Skip to main content

SWIM LESSONS

What you'll learn at YMCA swimming lessons:

YMCA swimming lessons are designed to help you learn more in a safe and inviting environment. If you’re just starting out and want to discover how to learn swimming we have lessons just for you. If you’re more experienced we offer a complete range of progressive swim lessons to advance your skills. From teaching kids swimming to adult swimming lessons — learn to swim at the YMCA no matter what level your aquatic skills are at. 

How do I know which level is right for me?

This selector guide can help you decide what class would be best for your child. We offer classes by age first and then by skill level. You can also call your local Y and set up a free evaluation to see what class would be best for your child. 

  • Parent & Child: Stages A/B -- Ages 6 months - 2 years

  • Preschool: Stages 1-4 -- Ages 3-5 years

  • School Age: Stages 1-6 -- Ages 6-12 Years

  • Teen & Adult: Stages 1-6 -- Ages 13 & up

VIEW SWIM LESSON SELECTOR GUIDE

Swim Starters

SWIM STARTERS

For parents and their infants or toddlers. Here you’ll learn to be comfortable in the water and develop essential swimming skills through fun and confidence-building experiences.

Swim Basics

SWIM BASICS

For swimmers who want to learn more about personal water safety. Students will learn about water acclimations, movement and stamina. The outcome will be the achievement of basic swimming competency.

Swim Strokes

SWIM STROKES

For those that have mastered the fundamentals. If this is you, you’ll learn additional water safety skills and build your stroke technique.

 

SWIM TEAM

YMCA swim team participants improve individual skills while swimming competitively both at the local and national levels. Coaches focus on proper technique while helping participants improve their endurance, learn teamwork and make friends.

Introduction to Swim Team

YMCA SWIM TEAM

Competitive Swim Teams strive to teach, train and motivate children to achieve their potential in competitive swimming. Our direction and philosophy applies to the novice as well as the national caliber athlete. Our coaching staff emphasizes appropriate swimmer to coach ratios, and ability-based practice groups.

Westside Waves

INTRO TO SWIM TEAM PROGRAMS

An introduction to competitive swim program. The focus on this class is on endurance and stroke development. Available offerings include: Aquatic Conditioning at the Eastside YMCA, Stingers at the Northwest YMCA, Tiger Cubs at the Bay View YMCA, and Waves at the Westside YMCA.

 

OTHER SWIM LESSON OPTIONS

Diverse Abilities

DIVERSE ABILITIES SWIM LESSONS

Aquatics exercise is highly recommended for children with special needs. Most children can learn to swim with patient, caring swim instructors. The program is open to children with, but not limited to, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, MS, ADHD, and physical limitations. Volunteers and parent helpers will keep the student/teacher ratio a one-on-one.

Family Swim Lessons

FAMILY SWIM LESSONS

Families will work with an instructor to develop their current swimming skills. Families will work together to achieve their goals. The group can be made up of children and adults. There is a maximum of four people in each group per session

Private Swim

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

Private swim lessons are available for all ages and abilities. Trained instructors will work with you or your child to enhance swimming ability and overcome water fear. Each lesson runs 30 minutes long and can be based on pool/instructor availability.

a photo of the back of a lifeguard looking at a pool with swimmers

R.A.A.F.T.

Rochester Aquatic Academy For Teens. R.A.A.F.T is designed to take teens from begin swimmers through to being ready to take a lifeguard course.
Swim Lesson Assessment

SWIM LESSON ASSESSMENTS

Take this FREE opportunity to have an assessment of the skill level you or your child have. This one-time class will provide you with a one-on-one lesson with one of our instructors, followed by assistance in choosing the best lesson.

a person in an orange swim cap and goggles swimming laps

INTRO TO TRIATHLON SWIMMING

For swimmers looking to go the extra mile or support training for triathlons. Class will meet once per week with the instructor, with participants expected to train for two additional days per week on their own.

Homeschool Swim

HOMESCHOOL SWIM

Perfect for homeschool families looking to add swimming into their curriculum.