Aquatics Levels

The Y strives to help all ages learn how to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills needed to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for healthy living.

FIND YOUR LEVEL

Use the interactive form below to find the swim lesson appropriate for your swimmer's age and skill level.

You're ready for Parent/Child Swim Lessons!

The parent/child swim program introduces infants and toddlers to the joys of swimming for the first time under the care and love of their parents. As a parent, you will learn about the importance of supervision, water safety and how to encourage and guide your child to become more familiar with being in the water.

You're ready for Adult Swim Lessons!

Our adult swim lessons provide a place for adults and teens ages 13 and older to learn how to swim in a friendly small-group setting. Students come from all walks of life—from young parents to high school students to retirees.

You're ready for Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation

In stage 1, students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

You're ready for Stage 1: Water Acclimation

In stage 1, students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage lays the foundation that allows for a student’s future progress in swimming.

 

You're ready for Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

 

You're ready for Stage 2: Water Movement

In stage 2, students focus on body position and control, directional change and forward movement in the water while also continuing to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.

You're ready for Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

You're ready for Stage 3: Water Stamina

In stage 3, students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages in the event of falling into a body of water. This stage also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

You're ready for Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Students in stage 4 develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl, and they learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. Water safety is reinforced through treading water and elementary backstroke.

Find a Class

You're ready for Stage 5: Stroke Development

Students in stage 5 work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

Find a Class

You're ready for Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics

In stage 6, students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Find a Class

Wow, what a swimmer!

Based on your answers, your swimmer has already mastered the skills taught in our most advanced group swim lessons class. Contact the Aquatics Director at your local Y to ask about additional swimming instruction opportunities that may be available to you.

Register for Swim Lessons

Visit our website to find the swim lesson that's right for you and register prior to each session. Please note that some programs may not be listed between swim program seasons.

When registering for swim lessons, members can only sign up at one branch each session. 

Find A Class

 

  • Family members - $40 per person, per season/session
  • Youth members - $85 per person, per season/session
  • Financial assistance is available for group swim lessons thanks to the generous support of our donors. Contact your local branch for details. 

Contact Information

NORTH AREA FAMILY YMCA
Rachelle Sotherden or 315-451-2562 x238

NORTHWEST FAMILY YMCA
Olivia Touron or 315-303-5966 x234

HAL WELSH EAST AREA FAMILY YMCA
Janasia Giles or 315-637-2025 x241

DOWNTOWN YMCA
Larissa Tyler or 315-474-6851 x342

You can also contact Jennifer Brown, Association Director of Aquatics and Safety at 315.303.5966 or jbrown@ymcacny.org

When do I find out what class I got into or if I was placed onto a wait list?
To view your swim lesson registrations, please visit My Account to set up your account and log in.

We're delivering lessons safely!

  • We will have areas for swimmers to sit apart from each other.
  • We are offering smaller class sizes for ALL levels.
  • We are asking that you limit the number of family members on the deck.
  • Face masks are highly encouraged for fully vaccinated members. 
  • Children ages 2 and older who are not fully vaccinated should wear a mask indoors while participating in YMCA programming, except when in the water. 
  • Consistent with CDC guidelines, unvaccinated members and staff must wear a mask, except when showering or participating in aquatic-based activities.

Due to the popularity of our program, our Swim Lesson Attendance Policy is as follows: 

  • Each participant is allowed one unexcused absence per 6-week session
  • After 2 unexcused absences have occurred, we will remove the participant, and offer their spot to swimmers on the waiting list.
  • Excused absences include: illnesses (including COVID symptoms or quarantine), family emergencies, and school functions. 
  • Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up classes for classes missed for a personal reason.

To report an excused absence, please call your branch aquatics department and leave a message including the participant's name, class, and reason they are absent.