swim instructor in water with kids

City of Surrey Transitions to the Swim for Life Program by Lifesaving Society

Beginning in January 2023, we will be offering the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program.

October 24, 2022
Media Release
Parks & Recreation

Surrey, B.C. - The City of Surrey is pleased to announce that beginning in January 2023, we will be offering the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. This swim lesson program has been run nationwide for many years and focuses on teaching participants of all ages to be safe in and around the water as they enjoy our pools, lakes and beaches. The Red Cross is discontinuing their swim lesson program as of December 2022 and has worked closely with the Lifesaving Society to facilitate a smooth lesson transition.

If you are currently in swim lessons, including our swim adapted program, please review the lesson transition grid to see what Swim for Life level you will be registering for or contact one of our Aquatic Facilities to find out when the best time to be assessed for your level will be.

Adapted lessons will be integrated into the Swim for Life program. The new model has participants fully integrated into a class with other swimmers of the same age and skill level. Instructors will focus on the skills in a specific level rather than working with multiple students all with different swimming abilities. This allows your child to receive better instruction and prepares them to be more successful in learning skills and participating in a group setting. Your child will also have support from a staff member from the Surrey Association for Community Living.

Who is the Lifesaving Society?

  • The Lifesaving Society has been training Canadians to be lifesavers since 1896 in Canada and since 1911 in BC.
  • Over 1.2 million Canadians take Lifesaving Society courses each year.
  • The Lifesaving Society is a member of the Commonwealth Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and the Canadian member of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS).
  • The Lifesaving Society provides drowning-related research that drives our program content and public education messaging which is provided to Affiliates on a regular basis.

For more information: surrey.ca/swimming-lessons