Register Now for Progressive Group Swim Lessons!
Due to capacity limitations, some stages may be combined. For more information, please contact your YMCA Branch.
The YMCA has long been America’s favorite swimming instructor. Whether just learning how to swim, improving strokes, swimming competitively, or taking water exercise classes, members are in safe hands with our certified swimming instructors and lifeguards.
Swim Starters: Ages 6 months - 3 years old
Stage A: Water Discovery
Parents accompany children in Stage A, which introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment through exploration and encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about the water.
1 instructor : 5 - 12 swimmers
Stage B: Water Exploration
In Stage B, parents work with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatics skills.
1 instructor : 5 - 12 swimmers
SWIM BASICS, 3-12 years old
Stage 1: Water Acclimation
Students develop comfort with under water exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water in Stage 1. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student's future progress in swimming.
Preschool ages 3-5:
1 instructor : 4 - 5 swimmers.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 5 - 7 swimmers.
Stage 2: Water Movement
In Stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Preschool ages 3-5:
1 instructor : 4 - 5 swimmers.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 5 - 7 swimmers.
Stage 3: Water Stamina
In Stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.
Preschool ages 3-5:
1 instructor : 4 - 5 swimmers.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 5 - 6 swimmers.
SWIM STROKES, 3-12 years old
Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
In Stage 4, students develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breast stroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary back stroke.
Preschool ages 3-5:
1 instructor : 4 - 5 swimmers.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 5 - 6 swimmers.
Stage 5: Stroke Development
In Stage 5, students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and side stroke.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 6 swimmers
Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
In Stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.
School ages 6-12:
1 instructor : 6 - 7 swimmers
Teen/Adult 13+ years old
Teen/Adult
Beginner swimmers will learn floating (back and front), get an introduction to freestyle, and elementary backstroke. Intermediate swimmers will refine freestyle and elementary backstroke. Learn sidestroke, breaststroke, and deep-water swimming. This is a self-paced class.
1 instructor : 5 - 8 swimmers
