For the purposes of this Bulletin, the Swim Assessment refers to the updated Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form and In-Water Swimming Assessment requirements outlined in the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards (OPASSE).
Purpose
This bulletin is intended to:
- highlight significant updates to the safety standards related to Swim Assessment across all watercraft and water-based activities; and
- support school board policy review and system/school-level implementation.
Audience
This bulletin is for Directors of Education, Supervisory Officers responsible for oversight of school programs related to watercraft and/or water-based activities as part of the curricular, intramural or interschool programming, as well as other system leaders supporting physical education, outdoor education, and student safety.
Rationale for updates
The overarching goals of this work were to ensure OPASSE continues to provide current direction and evidence-informed strategies to:
- reduce the risk of drowning;
- maintain a high level of student safety in, on, and around water; and
- reduce or eliminate barriers to participation for students who identify as non-swimmers, weak swimmers, or who are not comfortable in various water environments.
Key updates
1. Barrier-Reduced Swim Safety Assessment
- The traditional “swim test” requirement has been redefined in certain activities as a Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form.
- This applies where all participants must wear a correctly fitting, Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket, with whistle/signalling device attached, at all times near, in, or on the water where depth poses a risk.
- The Questionnaire prompts teachers to consider multiple factors influencing student safety, including swimming ability, prior experience, and comfort level in the specific body of water.
Rationale: Maintains safety while removing unnecessary participation barriers and enabling program modifications tailored to student needs.
2. Revised In-Water Swimming Assessment Criteria
- In activities where an in-water assessment remains required, the criteria have been updated to reflect the specific skills necessary for safe participation in that activity.
Rationale: Aligns assessment with actual activity demands, ensuring relevance and clarity for both students and assessors.
3. Categorization of Watercraft and Water-Based Activities by Risk Level
- OPASSE watercraft and water-based activities have been reviewed and grouped into categories based on similar risk profiles.
Rationale: Supports consistency in safety standards and alignment of language across similar activities.
4. Holistic, Consistent Safety Standards
- New and revised safety standards ensure all water-based activities follow consistent, evidence-informed requirements, including:
- consistent expectations across similar activities; and
- clear emphasis on multiple safety measures that protect students in, on, and around the water.
What this means for school boards
School boards should establish a process and timeline to transition from current water safety procedures to the updated OPASSE Swim Assessment requirements.
This may include:
- reviewing and revising (as necessary) school board safety policies and documentation forms;
- communicating changes to staff, students, and parents/guardians; and
- training staff on the new Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form and updated in-water assessment criteria.
Resources and supports for implementation
Released by Ophea (September 2025):
- Updated Swim Assessment standards for all watercraft and water-based activities
- Updated In-Water Swimming Assessment Criteria
- Sample Swim Ability and Swim Comfort Assessment Questionnaire Form
For more information
Contact: safety@ophea.net