Swimming Lessons Levels

Parent and Child Swim Lessons (6 months -2 years)

SKIP/Parent and Child

This water enrichment program is approved by the American Pediatric Association for those under 3 years of age. It is designed to help your child feel comfortable in the water at an early age. The child becomes acclimated to the sights and sounds of the pool and is introduced to kicking, blowing bubbles, floating, and general water movement through the use of games and toys. You, the parent, are the teacher – with hints and ideas from the Y instructor, who will guide you and your child through a positive experience. Classes meet once a week. Children should wear swim diapers under their swim suit. Children must be accompanied in the water by a parent or another trusted adult. Class ratio: 1:15.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3-5 years)

This group lesson, without parents, is designed to teach water safety and respect for the water. The physical skills they learn will help them develop an awareness of their own bodies, acquire a feeling of independence, gain a sense of success and increase their self-esteem. Personal progress reports are provided at the end of each session.

Pike I: Beginner swimmers who are not comfortable in the water. Class ratio 1:4. Children will complete the following skills: bubbles nose/mouth, submerging head, front/back float and push off wall-paddle (5 strokes).

Pike II: Beginner swimmers who are comfortable in the water. Swim Test Required. Class ratio 1:6. Children will complete the following skills: bobs-5, front/back glide (5 feet), front /back, and Paddle (10 feet).

Eel: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:6. Children will complete the following skills: retrieving object from bottom, high elbows (width), and backstroke arms (width).

Ray: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:7. Children will complete the following skills: retrieving object from bottom, treading water (intro), backstroke (3/4 length), freestyle (3/4 length), and side breathing.

Starfish: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:7. Children will complete the following skills: touch bottom of deep end, treading water (30 sec), freestyle 1 lap side breathing, and backstroke 1 lap.

Youth Swim Lessons (6-12 years)

This is a six-level program designed so that each level builds upon the preceding one. Personal progress reports are provided at the end of each session.

Polliwog I: Beginner swimmers who are not comfortable in the water. Class ratio 1:6. Children will complete the following skills: bubbles nose/mouth, submerging head, front/back float, and push off wall-paddle (5 strokes).

Polliwog II: Beginner swimmers who are comfortable in the water. Swim Test required. Class ratio 1:8. Children will complete the following skills: bobs-5, front/back glide (5 feet),front /back, swim width of pool shallow, retrieving object from bottom, high elbows (width), and backstroke arms (width).

Guppy: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:8. Children will complete the following skills: retrieving object from bottom, treading water (intro), backstroke (3/4 length), freestyle (3/4 length), side breathing intro, and sitting dive.

Micro-Minnow: Advanced Level. Swim Test required. Class ratio 1:8. Children will complete the following skills: touch bottom of deep end, treading water (30 sec), freestyle 1 lap side breathing, backstroke 1 lap, and kneeling dive.

Minnow: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:10. Children will complete the following skills: breathing to the side 2 laps, front and back 2 laps safely without stopping, and standing dive.

Fish: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:10. Children will complete the following skills: proper back stroke, elementary and regular back stroke, and 4 laps.

Flying Fish: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:10. Children will complete the following skills: breast stroke with proper coordination.

Shark: Advanced Level. Swim test required. Class ratio 1:10. Children will complete the following skills: butterfly with proper coordination.

Special Needs Swim Lessons (3-12 years)

One on One lesson’s available upon request for any special needs. To register, contact the Aquatic Director.

Stroke School

The YMCA Stroke School works with swimmers who enjoy competitive experiences yet may not possess the correct stroke or physical abilities to compete. Program emphasis is on stroke improvement and endurance. Children will complete the following skills: Drills of all 4 major stokes, Understanding swim etiquette and termination, Usage of pool materials including backstroke flags, diving blocks, and flip turn T’s. Swimmers must be at Shark Level or higher.

Teen and Adult Swim Lessons (13 years and older)

Learn how to swim or improve your swim skills. A class for beginners and non-beginners. Advanced swimmers must be able to do the following: two-minute tread, 10 relaxed bobs, front and back floats, swim 25 yard front crawl, and feel comfortable in deep water.