The purpose of the swim test is to check the swimming ability of any child aged 7 or more and determines whether or not they should use a personal flotation device (PFD) during day camp swimming sessions. The decision is made by lifeguards and it is final. Under no circumstance can the test be taken again.
Evaluation criteria
The three parts of the test occur one after the other, without a break:
- Enter the water disoriented;
- Tread water for one minute;
- Swim 25 metres without rest.
On the first day of camp, a child who is:
- 5 or 6 years old must wear a personal floatation device (PFD);
- 7, 8, 9 or 10 years old, who knows how to swim, must pass a swim test;
- 11 years old or more must take a swim test if their parent asks for one on the ‘health form’ or depending on the organization’s policy. We would also strongly recommend the evaluation for 11-12 years.
The schedules for the aquatic skills tests will be communicated to you as soon as they are available.
For further information on swimming ability assessment, please visit the Quebec City portal.
To guide you in your decision-making, the City of Quebec provides you with a decision tree.