Swim

SWIM LESSONS

For more than 160 years, the YMCA has nurtured potential and united communities across America to create lasting, meaningful change. Everything the Y does is in service of building a better us. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to teach youth, teens, and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy.

Our Y swim instructors are nationally certified. Their training includes CPR, AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration. Swim lessons provide important life skills that could save a life and will benefit students for a lifetime.

All ages - from infants to seniors - can learn to swim at the Y. What age group does the student fall into? What swim stage is the student ready for? The specific days and times of our classes can be found when you register on-line or by reviewing our Program Guide.

Have questions? Call the Y or speak with anyone in our Aquatics Department or on our Member Services Team. For a full listing of our swim lesson class options, days and times – please visit our Home Page and review our Program Guide.

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Swim Lesson Finder

Answer the questions below to find the swim lesson that fits.

Free swim lesson assessments are available to determine the appropriate swim lesson stage for each student. Discuss what level is appropriate with anyone in our Aquatics Department, or register for the Stage that is most appropriate for the swimmer’s abilities and our trained staff will place students in the correct Stage during the first lesson.

Building Confident Swimmers & Lifeguards

Becoming an Aquatic Leader

As part of the Aquatic Leader Program, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to swim while learning how to be safe in and around water, progressing into stroke development and endurance. Participants will move through the program as they become stronger, more confident swimmers.

Additionally, program participants will have the opportunity to take part in the Learn to Guard portion of the program after developing the swim skills and endurance needed to meet the prerequisites of the Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Program.

The Aquatic Leaders Program meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:45pm-5:30pm at the New Haven YMCA Youth Center. For more information, please email Jess at jskolozdra@cccymca.org or call 203-776-9622.

Y Aquatic Safety Guidelines

Our lifeguards are here to ensure your safety and have the authority to restrict any behavior deemed unsafe. Y members and guests must follow all safety guidelines or may be asked to leave the pool area.

• State health codes require all persons to shower with warm water and soap before entering the swimming pool.
• Wear appropriate swimming attire in the water at all times. T-shirts, shorts, cut-offs and street clothing are not appropriate.
• A parent/guardian, at least eighteen (18) years of age, who is a Y member, must accompany any child five (5) years of age and younger in the water at all times. Parents/guardians, of children seven (7) years of age and younger who have passed the swim test must remain on the pool deck. All swimmers eight (8) years of age and older who have passed the swim test may use the pool on their own.
• Any non-swimmer must have an adult accompany them in the water and be within arm’s reach.
• Children who are not potty trained should wear two layers of accident protection, a waterproof swim diaper and a bathing suit, at all times while in the swimming pool. For privacy and sanitary reasons, please refrain from changing children on the swimming pool deck.
• If you have a communicable or infectious disease or an open sore, please do not enter the swimming pool area.
• Spitting and nose blowing in the pool, pool areas and locker rooms are not permitted.
• For everyone’s safety, the swimming pool will be closed during lightning and thunderstorms and will not reopen until thirty (30) minutes after the last occurrence of either.
• Walk, do not run, to avoid injury.
• Pushing, dunking and rough play are not permitted.
• For your safety, diving is only permitted in water at least nine (9) feet in depth. Do not perform back-flips, back-dives, twists or any other type of flip that may cause injury to yourself or others.
• Extended breath holding activities may cause blackouts and are strictly prohibited.
• United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices can be used in the shallow end of the pool. They should be properly sized and in good condition. Persons wearing the device must be accompanied by adult in the water within arm’s reach.
• Y equipment is for Y programs only. Starting and diving blocks are not for public use. Inflatable pool toys and flotation devices are not permitted.
• Glass containers, food, and gum are not allowed on the swimming pool deck.
• Please do not sit, play, hang or lie on the lane lines.
• Before entering the deep end of the swimming pool, all swimmers must complete the swim test including an unassisted 25-yard non-stop swim and a thirty (30) second tread which will be recorded in our log. The lifeguard may administer a swim test at any time.
• Stop, look and listen when you hear the lifeguard’s whistle blow.
• Have fun, be safe and keep your language and behavior family friendly.

2/2023