The 6 Best Clubs with Swimming Coaches in Ottawa
If your goal is to become a better swimmer, it’s important to have the appropriate resources. There are several Ottawa swimming clubs that can offer the instruction and training you need to achieve your aquatic goals.
In this article, we will be reviewing the best clubs with swimming coaches in Ottawa. Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better understanding of which club would be best suited for your needs.
How much do swimming coaches charge?
Swimming coaches typically charge by the hour. There are basic lessons that focus on fundamental swimming and there are also advanced lessons that cost more money.
The table below discusses the average prices of these lessons and other related fees.
The Best Clubs with Swimming Coaches in Ottawa
When looking for the best clubs with swimming coaches in Ottawa, we considered the following criteria:
1. Paddle To Stroke
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Size | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Paddle To Stroke offers swimming lessons with a distinctive approach, emphasizing comfort, competitive swimming-based curriculum, and the expertise of nationally certified coaches. Founded by Poya Fallahdoust, a competitive swimmer with 10+ years of competitive coaching experience, the program aims to instill confidence, safety, and proper swimming techniques in paddlers of all ages.
Furthermore, Poya is also nationally certified competitive swimming coach with a degree in Psychology. The combination of swimming expertise and psychological knowledge reflects in the program’s approach, ensuring clear communication and understanding.
Aside from Poya, we like that the team of coaches at Paddle to Stroke are trained to provide high quality lessons through their curriculum. Given their number, it means that they can further cater to various levels and learning styles.
We like that their programs have low ratio classes that are designed for a smooth progression through different levels, catering to both kids and adults. The focus on learning all four strokes ensures a well-rounded swimming education.
Note though that there might be slight limitations when it comes to their pool and lesson locations interested clients may need to inquire further for more information on this beforehand.
Pros
- Warm Water Pool and Comfortable Learning Environment
- National Certified Competitive Swimming Coaches
- Emphasis on Aquatic Safety and Lifesaving Skills
- Progressive Programs for All Ages
Cons
- Geographical Availability may Occur
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“If you want an incredible swimming lesson experience then you’ve come to the right place. Poya is an incredible coach and is very patient with the kids. Everyone has fun and they have learned great technique at the same time. My kids are always looking forward to the next class. Would highly recommend Paddle to Stroke to anyone in the Ottawa area looking for swimming lessons for their children! You will not be disappointed!”
“I highly recommend Paddle to Stroke for anyone wanting to learn swimming. My 5 year old wanted to learn but initially felt anxious however, after a couple of lessons with Poya and his excellent team, he looks forward to them every week! They make each lesson fun and interactive, we’re really pleased with the progress our son is making and will be signing up our daughter in due course.”
2. British Swim School of Ottawa
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Size | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
The British Swim School of Ottawa is a well-known and respected swimming school that has been teaching children of all ages for over 40 years.
It has multiple locations and offers swimming lessons for both beginners and experienced swimmers. All of its instructors are certified and dedicated to helping their students develop a lifelong love of swimming.
If you’re a parent and you want your kids to learn to swim, this is definitely one of the best options in the city. The pools are colorful and inviting for kids and the instructors are used to teaching children.
Another great thing about the British Swim School of Ottawa is its focus on safety lessons. Swimming can be dangerous, so it’s important for kids to know the basic rules about water safety.
The school also has a head-to-toe regulation where students are required to provide their own swim gear. This helps them practice proper hygiene and avoid exposing other children to bacteria.
The only drawback of taking lessons here is its high fees. Some parents may not be able to afford the lessons, especially if they are scheduled regularly.
Overall, the British Swim School of Ottawa is still a good option if you’re looking for a reliable swimming school for children. The pools are decently sized and the focus on safety is very much appreciated.
Pros
- Great for kids
- Multiple locations
- Decent size of pools
- Water safety lessons
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Great staff, great pool
“We love the British Swim School! The instructor is great at teaching babies. The class is structured and fun at the same time! The staff are nice and helpful too!” – L. Glen
Overcame my fear
“I really like the pool where the lessons are taking place, it is small and there are limited numbers so it make it safe in these times. Instructor provides constant feedback and tips for improvements and assigns some “homework” so that we know what to practice. I was feeling uncomfortable after not being able to swim for a year due to all the restrictions but was feeling much better even after one lesson. Looking forward to continuing so that I can finally overcame my fear of deep water.” – Luisa D.
3. Safe Swim Ottawa
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Size | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Safe Swim Ottawa is another great way to get your swimming coaching in Ottawa. Located at 708 Echo Drive, the pool club is in a residential area where kids can feel comfortable and at home while learning.
Safe Swim Ottawa is also a club with coaches who specialize in teaching safe swimming. The coaches have lifeguard experience and know how to keep your children safe.
They are also trained to work with kids of all ages and abilities, whether your child has never swum before or is an advanced swimmer looking for competitive training.
We love how Safe Swim Ottawa is transparent when it comes to its pricing. The school’s prices are listed on its website so parents can check them before enrolling their children in lessons.
Most of the other schools charge a membership fee and an additional fee for each lesson you book. But, that’s not the case with Safe Swim Ottawa.
Unfortunately, because of its good prices, the club is often fully booked. We suggest that parents enroll their children early to secure a place and avoid disappointment.
It’s exclusively for kids, so if you’re an adult looking for swimming lessons, you will have to look elsewhere.
Overall, Safe Swim Ottawa is a good choice for swimming lessons and we highly recommend it.
Pros
- Transparent pricing
- Great for kids
- Safety training
- Homey atmosphere
Cons
- No lessons for adults
- Early appointment required
Customer Reviews
Well-structured
“My daughter became a more confident and skilled swimmer after her lessons with Bianca and Paloma. Both instructors were perfect with kids- kind, responsible and fun. To top it off the lessons were professional and well structured. Thank you Bianca and Paloma! I will definitely recommend you to friends and hope to sign up again next year. You also have a beautiful pool!” – Sarah Williams
Highly recommended
“My son enjoyed his private lessons so much that we signed up for a second session. He went from fearful of the water, to able to swim in the deep end with a flotation device. I liked sitting in the beautiful backyard reading my book. We’ve recommended Safe Swim Ottawa to friends and we’ll be back next summer!” – Lauren Reid
4. Kids Can Swim Canada
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Size | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★(4/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★(4/5) |
Kids Can Swim Canada is another excellent choice if you are looking for swimming coaches. It has multiple locations and offers swimming lessons for kids of a wide range of ages, as well as group swimming sessions and summer camps.
Kids Can Swim has different types of swimming programs depending on the age of the child. It also has a science-based curriculum for kids to learn more than just swimming.
For toddlers and infants, it has classes that are intended to help your child become familiar with the water and build their confidence. This is great for parents who can’t take their children to the pool as often as they would like.
Another great thing about Kids Can Swim is its bigger pools. This allows coaches to teach multiple children at the same time, which enables them to spend more time with each child and give more attention to their individual needs.
Of course, there are more expensive 1-on-1 lessons as well. It depends on the parents what kind of lesson they will choose for their children.
Unfortunately, the pricing is a bit high and not everyone can afford it. However, you can get discounts if you book the lessons in bulk.
Overall, we still recommend Kids Can Swim as a great club that provides swimming coaches in Ottawa.
Pros
- Open on weekends
- Big pools
- Expert coaches
- Science-based curriculum
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Great with kids
“The Kids Can Swim program is great and the facility is an ideal environment for children to learn and develop swim skills. The facility is clean, well organized, has a great online portal. The instructors are very good with the children. “ – Jennifer J
Lovely experience
“We had a lovely experience at Kids Can Swim Canada. It was our little ones first time in the pool and she thoroughly enjoyed herself (even dunking her head under!). From the greeting at the reception, to the well thought out changerooms, everything had families in mind! The class itself was 30 minutes and a great length for our little one. The instructor, songs, and activities were thoughtful and tailored to the little ones age and capabilities which was greatly appreciated. We will definitely be back!” – Haley Abugov
5. The Aqua Life Swim Academy
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★(4/5) |
When looking for a good swimming coach, the Aqua Life Swim Academy in Legget Drive is a great place to check out. With more than 25 years of coaching experience, it is definitely one of the best options in Ottawa.
What makes it special is the adult lessons that it provides. Regardless of your skill level, whether you’re a novice who’s new to the water or an accomplished swimmer, the team at this school will help you reach your goals.
The academy offers private and semi-private classes, as well as group classes for those who want to learn alongside others. Students who prefer to focus exclusively on technique can even sign up for one-on-one lessons with a personal coach.
The club is also located inside a hotel, so its amenities are available to the students. This includes a newly renovated pool and sauna, as well as a steam room, hot tub, and shower area.
The pools are huge, almost Olympic-sized, and they are cleaned regularly. The only drawbacks are its price, which can be steep, and the fact that the club doesn’t offer lessons for children.
Overall, for adults who need to learn from a swimming coach, it’s easily one of the best options in the city.
Pros
- Adult lessons
- Huge pools
- Great amenities
- Offers advanced lessons for different strokes
Cons
- Pricey
- Not for kids
Customer Reviews
Great for adults
“I enrolled to a semi-private (2 persons) class with my husband. So it was almost a private lessons for us. We both loved Sep as our instructor. We also liked the Brookstreet swimming pool and got ourselves memberships to swim there more often and practice ourselves for the rest of the week to master the skills we learned that week.” – Ishrat Badami
Phenomenal
“The best decision we made was to join aqua life. Our whole family 2 adults and 2 kids joined and the instructors are just fantastic.I used to be scared of water and had many private lessons with no success. Here it was completely different. I have had the joy of getting trained by Sep (head instructor) who is amazing and she understands where our weaknesses lie and develops strategies which is passed on to our instructors. The results are phenomenal “ – Tanya K.
6. Hippo in the Bathtub Inc.
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Rates | ★★★★ (4/5) |
| Size | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Availability | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Coach Experience | ★★★★★(5/5) |
Hippo in the Bathtub Inc. may have a cute name, but it’s one of the few clubs out there that offers swimming lessons for both children and adults. The club has been around for more than 10 years.
What makes it unique is the fact that it provides home-service swimming lessons as well. If you have your own pool at home, the coaches from Hippo in the Bathtub Inc. can teach you there.
If you don’t have your own pool, the club has its own indoor pool that is big enough to accommodate a large group for lessons.
Convenience is really what makes this swimming school special. It even allows online booking so that parents can choose the time and day that works best for them.
We love that the teachers at Hippo in the Bathtub Inc. have lifeguard training and know how to train adults and children at the same time. This means parents can learn with their children and create a bonding experience.
The only drawback is that classes can get pretty crowded during peak seasons. The pricing can be a problem as well if you don’t have the right budget.
Overall, though, we think this is one of the best places in the city where one can find a swimming coach that knows how to teach both kids and adults.
Pros
- Lifeguard coaches
- Trains both adults and kids
- Offers home service
- Online booking
- Over 10 years of service
Cons
- Pricey
- Crowded peak seasons
Customer Reviews
Great setup
“My Daughter has been doing swimming lessons at Hippo in the bathtub for the past 7 months and she has improved so much it’s incredible. She was at another private swimming lesson center before and was struggling — Hippo has a great set up!” – Laura Car
Highly recommended
“My daughters are currently getting weekly lessons from Sophie and she is absolutely amazing! She is great with kids and definitely the best swim instructor we’ve ever had. She is super kind, motivating, and makes it very fun. My 5 year old has made amazing progress the last few weeks too. Highly recommend!” – Laura Templeton
FAQs about Swimming Lessons
And that concludes our list of the best clubs with swimming coaches in Ottawa. If you’re interested in other sports, check out our article on the best badminton clubs in Ottawa.