MENU

Grassroots

swim

Grassroots swimming is where everything begins. It’s the stage where young swimmers build confidence in the water, learn the fundamentals the right way, and discover how much fun swimming can be. It’s swimmer-centred and community-driven focused on developing skills, friendships, and a love for the process rather than results. At this level, success is measured in smiles, teamwork, and steady progress. Grassroots swimming helps children feel that they belong in the sport and that there’s a place for everyone to grow, learn, and thrive together.

Grassroots swimming is:

  • Swimmer centred
  • Fun and inclusive
  • Focused on skill acquisition over performance standards
  • Technically grounded: starts, turns, and underwaters
  • Community driven, emphasizing club nights and team connection
  • Built on IM & kick-based programming
  • Supported by body-weight and agility athleticism
  • Parent inclusive and educational

Grassroots Leadership Programs

Grassroots leadership is about growing people, not just programs. These sessions bring together emerging coaches and leaders who want to make a difference at the 12-and-under level. They’re built on connection, collaboration, and hands-on learning both in the classroom and on deck.

Through these programs, coaches learn how to plan meaningful practices, give effective feedback, and create positive environments where every swimmer feels valued. They gain confidence in their voice as leaders and discover that coaching isn’t just about delivering a workout, it's about teaching skills effectively and it’s about shaping experiences.

Each leadership day is an opportunity to learn from others, share ideas, and leave feeling inspired to bring that energy back to their clubs. The goal is to build a community of coaches who are knowledgeable, creative, and grounded in the true spirit of grassroots swimming: fun, fundamentals, and belonging.

Why they matter:

  • They build community, connecting young coaches across regions who share a passion for grassroots swimming.
  • They strengthen coaching fundamentals combining classroom learning with on-deck practice, analysis, and reflection.
  • They promote values emphasizing inclusion, mentorship, and the fun side of coaching.
  • They encourage growth helping new coaches find confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging within Swim Ontario.

Topics Include:

  • Best Practices for Coaching 12 and Under Athletes
  • Importance of Fun with a Purpose
  • Working with Parents as Partners
  • Coaching Para Athletes 101
  • Safe Sport

The leadership programs are also where the School of Fish comes to life as a shared language, a creative teaching tool, and a reminder that learning to swim should always feel exciting and rewarding.

List of Upcoming Grassroots Leadership Days:

Freddie’s School of Fish

Untitled_design


Freddie the Fish has always been a symbol of fun in Ontario swimming. First introduced in 1989 and named after Fred Rams, Freddie was created to engage young swimmers and to serve as an ambassador for grassroots swimming.

Bringing Freddie back is about more than nostalgia, it's about connection. The School of Fish was developed to give today’s swimmers and coaches a shared language for fundamentals and character. Each fish represents an important skill and a positive trait, like teamwork, focus, resilience, or joy that together capture what grassroots swimming is all about.

The fish show up at leadership days, camps, and provincial events as part of activities and team spirit. They’re a fun, visual way to keep swimmers engaged. Every child should be able to see themselves in a fish and every coach should have a way to bring that magic to life on deck.

The purpose of the School of Fish is to:

  • Create a unifying language around fundamentals and values
  • Build community and continuity across clubs and regions
  • Encourage positive identity and self-expression among young swimmers
  • Celebrate learning, not just performance

Freddie and the School of Fish Resources

Futures Camps

Futures Camps are skill-based, multi-sport experiences developed in partnership with the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. These camps bring together swimmers aged 9–12 from across the province for two days of learning, movement, and fun.

Swimmers train in one of the fastest pools in the country and work with coaches who specialize in grassroots programming.

Beyond the pool, participants take part in activities like rock climbing, team building and agility in the gym and smoothie-making sessions with a nutritionist from the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, giving them a taste of what well-rounded athlete development really means.

Freddie and the School of Fish are woven throughout the experience, connecting the camp back to the fundamentals and values that make grassroots swimming so special: skills, fun, and friendships.

Resources