Aquatic Centre
The Aquatic Centre offers Lifesaving Society swimming programs. You may register for lessons as well as advanced courses online, or in person at the Hay River Recreation Centre, located at 79 Woodland Drive.
Pool Information
For general information about the pool and Lifesaving Society swimming programs email recreception@hayriver.com.
The Recreation Centre has two pools- an 8 x 25 metre four-lane lap pool, a leisure pool and kiddie pool with amenities and a 150 foot long indoor water slide.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 6:30am – 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12 noon – 6:00pm
Supervision Requirements
In order to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable swimming experience, we have a supervision policy. This policy allows Aquatic Centre Staff to keep children that require supervision safe while in the facility. Children that are 6 years and under must be within arms reach of a responsible supervisor who is 12 years or older.
Shoes & Strollers
Outdoor footwear and strollers are not permitted on deck or in the change rooms. If you wish to lock up your footwear, please carry them to the locker. Health regulations stipulate that outdoor footwear must not be worn in wet traffic areas.
Swim Diaper Requirements
All children 36 months and under, and anyone who is incontinent, must wear protective, water-resistant swimwear in order to minimize contamination. Swim diapers are specially designed to not soak up water, and will not expand in the water. Swim diapers are available for purchase at the front desk.
Health Requirements for Showers
As per health requirements, each person must take a cleansing shower prior to entering the pool. This means washing all hair products out, as well as removing all lotions and make-up from skin.
Pool Fouling
Pool closure may be necessary in the event of pool fouling. Please make sure your children use the washroom before entering the water. Feeding after their swim or a few hours before is often helpful. Any person with diarrhea, or a history of diarrhea over the previous two weeks, must not use the pool facility, as per health requirements. Pools may be closed anywhere between 1-36 hours for necessary disinfecting following fouling.
Hot Tub
Time in the hot tub is limited to 15 minutes. Body temperature of children under 2 years old rises very quickly, and should be closely monitored to avoid negative cardiovascular effects. Pregnant women, and persons with heart disease, hypertension, seizures, diabetes, obesity, or those greater than 65 years of ages, should consult with a physician.
Locks and Lockers
Please do not leave valuables in the change rooms. You may bring your own lock for your belongings. The Town of Hay River is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Please remember to remove your lock at the end of your swim. Locks left overnight will be cut off.
Cancellations
Programs with low registration may be cancelled or combined. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Family Swim
Children must be accompanied by an adult 19 years or older in the water to attend Family Swim. Individual adults are welcome to attend Family Swim provided they do not interfere with young families or facility bookings.
Adult Swim
Must be 19 years or older to attend. Lanes are available during Adult Swim.
Swimming
Swim to Survive
Swim to Survive is different than swimming lessons and not a replacement for them. Swim to Survive teaches just the essentials needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water – an important first step to being safe around water.
The Swim to Survive program’s flexible and simple design makes it ideal for camps, schools, and youth groups. Swim to Survive can meet even the tightest time frames and budgets. Use Swim to Survive for:
- Basic survival training for every family member
- Meeting educational curriculum requirements
- Workplace safety training
- Youth group recreational and training needs
- Screening for outdoor activities such as canoeing and boating
- Programming at your community pool
Basic swimming ability is a requirement of any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada. Swim to Survive defines the minimum swim skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. Because most drownings occur close to safety and most victims had no intention of going into the water, Swim to Survive focusses on basic survival skills performed as a sequence of three skills:
- Roll into deep water
- Tread water for one minute
- Swim 50 metres
Swim for Life
Water Smart Education
As an integral part of the Swim for Life Program, Water Smart education provides information and experiences that help participants make safe choices when in, on, and around water and ice. Water Smart Education is available to all, focuses on learning and does not include evaluation; participation is all that is required. Invaluable information around drowning and injury prevention education.
Parent & Tot
The Parent & Tot Program structures in-water interaction between parent and child to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. Activities and progressions are based on child development, so parents register in the level appropriate for their child’s age. Lifesaving Society Water Smart education complement skill learning.
Prerequisite(s): 4 months-3 years old
Preschool
The Preschool Program gives children a head start on learning to swim. Preschool Programs develop fundamental physical literacy skills for aquatic activities. In the preschool program we work to ensure 3-5 year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart education in all Preschool levels.
Prerequisite(s): 3-5 years old
Swimmer
The Swimmer Program makes sure children learn the fundamental physical literacy skills for aquatic activities. Progressions accommodate 5 – 12 year olds, including beginners and swimmers who want to build on the basics. Lots in in-water practice develops solid swimming strokes and skills. Water Smart education is part of every level.
Prerequisite(s): 5-12 years old
Adult Swimmer
The Adult Swimmer Program is for beginners who may be just starting out, or swimmer who want to help with their strokes. Within the Adult Swimmer curriculum, participants set their own goals to develop water confidence and smooth, recognizable strokes. Water Smart education is part of all levels. Instructors are prepared to adapt these items and awards to accommodate the needs of adult learners and provide the flexibility for them to select the skills they want to learn in order to achieve their personal swimming goals.
Prerequisite(s): None
Canadian Swim Patrol
Rookie Patrol
Develops individual fitness levels to meet a timed 100m swim and 350m workout. Water proficiency skills include: swimming with clothes, ready position, foot first and head-first surface dives. Demonstrating the ability to conduct a primary assessment and initiating EMS are included as first aid skills. Victim recognition and throwing assists are other key elements of the program.
Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim
Ranger Patrol
Enhances capability in the water; including stride entry, underwater forward and backward somersaults, lifesaving eggbeater kick, and increased fitness levels to meet a 200m timed Swim. Rescue skills involve an increased skill level in ABC first aid basics, victim recognition, and non-contact rescues.
Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim
Star Patrol
An excellent preparation for the Bronze Star award, Star Patrol demands good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment. Participants develop lifesaving and first aid skills; further refine front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke (100m each); and complete 600m workouts and for 300m timed swims.
Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim
Bronze Medals
Bronze Star
Bronze Star is the pre-Bronze Medallion training strandard and excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. In Bronze Star, participants develop problem solving and decision-making skills as individuals, and with partners. They learn CPR, and develop Water Smart confidence and the lifesaving skills needed. Includes CPR-A and AED.
Prerequisite(s): None
Certification Currency: 2 years from the date of certification
Bronze Medallion
Bronze Medallion Award teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, and defence and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk which involve both conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim. Includes CPR-A and AED.
Prerequisite(s): Bronze Star (need not be current) or 13 years old
Certification Currency: 2 years from the date of certification
Bronze Cross
Bronze Cross is 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 CPR-C.
Prerequisite(s): Bronze Medallion (need not be current
Certification Currency: 2 years from the date of certification