Our Vision
To create a bold, empowering swim pathway for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities — where confidence, resilience, and teamwork are forged in the water. We believe that learning to swim is not only a vital life skill, but also a source of immense joy, freedom, and personal growth. Every child deserves the chance to feel the thrill of gliding through the water, to discover the sensation of swimming independently, and to grow stronger with each stroke. Whether their goal is water safety, fitness, or pursuing competitive opportunities within Special Olympics Ontario, Swim to Shine supports every child in rising to their full potential.
Program Overview
Swim to Shine is a high-energy, 3-stage swim progression program designed for children ages 2.75 and up with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each 55-minute weekly lesson is built around consistency, safety, and empowerment — helping swimmers grow physically, emotionally, and socially at a pace that supports their unique needs. Whether your child is stepping into the water for the first time or striving for more advanced skills, our program builds confidence, resilience, and independence — one splash at a time.
Coaching Methodology
In Swim to Shine, our coaching approach is built on clarity, connection, and compassion. Each skill is first explained in simple, encouraging language, then demonstrated clearly so swimmers can learn by both hearing and seeing. With patience and positivity, our coaches guide swimmers as they practice, offering gentle corrections and consistent motivation every step of the way. Most importantly, our coaches connect with each child personally — pushing them within their abilities and celebrating every win, no matter how small. Through this method, swimmers build not just skills, but confidence, resilience, and joy in the water.
Station Training:
Each session is divided into four focused stations to keep learning dynamic and structured:
- Stroke technique (15 minutes)
- Deep end Skills (15 minutes)
- Endurance (15 minutes)
- Small games (10 minutes)
This format supports skill development, safety awareness, and fun — all in one lesson.
Swim Ratios:
Families can choose the support level that best fits their swimmer:
- 1:1 Private lesson
- 2:1 Semi-private Lesson
- 3:1 Group lesson
All ratios ensure individualized coaching in a high-energy, inclusive environment.
Station Training:
Each session is divided into four focused stations to keep learning dynamic and structured:
- Stroke technique (15 minutes)
- Deep end Skills (15 minutes)
- Endurance (15 minutes)
- Small games (10 minutes)
This format supports skill development, safety awareness, and fun — all in one lesson.
Swim Ratios:
Families can choose the support level that best fits their swimmer:
- 1:1 Private lesson
- 2:1 Semi-private Lesson
- 3:1 Group lesson
All ratios ensure individualized coaching in a high-energy, inclusive environment.
Stage 1: Little Ripples
(Parent & Tot - Level 2 | Ages 2.75+)
Every swim journey begins with a splash — and in Little Ripples, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of confidence in the water. This stage focuses on building water comfort, coordinated movement, and safety through coach-guided instruction. The Little Ripples program incorporates the 3-2-1 Swim Pack — a proprietary learn to swim system developed by Kaizen Kidz that provides buoyancy and allows swimmers to progress at their own pace. As swimmers reach specific milestones, foam layers are removed to replicate the proper swim position so the transition to an independent swim with coach supervision is methodical and safe.
Objective:
To build water confidence, foundational swim skills, and safety-focused independence, while allowing each swimmer to progress at their own pace through the 3-2-1 Swim Pack milestones — ultimately leading to swimming 10 meters independently under coach supervision.
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Face in, bubbles, submersion
- Supported front and back float
- Assisted kicking and scooping
- Safe pool entry/exit and wall holds
- Basic water safety awareness
Progress Indicators:
- Swim independently for 20m assisted with Swim Pack milestone
- Swim independently unassisted for 5-10m
- Comfortable submerging under water
- Listens to swim coach and follows pool rules
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Face in, bubbles, submersion
- Supported front and back float
- Assisted kicking and scooping
- Safe pool entry/exit and wall holds
- Basic water safety awareness
Progress Indicators:
- Swim independently for 20m assisted with Swim Pack milestone
- Swim independently unassisted for 5-10m
- Comfortable submerging under water
- Listens to swim coach and follows pool rules
Stage 2: Wave Builders
(Levels 3–8)
For swimmers who have built basic comfort and independence. This stage introduces stroke development, breath control, and endurance. Children learn front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, and breaststroke in a supportive, structured setting.
Objective:
Stroke development, breath control, coordination, and endurance
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Front crawl with side breathing bilaterally
- Back crawl with proper arm recovery and flutter kick
- Elementary backstroke with symmetrical movement and glide
- Breaststroke with correct stroke sequence (pull, breathe, kick & glide)
- Standing dives with streamline entry
- Treading & eggbeater using scissor, flutter and eggbeater kick techniques
- Timed endurance starting at level 6
Progress Indicators:
- Swims 15-25m front crawl & back crawl with rhythmic breathing
- Swims 25-50m breaststroke and elementary backstroke
- Standing dive into deep water with streamlined glide
- Treads for minimum 30s using eggbeater or scissor kick
- Can complete a 75m-300m continuous swim using at least two strokes
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Front crawl with side breathing bilaterally
- Back crawl with proper arm recovery and flutter kick
- Elementary backstroke with symmetrical movement and glide
- Breaststroke with correct stroke sequence (pull, breathe, kick & glide)
- Standing dives with streamline entry
- Treading & eggbeater using scissor, flutter and eggbeater kick techniques
- Timed endurance starting at level 6
Progress Indicators:
- Swims 15-25m front crawl & back crawl with rhythmic breathing
- Swims 25-50m breaststroke and elementary backstroke
- Standing dive into deep water with streamlined glide
- Treads for minimum 30s using eggbeater or scissor kick
- Can complete a 75m-300m continuous swim using at least two strokes
Stage 3: Champion Currents
(Levels 9–10)
Our advanced level focuses on technique refinement, stamina, and advanced aquatic skills. Swimmers build the strength and discipline to swim longer distances and explore advanced strokes — including Dolphin Kick and Travelling Eggbeater. Perfect for swimmers aiming for lifelong confidence or competition.
Objective:
Technique refinement, stamina building, advanced safety, and personal growth
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Front crawl with bilateral breathing & efficient arm recovery
- Back crawl with controlled rotation and consistent kick
- Breaststroke with proper glide, timing & pull-breathe-kick sequence
- Elementary back crawl with efficient glide and symmetrical motion
- Dolphin kick with proper hip movement and body alignment
- Sidestroke with strong scissor kick and streamlined body position
- Travelling egg beater movement across short distances
- Surface dives for deep water confidence and retrieval skills
Progress Indicators:
- Swims 400-500m continuously using a combination of strokes
- Demonstrate proper techniques for front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke over 100m distances
- Demonstrates proper techniques for elementary backstroke and sidestroke over 100m distances
- Demonstrates travelling eggbeater across 10-15m in deep water
- Treads water for over 60s using eggbeater or scissor kick
- Completes controlled surface dives to retrieve objects underwater
- Uses dolphin kick for streamline and underwater
Key Skills Outcomes:
- Front crawl with bilateral breathing & efficient arm recovery
- Back crawl with controlled rotation and consistent kick
- Breaststroke with proper glide, timing & pull-breathe-kick sequence
- Elementary back crawl with efficient glide and symmetrical motion
- Dolphin kick with proper hip movement and body alignment
- Sidestroke with strong scissor kick and streamlined body position
- Travelling egg beater movement across short distances
- Surface dives for deep water confidence and retrieval skills
Progress Indicators:
- Swims 400-500m continuously using a combination of strokes
- Demonstrate proper techniques for front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke over 100m distances
- Demonstrates proper techniques for elementary backstroke and sidestroke over 100m distances
- Demonstrates travelling eggbeater across 10-15m in deep water
- Treads water for over 60s using eggbeater or scissor kick
- Completes controlled surface dives to retrieve objects underwater
- Uses dolphin kick for streamline and underwater
Swim to Shine 2025 Schedule
July 2 - August 17
* click desired pool to be directed to location page
| East District | |||
| Pool | Days | Time | # Lessons |
| St Patrick | Saturday & Sunday | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | 7 |
| Central District | |||
| Pool | Days | Time | # Lessons |
| Central Tech | Saturday & Sunday | 12:00pm - 2:00pm | 7 |
| West District | |||
| Pool | Days | Time | # Lessons |
| Keele | Saturday | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | 7 |
| Program Cost | ||
| Fees | Summer 2025 | Total |
| Group | $39.50 | $276.50 |
| Private | $100.00 | $700.00 |
| Semi (per child) | $120.00 | $840.00 |
No — the program is open to all children who benefit from additional structure and coach support.
Yes. Every swimmer progresses at their own pace, and we ensure they feel confident before moving forward.
Yes, during Stage 1 (Little Ripples), parents join their child in the water for safety and support.
Our coaches are trained to adapt the learning environment to each swimmer’s individual needs, including visual cues, calm instruction, and consistent routines.
