YOUTH SWIM LESSONS
The Y Aquatics Program is participant centered. The emphasis is on learning, not passing or failing. Each development level is divided into 5 components which include personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water games, and rescue. It is not uncommon for a child to repeat any given level.
Our swimming lessons are specifically tailored to the child’s age, swimming ability, level of physical development, and confidence in the water. The participant will advance in the program as they become more skilled in the water.
Level Descriptions
PARENT/CHILD SWIM LESSONS
Parents and children can come together to learn and grow in Parent/Child Swim Starters Aquatics Program. 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.
A / Water Discovery
Introduces infants and toddlers to the aquatic environment.
B / Water Exploration
Focuses on exploring body positions, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.
PRESCHOOL 3-5 YEARS OLD
Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: swim, float, swim—sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide, and exit— and jump, push, turn, grab.
In Water Acclimation, Water Movement, and Water Stamina, students are taught the recommended skills for all to have around water including safe water habits, underwater exploration, and how to swim to safety and exit in the event of falling into a body of water. Activities, games, and drills, geared to reinforce learning, are utilized heavily as students progress in this skill-based approach to swimming.
1 / Water Acclimation
Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
2 / Water Movement
Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
3 / Water Stamina
Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages.
4 / Stroke Introduction
Introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke.
YOUTH 6-14 YEARS OLD
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 wellbeing, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.
In Stroke Introduction, Stroke Development and Stroke Mechanics, swimmers are introduced to the four competitive swimming strokes as well as rescue skills and healthy lifestyle habits.
1 / Water Acclimation
Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.
2 / Water Movement
Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently.
3 / Water Stamina
Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages.
4 / Stroke Introduction
Introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke.
5 / Stroke Development
Introduces breast-stroke and butterfly and reinforces water safety through treading water and sidestroke.
6 / Stroke Mechanics
Refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Pricing
Members: $54/session
Non-Members: $80/session
Private Swim Lessons
Private swim lessons are now available at the YMCA. Contact Sarah Ruud at 320.222.9622 or sarahr@kandiymca.org for more information.