This program features five main components: personal growth, personal safety, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue. Each skill level builds upon the preceding one, with six levels covering all the strokes, diving, and safety skills.

1. Polliwog  (Beginner)  6-12 year olds

This is the beginning level for school-age children. It gets children acquainted with the pool while learning front paddle stroke, back float, rhythmic breathing, water games and basic water safety. Children can swim across the pool without assistance by the end of this level.

2. Guppy  (Advanced Beginner) 6-12 year olds

The children continue to practice and build upon basics. Paddle stroke becomes Freestyle with rotary breathing. They are introduced to sidestroke, back stroke, breast stroke and elementary backstroke. Additional synchronized swimming, and diving skills are taught. Children swim the length of the pool without assistance by the end of this level.

3. Minnow  (Intermediate) 6-12 year olds

This is the initial intermediate level. freestyle, backstroke, and the other strokes already introduced will be refined.  Breast stroke will be introduced along with learning more synchronized swimming, wetball, diving skills, and first aid skills. Children can swim the length of the pool freestyle with rotary breathing and backstroke by the end of this level.

4. Fish  6-13 year olds

Children continue to refine their freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke while increasing endurance swimming. Butterfly, sidestroke and turns will be introduced, along with the use of mask and snorkel, and additional first aid skills.

5. Flying Fish   6-13 year olds

In this advanced level, students work on refining their breaststroke and butterfly stroke and increasing their endurance. They develop the ability to perform more complex skills.

fall youth swimming lessons Schedule:  

Starfish Club

This class is designed for 6 and 7 year olds with advanced skills. Children must be able to swim 25 yards of both backstroke and freestyle to enter this program (they should have passed YMCA Starfish level of swimming lessons). Placement in this program requires department approval. Membership is required.

Schedule: Mondays, 5:15 - 6 p.m., September 22nd through February 9th

Fee: Members $185.00

Questions about swim lessons, contact Diane at: diane@bathymca.org