Program Overview
Group swim lessons help swimmers build confidence, develop swimming skills, and learn important water safety skills in a supportive environment. With lessons available for a variety of ages and skill levels, swimmers can continue progressing as their abilities grow.
Students will learn water safety and achieve swimming competencies such as basic stroke development, floating, and entering/exiting water safely. Our programs follow the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Program.
Registration Details
Ages: 6 months and up
Pricing:
- Members: $75
- Non-Members: $100
- Late registration fee: $10 if registering after the registration deadline.
Financial assistance is available.
Registration:
Ready to register for swim lessons? View all upcoming session dates and times and register online using the link below.
Swim Lesson Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Due to the unpredictable nature of reasons why the pool may be required to close (.g. extreme weather or contamination issue), the YMCA does not offer refunds for cancelled lessons. In the event that swim lessons need to be cancelled, we will do our best to provide a make-up lesson, pending pool schedule and staff availability.
Find the Right Swim Lesson
Not sure which level is right for your swimmer? Review the levels and skill expectations below to find the best fit, then register for an available session.
Ages: 6 months-3 years
Builds basic water safety skills and water comfort for parents and children so they are willing and ready to learn to swim. These basic skills include adjusting to the water environment, showing comfort while maintaining a front or back position in the water and demonstrating breath control, including blowing bubbles or voluntarily submerging under water.
Ages: 3-5 years
Age-appropriate skills emphasizing water safety, survival and swimming foundations.
Level 1: Skills can be done with assistance
- Enter independently, using either the ramp, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards, submerge to mouth and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds, then safely exit the water. (Children can walk, move along the gutter or “swim.”)
- While in shallow water, glide on front for at least 2 body lengths, then roll to back and float on back for 3 seconds, then recover to a vertical position.
Level 2: Skills can be done with assistance
- Glide on front for at least 2 body lengths, roll to back, float on back for 15 seconds, then recover to a vertical position.
- Glide on back for at least 2 body lengths, roll to front, then recover to a vertical position.
- Swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 3 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming on front for 3 body lengths.
Level 3: Skills must be done independently
- Step from the side into chest-deep water, push off the bottom, move into a treading or floating position for 15 seconds, swim on front and/or back for 5 body lengths, then exit the water.
- Move into a back float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then recover to a vertical position. 3. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front, then continue swimming for 5 body lengths.
Ages: 6 years and older
Logical swim instruction progression to develop water safety, survival, and swimming skills.
Level 1
- Enter independently, using either the ramp, steps or side, travel at least 5 yards (to the flags), bob 5 times, then safely exit the water (Participants can walk, move along the gutter or “swim”)
- Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back float for 5 seconds and recover to a vertical position (This part of the assessment can be performed with assistance)
Level 2
- Step from side into chest-deep water, push off the bottom, move into a treading or floating position for at least 15 seconds, swim on front and/or back for 5 body lengths, then exit the water.
- Move into a back float for 15 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position
- Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to the front, then continue swimming for 5 body lengths.
Level 3:
- Jump into deep water form the side, recover to the surface, maintain position by treading or floating for 1 minute, rotate one full turn then turn as necessary to orient to the exit point, level off, swim front crawl and/or elementary backstroke for 25 yrds (one pool length), then exit the water.
- Push off in a streamline position then swim front crawl for 15 yrds, change position and direction as necessary, swim elementary backstroke for 15 yds, then exit the water.
Level 4
- Perform a feetfirst entry into deep water, swim front crawl for 25 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim elementary backstroke for 25 yards.
- Swim breaststroke for 15 yards, change direction and position as necessary and swim back crawl for 15 yards.
- Submerge and swim a distance of 3 to 5 body lengths underwater without hyperventilating, return to the surface, then exit the water.
Level 5
- Perform a shallow-angle dive into water at least 9 feet deep, swim front crawl for 50 yards, then swim elementary backstroke 50 yards using appropriate and efficient turning styles throughout.
- Swim breaststroke for 25 yards, change direction of travel as necessary and then swim back crawl for 25 yards using appropriate and efficient turning styles throughout.
Looking for more individualized instruction? Private swim lessons are tailored to each swimmer’s skill level and goals, making them a great option for those who may benefit from one-on-one support.
Reviewed our levels and still not sure what lessons to pick? Discover where your swimmer stands with our level evaluations. This will help determine which level of Red Cross swim lessons you should register your child.
Level Evaluation Rates:
- Members: $10
- Non-Members: $15
Ready To Register?
Use the button below to see upcoming sessions currently available for online registration. If no sessions are listed, please contact us for information about the next program.
Financial Assistance
We offer income-based financial assistance to make programs more affordable for families.
View Our Screening Protocol
The Winona Family YMCA is committed to preventing and responding to reported cases of child abuse. View our visitor screening protocol and other measures we take to keep kids safe.
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