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Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons

The YMCA Swim Lessons Program has two main components: Parent/Child and Preschool Aquatic Program and Youth and Adult Aquatic Program. The first is for children under the age of five and their parents; the second is for children ages 6 and up, as well as adults and people with disabilities.

The Parent Child/Preschool Program has 8 levels: the first four levels are for children under three and their parents, and within these levels, they learn water orientation and adjustment skills; the second four levels are for children ages 3 through 5, and within those levels, they learn beginning swimming skills. The Youth/Adult Program has 7 levels, each one building on the one before it.

There are five components to the YMCA Swim Lesson Program:

  • Personal Safety, includes rules and safety tips, floating, treading, use of personal floatation devices (PFDs), boating safety, and health and safety.
  • Personal Growth, includes character development and personal growth opportunities.
  • Stroke Development, includes water orientation and adjustment skills (Parent/Child) and major swimming strokes.
  • Water Sports and Games, includes synchronized swimming, water polo/wetball and competitive swimming.
  • Rescue, includes recognizing emergencies and getting help, non-swimming rescues, and first aid.

What makes our programs different? The goal of the YMCA swim lesson program is to develop the whole person--spiritually, mentally and physically. Our teaching methods focus primarily on student-centered learning, increasing awareness of safety in all aspects, and assisting participants in perfecting skills to the best of their ability. The goal is to create a life-long interest in aquatic activities and promote a healthy lifestyle. All instructors are certified.

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Infant (0-1 yrs)

Inia

(Ages 13-18 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Kipper

(Ages 9-12 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Parent and Child Preschool Swim Lessons

(Ages 6 months to 3 years) Promotes water enrichment and aquatic-readiness activities for children and their parents or other trusted adults.

Perch

(Ages 19-36 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Shrimp

(Ages 6-8 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

You and Me Baby Aqua Exercise

This class is for prenatal and postpartum moms. It will help you tone, strengthen, increase flexibility, boost your energy and aid in delivery as well as postpartum recovery. Exercise right up to delivery and return as soon as possible after. Moms with infants under five months are welcome to bring the baby into the pool during class. No swimming skills are needed.

Preschool (1-5 yrs)

Eel

(Ages 3-5 years) This class is designed for the child who has advanced from Pike Advanced or can swim independently with a flotation device on their front, back and side the length of the pool and is able to do a front and back float for 10 seconds.

Gym and Swim

30 minutes of gym time, full of singing, gross motor activities and game play followed by 30 minutes of swim lessons. Have your child wear their bathing suit to class. Pick up at the pool.

Inia

(Ages 13-18 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Kinder Fit-n-Fun

Bring your kindergartner to the YMCA for a fun time of gym, fitness, swim lessons and art to enrich their Kindergarten experience.

Kipper

(Ages 9-12 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Lunch Time Wee Folks with Swim

Chrildren bring their lunch or a snack to eat for the first half hour and should come to class with thier suit on. After we eat we will do an art activity, go to the preschool gym and then finish out the day with a swim lesson. Parents will pick up their child at the pool deck when the class is over.

Parent and Child Gym and Swim Classes

Enjoy time with your child in the preschool gym and the pool! Spend part of the class playing with your child on our preschool gym apparatus under the direction of Y staff member. The other part of class is in our parent/child swim class, helping your child, under the coaching of a swim instructor, to learn how to swim, have fun and be safe in the water.

Parent and Child Preschool Swim Lessons

(Ages 6 months to 3 years) Promotes water enrichment and aquatic-readiness activities for children and their parents or other trusted adults.

Perch

(Ages 19-36 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Pike (Beginner)

(Ages 3-5 years) This class offers children their first experience in the pool without parental assistance. Children will learn safe pool behavior, adjust to the water and develop independent movement. Participants learn basic paddle stroke and kicking skills, and learn to hold their faces in the water while blowing bubbles.

Pike 2 (Beginner)

(Ages 3-5 years) This class is designed for those who are more advanced than Pike but not yet ready for the Eel class. Participants must have completed the Pike class as a prerequisite.

Preschool Swim Lessons

(Ages 3-5 years) Teaches water adjustment and basic swimming skills for children. In most cases, classes are held without parents, but some Ys do offer classes in which parents participate with children.

Ray

(Ages 3-5 years) This class is for the child who has advanced from the Eel class or who can swim the length of the pool with one float on the belt on their front, back and side, and can swim 15 feet on their front, back and side without a flotation device.

Seahorse (Pike with Parent)

Is your child ready to learn to swim but not ready to learn without you? This class is designed for beginner swimmers accompanied by a parent in the water. This class is similar to the Pike level class but is meant for swimmers who are not ready to swim without their parent.

Shrimp

(Ages 6-8 months) A parent must be in the water with each child. The class focuses on water orientation and adjustment through songs and games.

Starfish

(Ages 3-5 years) This class is designed for the child who has advanced from the Ray class or who can swim a length of the pool on their front, back and side without a flotation device.

Tadpoles

This class is designed for the child who is not ready to be separated from the parent, however is ready to work on the Pike swim skills. This is a great class to bridge between parent/child and the pike class.

Turf and Surf

This is a great class for children to participate in structured gym and pool activities. Participants will spend 45 minutes in the gym and 30 minutes in the pool. Children must wear their swimsuits under their clothes. Parents will pick their child up from the pool. All swimming abilities welcome.

Wee Folks

This class will start with an art activity, then go on to the preschool gym, and then finish the morning out with a swim lesson. Bring your child to class in a swimsuit. Make sure clothing and bags are well marked. Please pick up your child from the pool deck.

Youth (6-12 yrs)

Advanced Swim Clinic

Children must have instructor approval before registering for this class.  Pre-requisites required.

Boy Scout/Girl Scout Badge Program

Is your den, pack or troop looking to earn an Aquatics badge, belt loop, or pin? Our staff will work with you to tailor a program to meet your exact needs and badge requirements. (Does not include badges, belt loops, or pins).  Contact your local YMCA for availability and details.

Fish

This class is for the swimmer who has advanced from Minnow or who can swim front crawl, back crawl breaststroke, sidestroke and elementary backstroke for three lengths of the pool.

Fish Club

Children in this club must be able to swim at least two lengths of front crawl, backstroke and breast stroke. This club will teach butterfly and enhance your child's ability to swim competitively .

Flying Fish

This class is for the swimmer who has advanced from Fish or who can swim four lengths of front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, elementary backstroke and 25 yards (one length) of butterfly.

Goldfish Swim (Special Needs)

Goldfish swim is for children with special needs including neurological, physical or social challenges. The swim instruction is designed around the specific needs of each child and may include being accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian.

Guppy

To enter this level, children should be able to float on front and back for 30 seconds without a float belt, paddle for 25 yards without a float belt on the front, back and side, jump in without assistance, and be comfortable in deep water.

Guppy (Intermediate)

For children who can swim, as a paddle, 10 yards on their front, back and side without flotation.

Home School Swim Lessons

Our Progressive swim lessons are now going to be offered on Friday mornings for children who are home schooled. The same great program, just at a different time! Lessons available for ALL ages!

Jellyfish

Jellyfish is the class for swimmers who have little or no experience in the water.  In this class we focus on water adjustment and water safety.

Lunch Time Wee Folks with Swim

Chrildren bring their lunch or a snack to eat for the first half hour and should come to class with thier suit on. After we eat we will do an art activity, go to the preschool gym and then finish out the day with a swim lesson. Parents will pick up their child at the pool deck when the class is over.

Minnow

To enter this level, children should be able to front and back float for one minute, front alternating paddle with rhythmic breathing for 25 yards without float belt, front and back symmetrical paddle for 25 yards, side and back alternating paddle for 25 yards, kneeling dive.

Minnow (Advanced Beginner)

This is the initial intermediate level class. Children further refine the lead-up strokes they have learned, as their skills become more like those normally used in swimming.

Penguins

This class teaches students with special needs how to swim.  It will be taught by a special education teacher who is fluent in sign language and assistants based on student's needs.  Class size will be limited to only 4 students.  Parents are required to remain in the pool area during class time.

Polliwog I (Beginner)

This is the beginning level class for school-age children. This class helps children get acquainted with the pool through the use of flotation devices and basic swimming skills like floating and front paddle stroke. By the end of this level children should be able to front paddle the length of the pool unassisted.

Polliwog II (Advanced)

The beginning level for school-age children. Children should already know how to float on their back and front, paddle on their front, back and side with a belt and 10 feet without a belt.

Porpoise

Swimmers must be able to swim front crawl with bilateral breathing and flip turns, backstroke with flip turns, breaststroke with open turns, glide and correct kick for 200 yards, as well as basic butterfly for 50 yards.

Shark

This class is for the swimmer who has advanced from Flying Fish or who can swim four lengths of front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke and butterfly.

Shark Club

Children in this club must be able to swim at least four lengths of front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke. This club will teach butterfly and enhance your child's ability to swim competitively.

Silver Sharks

Does your child love to swim and want a challenge in the water? Is your child excited to learn flip turns, streamlining and the individual medley? This class focuses on stroke development and endurance of the four competitive strokes. Must be a minimum of fish level.

Sport and Swim

This class combines fun in the pool and a sports mix. Each week we will be active palying games and sampling different sports. In the pool, your child will participate in our swim lessons. The swim participants will be participating in classes according to their ability level.

Stroke Clinic

For those who already swim and want to improve their strokes, this class will work on stroke techniques and training tips that will make your strokes more efficient and increase your stamina. The class is taught by professionally certified instructors who enjoy swimming as a life sport.

Youth Swim

Our youth swim lessons include polliwog through guppy levels. The YMCA Youth Swim Lesson program is comprised of five components: Personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water games and sports, and rescue. The Y advocates a student-centered learning approach with developmentally-appropriate activities.

The program utilizes series—or sustained—swimming to develop skills, strength and endurance; peer grouping in which children are grouped by age as well as ability; instructional flotation devices to aid skill development; and games as a tool to enhance learning at all levels.

Teen (13-17 yrs)

Stroke Clinic

For those who already swim and want to improve their strokes, this class will work on stroke techniques and training tips that will make your strokes more efficient and increase your stamina. The class is taught by professionally certified instructors who enjoy swimming as a life sport.

Adult (18+ yrs)

Adult Beginner Swim Lessons

It's never too late to learn! Go on & take that plunge! Professional instruction for adults learning to swim in a safe and interactive environment.

Adult Intermediate Swim Lessons

This class is designed for adult swimmers who are comfortable in deeper water, can independently front and backfloat as well as swim half the length of the pool.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Training

Learn the skills and knowledge required to become a lifeguard, including how to recognize, prevent and respond quickly to aquatic emergencies. Learn CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, Oxygen Administration and First Aid.

Stroke Development

For those who already swim and want to improve their strokes, this class will work on stroke techniques and training tips that will make your strokes more efficient and increase your stamina.

Terrified of Water (T.O.W.)

If you are afraid of the water then Terrified of the Water (T.O.W.) is the class for you.

You and Me Baby Aqua Exercise

This class is for prenatal and postpartum moms. It will help you tone, strengthen, increase flexibility, boost your energy and aid in delivery as well as postpartum recovery. Exercise right up to delivery and return as soon as possible after. Moms with infants under five months are welcome to bring the baby into the pool during class. No swimming skills are needed.

Senior (62+ yrs)

Senior Learn to Swim

Swim lessons specifically designed for adults 55 and older.

Super Seniors Open Swim

Open Senior Swim. Swim at your own pace will enjoying the company of the other members.

All Ages

Aquatic Games: Bullfrong and Tadpoles

Aquatic Games is a fun brand new class for children to learn and play different water games such as Sharks and Minnows, Water Polo, Snorkeling, and Water Volleyball. The goal of the class is to learn how to be fit in the water through different aquatic activities while having fun! Each week we will be focusing on a different water activity. Snorkel kit is included in the cost of the class. Participants must be Guppy level or higher.

Conqueror's Swim Program

The Leaning Tower YMCA Conqueror's Swim Program is FREE to members and is for individuals who are developmentally or physically challenged. Individuals must be able to gain entrance to the pool without the use of a lift or ramp.