Making Waves Canada

Making Waves Canada is a non-profit organization that provides one-on-one swimming instruction for children with special needs, aged 4 to 15 years. The organization's mission is to help these children develop basic swimming skills and water safety knowledge, as well as increase their comfort levels in water environments. Through one-on-one instruction and special teaching techniques, they will be given the opportunity to learn valuable aquatic skills.
History
In September 2004, Making Waves began their first session as Montreal Blind Swim. This program began in response to the lack of swimming programs available to visually impaired children. Indeed, one-on-one swimming lessons for visually impaired children were not available, while private swimming instruction was prohibitively expensive. In its first year, Blind Swim had four children taking lessons on Sunday mornings. It was a wonderful success, and the program has since been extended to children with other special needs. Consequently the name was altered in order to reflect this change. Currently, Making Waves offers lessons to over twenty children and has been featured both in newspapers and on television.
Chapters
Making Waves Canada currently hosts two chapters, one at McGill University, and one at McMaster University.
Making Waves Montreal (McGill University)
Making Waves classes are held at the swimming pool of the CEGEP du Vieux-Montréal, which is located downtown Montreal.
The cost per child is $20 per season (there are 8 lessons offered per season). This is purely to cover the costs of lifeguards and minimal program maintenance fees. All instructors' time is given on a voluntary basis. It is important to note that all instructors are fully qualified and experienced, and that a lifeguard is always on duty during classes.
Two sessions are run each year, the first from September to December and then again from January to April. Each class runs for approximately half an hour on Sunday mornings.
In 2009, Making Waves Montreal won the 2009 Forces AVENIR award for work towards Mutual Aid, Peace and Justice in Quebec.
Making Waves McMaster (McMaster University)
Weekly swimming lessons are held at the swimming pool of David Braley Athletic Centre, located in McMaster University.
The cost per child is $40 per season (there are 8 lessons offered per season). This is purely to cover the rental fees and costs of lifeguards. All instructors' time are given on a voluntary basis and they are all fully qualified and experienced. There is always a lifeguard present during the lessons.
Two sessions are run each year, the first from September to December and then again from January to April. Each class runs for approximately an hour on Saturday afternoons.

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