Youth Swimming
Parent/Child
DOWNTOWN
Parent/Child Swim Lessons (6-36 months)
Classes are designed to allow the child to have fun while a parent or trusted adult helps them become familiar with the water. Each class is composed of songs and games that use basic movements such as kicking, arm strokes, and breath control. Activities are based on the developmental abilities of the child. Classes are held in the small heated pool, and all levels are combined.
Shrimp (6-8 months)
Shrimp is an introduction to the aquatic environment for parents and infants. The children adjust to the water through songs and games. Parents have a positive experience with their children that can help them grow closer.
Kipper (9-12 months)
Kipper continues to provide positive experiences for parents and infants. The infants become familiar with basic water skills and have fun playing with toys and flotation devices. Parents review and learn more about water safety.
Inia (13-18 months)
Children do more independent exploration of the aquatic environment with help from their parents. Basic water safety is practiced.
Perch (19-36 months)
Children begin to understand the topics of water safety. The children are prepared for the preschool program by working directly with the instructor and their parent.
KERASOTES
Parent/Child Swim Lessons (6-36 months)
This 30 minute class is for children ages 6-36 months and
their parent or an adult participant. The primary objective is
to get both adult and child comfortable in the water. The
child will become aware of the differences between moving
through water and on dry land while the parent will learn how
to teach his or her child to be safer in and around the water.
Swim diapers are required for this class.
Preschool Child Only
DOWNTOWN
Child Only Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3-5)
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. Water, boating, and personal safety are incorporated into the class.
Tadpole (ages 3-5)
Tadpole is specifically designed for preschoolers who are new to swimming, have just moved from the parent/child program, or are afraid of the water. The goal is to help children adjust to the water, become more independent, and work with others in a group setting. Paddle strokes, kicking, and safety are taught.
(small pool)
Pike - Beginner I (ages 3-5)
Pike helps a child adjust to the water and become more independent. Paddle stroke, kicking, breath control, and safety are taught. Progression occurs when a child can kick the width of the small pool without instructor assistance and attempts to perform skills independently.
(small pool)
Pike Plus - Beginner I Plus (ages 3-5)
Children work on skills such as floating, kicking, and swimming without instructor assistance. Progression occurs when a child can consistently perform these skills independently.
(small pool)
Eel - Beginner II (ages 3-5)
Children are taught paddle stroke with flutter kick, basic diving skills, and an introduction to front crawl. Progression occurs when children can swim paddle stroke with introductory rotary breathing 1/2 length of the pool without assistance.
(large pool)
Ray - Advanced Beginner I (ages 3-5)
Children work on the front and back crawl strokes. Treading water, water safety, and more progressive diving skills are taught. Progression occurs when children can swim front and back crawl with over-arm recovery 1/2 length of the pool.
(large pool)
Starfish - Advanced Beginner II (ages 3-5)
Children review previously learned skills and refine their strokes. Personal safety, rescue skills, and underwater swimming are introduced. Progression occurs when child can swim a length of front and back crawl.
(large pool)
KERASOTES
Child Only Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3-5)
YMCA preschool lessons are designed for children ages three
through five years. At this age, the parent does not
accompany their child in the water, but is asked to stay in the
facility during each class. Preschool lessons focus on fun,
pre-swim learning skills, water adjustment through games
and songs, use of personal floatation devices and diving
safety.
Pike
The Pike class is designed for new swimmers, teaching a basic paddle stroke, kicking skills, pool safety and discussion of YMCA core values.
Eel
This advanced beginner level reinforces Pike skills. It is for children who are comfortable in the water.
Ray
Children review previous skills, improve stroke skills and learn more personal safety and rescue skills.
Starfish
At this level, children review previous skills, improve strokes and learn more personal safety and rescue skills.
Preschool Specialty
DOWNTOWN
Step outside our traditional swim program with classes created by member request.
Gym & Swim (ages 1-2)
Children enjoy social time, games, songs, and bonding with parents. Gym activities allow children to develop coordination, balance, flexibility, and body awareness. Swim time allows children to get comfortable with basic swimming skills and safety.
Almost 3 (ages 2 1/2-3)
This level is for the almost 3-year-old (child must be at least two and a half) who is very independent in the water. Parents participate as needed during instruction and are in the water for the closing class activities.
KERASOTES
Preschool Specialty Swim Lessons
You and your child will enjoy our warm water, zero depth entry pool with play features. Classes start in January, please check back for program details coming soon.
Youth Swim Lessons
DOWNTOWN
Youth Swim Lessons (ages 6-12)
In the youth program, each skill level builds upon the preceding levels. The six levels cover all of the strokes, diving skills, per¬sonal safety and rescue skills, water sports, and games. Please note that children enter the youth swim program when they turn six. If a child has been participating in the preschool program, they will be placed in the appropriate youth level according to swimming ability, with a minimum of four registered participants required to hold a class.
Polliwog - Beginner (ages 6-12)
This class helps new or beginner swimmers become acquainted with the pool. Children learn paddle stroke, front and back floats, and safety skills. Progression occurs when the child can swim paddle stroke 10-15 feet, feels comfortable floating on their front and back, and kicks on their front and back.
Guppy - Advanced Beginner I (ages 6-12)
Children continue to practice and build upon basic skills. Front crawl and rotary breathing with over-arm recovery is taught, and back crawl with over-arm recovery is introduced. Progression oc¬curs when the child can swim front crawl 1/2 length of the pool, floats on their front and back for one minute, and treads water for 30 seconds.
Advanced Guppy - Advanced Beginner I (ages 6-12)
This class is designed for swimmers who are not quite ready for minnow. Swimmers will be introduced to longer distances and correct stroke technique.
Minnow - Beginner II (ages 6-12)
Children continue to refine front crawl. Back crawl with over-arm recovery is taught, and diving skills are introduced. Progression occurs when the child has the endurance to swim three lengths of front and back crawl and tread water for one minute.
Fish - Intermediate I (ages 6-12)
At this level, endurance swims are lengthened. Elementary backstroke, breaststroke and dolphin kicks are introduced. Progression occurs when breaststroke kick and dolphin kick are correct, and child can swim six lengths of the pool without stopping.
Flying Fish - Intermediate II (ages 6-12)
This level is for swimmers who are ready for total stroke refinement. Progression occurs when the four competitive strokes and elementary backstroke are consistent for 8 lengths.
Shark - Advanced (ages 6-12)
At this level, swimmers have mastered the four basic strokes. This advanced class teaches the strokes and skills of lifesaving and deepens the swimmer’s involvement in competitive swimming. Progression occurs when all strokes and skills are proficient.
Home School Swim Lessons (ages 3-12)
This class provides swimming lessons for homeschoolers only to learn the basics and beyond. Instruction is individualized based on skill.
KERASOTES
POLLIWOG (ages 6 –12)
This level teaches basic paddle stroke, kicking skills, pool
safety and discussion of the YMCA core values. The goal for
this beginning stage is to gain self-confidence, learn the
fundamentals of swimming and become more comfortable in
and around water.
GUPPY (ages 6 –12)
The children continue to practice and build upon basic skills
without the aid of a floatation device. The goal for this stage
is to be able to swim the front crawl with rotary breathing in
good form. The meaning of the YMCA Core Values (Caring,
Honesty, Respect, & Responsibility) in everyday life will be
discussed.
MINNOW (ages 6 –12)
At this level, children have learned some fundamentals of
swimming strokes and water safety and are continuing to
build and refine them. The goal at this stage is to be able to
perform freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke in
good form. Children also will learn sidestroke the basics of
the breaststroke.
FISH (ages 6 –12)
At this stage, students work to perform the crawl stroke,
elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke and turns
while given the opportunity to develop teamwork through the
use of the YMCA Core Values.
FLYING FISH (ages 6 –12)
At this advanced stage, students work on refining their
strokes and increasing their endurance, caution,
determination and self-discipline.
SHARK (ages 6 –12)
The students at this level continue to improve their strokes
and increase their endurance with the use of starts and
turns. Students will be encouraged to set goals and try to
achieve them.
Youth Specialty Lessons
DOWNTOWN
Youth Specialty Swim Programs
These are the perfect classes for children that have progressed through our program and want to remain challenged or youth wanting to swim competitively.
Conditioning Swimming (Ages 10-15)
Designed for those wishing to swim to improve fitness and prepare for possible competition in the future. Participants must be able to swim one length of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. You may register for both class times.
Family Swim Lessons (Ages 6+ and Adult)
Take a swim lesson together! Any adult/child combination can learn to swim as a family. Spend time together and learn a life skill. These lessons are offered before family swim, so stay and play afterwards.
SPY Pre-Team (Ages 5+)
Applicants must be proficient at freestyle and backstroke with some familiarity with breaststroke and butterfly. Space is limited.
#SPT0715P4, Thursday, 7:15 - 7:55 p.m.
S.N.A.P. (Special Needs Aquatic Program)
S.N.A.P. is a specialized swim lesson program targeting individuals with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and other special needs. Participation must be approved by the aquatic director. Sessions will run in conjunction with the YMCA program calendar. Thanks to funds made available through the L.L.D.S.S., fees are minimal to participate.
KERASOTES
Youth Specialty Swim Programs
The Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA 8-lane competitive pool and 3-lane warm water therapy pool will have a vast amount of aquatic programming starting in January. Please check back for program details coming soon.
Swim Team
Click here to view our SPY Swimmers Team site.