A few years ago, my swimming skills were downright embarrassing. Every time I tried to swim, I looked more like a floundering walrus than an Olympic swimmer. Instead of doing the perfect breaststroke, I always ended up coughing enough pool water to fill a small aquarium.
Wanting to improve my swim skills, I looked into Calgary’s top adult swimming lessons. With the help of The Best Calgary team, we dove into researching and speaking with instructors and their students. We even took a few lessons ourselves to find the best!
And now, we proudly present our list of the best adult swimming lessons in Calgary—perfect for those who want to learn how to swim or just upgrade aquatic abilities.
| How much does it cost to take adult swimming lessons in Calgary? Taking an adult group swimming lesson in Calgary costs at least 10 CAD per hour. If it’s a private class, it will cost at least 40 CAD per hour. However, these are just estimates, and the final cost may vary depending on the swimming instructor. |
Table of Contents
1. LYNX Triathlon
Contact Details: +1 (403) 807-2154
Coach Mary Jessey from LYNX Triathlon is a Swim Smooth Certified Coach and is a pro at breaking down techniques. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned swimmer aiming to polish your freestyle, she’ll help you reach those swimming goals.
For her fall swim session (which ends in December), she meets with swimmers at Remington YMCA in Quarry Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at MRU on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Several people shared they’d always found freestyle hard, but Mary’s drills and individual feedback made it manageable—even fun!
But it’s not just beginners she helps. Intermediate triathletes and advanced swimmers also see noticeable improvements. Many mentioned her pure technique sessions are perfect if you want to focus on each stroke, with tons of recovery time in between.
Another highlight is her CSS development sessions. They’re great if you’re looking to up your speed for longer distances. They mix fitness and technique, helping you learn to pace yourself over 400 meters or more.
However, a few students did tell us that the squad sessions could get a bit crowded.
Customer Reviews
Her coaching helped this 67 year old build the skills and strength to comfortably swim
“Coach Mary was recommended to me after two years of swim lessons left me struggling to swim 25m. Her coaching helped this 67 year old build the skills and strength to comfortably swim 2000m. I look forward to her weekly coaching sessions that challenge and encourage me to improve. With Mary’s help, swimming has become fun.”
— Gordon Grant, Google Reviews
Attentive when it comes to swimming and swim technique
“Mary is an exceptional swim coach! She has helped me improve from a 2:20/100m swimmer to a 1:42/100m swimmer since I’ve been working with her and taking classes with Lynx. She is very knowledgeable and attentive when it comes to swimming and swim technique. But even more importantly, she is a wonderful person who really cares about her students, not just athletically but personally as well. I cannot recommend Mary enough!”
— Peter Verschoote, Google Reviews
2. Propel Swimming Lessons
Address: Sheraton Suites, 255 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5C2, Canada
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Propel Swimming Lessons makes it easy to take a swimming lesson no matter what your level is. Their no-registration policy means there are no painful waiting periods or paperwork.
What sets them apart is their transparency. The students we talked to really appreciate that there are no hidden fees popping up to catch them off guard—what you see is what you get.
Many also love that they get to choose their own instructor. Instead of being stuck with some random class, they can check out who’s got the skills and personality they vibe with.
Almost everyone also said their instructors are super and help you feel comfortable right from the beginning. Their calm and encouraging demeanours helped many ease their nerves and build confidence.
We also noted that since there’s no fixed lesson set, you can pretty much plan lessons around your life. Plus, we appreciate that students can easily reschedule or cancel lessons online as made things very convenient.
However, while their flexibility is fantastic, we’ve been told popular instructors get booked up fast. Since many only have a few slots each week, you might not always get your first choice of instructor.
Customer Reviews
Professional, patient and knowledgeable
“My first experience of swimming lessons was perfect. My instructor, Amanda ,was really professional, patient and knowledgeable.looking forward for my next session with her.”
— Shora Foroutan, Google Reviews
Clear instructions and encouraging demeanor
“The swimming class with Andrea was fantastic! Her clear instructions and encouraging demeanor made learning a breeze. I’m looking forward to more lessons with her.”
— Abhi Handa, Google Reviews
3. Allstarr Aquatics
Address: 110 Point McKay Crescent NW, Calgary, AB T3B 4W4, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (403) 607-3652
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 9:30 AM to 3 PM
- Tuesday – 9 AM to 3 PM
- Wednesday – 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Thursday – 4 PM to 5 PM
- Friday – 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Amanda of Allstar Aquatics has been teaching swimming for more than 20 years. So, whether you’re completely new to the water or someone preparing for competitions, she’s got you covered.
Students told us they love her incredibly patient nature and her ability to make even the most nervous swimmers feel at ease.
But for many people, one of the best parts about her lessons is the flexibility. You can choose between private lessons or semi-private sessions. Many also appreciate the personalized attention and tailored exercises, which help them progress faster.
Others who initially signed up for fitness ended up loving the technique drills that Amanda introduced. They help make them feel stronger and more confident in the water.
That said, if you’re opting for semi-private lessons, be prepared for some variability. Depending on the other students’ level, you might find the pace either too fast or too slow.
Customer Reviews
Amanda has made every lesson enjoyable
“The best swim instructor! As someone who is learning as an adult I was very anxious in the beginning but Amanda has made every lesson enjoyable while helping me build more confidence in the water. Some skills can take quite a bit of time to learn but she is very patient and knowledgeable. 10/10 highly recommend!”
— Angel Valdez, Google Reviews
Amanda found a way to make me feel comfortable and confident as a swimmer
“Amanda is an amazing instructor! I’ve had a traumatic experience with water when I was younger and Amanda found a way to make me feel comfortable and confident as a swimmer. She’s so patient with me and allows me to learn the skills at my own pace, while also providing me the right encouragement to push myself. I haven’t been with her for very long, but my skills have already improved substantially and I’ll be able to reach my swimming goals soon. I always look forward to our classes, thanks Amanda!”
— Chantel Asamoah, Google Reviews
4. Alison Clark Swim
Address: 121 Village Heights SW, Calgary, AB T3H 2L2, Canada
Contact Details: +1 (403) 389-5915
Operating Hours:
- Friday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 8 AM to 12 PM
From what we’ve gathered, Alison Clark Swim’s adult swimming lessons help everyone feel comfortable in the water, no matter their skill level.
Students repeatedly mentioned their lessons are excellent for learning various swimming techniques like backstroke, breaststroke, and more.
Many appreciate that the instructors don’t shy away from correcting their technique. And when they do, they do so kindly and patiently. This not only helps them improve but also gains them confidence.
We heard several stories of students conquering their fear of deep water in just a few sessions. Not only do they float comfortably now, but they can also swim laps with ease.
That said, we did hear some complaints about the prices. Some students felt the lessons were a bit pricey, even for the quality of instruction they received.
Customer Reviews
I gained confidence and learned to swim with ease
“I recently took adult private swimming lessons and I couldn’t be happier with my experience! The instructor was patient and knowledgeable, and really helped me improve my technique. I had always been nervous about swimming, but with these lessons I gained confidence and learned to swim with ease. If you’re looking to learn to swim as an adult, I highly recommend these private lessons. Thank you, Allison Clark Swim for helping me achieve my goal!”
— Felicia, Google Reviews
Perfect for brushing up on your stroke technique
“I highly recommend taking adult swimming lessons with Allison Clark as your instructor. These lessons are perfect for brushing up on your stroke technique and preparing yourself with essential survival skills. They are particularly beneficial for military and survival training!”
— Varun Sharma, Google Reviews
5. K & K Swim School – Calgary
Contact Details: +1 (877) 350-7946
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 4 PM
If you’re considering jumping into the pool and facing your fears head-on, K&K Swim School might just be the place for you. They offer 1:1 private swimming lessons for adults, so there’s no sharing the spotlight with a dozen splashing kids.
Their instructors meet up at various pools across Calgary from Holiday Inn on Freeport Place to Hilton Calgary Inn in downtown Calgary. When you book a lesson with them, you can see their list of pool locations and choose the best one for you.
Several students raved about the down-to-earth instructors. We’ve been told they listen to all of your swimming fears. They also test to see where you are at in your swimming ability to see how they can best help you.
Other students also appreciated how the instructors broke down each swimming technique in simple, manageable steps. There’s no pressure too if you mess up—they guide you patiently. Because of this, many adults we spoke to have gained confidence.
That being said, some of the pools they use can get quite busy. It’s not the most zen-like setting if you’re looking for a quieter swimming lesson.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend K & K Swimming School for any adult
“K & K Swimming School has been incredible! As an adult learner, I was initially very apprehensive about learning to swim. However, my instructors were extremely patient and actively listened to my feedback and fears about the water and breathing control. They met me exactly where I was in my swimming journey. In just 3 lessons, I felt comfortable and confident in my swimming abilities thanks to the trust they quickly established with me. I highly recommend K & K Swimming School for any adult who has been wanting to learn but felt too scared. I’ve tried other private lessons before, but never felt as comfortable or capable of learning as I do here. Special shout-outs to Ashley T. and Rose…Thank you! :))”
— Jennifer Kelner, Google Reviews
I actually feel like I have learned how to swim
“Thanks to K & K, I have gone from being like a floation device to actually moving in the water. I have tried swimming lessons at so many places and this is the first time, I actually feel like I have learned how to swim. Thank you Jonathan and K&K !”
— Ade Salako, Google Reviews
