Check out our on-campus pool located in the McKinnon building for everything aquatics.
Aquatic activities are low impact with high resistance, making it inclusive to all groups whether you are competitive, recreational, or therapeutic. Programs offered include public length swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and much more!
View the Aquatics schedule and programs.
Please note: Some aquatic programs are not included in Vikes Fit, Vikes Climb, Vikes Fit Plus, Vikes All-In memberships or drop-in passes. Check individual programs for details.
Mon.–Thu.: 6:30AM-10:00PM
Fri.: 6:30AM-9:00PM
Sat.: 9:00AM-6:00PM
Sun.: 9:00AM-6:00PM
Reading Break: TBA
Holidays: Closed
Questions about McKinnon Pool and aquatic programs at Vikes Active Living?
Email: vikesrec@uvic.ca
Aquatic programs take place in the McKinnon Pool in the McKinnon Building. View map.
8:30AM–9:30AM
11:30AM–12:30PM
12:30PM–1:30PM
8:30AM–9:30AM
11:30AM–12:30PM
12:30PM–1:30PM
7:30PM–8:30PM
8:30AM–9:30AM
11:30AM–12:30PM
12:30PM–1:30PM
7:30PM–8:15PM
8:15PM–9:00PM
8:30AM–9:30AM
11:30AM–12:30PM
12:30PM–1:30PM
7:30PM–8:30PM
8:30AM–9:30AM
11:30AM–12:30PM
12:30PM–1:30PM
8:30AM–9:30AM
10:30AM–11:00AM
10:30AM–11:00AM
11:00AM–11:30AM
11:00AM–11:30AM
11:00AM–11:30AM
11:30AM–12:15PM
11:30AM–12:15PM
11:30AM–12:15PM
11:30AM–12:15PM
11:30AM–12:15PM
11:30AM–12:15PM
1:00PM–2:00PM
Note: There are no programs on May 23, Jul. 1, Aug. 1 due to holidays.
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The Adult Swim 100 program offers a debut to the basic skills of swimming and water safety. Increase comfort level and confidence in the water by mastering floats, glides, kicking and swimming.
Skills and water safety content:
facility/site orientation and rules; when and where to swim; shallow water entries and exits; submerge head; exhale through mouth and/or nose; weight transfer, shallow water; deep-water activities (assisted); deep-water float 5sec.; change direction, deep water; surface support, deep water 20sec.; introduction to PFDs/lifejackets; introduction to sculling, shallow water.
Swimming content:
rhythmic breathing 5 times; front float and recovery 3sec.; back float and recovery 3sec.; front glide with flutter kick 10m; back glide with flutter kick 10m; side glide with flutter kick 5m (assisted); roll-over glide with flutter kick 5m; front glide/side glide combination 10m; front-swim 10m.
Class level: Beginner. Beginner friendly 😊.
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 4 – June 22
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 8 Weeks each
Time: Wednesday at 7:30PM–8:15PM
Develop a progressive capacity in strokes and stroke techniques. The Adult Swim 200 program establishes comfort in deep water, and an increase in swimming distance.
Fitness content:
Distance swim minimum 25m.
Skills and water safety content:
Self-safety - safe diving; sitting dive; kneeling dive; stride dive; front dive; disorienting entries, return to safety; tread water 3 min; throwing assist without a line; throwing assist with a line; reaching assist with an aid.
Swimming content:
Rhythmic breathing 15 times (front crawl specific); back swim with shoulder roll 15m; front crawl 15m; back crawl 15m.
Requirements: The ability to swim 15 meters continuously or Adult Swim 100.
Class level: Intermediate.
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 4 – June 22
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 8 Weeks each
Time: Wednesday at 8:15PM–9:00PM
YOUTH ACCESSIBLE
Join us for lane swimming at McKinnon Pool.
Swim in our slow, moderate or fast lanes. Swimmers will be responsible for maintaining 2m of physical distance from other swimmers during this swim.
Flexible registration via the reservation system with various times to choose from. Booking times open 72 hrs before the swim time.
Class level: All welcome. Beginner friendly 😊.
Youth: 14+ years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 2 – September 4
Program intervals: Runs time(s) for each
Time: Monday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Monday at 11:30AM–12:30PM • Monday at 12:30PM–1:30PM • Tuesday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Tuesday at 11:30AM–12:30PM • Tuesday at 12:30PM–1:30PM • Wednesday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Wednesday at 11:30AM–12:30PM • Wednesday at 12:30PM–1:30PM • Thursday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Thursday at 11:30AM–12:30PM • Thursday at 12:30PM–1:30PM • Friday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Friday at 11:30AM–12:30PM • Friday at 12:30PM–1:30PM • Saturday at 1:00PM–2:30PM • Sunday at 8:30AM–9:30AM • Sunday at 1:00PM–2:00PM
The Masters Swim Club is designed to improve the technique, endurance, and efficiency in all of its participants. The workouts are led by national level coaches and are catered for a wide range of swimming abilities from those with competitive backgrounds to others that are training for triathlons. This program is structured to meet the individual needs of each participant and the coaches will provide the assistance to ensure successes in achieving primary goals. Workouts are typically between 2800m-3200m.
Class level: Advanced.
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: April 19 – June 16
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 10 Weeks each
Time: Tuesday at 7:30PM–8:30PM • Thursday at 7:30PM–8:30PM
YOUTH
Pre-set Private Lessons are a convenient way to have one-on-one instruction with a certified water safety instructor. They are especially beneficial because the program can be individually tailored to meet the swimmer’s skills and abilities.
Class level: All welcome. Beginner friendly 😊.
Youth: 7-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs time(s) for 6 Weeks each
Time: Sunday at 10:30AM–11:00AM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 1 provides orientation to water and the pool area where the area of focus is on floats, glides and kicking. Swimmers build an increased level of comfort in water and their endurance by working up to a 5 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age, no previous swimming experience required.
Class level: Beginner. Beginner friendly 😊.
Youth: 7-9 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 10:30AM–11:00AM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 2 provides propulsion skills to move through the water and to remain at the surface during front and back swims. Swimmers also learn about deep-water activities and the proper use of a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Fitness activities include the 10m flutter kick and assisted deep water activities.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 1 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Beginner. Beginner friendly 😊.
Youth: 7-9 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:00AM–11:30AM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 3 introduces the fundamentals of front crawl and safe diving while also teaching swimmers how to make wise choices about when and where to swim. Endurance is achieved by building strength in the flutter kick and a 15 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 2 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Beginner. Beginner friendly 😊.
Youth: 7-10 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:00AM–11:30AM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 4 focuses on the precise technique of the front crawl and back swim with shoulder roll. Swimmers work on kneeling dives, deep water surface support and developing a greater sense of self-safety by discovering their personal limits. Endurance is built through a 25 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 3 is recommended not required.
Class level: Intermediate.
Youth: 8-10 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:00AM–11:30AM
YOUTH
Swim Kids 5 introduces the fundamentals of the back crawl and the whip kick on the back. Swimmers also discover the concept of sculling, stride dives, and an introduction to safe boating skills. Endurance is built through a 50 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 4 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Intermediate.
Youth: 8-10 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 6 introduces the elementary back stroke while working on the development the front crawl and back crawl. Swimmers also discover the concept of how to throw an assist to perform basic water rescues as well as how to be safe on ice. Endurance is built through a 75 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 5 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Intermediate.
Youth: 8-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 7 introduces whip kick on the front and stride entries while continuing to develop front crawl, back crawl and elementary backstroke technique. Swimmers develop a further understanding of lifesaving skills by recognizing victims with airway obstructions and how to throw an assist with a line to perform water rescues. Endurance is built through a 150 meter continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 6 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Intermediate.
Youth: 8-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 Weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 8 introduces breaststroke and feet first surface dives. Swimmers will work to perfect their front crawl and back crawl technique. They will also develop the ability to recognize dangers of hypothermia and perform proper rescue breathing to victims. Endurance is built through a 300m continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 7 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Intermediate.
Youth: 9-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 9 focuses on the full development of the front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke and breaststroke while introducing the sidestroke. Swimmers are able to decipher what their favourite stroke is at this level. They also learn how to perform self-rescues and head-first surface dives. Endurance is built through a 400m continuous swim.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 8 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Advanced.
Youth: 9-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
YOUTH
Red Cross Swim Kids 10 focuses on fine tuning your front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke technique while introducing the dolphin kick. Swimmers learn about the dangers of the Sun and are set with a foundation for pursuing further training in life saving. Endurance is built through a 500m continuous swim and various dolphin kick drills.
Requirements: At least 7 years of age. Passing Swim Kids 9 is recommended but not required.
Class level: Advanced.
Youth: 10-12 years
Location: McKinnon Pool
Dates: May 1 – June 5
Program intervals: Runs 1 time(s) for 6 weeks each
Time: Sunday at 11:30AM–12:15PM
All prices valid as of May 2, 2022. All prices include GST.
Photo credits: Chuttersnap, Marcus Ng, Adam Cai via Unsplash