Swim Lessons

Want to know where to begin in your child's Swim Lesson Journey? Use the chart below to choose a starting point and track your swimmers progress!

- Will your child go underwater voluntarily?

• Yes (Proceed to next question)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 1)

- Can your child consistently and confidently swim on his or her front and back for at least 5 yards without a floatation device?

• Yes (Proceed to next question)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 2)

- Can your child swim independently for 15 yards on his or her front and back?

• Yes (If this is your answer, please proceed onward)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 3)

- Can your child tread water independently for 1 minute and swim a combination of strokes for at least 25 yards?

• Yes (If this is your answer, please proceed onward)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 4)

- Can your child perform a front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke for 50 yards?

• Yes (If this is your answer, please proceed onward)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 5)

- Can your child perform a butterfly for 25 yards?

• Yes (If this is your answer, please sign up for our Swim Team Ready program)
• No (It is recommended your child be signed up for Level 6)

Accompanied by a parent, infants and toddlers learn to be comfortable in the water and develop swim readiness skills. Parents learn about water safety, drowning prevention, and the importance of supervision. Lessons are 30 minutes in our Leisure Pool.

• $30 Members/$60 Non-Member

Classes will be on a monthly basis and you will be able to register for lessons up to 2 months ahead of when the class starts. Lessons are offered once a week for 45 minutes. Youth and preschool lessons will run at the same time, so you can register both your kids to have lessons at the same day and time! Kids will be learning skills based off our past swim lesson program centered around safety around water. Kids will be sorted into groups by instructors to ensure that they have a positive learning experience. Kids will have fun, stay safe, and master the basics of swimming ; including the skills of Swim, Float, Swim and Jump, Push, Turn, Grab.

• Preschool - Ages 3-5 in the Lesiure Pool
• Youth Group - Ages 5-11 in the Lap Pool

• ​$40 Members/$80 Non-Member

Our swim team ready program focuses on the necessary swim skills used in competitive swimming like flip turns, swim starts, advanced technique, speed work, and much more! This program is the perfect fit for kids who have passed through all our other levels who want to explore an interest in competitive swimming, or as a refresher before signing up for a swim club!

• ​$40 Members/$80 Non-Member

Our Homeschool programs are designed for kids who are part of any homeschool program who want to receive swim instruction during the day!  Kids will be learning skills based off our past swim lesson program centered around safety around water.  Kids will be sorted into groups by instructors to ensure that they have a positive learning experience.  Parents are expected to be in the pool setting throughout each lesson.

• $40 Members/$80 Non-Members

Register Today

1. All class participants should ask permission from their instructor before entering the pool.

2. Diaper aged children must wear swim diapers or plastic diaper covers.

3. Swimmers under the age of 10 must have a parent on deck.

4. Strollers are not allowed on deck; please leave them in the hallway. 

5. What do the whistle blasts the lifeguards use mean?         

   •  1 Short Blast = Gaining attention of a patron

   • 2 Short Blasts = Gaining attention of another lifeguard

   • 3 Short Blasts = Lifeguard entering the water for a rescue

   • 1 LONG Blast = Everyone clear the pool!

6. My Child is in a combined class, what does that mean? 

   • If we have low enrollment in a class we may combine this class with another class that has similar skills and objectives. The instructor will teach the class as one class but will push your child based on the skills and objectives of their personal level.  

7. We are running late to swim class, is that okay?        

   • We understand that everyone gets a little behind sometimes. Your instructor will wait 15 minutes after the scheduled start time for you to arrive before leaving. Please note that class will still end at the same scheduled time.

8. Can I take pictures or videos of my child while they swim?

   • Yes, you can certainly take pictures or videos of your own child while they swim!  We understand that learning to swim is a very important milestone in a child’s life.  However, please restrict photos and video to your child only.  Please do not take photos or videos of other participants who are in the pool.

Attendance Policy
The YMCA Aquatics Department may combine classes if there is insufficient enrollment, or cancel classes if combining classes is not an option. In the event of a canceled class, a full refund or YMCA credit will be given. Class cancelations will be finalized the Saturday before the start of the program.

For ages 3+, our swim lessons will build internal strength and positive values that guide their choices and decisions, all while having fun in the water. Our private swim lessons are a great opportunity for those parents that want the one-on-one atmosphere for their children or for those wanting to make the transition to competitive swimming. Lessons are designed to give participants individualized attention to improve or master their swimming skills. 

• Private Swim Lessons: One student and instructor
• Semi-Private Swim Lessons: Up to 3 students (at the same swim level) and instructor. Pick 2-3 of your friends or family to form your own private group. 

M= Member Pricing | CP= Community Pricing

All prices shown as cost per person.  All lessons expire six months after purchasing!

Please contact our Assistant Director of Aquatics, Maggie Lesher at mlesher@valpoymca.org if you have any other questions.