Some tips to help you prepare for your first lesson:
PRIVATE LESSON PREPARATION
Arrive early! You can enter the change rooms as early as 15 minutes before your class starts, but you should aim to arrive early, especially if it's your first time, since finding the pool and getting ready can take longer in this case.
No big meals just before swimming!: Avoid eating heavy meals just before class. Swimming can be rigorous, and we don't want you to lose class time by getting a stomach cramp or by getting sick! Also, if anyone gets sick in the pool, we have to clear the pool, shut down for a few hours, and offer make up classes/refunds to all those that missed class.
Eat something small for an energy boost! Have a fruit or two before class, for some extra energy.
Goggles: Consider bringing goggles. They can make swimming much more comfortable. But be prepared to do some exercises without them too. This is part of getting comfortable swimming.
Water bottle: Consider bringing a water bottle that you'll take on deck with you during your class. Especially if you have a one-hour class booked.
Extra towel: Consider bringing an extra towel, especially if you have a one hour class booked. Sometimes you'll do on-deck drills, and it's nice to have a towel on deck at these times, and another for when you're done showering after class.
Soap and Shampoo: Bring your own soap and shampoo for after your lesson!
Bring your belongings on deck: Our pool's change rooms do not have lockers, so you should bring your belongings on deck in bag to keep them secure. We haven't had any theft problems, and don't expect to, but doing this will help you stay at ease. .
Plan out your practice swims ahead of time! To get the most out of your lessons, it is highly recommended that you hop in a pool at least once a week between classes to practice the drills and skills you've learned. We can teach you proper technique - but it won't become ingrained unless you practice it repeatedly. That said, we'll take care of the ingraining process, if you've got no extra time to practice.
Obvious Stuff: This is really obvious, but don’t forget bathing suits and towels! Sometimes people do!
Directions to the pool
For directions to the pool, see bottom of page
PARENT AND TOT/15 MINUTE PRIVATE PREPARATION
Arrive early! You can enter the change rooms as early as 15 minutes before your class starts, but you should aim to arrive early. As you know, the little one's can get emotional sometimes, and rushing them doesn't always help!
No food just before swimming!: Avoid feeding your little guy or gal just before coming to class! If anyone gets sick in the pool, we have to clear the pool and shut down for a few hours!
Swim Diapers: It is absolutely mandatory that your child wears swim diapers (apparently Kushies Swim Diapers are very effective). Without diapers the pool can be “fouled,” in which case we need to clear the pool and shut down. Non-swim diapers are highly absorbent and will fall apart in the pool, clogging the filtration system!
Neoprene wetsuit or lycra sunsuit: You may consider purchasing an infant wetsuit or sunsuit to help keep your child warm. We aim to keep the pool temperature around 86 degrees F, which is fairly warm, but some kids are more sensitive than others!
Goggles: If your child has worn them in the past and is comfortable with them, consider bringing goggles. They can help make underwater exploration more exciting!
Favourite bath toy: Consider bringing your child’s favourite bath toy, to make the lesson more fun and comfortable for him or her!
Infant PFD: If you want to bring your own PFD, you can, but we also have several which you can borrow.
Soap and Shampoo: Bring your own soap and shampoo for after your lesson!
Obvious Stuff: This is really obvious, but don’t forget bathing suits and towels! Sometimes people do!
Stroller access and storage
The pool is ground level and is completely accessible and stroller friendly; there are no stairways to climb or descend. Strollers can be brought onto the deck.
Photography policy
We certainly don't mind if you take photos of your child in class. However, sometimes other parents do mind. Check with us first, just to make sure it is alright, then snap away!
ACCESSING THE POOL
TRANSIT Getting to the pool from transit:
Closest subway station is Bathurst.
There is also easy access from the Spadina and Bathurst Streetcars.
Walk along Bathurst, and turn east onto Lennox St (first south of Bloor).
Walk along Lennox until you reach the east end of the grey building on your right.
Turn right onto the path that goes along the side of the grey building.
In the middle of the building is a black double door with a sign above it reading “Pool Entrance.”
If you're coming from Spadina, walk west along Sussex, until you hit Borden, then follow the directions from the parking lot to the pool, listed below.
DRIVING Parking:
Free parking in the Central Tech school parking lot, accessible from Borden (Coordinates are 43°39'47.6"N, 79°24'27.3"W, if you want to plug them into your GPS)
The part of Borden from which the parking lot can be accessed is one way, running south to north.
You must access Borden St from Harbord St, the first major street south of Bloor and north of College.
Getting to the pool from the parking lot:
Walk north along Borden until you reach the north side of Central Tech’s main building.
Walk along the path that runs along the north side of the main building.
As you near the path’s end, you’ll see a grey concrete building in front of you. The pool is located inside. You’ll see a sign that says “pool entrance” with the number 16 next to it.
Stay on the ground floor and go through the double doors. Change rooms are on your right.
MAP TO POOL
This map shows the location
of the parking lot, and the pool entrance, and provides directions for getting
from one to the other.