Visit a YMCA branch page for more detailed information on swimming lessons at that location. Information will be available under the "aquatics" section.

Parent/Child (6-36 months)

Promotes water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities for children from 6 to 36 months and their parent or other trusted adult.

Preschool Lessons (3-5 years)

• Pikes (Beginner I) - No previous experience in the water is necessary, but the children must be able to work with the instructor without the parent present. Pikes work on basic skills such as floating, breath control and horizontal body position.
• Eels (Beginner II) - Must have passed Pike. Eels work on independent swimming with floatation devices.
• Rays (Advanced Beginner I) - Must have passed Eel or be able to swim without floatation. Rays work on rhythmic breathing and over-arm recovery on front crawl.
• Starfish (Advanced Beginner II) - Must have passed Ray or be able to swim one length front crawl and one length back crawl. Starfish work on increasing endurance and rotary breathing.

Youth Lessons (6 years–12 years)

• Polliwogs (Beginner) - No previous experience in the water is necessary, but the children must be able to work with the instructor. Polliwogs work on basic skills such as floating, breath control and horizontal body position.
• Guppies (Advanced Beginner) - Must have passed Polliwog or be able to swim on their own. Guppies work on over-arm recovery and rotary breathing.
• Minnows (Intermediate I) - Must have passed Guppy or be able to swim one length paddle stroke and 1/2 length front crawl with rotary breathing. Minnows refine rotary breathing and work on back crawl.
• Fish (Intermediate II) - Must have passed Minnow or be able to swim one length front crawl and one length back crawl. Fish work on increased endurance, breaststroke and elementary backstroke.
• Flying Fish (Advanced I) - Must have passed Fish or be able to swim 50 yards breaststroke. Flying Fish work on butterfly, open turns and endurance swims.
• Shark (Advanced II) - Must have passed Flying Fish or be able to swim 50 yards butterfly. Sharks work on stroke technique and refinement, competitive turns, and they are introduced to swim team rules.
• Porpoise – swim 100 yards (2 laps) of each stroke, tread water for 3 minutes

Teen and Adult Lessons (13 years and up)

We have group lessons for teens and adults with some swimming ability. These classes will develop and polish strokes and skills.