed to teach fundamental movement skills in the water while giving parents and toddlers the confidence to become independent swimmers. 

The Foundations program is divided into four key learning states, each with its own set of swimming classes: 

• F1 - Prepares swimmers to swim independently on their front and become more comfortable on their back.
• F2 - Builds upon fundamental movement skills and introduces correct body positioning in the water.
• F3 - Focuses on breathing naturally and rhythmically in the water and introduces independent swimming.
• F4 - Upon completion of F4, toddlers will have the ability to swim 5 metres on their front independently and on their back, with support.

The Junior Seal program offers swimming lessons for kids in Toronto. The Junior Seal program is a transitional program made up of eight groups for children ages six to twelve. The program is split into Independent 1 to 4 (thirty minute classes with teachers in-water) and Development 1 to 4 (sixty minute classes with teachers on-deck). Swimmers learn the skills and technique necessary to perform the four swim strokes: freestyle (front crawl), backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, as well as competitive style starts and turns. 

The program is linked to the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of the Long-Term Development In Sport and Physical Activity framework. Upon completion of the Junior Seal programs, swimmers will have the ability to perform a fluent and legal 100 metre Individual Medley.

• D1 - Here we develop effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing, understanding of water safety and preparation for exercise. 
• D2 - Development 2 develops stroke technique up to 100 metres, combining skills learned and developing speed and endurance skills.
• D3 - Development 3 continues to develop skills and technique required to complete a fluent and legal 100 metre individual medley, while building on endurance and stamina in the water.
• D4 - Development 4 marks the completion of the Learn to Swim Awards Series. Swimmers learn about options to advance in swimming and lifesaving in the Seal Swim Squads and Lifeguard Training programs.

Adult Water Confidence offers swimming lessons for adults in Toronto. These classes are designed for adults with no previous swimming experience, nervous swimmers, or those who have had a negative experience in the past which has halted their swimming journey.

This program will give swimmers the confidence to get into the pool safely, be able to move through the water with confidence, control breathing in the pool and not panic if splashed. 

The Adult Water Confidence is the first of three stages for adults. 

• Water Confidence - Prepares swimmers to relax in the water and swim their first 25 metres on their front and back.
• Learn Freestyle - Builds upon technical skills used while swimming freestyle (front crawl) and prepares swimmers to swim 100 metres continually.

Adult Squad - For swimmers capable of swimming a continual 100 metre freestyle, who have goals or ambitions in distance swimming, triathlon, open water swimming or who just want to swim with a group to stay healthy and active.

Learn Freestyle offers swimming lessons for adults and teens in Toronto. Designed for teens and adults who can't yet swim a stroke of freestyle or perhaps can swim 25m but then have to stop for a rest. 

The Teens & Adults Learn Freestyle program progressively builds the stroke step by step to give you the chance to develop every individual element such as breathing, rotation and arm recovery. The process gradually brings the stroke together and develops your coordination whilst you are wearing fins (flippers) before removing them at the end.

The Adult Learn Freestyle is the second of three stages for adults. 

• Water Confidence - Prepares swimmers to relax in the water and swim their first 25 metres on their front and back.
• Learn Freestyle - Builds upon technical skills used while swimming freestyle (front crawl) and prepares swimmers to swim 100 metres continually.

Adult Squad - For swimmers capable of swimming a continual 100 metre freestyle, who have goals or ambitions in distance swimming, triathlon, open water swimming or who just want to swim with a group to stay healthy and active.

Seal Swim Squads develop stroke technique and competitive swim skills for swimmers capable of swimming a fluent and race-legal 100m Individual Medley, and/or performing 100m Freestyle in under 1:50.00. Our squad system provides opportunities for members ages 11 to 16 to develop their skills and compete from entry-level swim meets to regional, triathlon and open water events. 

Swimmers have the opportunity to participate in dry land training to increase strength and power and in regular time trials and swim meets hosted by Seal and various partners.