More people learn to swim at the YMCA than anywhere else.
Over decades of hard work, the Y has taught millions of children and adults how to swim; we ARE America's swim instructors.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among kids aged 1-4, and 88% of children who drown are under some form of supervision. That's why we feel it is so important for both children and adults to learn water safety.
Our Y swim instructors are nationally certified and their training includes CPR, AED, first aid and oxygen administration. Swimming is great fun, a confidence builder, and has benefits to last a lifetime.
Documents to help with choosing the right swim level:
Swim Lessons by LOCATION
Swim Lessons by class type
Parent-Child Swim Lessons (ages 6 months-3 years)
Children enjoy the many water-readiness activities provided by our YMCA aquatics instructors. This is one of the most important skills every child should master - feeling safe in the water. Children progress from water adjustment to basic skills while working with parents. One adult must be in the water with their child at all times.
This class, designed for children ages 2 to 3, adapts basic swimming skills to your child's developmental level including: body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatics skills. One adult must be in the water with their child for a portion of the class.
Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3-5)
This class is a transition class to help preschool children get comfortable in group lessons without a parent. Parents begin class in the water and throughout the session transition to children swimming with the instructor. Classes run as needed. Contact your local branch for more information.
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications- None
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications- None
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of fall into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 feet unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to submerge and retrieve an object in chest deep water, (2) able to swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 yards, (4) able to jump in and tread water for 30 seconds, (5) able to swim to wall and exit.
Youth Swim Lessons (ages 6-12 years)
Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water.
Qualifications - None
In this class, children are taught skills that focus on buoyancy and movement in the water while also learning how to safely exit in the event of fall into a body of water.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to go underwater and comfortably open eyes without goggles, (2) able to float on front and back with minimal assistance, (3) able to jump in the pool, submerge and return to the wall with assistance.
In this class, children focus on swimming longer distances. In the event of falling into a body of water, children learn how to swim to safety.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to float on front and back unassisted, (2) able to push off wall on stomach with face submerged for 10 feet unassisted, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 feet unassisted, (4) able to jump into deep water and return to the wall unassisted.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to submerge and retrieve an object in chest deep water, (2) able to swim front crawl 15 yards while taking a breath, (3) able to Swim-Float-Swim 15 yards, (4) able to jump in and tread water for 30 seconds, (5) able to swim to wall and exit.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all the major swim strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to front crawl and back crawl 25 yards, (2) able to swim breaststroke kick and dolphin kick 15 yards, (3) able to tread water using multiple kicks for 1 minute.
In this class, children continue to work on their swimming stroke technique and all major competitive strokes are introduced.
Qualifications to be in this level: (1) able to swim front crawl with bent arm recovery and rotary breathing for 25 yards, (2) able to swim back crawl with stroke rotation for 25 yards, (3) able to swim butterfly with overarm recovery, (4) able to swim breaststroke for 25 yards achieving stroke rhythm, (5) able to dive from a kneeling position.
Teen & Adult Swim Lessons (ages 13+)
Students will develop comfort in the water. They will learn how to swim-float-swim, front glides, back floats, and exits. Students will also work on jump, push, turn, grab.
Students will learn basic strokes including, front crawl and backstroke.
Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons
Private and semi-private swim lessons are designed for participants ages 3 through adult who want to have a more personal learning experience.
YMCA of Greater Hartford Swim Lessons
We are dedicated to teaching high quality and engaging swimming skills that will last a lifetime. Through time-tested curriculum and mission-driven instruction, students will gain confidence and unlock their potential, all while focusing on fun and safety. Lifelong success for the leaders of tomorrow.
Swim Lesson FAQs
We will continue to provide the highest quality program that you have grown accustom to. Safety, quality, and fun will continue to be our priority. Moving forward our program staff will instruct participants over a longer period of time. Developing trust and ensuring instructional consistency.
No problem! We know life is busy and we want our lessons to be as flexible as possible, so we can meet your family’s needs. We require at least one month of participation in the program. You are free to withdraw from the program after that time. All cancellation notices must be received by the 1st of the month, with 30-days notice to cancel your payment. Click here to complete an EFT change form.
No, you are not required to have an active membership to participate in this program. There is different pricing for members and program participants. We do encourage participants to have a full facility membership as there are so many great benefits when you become a member. A full facility membership will also allow participants to come and practice what they learned in their lesson during their free time.
Click here to complete an EFT Change Form or inquire at the welcome center. All cancellation notices must be received by the 1st of month with 30-days notice to cancel your payment.
Sure! Click here to complete an EFT Change Form and contact your Aquatics Coordinator with any questions or concerns. If a scheduling conflict arises and you need to switch your day and time, a Change of Program Form is required to be filled out and approved by the Aquatics Coordinator. Please note, we do reserve the right to cancel, alter, or move students based on enrollment and the needs of participants. We will do our best to try and find a different day/time that meets your family’s needs.
Yes, a make-up is offered once per month. Contact your aquatics coordinator for days/times of the make-up lesson. Note, make-up lessons are not intended to be an extra or replacement for regularly scheduled swim lessons.
Remember, we’re planning for and staffing for you or your child to be present regardless of whether you attend. Refund requests may be granted in the case of medical circumstances with proper documentation within seven business days of a missed lesson (e.g., medical note).
Make-ups are not offered for holidays, facility shutdowns, inclement weather, off days and weeks, all make-ups have been factored into the program fees. If for any reason beyond our control, the YMCA of Greater Hartford will pause all future drafts.
In every lesson, participants will build on the skills learned from prior lessons. Instructors will use these skills to develop new skills each week based on participants individual performance. Participants can be moved mid-session if all skills are met before the end of the session. Participants will be challenged and supported in his/her progress throughout the year, continuing the repetition of skills they need to develop until they succeed. Feel free to ask your branches’ Aquatics Coordinator for skills that you can practice with your child during family swim.
We are happy to assist in the placement, of all participants, to ensure a positive experience in our swim school.
Please click here for the “Swim Lessons Class Selector”. This guideline will assist you in registering your participant in the correct stage. Still unsure and would like guidance?
Please contact your branch Aquatics Coordinator to set up an assessment.
All monthly payments are charged on the 1st of the month. Please review our Billing Terms & Conditions for additional details. If you still have questions, please contact your branch.
No problem, we would be happy to do so! You can edit your payment details any time by updating your payment details in your account online. You can also stop by the Welcome Center, call your local Branch, or submit the change payment form.
We will make every effort to place participants in a class, we do pride ourselves on safety and therefore simply adding another participant to a scheduled lesson may not be within our instructor to participant ratio. We ask that families be patient as the Aquatics Coordinators will contact you as soon as a spot becomes available.
Please contact your local Branch Aquatics Coordinator.
Downtown YMCA, Laura Floyd: laura.floyd@ghymca.org
Farmington Valley YMCA, Kathryn Hanson: kathryn.hanson@ghymca.org
Hale YMCA, Tarin McKinnon: tarin.mckinnon@ghymca.org
Indian Valley Family YMCA, Kim Scofield-Gamboa: kim.gamboa@ghymca.org
Wheeler Regional Family YMCA, Charles Halapin: charles.halapin@ghymca.org
Association Director of Aquatics, Kim Scofield-Gamboa: kim.gamboa@ghymca.org
