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
Be in a club and work towards your own goals

Lifesaving Club of Markham - Program Levels

Lifesaving Club of Markham (LCM) is divided into pre-competitive and competitive divisions. The pre-competitive division, also referred to as pre-LCM, is divided based on the age of the athletes. The competitive division has three (3) levels: White, Red, Black, based on age and skill. All athletes complete a try-out to determine the appropriate division and age groups are determined based on the athlete's age at the time of the Ontario Junior Pool Lifesaving Championships (June 13, 2026). LCM athletes who compete at national, provincial and invitational level competitions must only represent LCM.

Pre-Competitive Divisions

The pre-competitive division, also referred to as pre-LCM, is designed for swimmers who are eager to advance their skills and prepare for a competitive training program. This development program serves as a bridge for those who have completed the LCM tryout but have not yet met the requirements to join one of the competitive divisions. In pre-LCM, swimmers focus on refining competitive swim strokes with a strong emphasis on technique and efficiency. Participants will engage in challenging drills and structured workouts aimed at building endurance and speed. Key skills developed in pre-LCM include learning dive starts, flip turns, and an introduction to Lifesaving Sport skills. Through pre-LCM, swimmers will gain the necessary skills and confidence to help transition smoothly into competitive training.

Competitive Divisions

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.

The minimum safety requirement to attend the session is below. This is not what they will be tested on at the tryouts. We require swimmers to have this minimum skill level to ensure they can swim safely in the pool without assistance.

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 (100 metres and more) to determine skill level and stamina. Other skills that are examined include, but not limited to - dive starts, flip turns, transitions and swimming drills.

Completion of a learn to swim program, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard is not a prerequisite to join LCM. LCM is similar to a competitive swim club, and does not train athletes in first aid or lifesaving rescues. Our coaching team’s decision is final.

Tryouts for the 2025-2026 Season, starting in September, are currently open for registration:

Monday August 25 at Centennial Pool
Wednesday August 27 at Centennial Pool
Friday August 29 at Centennial Pool
Saturday August 30 at Cornell Pool
Sunday August 31 at Cornell Pool

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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