Confidence in the Water
When it comes to swimming and water safety, no one is trusted more than the YMCA, America's swim instructor. In fact, group swim instruction was developed by the YMCA in 1906.
The YMCA swim lesson curriculum is designed to teach this lifelong skill to children and adults of all skill levels in a safe environment. We offer swim lessons for the beginner and for those looking to improve their strokes. Adult swim lessons are for individuals ages 13 and older.
Group Lessons
Group swim lessons at the Y are specifically tailored to the participant's age, swimming ability, level of physical development and confidence in the water. The Y ensures a low instructor-to-student ratio to ensure our kids get plenty of personal attention.
- Level 1—Water Acclimation
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Increase comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
- Level 2—Water Movement
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Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
Prerequisite: child must be able to jump, push, turn, grab assisted. Swim, float, swim assisted 10 feet.
- Level 3—Water Stamina
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Develop intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages.
Prerequisite: child must be able to jump, push, turn, grab independently. Swim, float, swim assisted 5 yards.
- Level 4—Stroke Introduction
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Introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke.
Prerequisite: child must be able to jump, swim, turn, swim, grab 10 yards. Swim, float, swim 25 yards.
- Level 5—Stroke Development
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Introduces breaststroke and butterfly and reinforces water safety through treading water and sidestroke.
Prerequisite: child must be able to swim any stroke or combination of strokes, 25 yards.
- Level 6—Stroke Mechanics
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Introduces refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Prerequisite: child must be able to swim any stroke or combination of strokes, 50 yards.
Private/Semi-Private Swim Lessons
Designed to give participants individualized attention to improve or master their swim skills. Together, the instructor, participant and/or parent determine goals for private swim lessons and the curriculum is customized in order to meet these goals.