You should bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of indoor shoes to wear in the change rooms and on the pool deck.

Goggles are recommended and two swim diapers are mandatory if your child is under 36 months (see “Does my child need to wear a swim diaper?” for more details).

Life happens – we get it. Families head off to activities or vacations, kids catch colds,  and sometimes you just can’t make it to swim class. Here’s how our make-up system works:

• Each swimmer is eligible for one (1) make-up class* per session
• You must record the absence before your scheduled lesson – the more notice, the better!
• Make-ups are booked based on available spots** in classes at the same level
• Make-up lessons do not expire
• Once a make-up is booked, it can’t be rescheduled. If it’s missed, it’s forfeited
• No refunds or credits for missed classes
• A Make-up can be booked up to two weeks in advance in the Parent Portal

Once you know you’re going to be absent, please log into the Parent Portal and record your absence before your class. Once the absence is processed by a staff member, you’ll be able to book your make-up lesson right from your portal. Available make-up spots appear when other families record their own absences – it’s a community-powered system that keeps everyone swimming!

• How to submit an absence resource: Submitting and Booking Make-ups in Parent Portal

*Make-ups do not apply to Lifesaving or School Group programs

*Make-ups cannot be booked during the first two weeks of the session due to anticipated scheduling changes

**Booked Make-ups are subject to change based on new enrollments

Effective June 23, 2026, our refund policy is:

Before the first day of lessons: Full amount paid applied as either a credit on account or refunded to the original payment method

As of the first day of lessons: Credit for the lessons remaining will be applied to the family file to be used toward future programming. No refunds will be applied, and credits are non-refundable.

If you have any concerns, please speak with a Manager.

Lesson days are based on individual start date, not session date.

Credits are non-refundable.

During inclement weather, Making Waves Swim School makes every effort to keep our pools open for as long and as safely as possible.

If you plan to visit one of our pools during inclement weather, closure information can be found via:

• Email Notification (you will not receive these if you have chosen to Opt-Out of email communications)
• By calling ahead to confirm the facility is open
• Posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages (only if all of our facilities are closed)

Decisions will be made on an individual facility basis depending on the activity happening in that geographical region, always keeping the best interest and safety of our families and staff in mind.

Any swimmer under the age of 12 must be accompanied inside the facility before and after their lesson by a designated guardian who is at least 16 years of age.

Yes, we do! As a currently active family with us, please go ahead and let your friends and family know about what a great time you and your kids are having with Making Waves! Learn more about our referral program.

Our pricing varies by location and session and is based on the number of lessons.

Please visit your location page for pricing by session and program.

Payments plans are also available by contacting your local Making Waves for details!

The big glass wall at our facilities is not a barrier!

On the contrary, it is there to allow you to watch your children in a comfortable environment while they enjoy their lessons in our warm pools!

We encourage you to sit on the benches or chairs where provided on the pool deck.

If you have a question or a comment please feel free to speak to your Head Coach or Supervisor.

Please note that during our transition of Oakville Swim Academy to Making Waves, information outlined here may not fully apply. Please consult the policies in your Parent Portal or contact the Oakville facility directly. Thank you!

Please help us prevent a pool fouling which causes a temporary pool closure.

Two swim diapers with a snug fit around the legs and waist are REQUIRED for all swimmers under 36 months, as well as older children who are not fully potty-trained.

Layer 1 can be any reusable or disposable swim diaper that you feel most comfortable with! The outer layer must be a reusable, cloth swim diaper. We recommend the “Happy Nappy!”

Forgot something or have questions about sizing and fit? Let us know! We can help!

Strollers are permitted in the viewing area but we ask that you not bring your stroller into the change rooms or onto the pool deck.

For everyone’s health and safety there are no outdoor shoes permitted in our change room areas or on the pool deck. You are welcome to bring indoor shoes however!

Absolutely! We love cameras! Don’t hesitate to come out to the deck and take pictures of your little fish! If you get a great picture or video, remember to share it with us on Facebook and on Instagram!

While we will try our best to accommodate requests for a particular coach, we cannot guarantee them as the majority of our coaches have schedules that change every few months.

But not to worry! All of our coaches teach the same skills, just with their own personal flair! In fact, exposure to different coaches will help your children progress and succeed at a faster rate.

Crying children are a very normal part of swimming lessons. We see it all the time with beginners – so don’t feel like you’re the only one!

At Making Waves, if a child is crying, the Head Coach will help out with the class and give your child the one-on-one attention they need.

In some situations where your child really can’t stop crying to get your attention, we’ll let you know that it might be time to watch from our observation decks that allow you to cheer them on from where you can’t be seen!

Just be ready with a towel and a big hug for your child after the lesson.

Our Parent and Tot Program is recommended for children between the ages of 2 to 23 months old and babies love the warm water of our pools. Classes without mom or dad in the water start when your child is 2 years of age.

We know that families have a lot of schedules to juggle! If you need to change your scheduled swim time, and if there is space available in your child’s level, we would be happy to help you find another time that fits your schedule.

Of course! We will pro-rate your fees and charge you only for the lessons remaining.

Providing a safe and clean environment is why Making Waves Swim School has always invested heavily in the infrastructure of our pools.

In addition to the appropriate use of chlorine, each pool has a high-quality UV water purification system that keeps the water clean. When water is pumped through our UV system, ultraviolet light rays kill dangerous germs and inactivates viruses.

Making Waves’ air filtration systems continuously expel stale air from the pool room and replace it with 100% ambient, fresh air.

Our dehumidifiers have features like antimicrobial filters and controls that enable us to maintain healthy humidity levels that reduce the survival of bacteria and viruses.

Making Waves Swim Schools are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that monitors pool chemicals electronically and, in addition, we perform scheduled and documented manual water tests throughout the day to maintain healthy and balanced pools.

Making Waves pools are permitted by the governing Health Departments and are periodically inspected without notice by local authorities.

Making Waves pools are some of the cleanest and safest places for your children and our coaches.

Please note that during our transition of Oakville Swim Academy to Making Waves, information outlined here may not fully apply. Please consult the policies in your Parent Portal or contact the Oakville facility directly. Thank you!

We’ve transitioned from paper swim report cards to our Parent Portal for our Little Wave and Big Wave classes, making it easier than ever to track your swimmer’s progress online.

Watch this video to help you find skills in the Parent Portal. We also value in-person feedback and our Coaches will continue to connect with you after each lesson!

At Making Waves Swim School, we value the privacy and comfort of our students and their families. To ensure transparency and trust, we have established the following Photo Consent Policy regarding the use of photographs and videos taken at our facilities, events, and swim lessons.

Purpose of Photo and Video Usage

Making Waves Swim School may capture photos and videos of students, coaches and families to:

• Celebrate student achievements and progress
• Promote our programs through social media, our website and other marketing materials
• Enhance training and educational resources for staff and students
• Document special events and activities within our swim school community

Consent and Authorization

1. Parental/Guardian Consent:
   • For swimmers under 18 years old, written or verbal parental or guardian consent is required before any photo or video is taken and used.
   • Consent will be obtained through a verbal request from a staff member or a separate photo consent form.
2. Adult Consent:
   • For adults (18+), written or verbal consent is required before any photo or video is taken and used.
   • Consent will be obtained through a verbal request from a staff member or a separate photo consent form.

Photography and Video Guidelines

• Photos and videos will never be used for commercial sale or distributed to third parties without explicit consent. 

In all cases:

• We will avoid capturing images that include personal identifiers (e.g., last names, addresses, or contact information).
• Sensitive areas such as change rooms, showers and washrooms are strictly off-limits for photography and videography.
• Only authorized staff or designated photographers are permitted to take photos/videos within Making Waves Swim School facilities.

Opt-Out Policy

• If a parent, guardian, or student does not wish to have their image used, they must indicate this preference at the time of verbal consent being requested
• We will make reasonable efforts to exclude individuals who have opted out from photographs and videos, but previously published content may not always be retracted.

Contact Information

For any concerns or inquiries regarding our Photo Consent Policy, please contact us at: Email: hello@mwss.ca

By participating in our programs, families acknowledge and understand the terms outlined in this Photo Consent Policy.

Please note that during our transition of Oakville Swim Academy to Making Waves, information outlined here may not fully apply. Please consult the policies in your Parent Portal or contact the Oakville facility directly. Thank you!