MLSP 2020: What a different year it has been for everything, Mazinaw Lake Swim Program included. As you know, MLSP could not operate with regular lessons this summer, however, with the help of some federal grants, we were able to hire swimming staff to create a ‘Virtual’ MLSP!

Last Monday, our dedicated Swimming Lesson staff started producing virtual lessons, safety tips and activities for our MLSP community. These youth have been working hard researching safe lesson ideas, creating videos and pictures, and sharing ideas for a safe swimming season.

We have many initiatives happening this season. First, we have a website: www.mazinawswim.com where you can find safety tips and swimming skills. It also has links to our staff information, fundraisers, contests and other features. Second, we stay connected via social media to our swimming lesson community via an active Facebook group, and Twitter and Instagram accounts. If you haven’t already done so, please follow us at If you are at the lake or pool, have a look at what skills your child can work on. These are divided by lesson level. Our staff have been writing weekly news articles for the local paper, The Frontenac News, to share swimming tips and safety advice.

One of the highlights of our website is weekly lesson ideas. If you are at the lake or pool, have a look at what skills your child can work on. These are divided by lesson level. Our staff have been writing weekly news articles for the local paper, The Frontenac News, to share swimming tips and safety advice.

One of our staff, Tom, has challenged himself to swim around the circumference of Skootamatta Lake to raise water safety awareness and funds for MLSP! You can follow Tom’s progress on Twitter @Skoot4Maz. In addition, an online store will be established for purchasing some MLSP swag! The link to the online store will be shared on our website and social media accounts.

Although we can’t provide lessons in person, as an organization there is still a cost to run virtual lessons including website maintenance, contest prizes, affiliation fees and other related costs.

Our annual Swim-a-Thon is an event that our swimming lesson community really looks forward to! Because of this, we are running a ‘virtual’ Swim-a-Thon this Friday with games and activities that the kids can do in or out of the water! We will have 2 prizes for the Swim-a-Thon this year, a t-shirt and a hoodie. If you are interested in participating in the Swim-a-Thon, you can collect pledges and arrange a time to get the money to Beth Hasler via this email: mazinawlakeswimprogram@gmail.com. Prize pick-up will also be arranged this way. New this year: The top fundraiser will get free lessons for 2021!

We are in the process of arranging a GoFundMe charity account that will make fundraising easier in the future for events like Skoot4Maz and our Swim-a-Thon.

We are excited to stay connected with our swimming lesson community. It is a tough summer to not have lessons – perfect swimming weather! We miss seeing your kids and grandkids and having a blast with them at the lake! We can’t wait to see you in 2021. If you have any questions, please email us and we will respond!

Beth Hasler, on behalf of the MLSP Team