Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons at the Y

Find Your Swim Skills. Find Your Y.

Swimming is one of life’s most essential skills. Knowing how to swim can help save your life or someone else’s, while opening the door to a lifetime of confidence, fitness, and fun in the water.

Our swim lessons are designed for kids and adults of all ages and abilities, and taught by trained, caring instructors who are committed to safety, encouragement, and progress at every level.

Why Choose YMCA Swim Lessons?

Trusted for 125 years by families across the country
Certified, caring instructors who focus on safety and confidence
Proven Learn-to-Swim curriculum updated regularly with the latest techniques
Small-group instruction that helps swimmers progress faster
Inclusive and accessible, with financial assistance available

Whether your swimmer is just getting comfortable in the water or working on advanced skills, we meet them where they are.

Lessons for Every Age and Ability, At the Same Time!

We offer swim lessons for:

Infants and toddlers
Preschool
School-age youth
Teens
Adults and seniors
Beginner through advanced swimmers

View Current Swim Lesson Offerings

The YMCA Difference: Built-In Convenience

Choose your day. Choose your time. We’ll take care of the rest.

Register by day, time, and age group, and we’ll match your swimmer with a trained instructor and appropriate skill-level group. This flexible model makes it easier for busy families to find lessons that fit their schedules, without sacrificing quality instruction. If desired, participants can request specific instructors during registration, and we take this into consideration when creating the staff schedule.

Looking for even more flexibility?

Membership unlocks added benefits.

Non-members are permitted to participate in swimming lessons; however, members receive significantly greater value. Interested in additional options? Consider joining the YMCA.
YMCA members enjoy:

Program discounts up to 50%
Early registration access
Ability to register for multiple sessions at once
Flexible payment options (register now, pay later)
Access to private, semi-private, or custom small-group lessons

Explore Membership Benefits

Safety Comes First

Water safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our instructors emphasize:

Safe entries and exits
Floating and treading water
Breath control and endurance
Awareness of surroundings

These skills help swimmers build confidence while learning how to stay safe in and around the water.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re enrolling your child for the first time or returning to build on existing skills, we’re here to help every swimmer succeed.

View Current Swim Lesson Offerings

Find a pool and register today!

Ages

0 to 99

Programs for every stage of life, from early water exploration to lifelong fitness.

Since

1901

America’s swim instructor, helping communities stay safe in and around the water for over 125 years.

Impact

5,000+

Thousands of children and adults develop the skills they need to be strong, confident, and safer swimmers right here at our Y.

Important Information

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

12+ years
Teen & Adult: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

All age groups are taught the same skills but divided according to their developmental milestones.

Can the student respond to verbal cues and jump on land?
Not yet = A/ Water Discovery

Is the student comfortable working with an instructor without a parent in the water?
Not yet = B/ Water Exploration

Will the student go underwater voluntarily?
Not yet = 1/ Water Acclimation

Can the student do a front and back float on their own?
Not yet = 2/ Water Movement

Can the student swim 10-15 yards on their own?
Not yet = 3/ Water Stamina

Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?
Not yet = 4/ Stroke Introduction

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool?
Not yet = 5/ Stroke Development

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back?
Not yet = 6/ Stroke Mechanics

Swimming Attire
Most bathing suits and swim trunks are acceptable. We ask that any swimwear fits snuggly so it will not hinder any movement. Children should not attend swim lessons with any built-in flotation.

Swim Caps
If you or your child is prone to chill, a swim cap may help. We welcome and encourage this! For swimmers with long hair, we ask that it be tied back away from the face with a rubber band so it does not interfere with learning to breathe. *No metal clips, please—they can fall out in the water and cause rust stains on our pool bottom.

Goggles
For the beginner swimmer, goggles can present a false sense of safety. If your swimmer feels that they need goggles, they may bring them.

Towel
Please bring your own towel to the lesson.

For aquatics questions at Sherwood Regional Family YMCA, email: sherwoodaqua@ymcacw.org

For aquatics questions at Clark County YMCA, email: clarkaqua@ymcacw.org

Dede

I can go at my own pace and not feel pressure to do things I can’t. Everybody is wonderful. I try to come first thing in the morning every day after I drop the kids off. I will stay after and chit-chat with everyone. It is not intimidating at all.

Find a Pool and Join Us!