Why Choose Us?
The Location
Markham Swim School is ideally located near Saint Brother Andre High School, Franklin St. Public School and E.T Crowle Public School.
The Facility
Uniquely, we welcome the parents of students to sit down and watch the lesson (as long as there are no major distractions). There are plenty of places to sit and our facility is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Fencing around the garden and pool also ensures privacy for our students. The pool itself is kept at a comfortable temperature and is salt water.
The Prices
All of our prices are comparable or less than other Markham private swim schools.
The Instructors
Our instructors have had over ten years of experience working for both the City of Markham as well as for Markham Swim School. We have received nothing but positive reviews for all of our teachers who work well with both adults and children of all abilities. Many of our instructors are bilingual (French and English). For those students who are in French Immersion, we are happy to teach the swim lesson in French.
Our Staff
Experienced Lifesaving Society Members
Kaitlyn Ramsay
Owner and Manager
Kaitlyn has been affiliated with the Lifesaving Society Program for 21 years (as both a student and staff member). She has worked at several community pools, as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor and has taught all ages and levels: including students with disabilities and adults fearful of the water. Kaitlyn has been a Lifesaving Society Certified Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor and Emergency First Aid Instructor. She is certified in AED, standard first aid with CPR-C, airway management and emergency first aid with CPR-B.
Liam Ramsay
Supervisor, Head Lifeguard, Head Instructor,
Co-Founder
Liam has worked at several community pools, as both a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. He has been Head Instructor at Markham Swim School for 6 years and has taught all ages and levels. Liam is a Lifesaving Society Certified Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor and Emergency First Aid Instructor. He is certified in AED, standard first aid with CPR-B, airway management, emergency first aid with CPR-C and has previously qualified as a Wilderness Emergency First Aid Responder. He is bilingual and would be willing to teach his classes in French!
McKenna Ramsay
Website Manager, Lifeguard,
Co-Founder
McKenna has been a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor and has taught all ages and levels. She maintains our website and is occasional support staff.
The Lifesaving Society
All of the following material can be found on the official Lifesaving Society website (link below).
THE FOCUS IS ON SWIMMING
Our Swim for Life program stresses in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate valuable Water Smart®education that will last a lifetime.
There are 5 modules in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life® program:
Parent & Tot for parents and children up to 3 years of age
Preschool for children 3-5 years
Swimmer for children 5 years and older
Adult Swimmer for people over 16 years
Fitness Swimmer for people of any age who want to improve their overall physical fitness
We've designed the modules so they flow together seamlessly. You can take the modules independently or do them consecutively to work towards the Canadian Swim Patrol awards: Rookie, Ranger and Star Patrol.
Parent & Tot
AT-A-GLANCE
Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun, learn and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and are in the pool with you.
We've organized the content of each level like this:
Entries and exits
Surface support
Underwater skills
Swim to Survive® skills
Movement / Swimming skills
Fitness
Water Smart® education
As an integral part of the Swim for Life® Program, Water Smart education provides information and experiences that helps participants make smart decisions when in, on and around water and ice.
Because activities and progressions are based on child development, parents register in the level appropriate for their child's age.
PARENT & TOT 1, 2, 3
Parent & Tot 1: Designed for the 4 to 12-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent.
Parent & Tot 2: Designed for the 12 to 24-month-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent.
Parent & Tot 3: Designed for the 2 to 3-year-old to learn to enjoy the water with the parent
Preschool
AT-A-GLANCE
Give your child a head start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water.
In our basic aquatic progressions we work to ensure 3 to 5-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.
We've organized the content of each level like this:
Entries and exits
Surface support
Underwater skills
Swim to Survive® skills
Movement / Swimming skills
Fitness
Water Smart® education
As an integral part of the Swim for Life® program, Water Smart education provides information and experiences that helps participants make smart decisions when in, on and around water and ice.
PRESCHOOL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Preschool 1: We encourage the parent to participate until their child lets them know they can do it themselves. These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We'll help them jump into chest deep water. They will float and glide on their front and back and learn to get their faces wet and blow bubbles underwater.
Preschool 2: These preschoolers learn to jump into chest-deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They will submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket, they'll glide on their front and back.
Preschool 3: These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They will recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They will work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back.
Preschool 4: Advanced preschoolers will learn to do solo jumps into deeper water and get out by themselves. They will do sideways entries and open their eyes underwater. They will master a short swim on their front wearing a lifejacket and gliding and kicking on their side.
Preschool 5: These youngsters get more adventuresome with a forward roll entry wearing a lifejacket and treading water for 10 sec. They will work on front and back crawl swims for 5 m, interval training and whip kick.
Swimmer
AT-A-GLANCE
The Lifesaving Society's 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 5 years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics.
We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Water Smart® education in all levels.
We've organized the content of each level like this:
Entries and exits
Surface support
Underwater skills
Swim to Survive® skills
Movement / Swimming skills
Fitness
Water Smart® education
As an integral part of the Swim for Life® program, Water Smart education provides information and experiences that helps participants make smart decisions when in, on and around water and ice.
SWIMMER 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Swimmer 1: These beginners will become comfortable jumping into water with and without a lifejacket. They will learn to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They will work on floats, glides and kicking through the water on their front and back.
Swimmer 2: These advanced beginners will jump into deeper water, and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a lifejacket. They will be able to support themselves at the surface without an aid, learn whip kick, swim 10 m on their front and back, and be introduced to flutter kick interval training (4 x 5 m).
Swimmer 3: These junior swimmers will dive and do in-water front somersaults and handstands. They will work on 15 m of front crawl, back crawl and 10 m of whip kick. Flutter kick interval training increases to 4 x 15 m.
Swimmer 4: These intermediate swimmers will swim 5 m underwater and lengths of front, back crawl, whip kick, and breaststroke arms with breathing. Their new bag of tricks includes the completion of the Canadian Swim to Survive® Standard. They will cap it all off with front crawl sprints over 25 m and 4 x 25 m front or back crawl interval training.
Swimmer 5: These swimmers will master shallow dives, cannonball entries, eggbeater kicks, and in-water backward somersaults. They will refine their front and back crawl over 50 m swims of each, and breaststroke over 25 m. Then they will pick up the pace in 25 m sprints and two interval training bouts: 4 x 50 m front or back crawl; and 4 x 15 m breaststroke.
Swimmer 6: These advanced swimmers will rise to the challenge of sophisticated aquatic skills including stride entries, compact jumps and lifesaving kicks like eggbeater and scissor kick. They will develop strength and power in head-up breaststroke sprints over 25 m. They will easily swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, and they will complain about the 300 m workout.
Canadian Swim Patrol
AT-A-GLANCE
The Canadian Swim Patrol program is the on-ramp to lifeguarding. Ability is the only prerequisite.
The Swim Patrol provides enriched training for those who are ready to go beyond learn-to-swim. Swim Patrol's three levels - Rookie, Ranger, and Star - continue to develop participants' swim strokes and provide the skill foundation that prepares them for success in the Society's Bronze medal awards.
Rookie Patrol (8-10 hr.): Swimmers continue stroke development with 50 m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving Sport skills include a 25 m obstacle swim and 15 m object carry. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. Fitness improves in 350 m workouts and 100 m timed swims.
Ranger Patrol (8-10 hr.): Swimmers develop better strokes over 75 m swims of each stroke. They tackle Lifesaving Sport skills in a lifesaving medley, timed object support and rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Skill drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation.
Star Patrol (8-10 hr.): Swimmers are challenged with 600 m workouts, 300 m timed swims and a 25 m object carry. Strokes are refined over 100 m swims. First aid focuses on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies including asthma and allergic reactions. Lifesaving skills include defense methods, victim removals and rolling over and supporting a victim face up in shallow water.
Prerequisite: None.
Evaluation & certification: Current Lifesaving Instructors evaluate all items and certify candidates.
Bronze Star
AT-A-GLANCE
I'm a paragraph. Click once to begin entering your owBronze Star (10-12 hr.): excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and in partners. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. Includes a timed 400 m swim.
Prerequisite: None (Swim Patrol experience recommended.)
Evaluation & certification: Current Lifesaving Instructors evaluate all items and certify candidates. The Lifesaving Society deems its certifications to be "current" for 24 months from the certification date.
Candidate recognition: Bronze Star medal, Bronze Star Award crest, certification card.
In deep water, demonstrate deep and shallow head- and foot-first entries from a height (max. 1 m).
Backward roll entry wearing shirt and long pants. Swim 10-15 m or yd. remove and inflate pants. Form a huddle for 1 min. with 2 or more others.
Demonstrate ability to recover an unconscious victim from deep water to the surface & carry to nearest point of safety.
Demonstrate a 5 m head-up approach into a head-first surface dive to retrieve object from a depth between 2 and 3 m or yd. Surface with object and eggbeater kick 5 m or yd. to start point.
Demonstrate a 25 m or yd. head-up approach into a foot-first surface dive to retrieve a 4.5 kg (10 lb.) object (maximum depth 2 m). Carry object to point of entry. Exit water and demonstrate rescue breathing on a manikin.
In deep water, support self for 3 minutes during which support a 4.5 kg (10 lb.) object for 1 minute.
Wearing a shoulder loop and line, swim a 100m individual medley in 3 min. or less (100 yd. in 2:40 min.) as follows: 25 m or yd. each of lifesaving kick, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
Swim 400 m in 12 min. or better (400 yd. in 10:45 min.) using freestyle or any combination of strokes of the swimmer's choice.
Demonstrate ability to find and count pulse and respiration rates on a partner. Demonstrate ability to find and count own pulse.
Demonstrate single-rescuer CPR on a manikin.
Demonstrate the immobilization of a possible spinal-injured breathing victim on land.
a) Demonstrate ability to simulate in the water the appearance of a weak swimmer, a non-swimmer, an unconscious victim and an injured victim. b) Demonstrate ability to recognize the difference between a weak swimmer and a non-swimmer; and to recognize an unconscious and an injured victim.
Demonstrate ability to perform and to recognize 3 different hand signals.
Walk the perimeter of the aquatic facility to locate a submerged object within 30 sec.
Search an area with both shallow and deep water (max. depth 2 m).
With a partner, perform a low-risk rescue of a non-swimmer or a victim with external bleeding. Assist victim to safety showing ability to avoid direct contact. Perform appropriate follow-up procedures, including treatment for shock.
Rescue an unconscious, non-breathing victim in deep water. Return with the victim to the beach, dock or poolside. Untrained bystanders assist in victim removal. Perform appropriate follow-up procedures, including treatment for shock.n content. You can change my font, size, line height, color and more by highlighting part of me and selecting the options from the toolbar.
Bronze Medallion
AT-A-GLANCE
Bronze Medallion (18-20 hr.): teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the 4 components of water-rescue education - judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defense methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500 m timed swim.
Bronze Medallion is recognized as the waterfront supervisory certification for Ontario's Recreational Camp Regulation 568.
Prerequisite: Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (need not be current).
Evaluation & certification: Current Lifesaving Instructors evaluate most items, but only Bronze Cross Examiners may certify candidates. The Lifesaving Society deems its certifications to be "current" for 24 months from the certification date.
Candidate recognition: Bronze Medallion medal, Bronze Medallion Award crest, certification card.
Required reference material: Canadian Lifesaving Manual
*Demonstrate accuracy in throwing buoyant aids. Throw a distance of 8 m placing the aid within 1 m of the centre of a target 3 times out of 4.
*Simulate self-rescue techniques for the following circumstances:
Ice
Moving water
Swamped or capsized boat
*Starting in the water, demonstrate 20 m or yd. head-up approach, surface dive to recover a submerged victim or manikin, and return to the starting point using a control carry to support and carry the victim.
*Demonstrate 3 defences from the front, side, and rear and 3 releases from the front, side, and rear. Assume a ready position and communicate verbally after each defense or release.
*Swim head-up 6 x 25 m or yd. maintaining a consistent pace and work-to-rest ratio. Check your pulse after the last repeat.
*Swim 500 m or 550 yd. in 15 minutes or better using any combination of strokes of the candidate's choice.
*Demonstrate rescue breathing and one-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a manikin, including:
Adult and child victims
Complications in resuscitation (e.g. vomiting)
Adaptations (e.g. mouth-to-nose, stoma)
*a) Simulate the treatment of a conscious adult or child with an obstructed airway.
b) Simulate the treatment of an unconscious adult or child with an obstructed airway.
Demonstrate the appropriate recognition and care of a victim suffering from the following circulatory emergencies:
Shock
Heart attack or angina
External bleeding
Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
*Walk around an aquatic environment scene, evaluate the ongoing activities, and where appropriate, model safe aquatic leisure choices.
Recover and immobilize a conscious breathing victim with a suspected cervical spinal injury in shallow water. Demonstrate recovery and immobilization with both a face-up and a face-down victim. Recruit and direct bystanders to assist.
*Perform a logical underwater search of a specified area to maximum depth of 3 m.
Perform a non-contact rescue in an aquatic situation designed to emphasize a low-risk rescue, victim care, removals with bystander assistance, and follow-up including contact with EMS.
Perform a rescue of a non-breathing victim located in deep water, 5 m from a point of safety. The situation involves an unsupervised environment and is designed to emphasize victim care, removals with bystander assistance, and follow-up including contact with EMS.
Perform a rescue of a distressed or drowning victim in open water, requiring a 20 m or yd. approach and 20 m or yd. return. The situation is designed to require either a contact or non-contact rescue with emphasis on victim recognition and appropriate care.
Bronze Cross
AT-A-GLANCE
Bronze Cross (18-20 hr.): designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification. Includes a timed 600 m swim.
Bronze Cross is recognized as an assistant lifeguard certificate in Ontario Regulation 565 governing public swimming pools.
Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current).
Evaluation & certification: Current Lifesaving Instructors evaluate most items, but only Bronze Cross Examiners may certify candidates. The Lifesaving Society deems its certifications to be "current" for 24 months from the certification date.
Candidate recognition: Bronze Cross medal, Bronze Cross Award crest, certification card.
Required reference material: Canadian Lifesaving Manual
*Starting on a deck, dock, or beach, demonstrate an entry and swim a 50 m or yd. head-up approach with a shoulder loop and line or rescue tube to a passive victim or manikin, and then tow the victim 50 m or yd. to safety.
*Swim head-up for 2 sets of 6 x 25 m or yd. while maintaining a consistent pace and work-to-rest ratio. Rest for 1 minute between sets. Check your pulse after the last repeat in each set.
*Swim 600 m or 650 yd. in 18 minutes or better using any combination of strokes of the candidate's choice.
*Demonstrate primary assessment of a conscious victim and an unconscious victim, including:Level of consciousness
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Major bleeding
Mechanism of injury
Demonstrate secondary assessment of a victim, including:
Vital signs
Head-to-toe survey
History
*Demonstrate rescue breathing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a manikin, including:
Adult, child, and infant victims
Complications in resuscitation (e.g. vomiting)
Adaptations (e.g. mouth-to-nose, stoma)
*Demonstrate 2-rescuer adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a manikin.
*a) Simulate the treatment of a conscious adult or child with an obstructed airway.
*b) On a manikin, demonstrate the treatment of a conscious infant with an obstructed airway.
*c) Simulate the treatment of an unwitnessed unconscious adult, child, or infant with an unobstructed airway.
*Demonstrate the care and treatment of a victim suffering from hypothermia.
*Walk an aquatic environment scene, evaluate the ongoing activities, and demonstrate how to educate peers about safe aquatic leisure choices.
Evaluate and correct, where appropriate, hazardous conditions in unsupervised areas.
Recover and immobilize a face-down breathing victim with a suspected cervical spinal injury found in deep water. Transport to shallow water. Recruit and direct a trained bystander to assist. Demonstrate the ability to manage vomiting while maintaining immobilization.
*Using bystanders, organize a logical underwater search of an area with both shallow and deep water to maximum depth of 3 meters.
Perform a rescue involving 2 or more victims. One victim requires rescuer assistance, while the other victim(s) can follow directions for self-
rescue and assist as bystanders once at the point of safety. The situation is designed to emphasize communication skills, victim care, removals, and follow-up including contact with EMS.
Perform a rescue of a submerged, non-breathing, and pulse-less victim. The situation is designed to emphasize victim care, removal, and follow-up including contact with EMS.
*Perform a rescue of an injured victim in a situation in which there are 2 rescuers. The rescue requires a 50 m or yd. approach and a 50 m or yd. return. The situation is designed to emphasize either contact or non-contact rescues, victim care, removals, and follow-up including contact with EMS.
Perform a rescue of a victim suffering injuries or conditions in a situation that emphasizes rescuer response to deteriorating circumstances and requires the use of bystanders. The rescue requires a 20 m or yd. approach and a 20 m or yd. return.
Adult Swimmer
AT-A-GLANCE
Whether you're just starting out or just want help with your strokes, our Adult program is for the young at heart - no matter what your age. Set your own goals. Work with certified instructors to learn to swim, or improve your current swimming ability and water fitness. You won't be going to the Olympics, but you'll develop water confidence and smooth recognizable strokes good enough for lane swimming and fit enough for the beach. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart®education in all Adult levels.
We've organized the content of each level like this:
Entries and exits
Surface support
Underwater skills
Swim to Survive® skills
Movement / Swimming skills
Fitness
Water Smart® education
As an integral part of the Swim for Life® program, Water Smart education provides information and experiences that helps participants make smart decisions when in, on and around water and ice.
ADULT SWIMMER 1, 2, 3
Adult 1: You will work towards a 10-15 m swim on your front and back. You will do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improve your fitness and your flutter kick with 4 x 9-12 m interval training.
Adult 2: Kick it up a notch working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 m kicking and front or back crawl. You will be able to perform dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 m. You will be supporting yourself at the surface for 1-2 minutes, and showing off your handstands in shallow water.
Adult 3: No sweat (or at least none anyone can see). You will learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. You will be doing a 300 m workout and sprinting 25-50 m. You will master your front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke.
Classes Exclusive to Markham Swim School
Advanced Stroke Technique
For those swimmers who want to improve their stroke techniques. We cover the strokes outlined by the Lifesaving Society (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, etc.)