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Kids from 6 to 12 can progress through six stages of classes as they learn to swim, work to refine strokes, and advance their water skills. Winter Programming starts January 2!Member registration opens Saturday, December 7 and community registration opens Saturday, December 14. Session availability varies by branch location. Explore your branch offerings today and Join the Y today for early access and discounts! Choose a Level Not sure which lesson is the right fit? Use our Swim Lesson Selector (PDF) to assess the student, or contact the Aquatics Director. Stage 1 Water Acclimation Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: None needed. This class is for kids who aren’t yet comfortable going under water voluntarily. Skills Practiced: ○ Bob to submerge in water ○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet with no help ○ Front and back float for 10 seconds with help ○ Roll from back to front and front to back with help ○ Jump, push, turn, grab with help ○ Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help ○ Exit the water Kids develop comfort with underwater exploration and are introduced to basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance. Register Stage 2 Water Movement Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 1 skills as follows: ○ Go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles ○ Float on front and back with minimal assistance ○ Jump into the pool, submerge, and return to the wall with assistance ○ This class is for kids who are not able to do a front and back float on their own. Skills Practiced: ○ Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool ○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet ○ Front and back float for 10 seconds ○ Roll from back to front and front to back ○ Jump, push, turn, grab ○ Swim, float, swim 5 yards ○ Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds ○ Exit the water Kids 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 water. Register Stage 3 Water Stamina Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 2 skills as follows: ○ Float on front and back unassisted ○ Push off the wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted ○ Swim, float, swim 15 feet unassisted ○ Jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted ○ This class is for kids who are not able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. Skills Practiced: ○ Retrieve an object in chest-deep water ○ Swim on front and back for 10 yards ○ Roll from back to front and front to back ○ Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards ○ Swim, float, swim 15 yards ○ Tread water for 30 seconds ○ Exit the water Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. The class also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm/leg action. Register Stage 4 Stroke Introduction Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 3 skills as follows: ○ Submerge and retrieve an object in chest-deep water ○ Swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath ○ Swim, float, swim 15 yards ○ Jump in and tread water for 30 seconds ○ Swim to wall and exit ○ This class is for kids who are not able to swim 15 yards of front and back crawl. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards ○ Breaststroke kick for 15 yards ○ Butterfly kick for 15 yards ○ Elementary backstroke for 15 yards ○ Dive from a sitting position ○ Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique. Register Stage 5 Stroke Development Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 4 skills as follows: ○ Front crawl and back crawl 25 yards ○ Swim breaststroke kick and dolphin kick 15 yards ○ Tread water using multiple kicks for 1 minute ○ This class is for kids who are not able swim the front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards ○ Breaststroke for 25 yards ○ Butterfly with simultaneous arm action and kick for 15 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards ○ Sidestroke for 25 yards ○ Dive from a kneeling position ○ Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for 2 minutes ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive swimming strokes. Register Stage 6 Stroke Mechanics Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 5 skills as follows: ○ Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards ○ Swim back crawl with stroke rotation for 25 yards ○ Swim butterfly with over arm recovery ○ Swim breaststroke for 25 yards achieving stroke rhythm ○ Dive from kneeling position ○ This class is for kids who are not able swim the front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl for 50 yards and do a flip turn ○ Breaststroke for 50 yards and do an open turn ○ Butterfly for 25 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards and do a flip turn ○ Sidestroke or elementary backstroke for 50 yards ○ Dive from a standing position ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 150 yards ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards Students refine stroke technique on the major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. Register Aquatics Conditioning: Skills and Drills Age: 12-17 years Class length: 45-60 minutes Qualification: Student must be able to demonstrate all Stage 6 skills as follows: ○ Swim the front crawl for 50 yards and do a flip turn ○ Breaststroke for 50 yards and do an open turn ○ Butterfly for 25 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards and do a flip turn ○ Sidestroke or elementary backstroke for 50 yards ○ Dive from a standing position ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 150 yards Skills Practiced: ○ Swim any combination of strokes for more than 150 yards ○ Refining technique for all strokes ○ Water polo ○ Starts and flip turns ○ Dives Swimmers build strength and endurance while refining technique and getting ready for competitive swim team. We work on self-confidence, goal setting, and team building during aquatic activities such as conditional swimming and water polo. Contact us for more information. Youth Swim Team Age: 6-18 years, varies by branch Class length: 2-3 hours, 1-5 times per week. Varies by branch and age. Qualification: Contact the aquatics director to schedule a try-out. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim conditioning ○ Refining technique for all strokes ○ Competitive starts, dives and flip turns ○ Racing technique Swimmers enhance skills as a competitive swimmer, make friends, set individual goals, and compete at clubs and invitational swim meets. Brooklyn Youth Swim Teams Bedford-Stuyvesant Piranhas > Manhattan Youth Swim Teams McBurney Manta Rays > West Side Piranhas > Queens Youth Swim Teams Flushing Flyers > Cross Island Barracudas > Private Swim Lessons Group lessons aren't for everyone. Book a one-on-one session with a YMCA swim instructor. See Options Classes for Kids Our classes for kids of all ages include dance, sports, music, and more. Find a Class Summer Camp YMCA campers build robots, go on field trips, learn to swim, and have fun all summer long! Explore Camp Questions about swimming at the Y? Find answers to your most frequently asked pool questions. Frequently Asked Pool Questions
Kids from 6 to 12 can progress through six stages of classes as they learn to swim, work to refine strokes, and advance their water skills. Winter Programming starts January 2!Member registration opens Saturday, December 7 and community registration opens Saturday, December 14. Session availability varies by branch location. Explore your branch offerings today and Join the Y today for early access and discounts! Choose a Level Not sure which lesson is the right fit? Use our Swim Lesson Selector (PDF) to assess the student, or contact the Aquatics Director. Stage 1 Water Acclimation Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: None needed. This class is for kids who aren’t yet comfortable going under water voluntarily. Skills Practiced: ○ Bob to submerge in water ○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet with no help ○ Front and back float for 10 seconds with help ○ Roll from back to front and front to back with help ○ Jump, push, turn, grab with help ○ Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help ○ Exit the water Kids develop comfort with underwater exploration and are introduced to basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance. Register Stage 2 Water Movement Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 1 skills as follows: ○ Go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles ○ Float on front and back with minimal assistance ○ Jump into the pool, submerge, and return to the wall with assistance ○ This class is for kids who are not able to do a front and back float on their own. Skills Practiced: ○ Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool ○ Front and back glide to the wall for 5 feet ○ Front and back float for 10 seconds ○ Roll from back to front and front to back ○ Jump, push, turn, grab ○ Swim, float, swim 5 yards ○ Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds ○ Exit the water Kids 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 water. Register Stage 3 Water Stamina Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 2 skills as follows: ○ Float on front and back unassisted ○ Push off the wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted ○ Swim, float, swim 15 feet unassisted ○ Jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted ○ This class is for kids who are not able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. Skills Practiced: ○ Retrieve an object in chest-deep water ○ Swim on front and back for 10 yards ○ Roll from back to front and front to back ○ Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards ○ Swim, float, swim 15 yards ○ Tread water for 30 seconds ○ Exit the water Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. The class also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm/leg action. Register Stage 4 Stroke Introduction Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 3 skills as follows: ○ Submerge and retrieve an object in chest-deep water ○ Swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath ○ Swim, float, swim 15 yards ○ Jump in and tread water for 30 seconds ○ Swim to wall and exit ○ This class is for kids who are not able to swim 15 yards of front and back crawl. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards ○ Breaststroke kick for 15 yards ○ Butterfly kick for 15 yards ○ Elementary backstroke for 15 yards ○ Dive from a sitting position ○ Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique. Register Stage 5 Stroke Development Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 4 skills as follows: ○ Front crawl and back crawl 25 yards ○ Swim breaststroke kick and dolphin kick 15 yards ○ Tread water using multiple kicks for 1 minute ○ This class is for kids who are not able swim the front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards ○ Breaststroke for 25 yards ○ Butterfly with simultaneous arm action and kick for 15 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards ○ Sidestroke for 25 yards ○ Dive from a kneeling position ○ Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for 2 minutes ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive swimming strokes. Register Stage 6 Stroke Mechanics Age: 6-12 years Class length: 45 minutes Qualification: Child must be able to demonstrate all Stage 5 skills as follows: ○ Swim the front crawl with bent-arm recovery for 25 yards ○ Swim back crawl with stroke rotation for 25 yards ○ Swim butterfly with over arm recovery ○ Swim breaststroke for 25 yards achieving stroke rhythm ○ Dive from kneeling position ○ This class is for kids who are not able swim the front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim the front crawl for 50 yards and do a flip turn ○ Breaststroke for 50 yards and do an open turn ○ Butterfly for 25 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards and do a flip turn ○ Sidestroke or elementary backstroke for 50 yards ○ Dive from a standing position ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 150 yards ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 50 yards Students refine stroke technique on the major competitive strokes, learn about competitive swimming and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle. Register Aquatics Conditioning: Skills and Drills Age: 12-17 years Class length: 45-60 minutes Qualification: Student must be able to demonstrate all Stage 6 skills as follows: ○ Swim the front crawl for 50 yards and do a flip turn ○ Breaststroke for 50 yards and do an open turn ○ Butterfly for 25 yards ○ Back crawl for 25 yards and do a flip turn ○ Sidestroke or elementary backstroke for 50 yards ○ Dive from a standing position ○ Swim any combination of strokes for 150 yards Skills Practiced: ○ Swim any combination of strokes for more than 150 yards ○ Refining technique for all strokes ○ Water polo ○ Starts and flip turns ○ Dives Swimmers build strength and endurance while refining technique and getting ready for competitive swim team. We work on self-confidence, goal setting, and team building during aquatic activities such as conditional swimming and water polo. Contact us for more information. Youth Swim Team Age: 6-18 years, varies by branch Class length: 2-3 hours, 1-5 times per week. Varies by branch and age. Qualification: Contact the aquatics director to schedule a try-out. Skills Practiced: ○ Swim conditioning ○ Refining technique for all strokes ○ Competitive starts, dives and flip turns ○ Racing technique Swimmers enhance skills as a competitive swimmer, make friends, set individual goals, and compete at clubs and invitational swim meets. Brooklyn Youth Swim Teams Bedford-Stuyvesant Piranhas > Manhattan Youth Swim Teams McBurney Manta Rays > West Side Piranhas > Queens Youth Swim Teams Flushing Flyers > Cross Island Barracudas > Private Swim Lessons Group lessons aren't for everyone. Book a one-on-one session with a YMCA swim instructor. See Options Classes for Kids Our classes for kids of all ages include dance, sports, music, and more. Find a Class Summer Camp YMCA campers build robots, go on field trips, learn to swim, and have fun all summer long! Explore Camp Questions about swimming at the Y? Find answers to your most frequently asked pool questions. Frequently Asked Pool Questions