Children progress through a series of swim levels, each building on the last. Each level focuses on water safety fundamentals, age-appropriate swim skills, and confidence and independence in the pool. From their first splash to strong, capable strokes, every child moves at their own pace with encouragement every step of the way.
🛟 Trusted instructors trained in water safety
🌊 Small group lessons focused on skill mastery
🌟 A program rooted in decades of experience
💙 A safe, supportive environment where kids thrive
Register below for upcoming sessions. Not sure what level to start with? Check out our Swim Lesson Selector.
TIME: 30 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
In Water Discovery, infants and toddlers are introduced to the aquatics environment.
Accompanied by a parent or guardian, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents and guardians learn about water safety, drowning prevention and the importance of supervision.
TIME: 30 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Water Exploration focuses on learning body positions, blowing bubbles and practicing fundamental safety and aquatic skills.
Accompanied by a parent or guardian, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences, while parents and guardians learn about water safety, drowning prevention and the importance of supervision.
TIME: 35 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Water Acclimation is the first stage of swim lessons and focuses on skills for beginners. In Water Acclimation, students are introduced to the pool and develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. Students become comfortable with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit a body of water in the event they fall in. This introductory stage builds the foundation for the child's future progress in swimming.
TIME: 35 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Water Movement is the second stage of swim lessons. In this stage, students focus on body position and control, forward movement, directional change and basic self-rescue skills. This stage also reinforces how to safely exit a body of water in the event of falling in.
This swim lesson stage is available for preschool (ages 3-5) and youth (ages 6-12) swimmers at most Y centers.
TIME: 35 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Water Stamina is the third stage of swim lessons and the final stage in the Swim Basics phase. In this stage, students learn basic stroke techniques, rotary breathing and integrated arm and leg action. In the event they fall into a body of water, children learn how to swim, move to safety and exit.
This swim lesson stage is available for preschool (ages 3-5) and youth (ages 6-12) swimmers at most Y centers.
TIME: 35 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Stroke Introduction is the fourth stage of swim lessons and the first in the Swim Strokes category. Students develop the basic frontcrawl and backcrawl strokes and are introduced to components of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes. Students also build endurance and practice safety techniques for deep water.
This stage is available for preschool (ages 3-5) and youth (ages 6-12) at most centers.
TIME: 45 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
Stroke Development is the fifth stage of swim lessons. Students continue to work on their stroke techniques and are introduced to all competitive strokes. Swimmers develop stamina in the basic frontcrawl and backcrawl strokes, learn the breast and butterfly strokes. Deep water safety and endurance are also reinforced.
TIME: 45 minutes per lesson
FEES: Vary by center
For kids able to swim the competitive strokes, Stroke Mechanics offers an opportunity to further develop skills and form. Classes use drills to improve technique and also include instruction and practice on turns and streamlines.
Swimmers ready for this stage are encouraged to explore Swim Club at centers that do not offer the Stroke Mechanics swim lesson level.
Free swim assessments are available to determine the appropriate swim lesson stage for each student. Discuss what level is appropriate with the Aquatics Director at your Y location, or register for the phase that is most appropriate for the swimmer’s abilities and our trained staff will place students in the correct phase during the first lesson. Contact the Y for more information on swim lessons and swim assessments.
The Y has a long tradition of providing effective, high-quality swim lesson programs that teach people of all ages to have fun and be safe around the water. In fact, group swim lessons started at the Y in 1909. All Y swim lessons are taught by swim instructors certified by the YMCA of the USA.
Our curriculum focuses on a core group of water skills every person needs to be safe around water. These core skills naturally progress to competitive swim strokes. Students begin with and build upon skills they are ready to learn, helping them to celebrate their successes, build self-confidence and enjoy learning to swim and water safety.
Swim Conditioning is one offering from the competitive pathway students can pursue following YMCA swim lessons. The program focuses on continuing to build endurance and stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Please note that no refunds will be issued after the registration period has ended. However, we understand that special circumstances may arise, and we are happy to review these on a case-by-case basis.
