Swimming lessons in Toronto are a rite of passage for most kids, but if you haven't been exposed to the super chlorinated extra frigid water of a Toronto pool, then grab your best pair of water wings and dive in! Swimming is a year round sport here in Toronto, so there's no better time to flex it like Phelps and get your butt in the deep end.

Here's a list of just some of the swimming lessons available in the Toronto area.

City of Toronto Parks and Rec - Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre

With the revitalization of this neighbourhood in full swing, special care and attention was paid to the brand spanking new Regent Park Aquatic Centre. With a lap, leisure and a comfy warm water pool, Regent Park residents also have a Tarzan rope, diving board and water slide to keep them occupied. The class schedule is for everyone, from tots up to adults and classes for adults with a disability. 

St Alban's Boys and Girls Clubs

With hordes of classes for the masses, St Albans's runs a stellar program for girls and boys of all ages at both their Palmerston and Winona Pools. Group, semi-private and private options are available. Competitive classes are also available for those junior Olympians who want to build endurance and speed. 

The Wave Pool

While Richmond Hill is a bit of a hike for downtowners, it's worth it for the only public wave pool in the GTA. With classes for babes in arms starting at a mini three months old, going right up to adult classes for both men and women (including private and semi-private lessons), there's a little something for everyone, including a 160ft twisting water slide. 

YMCA

Your local Y is a great resource for swimming, with classes of all kinds for different levels of swimmer. Aquafit classes, check. SwimFit, sure. But the real meat and potatoes are the Olympic sized pools, family change rooms, and nifty training pools that adjust the depth in minutes. Teen swimming classes are also available, and volunteers are trained up for junior lifeguard positions.

Shendy's Swim School

With a new facility and more than 20 years of experience, Shendy's has been a popular choice with Leaside-ers for classes for those six months and up. Following the Red Cross program, students can work their way up through the program and graduate as mini lifeguards. Aqua fit classes and water rehab are also on the schedule.

City of Toronto Parks and Rec - Douglas Snow

With a 50-metre pool a stone's throw away from North York Civic Centre subway stop, Douglas Snow has excellent facilities matched equally with great programming for just about everyone. From pre-school to older adult, there's a great mix of lessons to challenge the novice or seasoned swimmer. 

Olympian Swimming

With three locations in the GTA, Olympian Swimming has designed their own program for junior swimmers to advance their skills with the backing of former Olympic athletes. With a tiny 4:1 ratio for class sizes, swimmers are challenged to learn the strokes and move on up through their coloured program, with Bronze Cross and lifesaving programs available as well. Private classes are available, as is the adult learn to swim program.

Aqua Kids Swim School

Operating out of four GTA pools, Aqua Kids Swim School runs the Red Cross program for kids right up to adults, including classes for boys or girls only, and an option for truly abysmal swimmers to hire a private coach for a lesson at their own personal pool. Low student to teacher ratios ensure special care for your swimmer. 

Zodiac Swim School

Always wanted to send your son or daughter (or self) to a fancy private school but couldn't afford it? Sending them to swim school at one of these fine institutions is the next best thing. Lessons start at parent and tot, and work their way through Red Cross and Lifesaving. Have a flair for dramatics? Give Synchro a whirl. 

Jack of Sports

With an impressive number of pools in their portfolio, Jack of Sports operates their pack of programming for parent and tot, up to adult. All classes are one hour in length, guaranteeing you/your kid will actually learn something in their class. Also following the Red Cross program, Jack of Sports offers private and semi-private classes.

Beach Swim School

With two locations to serve beach residents, Beach Swim School offers a sea of programming from parent and tot up to Bronze cross/lifesaving classes. Primarily for youngsters, the program offers low instructor to swimmer ratios for their 8-10 week sessions. Class times run from 20 minutes up to 50 minutes, and synchro is an option for those that like to swim circles with their pals.

Felix Swim School

With six locations in and around the GTA, Felix Swim Schools specialize in salt water pool swim lessons. With a mandate of a 3:1 student to teacher ratio for all swim classes, kids from eight months up to adults can learn the Red Cross program ranging from 30 minute to one hour classes.

Aquastream

This swim school in Vaughan might be out of the way from those who live right in Toronto, but it's as good as the rest. This place offers lessons from people of all ages, starting as young as 2 months old. Lessons take place year round in a fantastic modern facility, and all instructors are up to date on required licensing.