Youth Development - Aquatics
YMCAs have been teaching people to swim for more than a century. Our youth aquatics programs help kids develop life-long skills that can help them stay healthy and gain confidence. Each year, we teach hundreds of children to swim and be safe around water. Classes are divided into ability groups and trained instructors emphasize personal safety, swimming skills, endurance and social skills, while guiding students with praise and encouragement.
SKIPPERS SWIM LESSONS (preschool age)
SKIPPERS is our preschool age swim program, designed to teach your child around five main components. These are personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue procedures. Our program also includes character development through structured activities following natural progressions. Our program is organized to encourage individual self-confidence and independence rather than competition and comparison. We want your child to have FUN! Listed below are skill levels and requirements to enter each level.
SKIPPERS LEVELS
Parent/Child Swim Class
These programs allow parents and children to participate together in teacher-initiated activities appropriate for the physical, cognitive and social development of the young child. 6 mos.-3 yrs.
Perch
24-36 months. Perch is a parent/child class designed for 2 and 3 year old children who have succcessfully and confidently completed all three levels of Parent/Child Swim.
Pike (Beginner)
These children have little or no experience in the water. Child will learn floating, kicking, and paddle arm skills. Children wear large floatation devices. Prerequisite: 3 years old.
Eel (Advanced Beginners)
Child will learn front glide, back glide and the paddle stroke without assistance. Will also introduce sit dives and swimming with a square bubble. Prerequisite: Child must be able to float and blow bubbles and paddle stroke.
Ray (Intermediate)
Child will learn paddle stroke with breathing, kicking on front and back for endurance, dives, jumping and working on swimming with a flat bubble. Prerequisite: Child must be able to front and back glide, and paddle stroke across the width of the pool without assistance.
Starfish (Advanced)
Child will learn rudimentary backstroke, and work on endurance without a bubble.
Prerequisite: Child must be able to swim without a bubble on front and back.
PROGRESSIVE YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (6 - 12 yrs)
The youth swim program strives for goals which go beyond swimming skills designed to teach your child around five main components. These are personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue procedures. Our program also includes character development through structured activities following natural progressions. We work to develop a child's potential, build confidence, endurance and promote a better self-image. Listed below are skill levels and requirements to enter each level.
POLLIWOG (Beginner)
Little or no experience. Child will learn front glide, flutter kick and paddle stroke. Also back glide and back flutter kick. Prerequisite: child must be 6 yrs. old
GUPPY (Advanced Beginner)
Child will learn rotary breathing, front crawl for distance and elementary backstroke. Prerequisite: Child must be able to complete 25 yd's of paddle stroke without assistance.
MINNOW (Intermediate)
Child will work on endurance in the front and back crawl as well as diving skills. Prerequisite: Child must be able to complete 25 yards of front crawl with rotary breathing.
FISH (Beginning Advanced)
Child will learn elementary backstroke, dolphin kick and breaststroke kick. Prerequisite: child must be able to swim 75 yards of front crawl and 75 yards of back crawl.
FLYING FISH (Advanced)
Child will learn the butterfly and breaststroke strokes. Endurance swim of 200 yards front crawl and 200 yards of Individual Medley. Prerequisite: 50 yards of elementary backstroke, dolphin kick, and breaststroke kick.
SHARK
Child will work on endurance of 400 yards. Also work on flip turns for all four strokes. Prerequisite: 50 yards of butterfly and breaststroke and endurance swim of 200 yards.
