swam ottawa

Welcome to SWAM Ottawa! We’re the SWAM chapter based at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, 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
volunteer and swimmer smiling at each other while swimming in a pool, surrounded by other people with pool noodles

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 swimmers 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.

SWAM Ottawa volunteers smiling on the side of the pool

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 Ottawa Registration Link

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 Ottawa Instructor Link

Our Pool

Jack Purcell Pool

Our lessons take place at Jack Purcell Community Centre and Pool, located at 320 Jack Purcell Lane, Ottawa, ON.

Getting here:

  • Parking: Parking is available in the surrounding lots and on nearby streets. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to allow time to find a spot.

  • Public transit: The pool is easily accessible by OC Transpo, with bus stops located nearby along Elgin Street and Somerset Street.

  • Entrances: Please use the Community Centre entrance to access the pool. Once inside, follow the signs to the basement level.

*Please note that SWAM Ottawa is not a City of Ottawa program and does not have a presence at Jack Purcell Pool except during lessons. For any questions, please contact us at ottawa@swamcanada.ca

GET IN TOUCH

For any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ottawa@swamcanada.ca

Instagram: @swamottawa

Facebook: SWAM Ottawa

 
group of five SWAM Ottawa volunteers sitting at a table, wearing matching SWAM shirts
group of SWAM Ottawa swimmers and instructors smiling at the camera
two volunteers sitting at a table with laptops, smiling at the camera, promoting Swimming With A Mission Ottawa.
SWAM instructor and swimmer smiling together in the water. text on frame says SWAM Ottawa 2019
group of Making Waves Ottawa swimmers and instructors on the pool deck
group of SWAM Ottawa volunteers, smiling and making victory signs with their hands