Aquatics
Dive in and learn with Vikes Aquatics
Vikes Aquatics offers a variety of drop-in opportunities, fitness programs, swimming lessons and certification courses for children to adults. Our pools include both an indoor facility located in the McKinnon Building and an outdoor pool located at the Stewart Complex (ISC). Our programs cater to the general public as well as university students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Private lessons
Learn to swim or improve your strokes with one on-one instruction. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you achieve your goals. To book lessons, please contact the Vikes Recreation office at 250-721-7282 or by email.
Aquatics Programs and Classes:
Adult
Adult Beginner
It’s never too late to learn to swim! Start at the beginning with submersion, breath control, floats and glides. This class will work at your own pace. Registration details
Adult Intermediate
The basics of front crawl and back crawl are learned and developed. Learn correct breathing technique in front crawl. You will also learn how to jump into deep water and dive. Deep water skills will be learned. Registration details
Adult Advanced
Learn how to become more efficient in the water. Work on front crawl, back crawl and breast stroke. You will be introduced to elementary back stroke, side stroke and butterfly. An endurance swim of 300m is practiced. Pre-requisite: Must be able to swim 25m of continuous front crawl. Registration details
Masters
Led by our fantastic coaches, you will increase your endurance and stroke efficiency. Workouts are varied, depending on abilities, but will challenge and push you. You must be able to swim 500m (20 lengths) continuously to participate. Registration details
Children's lessons
Lightning Fast One
This first level introduces the skills of three of the competitive strokes as well as the beginnings of turns and dives. Prerequisite: Supertykes or Swim Kids 4. Registration Details
Lightning Fast Two
Level Two will see the swimmer improve their competitive strokes including breaststroke. Prerequisite: Lightning Fast One or Swim Kids 6. Registration Details
Lightning Fast Three
Level Three introduces in-house competitions, the use of the pace clock, dryland skills and swimming longer distances. Prerequisite: Lightning Fast Two or Swim Kids 8. Registration Details
Ligthning Fast Four
Level 4 will see the swimmer improve their competitive strokes including breaststroke. Prerequisite: Lightning Fast 3 or Swim Kids 6. Registration Details
Lightning Fast Five
Level 5 introduces in-house competitions, the use of the pace clock, dryland skills and swimming longer distances. Prerequisite: Lightning Fast 4 or Swim Kids 8. Registration Details
Red Cross Swim Kids 1 & 2
Level 1 introduces your child to the water and teaches them floats, glides and kicks. Level 2 will help your child build skills in front and back swims. Your child will be introduced to deep water activities as well as glides and flutter kicking. Registration Details
Red Cross Swim Kids 3 & 4
Level 3 provides your child with an introduction to front crawl. Diving is introduced and there is a 15m endurance swim. Level 4 further develops front crawl and begins preparing your child to learn back crawl. There is a 25m endurance swim. Registration Details
Red Cross Swim Kids 5 & 6
Level 5 continues developing back crawl and front crawl. Whip kick is introduced on the back. There is a 50m endurance swim. Level 6 introduces your child to elementary back stroke and begins to refine back crawl and front crawl. There is a 75m endurance swim. Registration Details
Red Cross Swim Kids 7 & 8
Level 7 continues to build skill and endurance in front crawl, back crawl and elementary back stroke. Your child will be introduced to whip kick on the front. There is a 150m endurance swim. Level 8 introduces your child to breast stroke and continues refining back crawl, front crawl and elementary back stroke. There is a 300m endurance swim. Registration Details
Red Cross Swim Kids 9 & 10
Level 9 continues refining back crawl, front crawl, elementary back stroke and breast stroke. There is a 400m endurance swim. Level 10 introduces your child to butterfly and scissor kick. There is a refinement of strokes in this final level. Your child will participate in a 500m endurance swim. Registration Details
Certifications
CPR C
This course covers choking, respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies for infants, children and adults. Registration Details
CPR C Recert
CPR C needs to be recertified every 2 years to stay current. Review and practice CPR for infants, children and adults, choking procedure and rescue breathing. Bring your CPR C wallet card to class as proof of pre-requisite. Registration Details
Emergency First Aid
This 8-hour course covers the ABCs of first aid, bleeding, shock and CPR for infants, children and adults. Registration Details
Standard First Aid
This 16-hour course will give you a more comprehensive understanding of how to treat first aid situations as they arise. Learn CPR for infants, children and adults, bone and joint injuries, burns, bleeding and spinal injuries. This course includes CPR C. Registration Details
Standard First Aid Recert
Standard First Aid needs to be recertified every 2 years to remain current. Spend the day reviewing and practicing skills. This recertification includes CPR C. Bring your wallet card to the certification as proof of pre-requisite. Registration Details
Scuba Lessons
Scuba Advanced Open Water Course
Continue your enjoyment of diving! The Padi Advanced Open Water Certification course allows you to experience 5 different styles of diving. Dives may include: deep, underwater navigation, drysuit, wreck diving, night diving, search and recovery, underwater photography, drift diving, peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist, underwater videography and many more. Padi Open Water certification is a prerequisite.
Registration Details
Scuba Dive Masters Course
This course is intended for participants who meet the following requirements: logged at least 60 scuba dives including experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation. Completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months. Read and agreed to PADI Membership and License Agreement. Registration Details
Scuba Drysuit Orientation
Not a certification course, but required to use a drysuit. Drysuits allow you to stay warm underwater in cold water. Registration Details
Scuba Open Water Dive Course
The most popular scuba certification offered. The PADI Open Water Diver Course is a lifetime certification to dive 60 feet/18 meters anywhere in the world. Once you have completed the course you will receive a certification card you can take anywhere you go as a record of your training experience.
Registration Details
Scuba Rescue Diver Course
The PADI Rescue Diver course teaches you to improve your rescue skills in the event of an emergency. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certification is required. EFR Primary and Secondary Care training or a CPR Course with First Aid certification within the past 24 months must also be provided. CPR/First Aid training may be completed along with the rescue diver course.
Registration Details
Scuba Rescue Diver Course
The PADI scuba review is an opportunity for certified divers to refresh knowledge and skills regarding safety and techniques.
Registration Details







