Swim Lessons

When kids, teens and adults take a swim lesson with the Y, they’ll gain confidence and learn new skills in a fun, caring environment. With classes for all ages and skill levels, we deliver the perfect pathway for all abilities to enjoy, develop and grow with our swim program.

New & Improved Swim Lessons

We have expanded our aquatic programmatic offerings. Group Lessons (ages 6 months-12 yrs) and Private Lessons are now be offered at Tri-Lakes, Briargate, Downtown, and Cottonwood Creek. Swim Team and Swim Team Prep will also be offered at Briargate only. Private lessons will be available for select hours throughout the week. 

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Y Swim Lesson curriculum is based on a continuum that focuses on a skill-based progression that builds confidence and supports swimming skills. There are three phases within the continuum, beginning with Swim Starters (children 6-36 months), then Swim Basics (children ages 3-12) and Swim Strokes (school-aged children 6-12 years).  Each phase is broken into specific stages that are designed specifically for that age group on a cognitive and social ability.

Our program enhancements include ease at the time of registration and improved curriculum focusing on skills-based instruction with an emphasis on personal safety, tools and resources to support families at home.

On the first day of class, Swim Instructors will conduct a swimming skills evaluation to determine each swimmer’s skill ability. Students will be divided into appropriate classes within the Y Swim Lesson Continuum (Swim Starters, Preschool & School Age).

FPP members will receive 25% off of group swim lessons.

 

 

Swim Starters Parent & Child Swim Lessons

PARENT & CHILD LESSONS

6 months old to 3 years old & their parent

Parent & Child Swim Lessons promote water readiness activities for children and their parent or trusted adult!

Stage A - Water Discovery Parents accompany children in this class which introduces babies and parents to the aquatic environment through exploration that encourages them to enjoy themselves while learning about water.

Stage B - Water Exploration Parents are guided to work with their child to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

Ages 

6 months to 3 years 

Cost

Member $7.50 per lesson

Duration 

8 lessons (unless otherwise stated) 

Locations

Briargate, and Downtown

 

 

Swim Basics

PRESCHOOL & SCHOOL-AGED LESSONS

3 years old to 12 years old

Swim Basics Lessons teach a core foundation of water safety and drowning prevention is made by teaching water adjustment and skill readiness to swimmers!

Stage 1 - Water Acclimation Children are introduced to the pool and develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. Children also develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit a body of water in the event they fall in. This stage builds the foundation for the child's future progress in swimming.

Stage 2 - Water Movement Children are taught skills that focus on body position and control, forward movement and directional change. This stage also reinforces how to safely exit a body of water in the event of falling in.

Stage 3 - Water Stamina Children focus on swimming longer distances and are introduced to rotary breathing and integrated arm and leg action. In the event they fall into a body of water, children learn how to swim, move to safety and exit.

Swim Lessons at the YMCA

Ages

3 to 12

Cost

Member $7.50 per lesson

Duration

8 lessons (unless otherwise stated)

Locations

Tri-Lakes, Briargate, and Downtown

 

 

SWIM STROKES

SCHOOL-AGED SWIM LESSONS

6 years old to 12 years old

After the fundamentals are mastered, children can learn personal water safety, develop their character and build stroke technique in competitive strokes with our Swim Strokes Lessons!

Stage 4 - Stroke Introduction Swimmers focus on developing basic swimming strokes and personal water safety. Specifically, children develop the frontcrawl and backcrawl strokes, are introduced to components of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and practice safety techniques in deep water.

Stage 5 - Stroke Development Students continue to work on their stroke technique and all major competitive strokes are introduced. Swimmers will develop stamina in the frontcrawl and backcrawl strokes, learn the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and build endurance in their techniques for deepwater safety.

Stage 6 - Stroke Mechanics Students refine their stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming. Swimmers will develop endurance in the competitive strokes, learn skills related to competitive swimming like racing starts and flip turns, and enhance their techniques and build endurance in deep water.

Ages

 6 to 12

Cost 

 Member $7.50 per lesson

Duration

8 lessons (unless otherwise stated)

Locations

Tri-Lakes, Briargate, and Downtown

 

 

MORE INFO

Registrations for all aquatic programs can be done at the YMCA front desk or on-line. Participants must register for each desired session, the YMCA does not enroll participants for subsequent classes. Classes are 30 minutes in length for the Preschool age groups, 40 minutes in length for the school age groups. On the first day of class all participants are evaluated and placed appropriately. Please be sure to update your email address in our computer system so you will get our email updates.

Swim Lesson FAQs

What layer of protection are staff taking?

Swim Instructors will be wearing face shields throughout the duration of swim lessons. Lifeguards will be wearing face masks or shields at all times. Staff will also be disinfecting all touch points and equipment before every class block.

Is it safe for people to swim in shared water?

Per the CDC, the virus can not be transmitted through properly treated water. Our pool chemicals are always maintained within the required ranges set by the health department. Should our water ever go outside of that range, we do close down the pool until the water is safe to swim in again.

Does my child need to wear a mask while in the water?

No, we are not allowing swim participants to wear masks in the water as it presents a safety hazard.

Can locker rooms / showers be used for swim lesson participants?

Designated locker rooms / showers will open for swim lesson participants in a limited capacity after their swim lesson. We encourage families to come dressed ready to swim and leave in their suits. 

Do I, as the parent / guardian, need to wear my mask at all times on the pool deck?

Per the state of Colorado mask mandate, all patrons 11 years and older must wear a mask while in a public building at all times. 

Have class ratios been adjusted to ensure proper social distancing?
We are running the following ratios for each swim lesson program:

Swim Starters - 1 instructor per 8 participants

Preschool - 1 instructor per 4 participants

School Age - 1 instructor per 6 participants

Swim Team Prep / FAST - 1 instructor per 8 participants

How many parents / guardians are allowed on the pool deck?

To limit our building capacity, we are limiting the number of participants on the deck to one parent / guardian per swim lesson participant.. 

Are instructors taking daily attendance?

Per our swim lesson curriculum, pre and post COVID, our instructors take attendance daily.


MAKE-UP POLICY

NO make up sessions will be scheduled due to absence on the participant's part. The YMCA will reschedule any classes that have been cancelled due to weather up to a specific number of classes. We make every effort to call parents in the event of a cancellation, so please be sure to provide a good contact number.

Lessons that do not receive at least 1/2 of class time will receive a make-up. In some instances our safety talk is part of our class time. We guarantee 6 of the 8 lessons and 3 of the 4 lessons. We will communicate all make-up classes via email and phone. 

All cancelations will align with the corresponding districts and after-school activities planning.

Tri-Lakes - District 38
Briargate/Garden Ranch/Cottonwood Creek - District 20 
Downtown/Memorial Park - District 11 
Southeast - District 2 
Fountain - District 8 

REFUND / CREDIT / TRANSFER POLICY

All fees paid will be refunded in full when the YMCA cancels a season or session. When a participant cancels at least 2 weeks before a program starts, a $10 fee will be charged for all refunds. No refunds or credits will be authorized after the first session or class. 

The YMCA understands that medical, emergency, and other unforeseen situations do arise and refunds may be given based on extenuating circumstances. In these cases, please contact the YMCA to discuss your specific situation. Documentation may be required in these situations.

Refunds will not be authorized for requests made after a session has taken place (i.e. requests for refunds for non-use of a registered program).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please do not allow your child(ren) to eat or drink 1 hour prior to class, it is also helpful to have your child(ren) use the restroom prior to class. Swim diapers and swim suits are required for those not potty-trained. Please have long hair pulled back and secured. Please do not allow your child(ren) to enter the pool until the instructor is ready. For sanity reasons do not change diapers or clothing on the pool deck. There are family changing rooms & locker rooms available for your use. To ensure the safety and privacy of everyone, the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region has adopted a no photo/video policy.

Swim Lessons Help Keep Your Children Safe

Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water. But, as a parent or caregiver, you can equip them with the tools they need to be confident in and around water so they don’t lose out on the health benefits of exercise, the opportunities to bond with family and friends and the sense of accomplishment when they learn new skills.

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