
JSwim FAQ
The Paperny Family JCC is excited to launch our JSwim Lessons program at the Steven Blitz Aquatics Centre featuring the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program.
In addition to lessons, we’ve expanded open and family swim times, creating more opportunities for everyone to enjoy the water. We are also increasing swim sessions for day camps and childcare programs, providing even greater access for children and families in our community.
Our mission is to provide affordable, high-quality aquatic programming in our 25-metre, saltwater pool, maintained at a comfortable 30 to 32°C, welcoming swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Our valued members will continue to enjoy discounted rates, priority registration, and access to waitlists.


Darrian was born and raised in Calgary. He has worked in the aquatics industry for just under a decade, and with the Paperny Family JCC for nearly as long. Aiming…
read moreJSwim
JSwim lessons are set to begin with the fall season from October 6 to December 21, 2025.
- Child-Centered Approach: We prioritize the success and growth of every participant, creating a supportive environment where they are our #1 priority.
- Community-Focused and Affordable: Our community-centred program is designed to be affordable and accessible for swimmers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
- Proven Expertise: The Paperny Family JCC has been offering swimming lessons for over 35 years. We rank among the top three single-pool facilities for lifesaving certifications within Alberta.
- Continuous Model: Offering the nationally-recognized Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program in a continuous model, JSwim lessons focus on skills and abilities rather than session length. allowing participants to progress at their own pace while enjoying regular, structured lessons throughout the season.
- Certified Instructors: Our swim instructors are dedicated JCC aquatics staff, fully certified as lifeguards and swim instructors through the Lifesaving Society. They are committed to delivering the highest standards of teaching in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
- Small Group Lessons: Our small group lessons enhance engagement and encourage active movement during lessons.
- Comfortable Learning Experience: Our 25-metre, five-lane, saltwater pool is maintained at 30 to 32 °C, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all participants. We are one of the warmest pools in Calgary.
- Lifelong Learning: We focus on a life-long approach to water safety, swimming skills, and physical literacy.
- Fostering a Love for Swimming: We help swimmers of all ages achieve their goals, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love for the water.
You can secure your child’s spot by following the steps below. A $50 non-refundable deposit per participant is required to reserve your spot. This deposit will be applied to your swim lesson fees upon placement.
Online Option
- Complete the online form.
- Once we receive your completed form, we will create an invoice for the deposit.
- We will contact you by email from swimlesson@cjcc.ca to let you know that the invoice is ready for payment.
You will have 72 hours to pay the $50 deposit online or at the Customer Service Desk.
Note: If payment is not made within 72 hours, your spot will not be saved until the deposit is received.
In-Person Option
- Visit the Customer Service Desk and fill out the “Save My Spot” form.
- Pay the $50 non-refundable deposit in person.
Once your deposit is received, your spot will officially be saved. In spring 2025, the aquatics leadership team will contact you to schedule a 15-minute swim assessment to determine the participant’s skill level. Once the skill level is determined, the aquatics team will contact you again to finalize lesson placement for the fall season.
After the swim assessment, the aquatics leadership team will place the participant in the best level according to their assessed skill level.
- Parent & Tots Levels 1–3: Ages 4 months to 3 years
- Preschool Levels 1–5: Ages 3 to 5 years
- Swimmer Levels 1–6: Ages 6 years and over
- Swim Patrol: Ages 6 years and over
Swimming lessons are offered year-round, with each pay season lasting between 8 to 14 weeks. Lessons are held once a week, although participants have the option to register for additional sessions if desired.
With continuous enrollment, swimmers can progress through the levels at their own pace while enjoying regular, structured lessons throughout the season.
Seasons
- Fall: September-December
- Winter: January-March
- Spring: April-June
- Summer: July-August
Lessons
- Parent & Tots Levels: 1-3: 30-minute lesson
- Preschool Levels 1-5: 30-minute lesson
- Swimmer Levels 1-4: 45-minute lesson
- Swimmer Levels 5-6: 1-hour lesson
- Swim Patrol (Rookie/Ranger/Star): 1-hour lesson
- The payment for the fall 2025 season will need to be made within 48 hours of participants obtaining their lesson placement.
- Payments will need to be made 1 to 1.5 months before the beginning of a new season. Participants will maintain their spot from season to season. However, if the lesson fee has not been paid before the due date, the participant will lose their spot and will be put back on the waitlist.
No. We are offering the nationally-recognized Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program in a continuous model. JSwim lessons focus on skills and abilities rather than session length, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while enjoying regular, structured lessons throughout the season.
Participants who successfully complete a level will be recognized with Swim For Life achievement items, such as stickers, ribbons and badges. These marks of accomplishment celebrate their progress and dedication to the program.
Yes, the JSwim program offers small group lessons with four to six participants per class depending on the swim level. We also offer limited private lesson spots for children and adults.
Yes, the swim instructors are JCC aquatics staff who are all certified lifeguards and swim instructors through the Lifesaving Society.
If your child is not looking for competitive options or too young for lifeguarding certification they can join one of our swim clubs which focus on stroke enhancement, fitness and early onset lifesaving skills.
Certification courses are also always an option for those 14 years and older.
If interested in additional opportunities, the aquatics leadership team will be offering volunteer opportunities for youth to gain experience as instructors prior to them getting their swim instructor certifications.
Feel free to reach out to us by email if you have any questions.
Lane, Family and Open Swim
Yes. As of January 2025, we have started offering 16 to 20 additional hours of lane swimming, family swim, and open swim each week, with multiple lanes available. More swim times may be added in the future.
No, additional prime-time slots will not be added because swimming lessons will take place on weekdays from 4:00 to 8:30pm and on weekends from 9:00am to 1:30pm or 3:00pm, depending on demand.
Aqua Fitness Program
Absolutely not. We pride ourselves on having a robust Aqua Fitness Program offered at the Paperny Family JCC – Steven Blitz Aquatics Centre.
Not for the foreseeable future. We are planning to maintain the 15 weekly drop-in classes with the same amazing instructors you have come to love.
Recreational Swim Clubs
Depending on scheduling and demand, we aim to expand the Recreational Swim Club and Lifesaving Club. Our goal is to provide more opportunities for participants to enjoy swimming with others while continuing to improve their stroke techniques.
The aquatics leadership team is exploring rebranding options for both the Master Swim Club and Lifesaving Clubs. The overall mission of the programs will remain the same but minor changes will be made.
Master Swim Club
- The branding will be refreshed with a new team name and logo to enhance its identity.
- The prerequisites will be modified and require participants to be able to continuously swim 300 meters and tread for 2 minutes. These skills will have previously been attained by our JSwim lessons participants.
Lifesaving Club
- The rebranding will align more closely with the Lifesaving Society’s Lifesaving Sport, potentially offering both recreational and competitive options.
- It will be refreshed with a new team name and logo to strengthen its identity.
Employment Opportunities
Yes, we will be expanding our aquatics department starting in July / August 2025 to support the growth of programming for fall 2025.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old and possess the following certifications:
- Intermediate First Aid
- National Lifeguard
- Lifesaving & Swim Instructor
- Additional certifications from the Lifesaving Society or Swim Alberta will be considered valuable assets.
Interested individuals will be are encouraged to apply via our website.
Certification Programs
No major impacts are expected for our certification courses but the start and end times may be slightly modified. They will begin and finish earlier in the day throughout the weekend to allow for more family and lane swimming later in the evenings.