LESSONS
LAST A LIFETIME


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PRESCHOOL SWIM LESSONS

Ages 6 months - 5 years
CLASS DEFINITIONS

  • SKIP - 6-36 months
  • PIKE - Beginner - child will not put face in water and can not float independently.
  • EEL - Advanced beginner - child can jump in the water and swim the width of the pool independently, without a float.
  • RAY - Intermediate - child can swim the length of the pool on their front and back, no floatation.
  • STARFISH - Advanced - child can swim the length of the pool on their front and back, out of water arm recovery.

For program registration information & session dates, go to Program Information .

Please review our Locker Room Policies prior to bringing your preschooler to swim lessons.

SKIPPERS

Skippers is the nationally certified YMCA of the USA Preschool Aquatic Program.

  • Skippers is an acronym which stands for Shrimp, Kipper, Inia, Perch, Pike, Eel, Ray, and Starfish.
  • The first four levels (SKIP) are parent-child classes for youth, ages 6 months through 36 months. Parents attend class with their child and join in all the activities.
  • Swim lessons for the SKIP levels focus on:
    • Water adjustment
    • Safety skills for both the parent and child
    • Fundamentals of swimming
  • The last four levels (PERS) accommodate the preschool swimmer, ages three to six years. In the first level, PIKE, parents swim with their children. Once their child has successfully accomplished the Pike skills, they are then ready to move on to an independent swim class: Eel, Ray and Starfish.
  • Swim lessons for the PERS levels build on the above skills and also include:
    • Stroke development
    • Rescue skills
    • Water sports and games
    • Moving the child toward independence in the water

PIKE WITH PARENT (Preschool)

Ages 3 - 5 - Level 1
PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ACCOMPANY THEIR PRESCHOOL CHILD IN THE WATER.
A leader will guide parents through the skills included in the Pike level as you work one on one with your child. This will enable your child to work individually at their own rate and gain confidence under your supervision while at the same time allowing them maximum water time. Skills include blowing bubbles,underwater reach & pull, back float, front & back flutter kick, jump in and water games.

PIKE WITHOUT PARENT classes are also available for more those children not needed the assistance of a parent, however, these classes are more limited because of student/instructor ratios.

EEL, RAY, STARFISH

Ages 3 - 5 - Levels 2, 3, 4
For intermediate and advanced swimmers who are comfortable in the water. Parents may, but are not required to swim with their child in class. Children start rhythmic breathing and crawl stroke. They are also introduced to deep water swimming and diving. Each child progresses individually through each level. (*Must be comfortable swimming in front and back pool and have successfully completed Pike.)