SEE THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON SWIMMING LESSONS - SPRING LESSON REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!!
How St. Stephen Aquatics Compares to the Rest of New Brunswick...
How Does St. Stephen Aquatics Stack up to the Rest of New Brunswick?
2024 marked a big year for the MDSS Aquatics & Programming Department. For the first time in the department's history, it was awarded the largest lifesaving program in New Brunswick in a community with under 20 000 residents. The program additionally saw an increase of at least two places in provincial open categories:
Largest Overall Leadership Program in New Brunswick: 2024 4th place up from 10th place in 2023.
Largest Overall Program in New Brunswick: 2024 8th place up from 10th place in 2023.
Largest Overall First Aid Program in New Brunswick: 2024 7th place up from 9th place in 2023.
In addition to the gains made in Lifesaving Society Provincial standings, the Aquatics & Programming Department also saw the introduction of the Summer Multi-Sport and Swimming lesson program, which will expand in 2025 to include lifesaving sport, track and field and soccer. Swimming Lessons and Fundy Water Safety programming saw an increase of over 160%, having taught over 945 swimmers in 2024, compared to 2023's 360 swimmers.
The MDSS Aquatics & Programming Department will continue to improve on and expand its aquatic, recreation, first aid and leadership programming throughout 2025. We would like to thank all of our incredibly hard working and dedicated staff as well as the individuals who partake in our programming for the incredible advancements the department has seen over the past year. We are excited to continue to build on this momentum in 2025!
Special Olympics - YOUTH Division
Registration is open now and only costs $95.00 for the full season!
Practices run every Tuesday from 6:00-7:30PM & Friday from 1:30-3:00.
Questions? Email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca OR Text: 506-467-7446
Registration Documents for Special Olympics AND Special Olympics YOUTH Division:
Special Olympics has a New Home in St. Stephen!
The St. Stephen Wildcats Special Olympic team is coming back for the 2024-2025 season!! Practices will be on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30PM, and for those able to attend, a second session on Friday from 1:30-3:00PM.
Registration is open now and only costs $95.00 for the full season!
Not sure if Special Olympics is for you?? Your first session with our team and Coaches is absolutely FREE so YOU can see if Special Olympics is right for you! Whether you're looking to compete or just to stay fit and have fun, St. Stephen's Special Olympics team "The Wildcats" is your gateway to better Aquatic Programming!
REGISTER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS HERE!
Fitness Swimmer is BACK!!
Fitness Swimmer is a great way to get high quality, low impact exercise! Whether you are looking to work on cardiac fitness, general fitness, strength training, or just a fun way to keep in shape with trained coaches and swim instructors, Fitness Swimmer is here for you!! A full session of 31 weeks costs only $55.25 as a one time fee!! Don't wait for new years to get started on resolutions, start with the St. Stephen Aquatic Staff today!!
Not sure if Fitness Swimmer is for you? Join us for your first session absolutely FREE!!
Registration information for the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 sessions of Fitness Swimmer will be posted in the coming weeks.
Want to Become a Lifeguard/Instructor? Here's How!!
Upcoming Courses:
Junior Lifeguard:
There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Junior Lifeguard is broken into three levels, Junior Lifeguard Level 1, which is for swimmers 12 and under who have not been registered in a Junior Lifeguard program previously, Junior Lifeguard Level 2, which is for swimmers 13+, OR who have completed Junior Lifeguard Level 1, and Junior Lifeguard Level 3, which is for swimmers who have completed Junior Lifeguard Level 2. Swimmers who successfully complete Junior Lifeguard Level 3 and are 14+ are eligible to work with the St. Stephen Aquatics & Programming Dept. as an Assistant Lifeguard.
Junior Lifeguard levels certify swimmers in the following Lifesaving Society courses
- Junior Lifeguard Level 1: Bronze Star
- Junior Lifeguard Level 2: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid
- Junior Lifeguard Level 3: Bronze Cross & Standard First Aid
Please Register in the Appropriate Junior Lifeguard level below. Not sure which Junior Lifeguard level to enroll in? Lets us know!
Email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, or call 467-3030 x120 to learn more!
Junior Lifeguard Level 1:
There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Too young to enroll in Junior Lifeguard Level 2, but looking to start your lifeguarding/lifesaving adventure? Start with Junior Lifeguard Level 1 (Bronze Star) with the St. Stephen Aquatics & Programming Dept.!!
To Register in the Spring Session Course, CLICK HERE!!
Course Fee: $80.00 Tax-in
Junior Lifeguard Level 2 + Emergency First Aid:
There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Junior Lifeguard Level 2 is the first of the mandatory National Lifeguard Service and Swim Instructor pre-requisite courses. Candidates must be 13 by the date of the class exam (the end of the course) to enroll OR have successfully completed Junior Lifeguard Level 1 (Bronze Star).
To Register in the Spring Session Course, CLICK HERE!!
For information on Junior Lifeguard Level 2 (Bronze Medallion) course & age requirements, click HERE.
Course Fee: $80.00 Tax-in
Junior Lifeguard Level 3 + Standard First Aid:
There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Become an Assistant Lifeguard with the St. Stephen Aquatics Department! Take your Junior Lifeguard Level 3 (Bronze Cross) course with us and get the last pre-requisite certification for your National Lifeguard Service course AND your Fundy Tots Instructor & Fundy Swim Instructor courses.
To Register in the Spring Session Course, CLICK HERE!!
For information on Junior Lifeguard Level 3 (Bronze Cross) course & age requirements, click HERE.
Course Fee: $80.00 Tax-in
National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
Next Course: There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Want to become a Lifeguard or Supervisor with St. Stephen Aquatcs?? This is where you start!! Learn more by contacting aaron.muzzatti@chocolatetown.ca, texting 467-7446 or calling 467-3030 x120!
To register in a National Lifeguard Service course, candidates must be a minimum of 15 years old as of the last day of the course, and must have previously taken and passed a Junior Lifeguard Level 3 (Bronze Cross) and Standard First Aid course. The course fee for a National Lifeguard Service course is $293.00 (tax-in), however, course fees are waived for current employees. Candidates holding a current Junior Lifeguard Level 3 (Bronze Cross) certification and a Standard First Aid certification may apply for employment to have their course fee waived. For more information on employment opportunities, please email: aaron.muzzatti@chocolatetown.ca, or call: 506-467-3030 x120.
For more information on National Lifeguard Service course & age requirements, please click HERE.
Course Registration:
To Register in the Spring Session Course, CLICK HERE!!
Already Certified and need a Re-Cert? CLICK HERE!!
Course Fee: $293.00 Tax-in
Re-Certification Course Fee: $104.25 Tax-in
Assistant Instructor Course
Next Course: There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Become a Fundy Assistant Swim Instructor (FASI) with us!
This course will also certify you as a Lifesaving Society Assistant Swim Instructor, in addition to FASI! Take your first steps toward teaching the next generation of swimmers with your Fundy Assistant Swim Instructor course. In this course, you will learn the basics of instruction, swim skills and how a swimming lesson functions. This course is the mandatory prerequisite for Fundy Tots Instructor and Fundy Swim Instructor.
Looking to start working as an assistant instructor with us? Inquire at: aaron.muzzatti@chocolatetown.ca, or call 467-3030 x120.
Course Fee: $80.00 Tax-in
Swim Instructor Course:
Next Course: There are no Currently Scheduled Courses.
Become a Fundy Tots Instructor (FTI) and/or a Fundy Swim instructor (FSI) with us!
This course will also certify you as a Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor, in addition to FTI AND FSI! Learn to teach children, teens and adults how to swim here at the Garcelon Civic Center and anywhere else in Canada! To register in FTI and/or FSI, you MUST hold a Fundy Assistant Swim Instructor certification. The course fee for FTI/FSI combined is $150.00 tax-in. Course fees are waived for current employees with the St. Stephen Aquatics and Programming Dept.
To Register, CLICK HERE!!
Looking to start working as an instructor with us? Inquire at: aaron.muzzatti@chocolatetown.ca, or call 467-3030 x120.
Course Fee: $150.00 Tax-in
First Aid Courses
Next Course: July 15 & 16 9:00AM-6:00PM
The Aquatics & Programming Dept. offers a wide variety of first aid courses! Our course offerings include Emergency First Aid with CPR-B, Workplace Standard First Aid with CPR-C, CPR-HCP (Healthcare Provider level CPR) and Airway Management, which includes training on oxygen systems, suction, and oropharyngeal airways. For more information on our courses, please email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, or call (506) 467-3030 x120. Please see a list of our current course offerings below:
Emergency First Aid with CPR-B: No Courses Currently Scheduled.
Workplace Standard First Aid with CPR-C: July 15 & 16: 9AM-6PM
WSFA Course Fee: $105.00 Tax-in
CPR-HCP (Helathcare Provider): There are no courses currently scheduled.
CPR-HCP Course Fee: $73.75 Tax-in
Airway Management (Standard First AId with CPR-C is a Prerequisite): No Courses Currently Scheduled.
Airway Management Course Fee: $63.25 Tax-in
Advanced Instructor Certifications
Advanced Instructor certifications include Lifesaving Instructor (LSI), National Lifeguard Instructor (NLI), First Aid Instructor (FAI) and Examiner level certifications. All of these can be taken right here in St. Stephen!! See what we have currently scheduled listed below!
Not sure what certifications you need to enroll in these courses? Find YOUR Advanced Instructor pathway by CLICKING HERE!!
Lifesaving Instructor Course ($110.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
Lifesaving & First Aid Instructor Course ($240.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
First Aid Instructor Course ($150.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
National Lifeguard Instructor Course ($200.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
National Lifeguard Instructor & Examiners Course ($260.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
Examiners Course ($80.00 tax-in): There are no courses currently scheduled.
Swimming Lessons
Not sure what to enroll in next? Click here to find out!
Summer Session 2 Swimming Lessons are Almost Here...
Registration for Session Two of Summer Swimming Lessons Opens on Friday, July 11th at 2PM!!
Registration will close on Friday July 18 at 2PM.
Classes will run Monday - Friday between 10AM and 1PM from July 21 - August 1.
Individuals enrolled in Multi-Sport Pass A or B WITH Swimming Lessons will be automatically enrolled in the second session of classes.
Questions?
Email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca
Call: 506-467-3030 x120
Summer Session 2 Lesson Times & Registration Links Listed Below:
Caregiver Attended Classes:
Member (GCC) Pricing: $55.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $65.00/session
Salamander:
Monday - Friday: 11:25-11:55 Split with Frog - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Frog:
Monday - Friday: 11:25-11:55 Split with Salamander - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Duck:
Monday - Friday: 11:25-11:55 Split with Seahorse & Salmon - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 12:20-12:50 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Seahorse:
Monday-Friday: 11:25-11:55 Split with Duck & Salmon - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Salmon:
Monday - Friday: 11:25-11:55 Split with Duck & Seahorse - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Aqua-Tots Levels (No caregiver in water):
Member (GCC) Pricing: $63.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $73.00/session
Lobster:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:30 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 12:00-12:30 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Turtle:
Monday - Friday: 12:00-12:30 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Otter:
Monday - Friday: 10:50-11:20 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Dolphin:
Monday - Friday: 10:50-11:20 (Split with Manta Ray)- Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Manta Ray:
Monday - Friday: 10:50-11:20 (Split with Dolphin) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level (Lower-Level):
Member (GCC) Pricing: $66.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $76.00/session
Swim Level 1:
Monday - Friday: 10:35-11:05 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 11:40-12:10 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 12:00-12:30 (Split with SL-2) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 2:
Monday - Friday: 10:50-11:20 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 11:25-11:55 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 12:00-12:30 (Split with SL-1) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 3:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:30 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 11:10-11:40 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 4:
Monday - Friday: 10:35-11:05 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 12:00-12:30 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level (Higher-Level):
Member (GCC) Pricing: $72.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $82.00/session
Swim Level 5:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:45 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 6:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:45 (Split with SL-7)- Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 7:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:45 (Split with SL-6) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 8:
Monday - Friday: 11:45-12:30 (Split with SL-9) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 9:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:45 (Split with SL-10) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Monday - Friday: 11:45-12:30 (Split with SL-8) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Swim Level 10:
Saturdays: 10:00-10:45 (Split with SL-9) - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Fundamentals Levels:
Member (GCC) Pricing: $72.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $82.00/session
Fundamentals 1:
Monday - Friday: 11:10-11:55 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Fundamentals 2:
Monday - Friday: 10:50-11:35 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Fundamentals 3:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-10:45 - Registration is will open on Friday 11, July at 2PM.
Adult Swimming Lessons
Adult Swim Level 1: This level is for swimmers who may not yet be comfortable swimming or floating unassisted (either by an aid or instructor) in the pool, and or, who may be uncomfortable in the water in general/are non-swimmers.
Adult Swim Level 2: This level is for swimmers who are comfortable in the water, and can complete short distances (5m) of either one basic stroke, or doggy paddle/back swim.
Member (GCC) Pricing: $66.00/session
Non-Member Pricing (GCC): $76.00/session
Adult Swim Level 1 Registration:
No Adult Swimming lessons are schedule for the summer session in 2025. Classes will resume in the Fall Session at the Garcelon Civic Center.
Adult Swim Level 2 Registration:
No Adult Swimming lessons are schedule for the summer session in 2025. Classes will resume in the Fall Session at the Garcelon Civic Center.
For any questions, please email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, text: 467-7446, or call 467-3030 x120.
Know someone who may be interested in becoming an instructor with the St. Stephen Aquatics Dept.? Send them to us!! Email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, Text 467-7446 or Call 467-3030 x120
Transferring from another Swimming Lesson Program to Fundy Water Safety's?
No problem!! St. Stephen Aquatics makes it easy! Click the graphic above for the Fundy Water Safety Coversion Chart! The conversion chart will help you transition from the old Red Cross program, or the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program easily!
Coming from a YMCA program, or other programs not listed on our conversion chart? Call 467-3030 x120 or email aquatics@chocolatetown.ca for assistance enrolling in our swimming lesson program.
Great Barrier Busters is BACK!!
Register TODAY for the Spring Session of Great Barrier Busters!!
Registration is now open for the Spring 2025 Session of Great Barrier Busters. The Spring Session will run from April 26 - June 28.
Available Sessions:
Saturdays: 1:00PM-1:30PM
Saturdays: 1:30PM-2:00PM
How do you register?
- Download the application form below or pick one up in-person at the GCC.
- Once your application is complete, send it to aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, or drop if off at the GCC.
- Once we have your application, we will review it to determine if the program is right for you.
- If your application is approved, you will either be sent a link for registration online, or contacted in another manner to inform you of the acceptance, at which point you can enroll at the GCC.
Questions?
Call: 506-467-3030 x120
Email: aquatics@chocolatetown.ca
Great Barrier Busters
Great Barrier Busters is an all-inclusive one-on-one swimming lesson program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Development Delay, Cerebral Palsy, etc. All of our Barrier Busting instructors have attended our in-house training course. We are very proud of this program, so we are happy to answer any of your questions, try reaching out at either aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, or 467-3030 x120. We hope to have you join us and become a Great Barrier Buster!
The Home of Fundy Water Safety
The St. Stephen Aquatics Department is home to all Fundy Water Safety aquatic programming! Proudly developed by our own instructors, supervisors and management, Fundy Water Safety was developed to replace the now defunct Red Cross aquatic programming. We developed Fundy Water Safety through 2021 and 2022 to address the lack of high quality swimming lessons, and swim instructor courses available.
Why Fundy Water Safety? Our program teaches more strokes & skills than any other widely available program and teaches them over a more comprehensive range of swim levels, to a higher standard than any other aquatic programming. Our goal is to provide high quality instruction from well trained Fundy Tots and Fundy Swim Instructors. We hope to inspire a life long love of swimming in all of our swimmers and in our community through our Funday Water Safety programming. Fundy Water Safety and the Municipal District of St. Stephen Aquatics Department believe that no swimmer should be left behind, whether they swim competitively, learn to save a life, or swim just for the love of swimming, we hope to set you and everyone else up for success in the water! Want to know more about Fundy Water Safety and/or the Municipal District of St. Stephen Aquatics Department? Call 467-3030 x120, text 467-7446 or email aquatics@chocolatetown.ca, we would love to hear from you!
About our Aquatics Facilities
St. Stephen has two swimming facilities operated by the town, each perfect for a splash around with the kids, lap swimming, lessons, or just a quick dip. Both also offer swimming lessons throughout the year.
The Garcelon Civic Center Kiwanis Aquatic Center is an indoor facility at 22 Budd Ave. It consists of two pools, one slide, and two dry saunas. The W.T. Booth Centennial Pool, at 10 Mill Lane, is an outdoor facility that’s open during the summer months.
Interested in competitive swimming? Check out our Shark Attack swim team.
For information on Garcelon Civic Center Swim Schedules, Rental Availablility and Aqua Fitness Classes, Please Click Here.
For more information on W.T. Booth Centennial Pool (Milltown Outdoor Pool) Swim Schedules, Rental Availability and Aqua Fitness Classes, Please Click Here!
For Information on Summer Outdoor Recreation Programming, Click Here!
