Swim Lessons

The Y introduced the country to group swim lessons over 110 years ago in 1909. Now, as one of the largest community-based organizations in the country, we teach more than a million children, especially those most at-risk of drowning, invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year. As "America's swim instructor," the YMCA teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water.

Classes are organized by age group...

...and then by stage.

Swim Starters

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills through fun and confidencebuilding experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

Swim Basics

Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills:
1) Swim, float, swim — sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide, and exit.
2) Jump, push, turn, grab

Swim Strokes

Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

Swim Lesson Selector

Not sure of your child's swim skill level? Before you register for classes, use our Swim Lesson Selector to ensure you've made the right choice.

Need help? Our staff is available to answer any questions about the swim lessons program - just contact us or stop by the front desk.

Browse Offerings by Location

If zero results found when clicking "Online Registration" either no sessions are currently open for registration, or all current sessions are full. Please check back for future offerings or call your home branch for details.