YSWIM LESSONS

Welcome to the YMCA of the East Valley Aquatics Program. This Aquatic Manual is designed to provide information regarding swim lessons and other aquatic programs at the YMCA. Program participants learn skills that allow them to enjoy aquatic activities throughout their lives. These include personal safety, stroke development, survival and rescue skills as well as water sports and games. The program content is based on the concept of developing a healthy spirit, mind and body. Quality and effectiveness is continually evaluated and designed to meet the needs of the parents and participants.

There’s a reason the YMCA has been referred to as America’s Favorite Swim Instructor! In our values-based classes lesson plans include Personal Safety, Personal Growth, Stroke Development, Water Sports and Safety Skills which are skills that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. YMCA Swim Lessons are a series of progressive levels, from Beginner to Advanced and are not designed to be accomplished in one session. The development varies depending upon their age, coordination, swimming ability and concentration threshold. YMCA aquatic staff are nationally certified in, Lifeguard Training, CPR, First Aid, and Swimming Instruction for all program levels. Classes are 30 minutes in length and sessions are available every four weeks, either Mon/Wed, Tue/Thur or Sat classes to fit your schedule (private lessons also available).

Thank you again for choosing your YMCA of the East Valley. We hope your aquatics experience is a positive one. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Branch Aquatics Department:

CLASES AVAILABLE:
Parent-Child-Ages 6mths-3yrs
The Parent-Child classes helps promote water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities for children and their parent or other trusted adult. Swimming skills include; basic water safety, increased self-esteem, and lots of fun. On-going water experiences build self-confidence, water enjoyment and aquatic education.

Preschool I (Pike)-Ages 3-5
Our Beginner Level is designed to help swimmers feel more comfortable and confident in and around the water. This class emphasizes water safety, kicking, submerged bubble blowing and floating with and without assistance. To complete Preschool I swimmers must be able to float on their front and back unassisted.

Preschool II (Eel/Ray)–Ages 3-5
Our Intermediate Level is designed for swimmers who are comfortable and confident in the water. Swimmers will practice streamlines, front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, and safety skills. To complete Preschool II swimmers must be able to swim the width of the pool unassisted.

Level I (Polliwog/Guppy)-Ages 6-12
Our Beginner Level is designed for swimmers who have had minimal or no previous swimming experience. This class emphasizes water adjustment, floating, kicking, streamlines and water safety. Swimmers will be challenged to float on their front and back unassisted. To complete Level I swimmers must swim the width of the pool unassisted.

Level II (Minnow)-Ages 6-12
Our Intermediate Level is designed to refine basic swimming skills including rotary breathing for front crawl, breaststroke kick, and elementary backstroke. As a key YMCA level, swimmers will begin to work on building endurance. To complete Level II swimmers must swim one length of the pool both front crawl and back crawl.

Level III (Fish/Fly Fish)-Ages 6-12
Our Advanced Level is designed for swimmers who must have a strong aquatic knowledge and abilities in a variety of strokes. Students at this level are refining their strokes while continuing to build endurance. They will be introduced to butterfly, sidestroke, flip turns and rescue skills. The focus for this level is on technique and advanced skills.

Teen & Adult- Ages 13 & Up
Both Teen and Adult classes are designed for participants age 13 & Up. Youth and adult levels are arranged according to ability, not age. This provides a focus on the skills that are appropriate for their ability.

STAFF/PATICPANT RATIOS Parent-Child (6mths-3yrs) 1:10 pairs Preschool I & II (Pike) 1:6 Preschool II (Eel/Ray) 1:6 Level I (Polliwog/Guppy) 1:6 Level II (Minnow) 1:8 Level III (Fish/Fly Fish) 1:10 Teen/Adult 1:6

For more information about current programs please see our program guide for Winter/Spring 08 or contact us.