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Challenge your limits, strengthen your swimming and water rescue skills, as well as compete in one of the world's most exciting and meaningful sports, built on humanitarian principles!
ESLC builds and trains swimmers in lifesaving skills through a competitive athletic environment that combines swimming ability with lifesaving rescue techniques. Lifesaving Sport is fast paced, challenging, and built around skills that save lives - both in the pool and in open water.
Perfect for swimmers aged 7-99, that can swim at least 25 meters of front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke, are comfortable in deep water and have some diving/treading skills. Our certified lifesaving coaches guide participants through stroke improvement, rescue techniques, teamwork drills, and timed challenges.
Junior Athletes (age 7-16)
Our junior athletes have begun the journey to developing their Lifesaving Sport Skills as they work their way through our divisions towards their lifeguarding certifications. These athletes will have opportunities to compete in our in-house Telegames events, regional competitions and build their confidence until they are ready for the Ontario Junior Lifesaving Championships.
Senior Athletes (age 14+)
Our senior athletes are those who are 14 years and older and are interested in or have previously participated in Lifesaving Society Programs in Lifesaving Sport or their Bronze awards. These athletes will continue to develop their lifesaving and fitness skills; and will have opportunities to compete at Regional, Provincial and National championships throughout the competition year.
Team Divisions
45mins/week. Sessional registration. Introductory (age 7-15)
Lifesaving Sport FUNdamentals offers participants an introduction to lifesaving sport skills. This is an excellent way to bridge the gap between swim lessons and leadership courses while also developing stronger swimming abilities, staying fit, and having fun.
*Coaches will determine when the swimmer is ready to move into our White Division club practices.
*Town of Essex refund/withdrawal policy applies to this program.
1.25-3.75 hour/week. Annual Registration. Pre-Competitive (age 7-16)
As part of ESLC, this division of athletes will continue to develop their skills learned in Intro to Lifesaving Sport program. Athletes at this level will participate in the ESLC Telegames events and have opportunities to compete at Regional and Provincial events at the coaches’discretion.
1.25-3.75 hours/week. Annual Registration. Competitive (age 7-16)
As part of ESLC, this division of athletes is ready to compete at regional and provincial Lifesaving Sport
events. Athletes will refine their skills and increase their speed to prepare them for these competitions.
1.75 – 3.5 hours/week. Annual Registration. Competitive (age 14 & older)
As part of ESLC, this division of athletes is focused on an elite level of competition. Athletes will master
their skills and speed to prepare them to compete at all levels, regional, provincial, and national.
(June-August) (all ages 7 & older)
Waterfront programs will run at local area beaches between June – August. This program train in skills specific for open water skills and competition events. More information will be available in May 2027 regarding waterfront programs.
60 mins/week. Sessional registration. Introductory (age 7-15)
This program is designed to provide candidates with the opportunity to gain experience and practice their first aid skills in a rescue environment. These practical skills will enhance future participation in other Lifesaving Society programs, such as Bronze Levels and National Lifeguard.
Tryouts will be offered regularly, September, December, February. New registrations will be permitted based on available space in practices.
*Tryouts do not apply to Fundamentals group which is a program with sessional registration and is subject to regular Town of Essex policies
The Essex Swim & Lifesaving Club abides by a swimmer and parent code of conduct. Please read and review the Parent and Athlete Code of Conduct. Athletes and Parents must read, and sign confirming that they understand the Lifesaving Society’s Rowan’s Law Policy, and Award Ceremony Policy.
The ESLC operates on a quarterly cycle. Families can choose to make one payment at the time of registration or FOUR equal monthly payments due by the first of each month (September, November, February & April). A membership fee will be included in addition to the first payment, this includes an ESLC shirt & ESLC swim cap.
Each athlete and their family should plan to volunteer at three fundraising events or competitions throughout the year. Volunteers can commit to a 3–4-hour shift fundraisers or competitions. Families will receive a 5% credit for each volunteer commitment up to a maximum of 20% credit. The credit will be added to family accounts at the conclusion of the season in June.
All athletes are encouraged to compete at each competition for which they are ready. If an athlete believes they are ready for the next level, they can talk to their coach about scheduling an assessment. Coaches will determine which athletes are ready to compete at each level of competition (regional, provincial, or national). The cost will vary for each competition, and ESLC will announce the cost when registration opens for each competition.
