SWIMMING LESSONS

Class Descriptions

Parent / Child Lessons (6-36 months)

Skipper

This is an introduction to the aquatic environment for parents and their infants. Parents are encouraged to help develop appropriate expectations for their children’s performance in the water and as class participants. They learn basic aquatic safety and have a positive experience with their children that help them grow closer. The infants learn basic water skills through songs and games, while having fun playing with toys and using flotation devices. (Class runs 30 min)

Pre-school Lessons (ages 3-5 years)

This is a child’s first experience in the pool without parental assistance. Children are taught the basic skills that are the building blocks of swimming. They also learn about pool safety, boating safety, and the use of personal flotation devices. Forty-minute class is taught by caring and certified instructors. Class ratio is five swimmers to one instructor in Pike-Starfish.

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, comfort when blowing bubbles and swimming with using wings and a large float belt.

Tadpole

This advanced beginner level reinforces Pike skills. It is for the children who are comfortable in the water. They will learn to put their faces in the water, to swim horizontally and to float independently while wearing a double white float belt.

Eel

Here the children are taught to flutter kick, dive, float and perform a progressive paddle stroke. Children can swim across the pool while rhythmically breathing, wearing a single/double white belt, by the end of this level.

Ray

At this level, children review previous skills; begin over-water arm strokes, build endurance by swimming on their front and back, learn standing dives and treading water. Children can swim the pool length on their front or back unassisted by the end of this level.

Starfish

Children at this level learn rotary breathing; refine their front and back crawl strokes and floating skills without the aid of any flotation. They also learn underwater swimming skills and spring dives. Upon passing this class, the swimmer progresses to the Bluegill level in the Progressive series.

Progressive Lessons (Ages 6-13 years)

Each skill level builds upon the preceding level, and the seven levels cover competitive and resting strokes, diving fundamentals, and safety skills. Polliwog-Minnow ratio is six swimmers per instructor.

Polliwog

This level acquaints school-age children with the pool and the use of flotation devices. By the end of this level, they should know the front paddle stroke, rhythmic breathing, flutter kick, back and front float and sitting dives. Swimmers previously in Pike through Ray pre-school levels, who are now in school all day advance to this level.

Bluegill

This advanced beginner level reinforces Polliwog skills. They are also taught bobs, rotary breathing and over-water arm strokes. Swimmers now in school all day, who have progressed through the pre-school Starfish level advance to this level.

Guppy

The children continue to build upon and practice basic skills. They now perform all skills without the aid of a float belt. They are now introduced to the skills leading up to the front and back crawl, synchronized swimming and some diving skills.

Minnow

This is the initial intermediate level. The children refine the strokes they have learned. Students learn more synchronized and diving skills. They build endurance. They are also introduced to the elementary backstroke.

Fish-Shark ratios are eight swimmers to one instructor

Fish

At this, point, students work to perform the crawl stroke, elementary backstroke and the back crawl with turns. Swimmers introduced to the butterfly stroke. They continue learning additional synchronized swimming movements, diving skills and are introduced to the use of fins.

Flying Fish

At this advance level, students work at refining their strokes and increase their endurance to be able to swim 150 continuous yards. They develop the ability to perform more complex combinations of synchronized swimming movements and learn to dive off a starting block. They are introduced to the sidestroke and can do a 100 yard individual medley.

Shark

The students at this level continue to improve their strokes with starts and turns and are introduced to the inverted backstroke.

All classes meet for 40 minutes

Cancellation Policy : When one class of a program session is cancelled, no refunds or credits will be issued. If two or more classes in a program session are cancelled, credits will be offered. The YMCA reserves the right to cancel programs with insufficient registration.

Parents/Guardians are reminded that participation in the above levels is dependent on skill level. Frequent visits to water parks/attractions may increase a swimmer’s confidence but does not allow for development of skill competency or exposure to class settings.

Youth Lessons

For youth ages 12-17 who haven’t yet learned to swim or are looking to improve their technique after shark level. Class ratio is three swimmers per instructor.

Adult Lessons

For anyone age 16 or older. If you haven’t yet learned to swim or wish to refine your current ability, this is the class for you. Class ratio is three swimmers per instructor.

Masters Swim

Join us for a fun and challenging pool workout. Masters swimming is for any swimmer 19 years or older who wants a challenging workout.

When: Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:30am

Price: Members FREE

PRIVATE LESSONS

For swimmers of any age/skill level. We offer one-on-one instruction to improve skills outside of regular lessons. For more information please pick up a form at the Reception Desk or contact.

How to get started!

• Go to our Instructor’s Bio Page , choose a preferred swim instructor from the swim bios, then open and fill out the Private Lesson Form and submit form to your preferred YMCA.
• Wait to hear from an aquatic staff member, within 1 week or so of filling out your request. If you are not contacted, please call the Aquatic Department:
  • Brenda Maxwell - YMCA-La Crosse 608-782-9622 ext 222
  • Courtney Daniels - YMCA-North 608-783-9622 ext 736
• With an instructor, schedule a date and time to have your swimming lesson.
• Pay for the lesson at the Member Service Desk before arriving for class and present the receipt to the instructor.

Link for Instructor’s Bio Page

Link for Private lesson registration Form

FEES:

Private lessons can be purchased in any increment

* Semi Private lessons available upon request

Aquatic Directors:

Volunteers Needed: The YMCA is a fun, positive place to work. A new session means new hours, new schedules and new opportunities. Flexible shifts and responsibilities are available. Stop by nearest YMCA today for an application.

Link to the wave website