swam Montréal

Welcome to SWAM Montréal! We’re the SWAM chapter based at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, offering affordable and inclusive 1-on-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities. We believe every child deserves a safe and joyful experience in the water.

sign with advice to walk slowly on pool deck because it is slippery, featuring a woman and man walking on a pool deck

SWAM volunteer and swimmer smiling at each other, with other pairs swimming around them in the water

LESSON format

Lessons are one-on-one, for 30 minutes, once a week with the same instructor for the duration of the session. There is no specific curriculum so instructors will work with the kiddos on their specific needs and goals.

lesson CONDITIONs

We reserve the right to remove a participant from the program if they are repeatedly displaying behaviour that is a danger to themselves or others at the pool. For example, repeated running around the pool deck or pushing instructors under the water.

group of SWAM Montreal volunteers smiling at the camera

REGISTER for lessons

Registration is done on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that the demand for the program often exceeds our capacity, so a spot is not guaranteed. Ready to get your child in the water? Click on the following link to get registered:

SWAM Montréal Registration Link (Coming Soon)

BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR

Interested in making a difference in a child’s life? Click on the following link to join SWAM City as an instructor:

SWAM Montréal Instructor Link (Coming Soon)

Our Pool

Cégep du Vieux Montréal Pool

Our lessons take place at the Cégep du Vieux Montréal Pool located at 55 Rue Ontario Est, Montréal, QC.

Getting here:

By Metro: The pool is located right next to Berri-UQAM station (Orange, Green, and Yellow lines). Use the Ontario Street exit for the quickest access.
By Bus: Several STM bus routes stop nearby, including the 24 (Sherbrooke) and 125 (Ontario).
By Car: Paid parking is available at the Cégep’s underground lot, accessible via Rue Sanguinet. Street parking in the area is limited and often metered.
Walking: The pool entrance is inside the Cégep du Vieux Montréal athletics complex. Follow signs to the Centre sportif once inside.

*Please note that SWAM City is not a Cégep du Vieux Montréal program and does not have a presence at this pool except during lessons. For any questions, please contact us at montreal@swamcanada.ca