As demand for swim lessons increases in Metro Vancouver, some turn to private pools [Video]

Some parents in Metro Vancouver say they are turning to private swimming instructors amid a growing demand for lessons at public pools this spring — with one municipality looking to fill the gap by offering swim lessons through schools.

Burnaby, B.C., parent Kelly Mah has been taking her two children to private swimming classes at Pedalheads for around $50 per lesson. 

“I know definitely for a lot of families, it’s very hard to pay like $50 a class to get their kids learning to swim faster,” she said.

But Mah says there should be a lot more publicly-funded swimming lessons for other families, as one municipality reported over 1,000 children were on a wait list last year.

As private providers …