Lifesaving Club of Markham

Join our City-run lifesaving club today!

The Lifesaving Club of Markham (LCM) is a City based Lifesaving club that engages youth in physical activity and participation in lifesaving sport. This club-based program focuses on keeping youth active in the community and building a sense of belonging while learning lifesaving sport skills.

Through lifesaving sport, the Lifesaving Society seeks to engage and inspire youth in our drowning prevention mission. LCM members will develop lifesaving skills, and engage in active living through participation in regional, provincial and national competitions.

Benefits of joining LCM

Develop increasingly complex skills in swimming, including stroke correction, endurance and speed
Promotes overall physical fitness
opportunity to compete on a regional, provincial and national levels

Lifesaving Club of Markham - Program Levels

There are three levels within the LCM program: White, Red, Black, based on age and skill. Athletes complete a tryout to determine the appropriate category to match their skill level. Age Groups for each level are divided based on the athlete’s age at The Ontario Junior Pool Lifesaving Championships (June 1, 2024). LCM athletes who compete at national, provincial and invitational level competitions must only represent LCM.

White Division
This is a great introduction to Lifesaving Sport which involves learning lifesaving skills in a competitive setting. Athletes in this group develop fitness and swimming skills including stroke correction, endurance and speed. Lifesaving Sport is a great way to bridge the gap between swimming lessons and leadership courses while also developing stronger swimming abilities, staying fit and having fun. Athletes in this group participate in a minimum of one 1-Hour practice a week with a Lifesaving Coach responsible in assisting the athlete in meeting their fitness goals.

Red Division
This group consists of athletes ready to take a more serious approach to Lifesaving Sport after being in our White level. Athletes in this group have demonstrated the required swimming abilities as well as the drive to compete at higher level Lifesaving Competitions. Practices at this level are much more challenging and demand a higher commitment level to better meet the athlete’s goals at the Provincial Level.

Black Division
This group consists of athletes looking to perform at the highest level of Lifesaving Competitions both Provincially and Nationally. Practices at this level are extremely demanding, focusing on perfecting swim techniques, as well as racing skills.

Age Divisions

Ages 14 years and older
Ages 12 to 13 years
Ages 10 to 11 years
Ages 7 to 9 years

Athlete Try-Outs

Interested in joining the Lifesaving Club of Markham?

All new swimmers must go through a try-out to assess their swimming skills prior to being accepted into the Lifesaving Club of Markham. The try-out is used to determine if the swimmer is ready for the program and what level is best suited for their swimming skill.

To participate in the try-out, swimmers must:

Be 7 years and older.
Swim 2 full lengths (50 metres) of each swim stroke (front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke) without stopping.
Be comfortable in deep water with the ability to tread for 1 minute without stopping or assistance.

Swimmers will be asked to demonstrate the core swimming strokes and asked to swim multiple and continuous lengths of the pool to determine skill level and stamina. Other skills that are examined include, but not limited to - dive starts, flip turns, transitions and swimming drills.

Tryouts for the 2023-2024 Season are now closed. No additional tryouts will be added for the season.

Important Information for LCM Athletes

Bring a reusable bottle filled with water
LCM Athletes will be swimming in single lanes up to 4 or 5 swimmers per lane pending program, age division and facility.
LCM Athletes are to bring their own training equipment where possible. Limited equipment at the facility is available and will be sanitized after each practice.

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