Swim Lessons

Our YMCA Swim Lessons Program uses a curriculum developed by Aquatics Professionals at the YMCA of the USA and we have adapted those classes to fit our YMCA’s needs. This program starts with basic skills that help develop a comfort level in the water. Each stage builds on the skills learned in previous stages. Age groups are divided between Preschool (ages 3-5) and School-Age (ages 6-14). Swim belts that range from 3 squares (the most support) to 1 square (very little support) are provided for all lessons and students are encouraged to use them until they can swim without them. Instructors will advise you on what belt is needed as they help students master skills. Check out the Benchmark Skills needed to complete a stage, it should help you in determining where your child should start.

Click this link to follow our flow chart so you know which stage you or your child need to be in. 

Youth Group Swim Lessons 

Adult Group Swim Lessons  

Parent/Child Swim Lessons

Diverse Ability Swim Lessons

Private Swim Lessons (any age)

Stage 1/2 Water Movement

First, instructors help develop a comfort level with the water, including how to enter and exit the water safely. Once that has been established, instructors start working on skills that develop body position and control so children can start moving themselves through the water. Our Stage 1/2 combines two stages of skills so many children repeat Stage 1/2 multiple times before they can move up to Stage 3.

Benchmark Skills to move to next level:

• Submerge-child will jump and go completely under or child will push themselves completely underwater while holding onto the wall.
• Swim on front-floating/gliding about 5 yards in a horizonal position on or near the surface of the water
• Swim on back-floating/gliding about 5 yards in a horizonal position on or near the surface of the water
• Water Safety-how to exit the water, roll over to float, treading water (15-30 seconds)
• Understand how to jump in and get back to the wall.
• Be able to swim, roll over to float, then roll back over and swim for a total of about 10-13 yards.

Stage 3 Water Stamina

Swimmers in this stage should be able to successfully complete most skills from Stage 1/2, especially submerging and floating. This stage focuses on building endurance for swimming longer distances and introduces unified arm and leg action. Freestyle is introduced and children will be expected to swim with their faces in the water before they can move to Stage 4.

Benchmark Skills to move to next level:

• Submerge with breath control-go under, blow bubbles, resurface and take a breath, go back under and blow bubbles; retrieve object off bottom in shallow end.
• Swim 10-13 yards on front, with kidding and arm movements resembling a front crawl.
• Swim 10-13 yards on back, with kicking; an understanding of how back stroke is swum.
• Water Safety-safe water entry in deep water, exit, rolling into a float (30+seconds), treading water (45-60 seconds)

Stage 4 Stroke Introduction

Swimmers in this stage should be able to successfully complete most skills from Stage 3, especially retrieving objects off the bottom of the pool and swimming on front with movements that resemble freestyle. This stage focuses on developing more proficient stroke technique for freestyle and back stroke, building endurance, and introduces breaststroke and butterfly kicks. Swimmers should be able to swim, without assistance, 50 yards (2 lengths) of the pool using a combination of strokes and kicks prior to moving to Stage 5/6.

Benchmark Skills to move to next level:

• Swim freestyle/front crawl on front 15-25 yards, knowledge or breast stroke and butterfly
• Swim backstroke/elementary backstroke on back 15-25 yards
• Dive safely, tread water for 1 minute or more.
• Swim 50 yards (two lengths of the pool) continuously using a combination of strokes without assistance.

Stage 5/6 Stroke Development and Mechanics

Swimmers in this stage should be able to complete most skills from Stage 4, especially freestyle/front crawl and backstroke. This stage is a combined stage and the last stage that our YMCA offers before recommending other swimming avenues such as swim team. Students work on stroke technique, learn all 4 competitive strokes and eventually start developing endurance in those competitive strokes.

Benchmark Skills to complete swim lessons:

• Swim 100 yards (4 lengths of the pool) without stopping or assistance demonstrating all 4 competitive strokes (one length of each) or 100 yards without stopping or assistance demonstration 4 lengths of freestyle while breathing to the side.
• Successfully dive from a standing position on the side of the pool.
• Tread water for 2 minutes.

• You can register online or at the Y.
• Registration will begin at 5:00pm the day of registration.
• Space is limited in each class. If class is full we encourage you to sign up for the wait list.
• Youth classes last 30 minutes and Adult classes lasts an hour.

SPRING SWIM LESSONS 

April Lessons:

April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24

6 lessons, 30 minutes each, Tuesdays and Thursdays

May Lessons:

May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22

6 lessons, 30 minutes each, Tuesdays and Thursdays

PRE-SCHOOL AGE SWIM LESSONS: (age 3-5)    

*Must pay Registration Fee at the time of Registration. 

SCHOOL AGE SWIM LESSONS: (age 6-14)     

*Must pay Registration Fee at the time of Registration. 

ADULT SWIM LESSONS: (ages 15 years & older) 

Monday evenings, 4 lessons, 45 minutes, 1 time a week
6:00pm-6:45pm

Check back later for dates.

Registration Fee: $20 for Finch Y Members*    $55 for Non-Members*

*Must pay Registration Fee at the time of Registration. 

Parent/Child Swim Lessons: (ages 6 months to 3 years)

 COMING SUMMER 2025

-Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

-Swim diapers for children not yet potty trained are required.

-Anyone entering the pool must have proper swim attire such as a bathing suit.

-This class is designed to help acclimate young children to the water within their comfort zone by having someone they trust with them. This should not be used as a replacement for the best defense against drowning: actively watching your children in the water. This class will not "drown proof" your child.

DIVERSE ABILITY SWIM LESSONS

At the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to swim regardless of their ability. Our Diverse Ability Swim Lessons are one-on-one and offer a supportive learning environment to learn basic swim skills.

How do I register?

Sign up for these lessons by stopping at the Member Service Desk and filling out a registration form prior to the first day of class. Be prepared to list out your child's special needs including their potential triggers, how they prefer to communicate (words, pictures, gestures, etc), medical needs, and any accommodations they might require.

Registration begins March 24th.

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

Request Form

Private swim lessons are intended for those persons seeking individual, one-on-one attention, and/or a less self-conscious environment than may be present during group lessons.  We also offer Semi-Private lessons for those persons seeking smaller group instruction than during regular group lessons. Private and semi-private swim lessons are scheduled during YMCA operational hours at times convenient to student and instructor.  

Private Swim Lesson Fees:

Semi-Private Swim Lesson Fees:

Interested parties are responsible for assembling a group for semi-private group lessons.

Finch YMCA Members:   $140 for 2 swimmers – 6 session package (30 min.)

                                   $185 for 3 swimmers – 6 session package (30 min.)

Non Members:              $190 for 2 swimmers – 6 session package (30 min.)

                                   $235 for 3 swimmers – 6 session package (30 min.)

**Swimmers must be age 8 and over to participate in lessons lasting 45 minutes or longer.**

All lessons, regardless of package must be paid for for in full prior to the beginning of the first lesson. All lesson packages expire after 3 months of purchase. Late arrivals are not guaranteed additional time to make up for their tardiness. Extra time will be given at the instructor's discretion. Failure to notify your instructor you cannot attend a scheduled lesson will result in a loss of lesson. All lessons will take place during YMCA operational hours at times that are convenient to the instructor and participant, but not as to interfere with YMCA aquatic programs such as water aerobics, swim lessons, or swim team practices. 

If you have any questions about our swim lesson program, please contact Alex Laughlin, Swim Instruction Coordinator, at Alex.Laughlin@MyYNow.org or Katie Wall, Aquatic Coordinator, at Katherine.Wall@MyYNow.org.