North Canton Aquatics

Welcome,

YMCA's have been teaching people to swim for more than a century, and it is no different here at the North Canton YMCA. Through our swim lessons, you are not only taught how to swim, but you also learn about yourself, about safety and rescue skills and about water activities you can enjoy for a lifetime. Throughout all levels, students are taught stroke development, personal growth skills, rescue, water sports and games, and personal safety skills.

At the North Canton YMCA we are not just about swim lessons. We are your destination for teen and adult fitness classes that are an ideal form of exercise that increases physical strength and endurance without putting stress and strain on joints. We also offer physically challenged classes, private swim lessons, birthday party rentals, YMCA lifeguarding certification classes, adult, open and family swim times, adult lap lanes along with one of the largest age group swim team in Northeast Ohio that is always making waves.

We have committed ourselves to you so please come experience your YMCA Facility that is home to a 6 lane 25 yard pool, 2 ½ to 3 foot deep small pool that is ideal for our younger swimmers and their families, a large whirlpool and sauna.

Please enjoy your YMCA Aquatic Facilities, and let us know if there is anything more we can do to serve you.

Click here for the Schedules Page for the current Pool Schedule

Follow the links below for more information about our programs

General Pool Information

Parent/Child Swim Lessons

Pre-Pike Swim Lessons

Preschool Swim Lessons

Youth Swim Lessons

Home School Swim Lessons

Teen / Adult Swim Programs

Private Swim Lessons

More than a Swim Lesson

Art, Gym & Swim

YMCA Lifeguarding Certification

Nemesis Swim Team

Swimming Stroke Clinic

Teen / Adult Aquatic Programs

Shallow Water Aerobics

Deep Water Aerobics

Fitness Swimming

Swimnastics

Arthritis Foundation YMCA Aquatic Program

Pool Birthday Parties

GENERAL POOL INFORMATION

Open Swim Policy

To swim without a parent or guardian, children must be 6 years of age or older
AND 48" tall OR able to pass the deep water test. This applies whether they
are using the small pool or large.

Swim Wrist Bands Required During Open Swim & Family Swim

For those ages 6 to 14.
Wrist bands will be distributed at the front desk during open swim times.
Computer shows which band each child should have.
Those not tested will need to be tested and then the information will be entered into
the computer.

Deep Water Test

Children 6-14 years of age must swim one length (25 yards) front crawl with face in water,
breathing without hesitation and above water arm recovery; jump into deep end and resurface.
Tread water for 30 seconds, float on back and go from floating position to prone/standing
position. At the guard's discretion, swimmers may be asked to retake the test at any time.

Swim Testing

An instructor is available for testing on Saturday from 12:00-12:15pm and other posted times.

Class Observation Area

To observe a class please go to Pool Overlook Area located on the 2nd floor.

Lightening Cancellation Policy for Classes:
If the pool area is closed due to lightening and classes cannot be held in the pool, the
following procedure takes place:

Front Desk and McKinley Street staff are notified by an Aquatic Staff person whether
or not the class will be taking place in the pool.
If it is one of the following classes, a credit or make-up class will be given. Debbie Josif
and/or Nancy Gregory will decide which one (credit or make-up class)and let front line
staff know:
- Parent Child Class
- Pre-Pike Class
If it is one of the following classes, a dry land safety talk will be given in the Pool Overlook
Area. NO CREDIT OR MAKE-UP CLASS WILL BE GIVEN.
- Preschool Classes
- Youth Classes

PARENT / CHILD SWIM LESSONS

This program is for those children 6 months to 3 years of age. The primary objective of this program is to get both the parent and child comfortable in the water. Parent will be taught how to teach his/her child to be safe in & around the water. Class time will be structured with water and pool orientation, introduction to beginning swimming and structured water play. This class promotes water safety and aquatic readiness through play, songs and fun. Parent must accompany the child in the water. If not potty-trained, child must wear swim diaper with swim suit. Class is held in the small pool and is 30 minutes in length.

PRE-PIKE SWIM LESSONS

This program is for those children 2 ½ to 3 ½ years of age. The primary objective of this program is to get the child comfortable in the water without the parent. Class time will be structured to accommodate water acclimation, introduction to beginning swimming skills, water safety, songs and fun. Parent does not accompany the child in the water. Class is held in the small pool and is 30 minutes in length.

PRESCHOOL SWIM LESSONS

3 yrs thru kindergarten.
Parent does not accompany child in class.
Teaches the basic skills of swimming, including pool safety, boating safety and the use of personal flotation devices.
If not potty trained, child must wear swim diaper with swim suit.
All Classes are 45 minutes.

PIKE

This program is for those children 3 year old thru kindergarten that are beginner swimmers. This class is designed to teach children water submersion, front and back float unassisted, kicking skills, water safety, games and core values. Parent does not accompany the child in the water. Class is held in the small pool and is 45 minutes in length.

EELS

This program is for those children 3 years old thru kindergarten who are intermediate level swimmers who have previously completed the Pike level. At this intermediate level children are taught front crawl with rotary breathing, back float with sculling arms and kick a full length of the pool, kicking skills, water adjustment in deep end of pool, water safety, games and core values. Parent does not accompany the child in the water. Class is held in the large pool and is 45 minutes in length.

RAYS

This program is for those children 3 years old thru kindergarten who are advanced intermediate level swimmers who have previously completed the Eel level. This class is designed to build on the skills learned in the Eel level. Children will refine and improve endurance of front crawl, learn the concept of backstroke and kicking drills. Classes will also include the introduction of breaststroke skills, dolphin dives and chest presses, treading water, survival float, diving, water safety, games and core values. Parent does not accompany the child in the water. Class is held in the large pool and is 45 minutes in length.

STARFISH

This program is for those children 3 years old thru kindergarten who are advanced level swimmers who have previously completed the Ray level. Classes are designed to refine front crawl skills with bilateral breathing, backstroke, breaststroke, treading water, survival float, kicking drills and diving skills. Classes will also include the introduction of elementary breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke, surface diving in the shallow and deep water, water safety, games and core values. Parent does not accompany the child in the water. Class is held in the large pool and is 45 minutes in length.

YOUTH SWIM LESSONS

First grade & up.
7 Level Program with each level building on the preceding one.
Includes work on water safety, boating safety and much more.
All classes are 45 minutes.

POLLIWOG

This is the beginning level for school-aged children 1st grade and up. It gets the children acquainted the pool. We start them out in our small pool, which is 2 ½ to 3 feet deep. They will learn water adjustment, entrees and exits out of the pool. They will learn bobs. By the end of this level they will know how to float front (face in) and back and kick the length of the small pool. Since we work in the small pool, we also bring them out to the large pool and work on their skills before we advance them to the next level. They need to be comfortable doing the skills in the large pool before we advance them to the next level. We always work on safety, water games and the YMCA Core Values. Classes are 45 minutes long.

GUPPY

Children 1st grade and up are learning how to put together front crawl in the Guppy class. It is quite a hard class. They learn how to put together front crawl and kick on their back 1 length of the pool. They always do kickboard workouts for endurance, treading and safety skills. They are learning more water game skills and always the YMCA Core Values. Classes are 45 minutes long.

MINNOW I

Children 1st grade and up in Minnow 1 are perfecting their front crawl skills, endurance and being introduced to backstroke skills. They are also introduced to breastroke, elementary back and open turns. They are learning more advanced safety skills for themselves and also for helping others. Focus on core values! Classes are 45 minutes long.

MINNOW II

Children 1st grade and up in Minnow 2 should have a good front crawl. They have learned bilateral breathing and their endurance is quite good. They are refining backstroke. They are also learning to coordinate their breastroke, sidestroke and elementary back skills. Their safety skills have become much better. Their endurance is quite good now. They are also learning water polo and synchronizing skills. Focus on core values! Classes are 45 minutes long.

FISH

Children first grade and up have a strong front crawl and backstroke. They are learning to put together breastroke now. By the end of this class they can do all three strokes very well. They are introduced to the Fly. It will be broken apart for now. They will also learn starts front and back. Personal water safety will continue and become more intense. Endurance is always a key. Water games more fun (water polo). Always focus on core values! Classes are 45 minutes long.

FLYING FISH

Children 1st grade and up have mastered the 3 main strokes (front crawl, backstroke and breastroke). They are working a lot on endurance. They are now introduced to Fly, Sidestroke, Lifesaving strokes, IM's. Great time to join swim team if the skills are there or going into lifeguarding at age 16. Always personal water safety and core values. Classes are 45 minutes long.

SHARK

Children 1st grade and up are now in the elite level of program. They are working on endurance and perfecting all strokes. They are working a lot on Fly and all the turns in all of the strokes. Working on survival safety and getting them ready for taking the lifeguarding course. Core values as always. Classes are 45 minutes long.

DIVE CLASS

Children 1st grade and up need to be in Minnow 1 to take diving class. They learn basic dives. Approach, Approach with Jumps, Layout dive, Tuck dive, Pike dive, Back jump and Back dive. Core values as always. Classes are 45 minutes long.

HOME SCHOOL SWIM LESSONS

Special classes for home schooled children who are at least 6 years of age and in first grade.
Follows National YMCA Youth Swim Lesson Program.
For more information call Debbie Josif, 330-499-2587, ext. 135.

TEEN / ADULT SWIM LESSONS

Beginner and intermediate swimmers 14 & older as well as those wanting to improve
skills and endurance.
Instruction is on a group basis.

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS

Members Only.
Adults, Youth and Preschool Children.
30 minute private and semi-private classes.
Contact Beth Misanik, voice mail box #315, for more information.

ART, GYM & SWIM

Boys and girls 3-5 years old.
Unleash the creativity in your pre-schooler with crafts, songs, stories, gym activities
and swim time.
Kids wear swimsuits under gym clothes; sneakers a MUST.
Contact Anne Villella-Covert, ext. 124, for more information.
$Fee based class.

MORE THAN A SWIM LESSON

The swimmer will begin with a lesson that will include stroke development
for his/her level. The remaining minutes will include water games, rescue
skills and sports, boating safety, character development and lots of FUN.
Preschool Levels: Pike, Eels, Rays & Starfish
Youth Levels: Polliwog, Guppy, Minnow 1 and Minnow 2
Member Registration: TBA
Non-Member Registration: TBA
Days/Time: TBA
$Fee based class.

YMCA LIFEGUARDING CERTIFICATION

Must be minimum age of 16 by end of course.
Must pass a water skill and endurance test.
Must attend all classes.
Parental consent required for anyone under 18.
Fee includes CPR Professional Rescuer & First Aid Certifications.
Session: March 19 - May 2
Registration: Feb. 13 - March 20

NEMESIS SWIM TEAM (6 YRS THROUGH high school)

Must be a member of the YMCA of Central Stark County.
Minnow I ability for 8 years & under; Minnow II ability for 9 years & up.
2011-12 team member sign-up begins 8/8/11.
NEW team members must attend one of the skill testing dates below.
If swimmer passes skill test, he/she will be permitted to sign-up.
New member skill testing dates: Aug 9, 11, 15 & 17 at 8:30am.
Season: September 2011 - February 2012
Practice begins Monday, September 12.
Head Coach: DeDe Dearnbarger
See swim team flyer for practice days and times.

SWIMMING STROKE CLINIC

Clinic designed for swimmers interested in joining the Nemesis
swim team & Nemesis swim team members.
Registration starts March 8.
Session: March 2012 - May 2012.
When: TBA
For ages 6 years to 18 years.
Swimming Levels: Preschoolers must be Starfish & Youth must
be Minnow 1 & Up

TEEN / ADULT AQUATIC FITNESS CLASSES (13 YRS & UP)

Members Free.
All Water Fitness classes will run continuously.
Please check current pool schedule for days and times.