Beginner and Race Skill courses are 6-weeks long and run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Swimmers will run for 10-weeks on Tuesdays. Masters will run for the full season on Monday evenings.
The 2026 schedule is now live. See below. To help reduce sign up problems we have a phased registration this season on Wednesday 15 April with Beginners at 9:00 am, Race Skills at 9:15 am, Swimmers at 9:30 am and Masters at 9:45 am.
Courses usually sell out quickly. Be sure to sign up for the right course as transfer may not be possible. No refunds after the course start date.
All courses take place at Jericho Beach.
We meet on the grass beside the lifeguard
office, concession stand and washrooms.
See map at bottom of this page.
Wetsuits are mandatory for all courses as they substantially increase safety and warmth.
Check out Rowands Reef Scuba Shop and mention Swim Smart to secure a wee discount.
Swim caps and whistles will be provided. Neoprene booties and caps may be necessary if it's a cold start to summer. A SwimBuddy is not needed for the course, but highly recommended for practice swims.

This is the best place to start if you feel anxious about open water swimming.
We begin with short, shoreline swims to hone your skills and build confidence,
gradually progressing towards longer off-shore swims throughout the course.
We will cover: wetsuit fit and comfort, open water safety, identifying hazards,
reading the tide and currents, acclimatizing to colder water, breathing control,
navigation skills and general technique development to improve swim efficiency.
Suitable for anyone who can swim 50m front crawl non-stop with their face in the water,
turning sideways to breathe.
Registration on Wednesday 15 April at 9:00 AM.
Round 1 - Each course is 6 weeks
Tuesdays 26 May until 30 June from 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Wednesdays 27 May until 24 June from 6:00 - 7:00 pm (no class July 1)
Thursdays 28 May until 2 July from 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Round 2 - Each course is 6 weeks
Tuesdays 7 July until 11 August from 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Wednesdays 8 July until 12 August from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Thursdays 9 July until 13 August from 7:15 - 8:15 pm

Best for those who have done Open Water Beginners before and gained the skill set to swim
confidently in the ocean but are not interested in Racing or fast enough for the Masters program.
We will review everything from the beginners course to refresh and improve skills sets and
combine this with gradually longer swims in and around Jericho area to build endurance
and adventure without a time/speed pressure.
Registration on Wednesday 15 April at 9:30 AM.
Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
10 weeks from June 2 until August 4

Swim with confidence amid the chaos of triathlon or open water swim racing.
We'll review the fundamentals of efficient open water swimming skills
in the first few weeks and then add more specific racing skills as the course progresses.
We will cover everything in the Beginner course, plus: stroke adjustments for open water racing,
how to navigate and swim straight without slowing down, pacing and race strategy, starts and exits
and a fancy trick for quickly turning around the swim buoys.
Suitable for anyone who is confident getting in the ocean and can easily swim 100m+ non-stop.
Registration on Wednesday 15 April at 9:15 AM.
Round 1 - Each course is 6 weeks
Tuesdays 26 May until 30 June from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesdays 27 May until 24 June from 7:15 - 8:15 pm (no class July 1)
Thursdays 28 May until July 2 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Round 2 - Each course is 6 weeks
Tuesdays 7 July until 11 August from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesdays 8 July until 12 August from 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Thursdays 9 July until 13 August from 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Previous open water swimming experience required, be able to swim 500m
under 10:00 minutes and you must be pre-approved to join.
You have already acquired open water swimming skills, have racing experience and
want to train with motivated likeminded athletes to swim further and faster.
General registration on Wednesday 15 April at 9:45 AM.
Mondays: 10 weeks from June 1 until July 27
Weeks 1-3 either 6:00 pm or 7:15 pm
Weeks 4-6 from 6:30 - 7:45 pm
Weeks 7-10 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
All smiles after a close finish to a short and fast relay race!
01/20
On the grass under the Willow tree beside the lifeguard office, concession stand and washrooms.
what3words exact location
Jericho Beach, 3941 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6R 1B5, Canada