WHY THE Y?
The YMCA has been America's leading swim instructor for more than 100 years. We provide recreational and specialty aquatics programs for all ages and abilities, including parent-child classes, water exercise and therapy, and water safety and rescue classes. At each level, Y instructors build on what each person already knows. The same individualized instruction can help adults who haven't learned to swim, through private or group lessons.
But YMCA aquatics aren’t all about instruction. Our pools are open regularly for lap swimmers and family swim times. Aquatic group exercise classes are designed to increase strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and are ideal for people with muscle or joint impairment. In YMCA aquatic programs, children learn to be safe around water and they feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new. Children can develop lifelong skills that can help them stay healthy.
Not sure which lesson to place your child? It is important that children are placed in the correct level. Please consider the following class requirements and goals before registering your child.
For more information check out our Program Guide.
Programs Now Open For Registration:
Parent / Child Swim Lessons (6 months - 36 months)
SHRIMP
Our objective is to have both parent and child comfortable in the water. Parents will learn proper ways to teach their children to be safe in and around the water. Parent(s) must accompany child in water. Children who are not potty trained must wear swim diapers.
No experience required.
PERCH
This class is taught with the help of the child's parents, who participate in the water with their child for a minimum of the first 3 classes. The swimmers will learn water adjustment and basic arm and leg movements while transitioning to a teacher.
No experience required.
Preschool Lessons (3-5 years old)
PIKE
This level helps children develop safe pool behavior, adjust to the water, and develop independent movement in the water. It is designed for new swimmers, teaching basic paddle stroke and kicking skills, pool safety, proper use of IFDs and PFDs, and comfort with holding the face in the water while blowing bubbles and swimming. Classes are 45 minutes.
Prerequisite Skills: This is a beginner's class, no prior swimming skills or experience required.
EEL
This intermediate level reinforces Pike skills. It is for children who are comfortable in the water. They are taught to kick, dive, float, and perform the progressive paddle stroke. They also learn basic boating safety and use of PFDs. Children can swim across the pool without assistance by the end of this level. Classes are 45 minutes.
Prerequisite Skills:
· kick on stomach ¾ width of pool unassisted
· kick on back ¾ width of pool unassisted
· be comfortable going under water (bobs)
RAY
At this advanced level children review previous skills, improve stroke skills, learn more personal, safety, and rescue skills, build endurance by swimming on their front and back, and learn to tread water and perform more progressive diving skills. Children can swim across the pool on their front and back without assistance by the end of this level. Classes are 45 minutes.
Prerequisite Skills:
· swim front crawl with good form ½ length of pool
· kick on back 1 length of pool
· float on front & back
· tread water
· be comfortable in deep water
YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (Ages 6-13)
BEGINNER POLLIWOG
This is the beginning level for school-age children. It gets children acquainted with the pool, the use of flotation devices, and floating. Kicking and the front crawl will also be introduced
Prerequisite Skills: This is a beginner's class, no prior swimming skills or experience required
ADVANCED POLLIWOG
This level is for children who are comfortable in deep water. Front crawl will be emphasized and back crawl will be introduced.
Prerequisite Skills:
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Swim 15 feet without assistance
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must be comfortable in water
GUPPY
The children continue to practice and build upon basic skills, now performing more skills without the aid of a flotation device. They are introduced to sidestroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and diving. Children can swim a length of the pool without assistance at the end of this level. Classes are 45 minutes.
Prerequisite Skills:
· kick on stomach ¾ width of pool unassisted
· kick on back ¾ width of pool unassisted
· be comfortable going under water (bobs)
MINNOW
This is an intermediate level. The children further refine the strokes they have learned as their skills become more like those normally used in swimming. They learn still more diving skills, personal safety, boating, and rescue. Having taken this level, children may now qualify to be on the Lake YMCA Shark's Swim Team.
Prerequisite Skills:
· swim front crawl with good form for 1 length of the pool
· streamline kick on back 1 length of the pool
· float on front & back
· tread water for 1 minute
· be comfortable in deep water
FISH
At this point, students work to perform the crawl stroke, elementary backstroke, back crawl stroke, and sidestroke, with turns. They are introduced to the butterfly stroke. All strokes are refined as the students build endurance.
Prerequisite Skills:
· swim 4 lengths of refined front crawl
· swim 2 lengths of backstroke
· swim 1 length of breast stroke
· tread water for 5 minutes
FLYING FISH / SHARK
At this advanced level, students work on refining their strokes and increasing their endurance. They introduced to the inverted breaststroke, front crawl, and the sidestroke. Students in this level are encouraged to join the Lake YMCA Swim Team to continue their swimming development. Classes are 45 minutes.
Prerequisite Skills:
· swim 6 lengths of front crawl
· swim 4 lengths of backstroke
· swim 2 lengths of breast stroke
· swim 300 yards (12 lengths) any stroke
PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS
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30 minute lessons
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lessons scheduled at your convenience
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fill out questionnaire located at the member service desk
Swim Team
Come Join the Lake YMCA Sharks! Our Competitive Swim team includes children from 1st grade and up. Children must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool, and be approved by the swim team coach. We work on stroke mechanics, and development. The secret is not only to produce great swimmers, but to produce great young people who can swim! MUST BE A YMCA MEMBER
Water Fitness
SHALLOW WATER AEROBICS
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Water resistance tones and strengthens muscles
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Medium intensity; low impact
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Great workout!
WATER TONING
- Great for all ages and needs
- Cardio and muscle conditioning for all major muscle groups
- Incorporates various props and group exercises in water
WATER YOGA
- Increase flexibility and motion without strain to joints
- Helps relax body while toning and strengthening muscles
- Very beneficial for active older adults
FITNESS SWIMMING
- Moderate to high intensity cardio-respiratory workout
- Instructional lap swimming for all levels
- Muscular endurance and strength training
- Non-competitive, fun atmosphere
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION YMCA AQUATIC PROGRAM
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Recreational exercise program for Arthritis and other related diseases
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Encourages self care, social interaction, improving muscular strength, and flexibility
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Run in conjunction with Arthritis Foundation
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Participant release required
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