Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons at the Y

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...

6 months - 3 years, Parent & Child, Stages A - B

3 years - 5 years, Preschool, Stages 1 - 4

5 years - 12 years, School Age, Stages 1 - 6

...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 confidence building experiences, while parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision.

Swim Basics

Students learn personal water safety skills and focus on achieving basic swimming competency skills and by learning these two water safety 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.

Aqua Buddies

Swim lessons designed around every swimmer

Every swimmer learns differently. Aqua Buddies offers swim lessons built to meet the needs of our community, with the flexibility, patience and support that help swimmers with special needs build confidence in the water. Open to ages 3 - 15, these specialized lessons are offered at Jim & Heather Gills YMCA and Speer YMCA.

How It Works

Interested parties will need to contact our team to apply.
Our team meets your swimmer to understand their strengths, comfort level and needs.
Based on the evaluation, your swimmer joins the lesson format that fits them best:
- One-on-One Lessons for individualized attention
- Small Group Lessons for support with a little peer connection
- Group Lessons for social learning and fun

Interested? Have questions? Email the point of contact for your home branch listed below to learn more about the program and the application process.

Browse Offerings by Location

Jim & Heather Gills YMCA

3200 1st Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
727.328.9622

Point of Contact: [email protected]

Online Registration

Speer YMCA

495 62nd Ave. Northeast
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
727.565.1384