Aquatics

Swim Participants Should Expect the Following

1. All Lane, Leisure Swim and Aquafit participants will reserve a spot through the Town’s program registration. Register online at e-PLAY

• Participants are required to set-up a Family Account in advance, and will be required to reserve and pay for the spot online.
• Each family member attending Leisure Swims must register individually to secure a spot.
  
• Participants are allowed to cancel their reserved spot, and request a refund until two hours before the program. No refunds will be provided for late requests or “No Shows”. Please submit all refund requests via email to our Customer Service staff
• Learn how to register and about our cancellation policy on our e-PLAY webpage.

2. Pool capacities have been reduced to allow the participants to safely maintain physical distancing of 2 metres.

3. Participants are required to complete a COVID-19 visitor self screening form on our COVID-19 webpage prior to entering into the community centre.

4. Participants are asked to abide by the following directional flow:

• A.F.L.C. Pool users: Enter through the main entrance.
• S.A.R.C. Pool users: Enter through the main entrance. 

5. Locker rental will not be reinstated at this time.

6. Only essential pool equipment will be made available to participants.

• Participants will not be allowed to access pool equipment on their own in an effort to reduce the risk of contamination.

• Town staff will assist with providing essential pool equipment to participants.

• Once the program ends, participants are required to put used pool equipment into a bin for cleaning purposes.

7. The Town will be cleaning and disinfecting the change rooms, showers and washrooms more frequently as per Regional Health requirements.

8. As per the R.O.A. under facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities, Community Centre are required to check for mandatory vaccinations from facility users, and as a result, there are no longer any capacity limits for physical distancing requirements. Regardless, the Town’s Aquatic Instructors will continue to keep swimmers safe by:

• Educating participants on general COVID-19 protocols and best practices during swimming lessons.
• Encouraging participants to maintain 2 metres of distancing from each other where possible. The number of swimming classes running has been reduced to ensure adequate spacing.
• Using a variety of teaching methods including but not limited to verbal cues, in-water demonstrations, use of various learning aids and floatation devices, e.t.c. Whenever possible, Aquatic Instructors will use equipment rather than physical manipulation to assist swimmer in learning skills.
• Aquatic Instructors will avoid prolonged close contact by ensuring contact time is less than 10 minutes per participant to help keep swimmers safe.
• As per the Instructions from the Regional Medical Health Officer, Aquatic Instructors are considered “active” when teaching swimming lessons, and are permitted to remove their Face Masks on deck. Aquatic Instructors will not be wearing Face Masks while participating in the water as it is a safety concern.

Here's What You Can Do to Help

1. Participants are required to adhere to all Town policies and procedures as it relates to COVID-19.

• Remember the rules in place to promote safe programs to all participants.

2. As per recommendations from York Region, participants are required to wear masks or face coverings inside enclosed public spaces, which includes Community Centres.

• Participants are asked to remove their masks or face coverings only when they are ready to enter the pool, and to put it back on once they get out of the water.
• The following are exempted from wearing masks or face coverings:
  • People who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons.
  • Children under the age of five.
  • Those who require accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

3. Participants are encouraged to wear goggles while swimming.

4. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment where possible. Any shared pool equipment from the Town will be cleaned and disinfected between uses.

Temporarily on Pause

At this time, both the A.F.L.C. Spa and the S.A.R.C. Therapy Pool are unavailable until further notice.

Please see swim schedule for dates and times. Pre-registration is required. Swim schedule is subject to change.

How to Register:

• Go to e-PLAY and click on Register Online.
• Type Lane Swim, Leisure Swim or Aquafit into the Search field.
• Register for date/time of your choosing.

Lane Swim Expectations

• During lane swim, there will be a maximum of 3 swimmers per single lane.
• When participating in swim activities, participants are expected to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres in the pool where possible. When passing another swimmer, they are asked to do so in a quick and brief manner where close contact is minimized.
• Participants will enter the pool in the shallow end and follow appropriate lane speed signs based on their swim ability.
• Lifeguards reserve the right to ask swimmers to move to a more appropriate lane based on speed to maximize physical distancing among swimmers.
• When passing another swimmer at the wall, participants are encouraged to avoid face-to-face proximity.
  • For example: When resting at the wall by the end of the pool, participants may choose to either rest on the pool deck away from others, or participants may choose to turn their faces away from the pool and other swimmers.
• At the A.F.L.C. there can be no more than 2 swimmers in the deep well at any given time.

Leisure Swim Expectations

• When participating in swim activities, participants are expected to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres in the pool where possible.
• Lifeguards are not responsible for enforcing physical distancing during leisure swims.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at e-PLAY

• Aquatic Leadership Programs - Fall 2021

Pre-registration is required. Register online at e-PLAY

Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid

Age: 13+ years

This course works to embody the 4 components of water rescue: judgment, fitness, knowledge, and skill. Candidates will be prepared for risky and challenging rescues, while focusing on fitness and endurance as well. Note: The exam takes place on the last day of class. Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star.

Bronze Cross

Age: 13+ years

This course continues the training learned in Bronze Medallion. It emphasizes the ability to work as a team in aquatic emergencies, while also developing an understanding of the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding. Note: The exam takes place on the last day of class. This course does not include Standard First Aid/CPR C. Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid.

Pre-registration is required. Register online at e-PLAY

• Aquatic Leadership Programs - Winter 2022

• COVID-19 participant screening and Facility entry
• COVID-19 safe practices
• Training modifications 

• Participants complete a COVID-19 screening during online registration.
• If a participant is feeling unwell, then they are asked to not attend the Leadership course and notify the Instructor or Town staff.
• If a participant is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, then they will be asked to leave the building and get tested for COVID-19, and cannot return back into the Leadership course until they have confirmed a negative COVID-19 test result from the testing centre, or have completed a 14-day quarantine due to COVID-19.
  • If they do not have means of transportation, then they will be placed in an isolation area within the building, until they can be picked up.
• Participants who miss classes due to COVID-19 are asked to email Terri Edwards at the S.A.R.C.

The Town is following the Region’s direction and guidelines on safe practices, which include:

• Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres.
• Promote washing hands frequently before entering the pool and after leaving the pool.
• Promote traffic flow by designated facility entries and exits.
• Limit participant capacity in Leadership courses to allow for physical distancing.
• Clean high touch surfaces frequently as per Public Health recommendations.
• Communicate COVID-19 expectation through facility signage in prominent areas throughout the building, and information on the Town’s webpage.
• Encourage participants to practice good hygiene (for example: cough in elbow).
• Ensure hand sanitizers are available throughout the facility.

Promote the wearing of Face Masks and/or Face coverings in indoor enclosed areas as per the Region’s Medical Health Officer’s instructions:

• Instructors will make every reasonable best efforts to wear Face Masks on the pool deck; however the Instructors are considered “active” when teaching Leadership courses in the pool area, and are permitted to remove their Face Masks on the pool deck.
• Participants and Instructors will not be wearing Face Masks while participating in the water as it is a safety concern.
• For in-water rescues, participants are encouraged to avoid face-to-face proximity during rescue activities.

• Where possible, Instructors will minimize the interaction between participants in the course by organizing participants into fixed training groups throughout the course.
• The Town recognizes that due to the nature of Aquatic Leadership courses, there are certain evaluation items where maintaining physical distancing and the fixed training group model is not feasible.

Lifesaving Sport is an emerging aquatic sport that focuses on developing swimming skills through lifesaving activities. Participants will not only learn how to swim with lifesaving equipment, throw coiled ropes and swim under obstacles; but they will also have an opportunity to attend regional competitions. The perfect youth training program for future lifeguards.

Lifesaving Sport - More Information

Contact
Shelley Makepeace
Deck Supervisor
Email Shelley Makepeace 

Earn high school credits with YRDSB’s Aquatic Leadership Program and the Town of Aurora.

The two-part program is conducted in a blended learning format, which includes pool instruction, in-class instruction and online learning. Upon completion, successful students may earn certifications to be used to work as a lifeguard or a swim instructor.

1. Get the training and experience needed to become a certified lifeguard or swim instructor in Ontario at significantly reduced costs.

2. This course counts as a credit towards graduating high school. Learn real-life skills while advancing towards graduation.

3. Build your leadership skills and become job ready with in-demand lifeguard certifications.