Youth Swim Lessons
National YMCA Aquatics programs are designed to teach personal water safety, stroke development, water sports & games, rescue and personal growth skills to children. Our program is divided by age and by skill levels. Advancing to the next level is dependent on the child's completion of required skills. Children learn at their own pace. Session length does not guarantee that all children will advance to the next level. All instructors are trained to work with children. A minimum number of students must be registered for the class to take place. Early registration is encouraged.
Read below for class descriptions. Click here for class schedule. Click here for information on small group classes, private and semi-private classes and swim club.
To register on-line, click here for options! NOTE: If you are a member, your facility access number is the number on your membership card. You must use the number for the primary member on your membership (i.e., the person whose name you listed first on your membership when you signed up.)
NOTE: Due to policies, if a regular-size, 45-minute class has only two students for the entire class period, the class is automatically reduced to a half-hour class time. Children under age 13 MUST have an adult present in the facility with them at all times.
**Swim Level Placement If you are new to our program or are returning after an absence, a swim placement test is required for Guppy, Minnow, Fish, Flying Fish, & Shark levels. Appointments made by calling the aquatics office at 314-439-8007 x 247
Missed Class Policy To ensure proper swimmer-to-instructor ratios for every class,we are unable to permit make-ups. To keep our class fees as low as possible, we will not be able to issue credits or make-ups for missed classes, even if they occur as a result of inclement weather including storms & lightning. The storm policy is to close the pool whenever lightning is overhead & the pool is to remain closed for 30 minutes from the last lighning strike. The YMCA guarantees 6 of the 7 classes during the session; if more than one class is cancelled, the YMCA will issue a coupon for each missed class. If a class is cancelled after 20 minutes of a 45 minute lesson, due to lightning, it will count as a full class. Please contact the aquatics office at 314-439-8007 ext. 247 if you have any questions regarding this policy.
PARENT/CHILD CLASSES (6-36 months)
SKIPS The parent/child classes are taught as a combined class for ages 6 to 36 months with parent accompanying the child in the water. Skills are introduced at the child’s development level and build on each other as the child progresses. Basic water skills are taught through fun songs and games. YMCA National class levels in this combination class are Shrimp (6-8 months), Kipper (9-12 months), Inia (13-18 months) and Perch (19-36 months). (6 minimum, 12:1) Classes are 30 minutes.
Pre-Pike (24-36 months) This parent/child class gives parents the opportunity to help teach their children some of the fundamentals of swimming. Designed for children between SKIPS and Pike levels. (3 minimum, 8:1)
PRESCHOOL (3-5 years)
Children must turn at least 3 by the start of the session. Children do NOT need a swim placement test.
Pike Children adjust to the water and develop independent movement. Teaches basic stroke and kicking skills, floating, and pool safety. (3 minimum, 5:1)
Pike Plus For children who are comfortable in the water and able to move independently five yards with flotation device on front, back and side. Extends Pike skills. (3 minimum, 6:1)
Eel For children who are comfortable in the water and able to swim five feet with faces in the water and no flotation device. Children are taught to float, kick, and perform progressive arm movements across the pool. (3 minimum, 6:1)
Ray For children who can swim 15 feet with faces in the water and no flotation device. Reviews and improves stroke skills on front, back and side, builds endurance, teaches treading water skills. (3 minimum, 6:1)
Starfish For children who can swim 20 feet without flotation device on front, back and side. This advanced level refines crawl and backstroke. (3 minimum,6:1)
YOUTH (6 years and up)
Child must turn six by the start of the session. Swim Placement required if you have not taken a YMCA swim lesson in the last year.
Polliwog Beginner level for those uncomfortable or inexperienced in the water. Teaches basic water skills including gliding with face in water, floating and kicking. (3 minimum, 6:1)
Guppy For children able to swim 20 feet without a flotation device. Teaches swimming on front, back and side and taking a breath while swimming. (3 minimum, 7:1)
Minnow For children able to swim 25 yards on front and back with or without a flotation device. Teaches front crawl with rotary breathing, backstroke, sidestroke, beginning breaststroke. (3 minimum, 8:1)
Fish For children able to swim 25 yards front crawl with rotary breathing, back crawl, sidestroke and rudimentary breaststroke. Refines breast stroke, teaches butterfly, open turns and improves other strokes. (3 minimum, 8:1)
Flying Fish For children able to swim 50 yards front crawl, back crawl, breast stroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and 15 yards butterfly. Improves breast stroke and butterfly; teaches water rescues, snorkeling and endurance. (3 minimum, 8:1)
Shark For children able to swim 100 yards front and back crawl, breast stroke, elementary backstroke, and 25 yards of butterfly. Teaches the I.M., starts, turns and improves endurance. (3 minimum, 10:1)
