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.


Strong Swimmers Confident Kids Swim Lessons

 youth in pool stockAll ages from infants to seniors, can learn to swim!

Find a class that fits your family’s busy schedule. Please see the front desk for details. These lessons are once a week for seven week

WHEN: Session begins 6/23/25 through 8/16/25.

AGE GROUPS: Preschool– Ages 3—5 School Age– Ages 5—12 Teen/Adult= 12+ years

Price of lesson may vary based on stage
Stages A/B and Stages 1-3: 30 minutes
Teen/Adult and School Age 4-6: 40 minutes

FEES: Member: $105/$110 Program Participant: $210/$220

Preschool

Stage 1– Monday 4:00
Wednesday 4:00
Saturday 9:00
Saturday 10:45
Stage 2 – Monday 4:35
Wednesday 4:35
Saturday 9:35
Saturday 11:20
Stage 3– Monday 5:10
Wednesday 5:10
Saturday 9:35
Saturday 11:55

School Age
Stage 1– Monday 4:00
Wednesday 4:00
Saturday 9:00
Saturday 10:45
Stage 2– Monday 4:35
Wednesday 4:35
Saturday 9:35
Saturday 11:20
Stage 3– Monday 5:10
Wednesday 5:10
Saturday9:35
Saturday11:55
Stage 4– Thursday 4:00
Saturday 9:00
Stage 5– Thursday 4:45
Saturday 10:00
Stage 6– Thursday 5:25
Saturday 11:00

Teen/Adult

Stage 1– Saturday 11:45 
Stage 2– Saturday 11:45

For more information or to register, please call or stop by the Stratford YMCA at 203-375-5844! If the Stratford YMCA cancels any lessons, make-up lessons will be conducted on the week of August 5th through August 11th during regular class times. Any questions please contact our Aquatics Director, Nacho Sanchez at isanchez@cccymca.org.


Swim. Train. Improve

swim training programJoin our Stratford YMCA Youth Swim Club!

Swim Club is for advanced swimmers that want to refine their skills without the pressure of
competing. Looking to take your swimming to the next level? Whether you’re training for com-petition, looking for a great workout, or just want to swim with a supportive team, our School Age Swim Club is for you!

What You Get:

•Structured swim sessions with like-minded swimmers

•Tailored all four swim strokes : Fly, Free, Breast and Back. Participants will also learn Dives, Flip Turns andHaw aiian Flip turns

•Learn some history of all the swim stokes

•Introduction to life saving skills., including CPR skills

•Expert coaching to improve technique, speed, and stamina

•A motivating and social atmosphere.

Why Swim Club?

•Swimming is important life skill that can help your child learn to achieve goals, gain confidence, enjoy physical activities, and become a team player in the pool and on daily life. Once your child conquers all swim strokes, joining Swim Club is a great way to continue improving swim skills in the pool.

•Swim club helps your child develop their swim skills, including strokes, turns, and speed. There is also a strong component of learning about sportsmanship and how to be on a team. We focus on the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

AGES: 7 years and older

SWIM DAY/TIME: Saturday at 12:00pm-1:00pm

DATES: April 24 – June 21

FEES: Member: $180 Program Participant: $240

For more information contact Nacho Sanchez, Aquatics Director at isanchez@cccymca.org


Compete In The Fast Lane

bsy team picBSY Swimming

Our team offers a challenging, engaging, and fun program that stresses stroke technique, starts, turns, and basic to advanced training. Our team ranges from entry level competitive swimmers to champion-ship caliber swimmers – all are welcome and encouraged to look into the BSY team!

Take a look at our Fall 2024 Brochure

TEAM EVALUATIONS
*NOTE: Based on swimmer age on December 1, 2024
• By appointment only. Please contact head coach Marta Anne Taddeo
• Contact bsyswimming@cccymca.org or mtaddeo@cccymca.org
FEE: $5
• Note: swimmers must be able to complete 25 yards on both stomach and back

 


Reclaiming Your Health

aoa swimmersJoin Our Joints In Motion For Arthritis Aquatics Class!

WHEN: Mondays 11:15am-12:15pm

· Multiple exercise activities, including: joint check/warm-up, range of motion/stretching, strengthen­ing, cardiovascular endurance, and joint check/cool down
· Balance and coordination activities
· Helps improve balance and posture with a variety of exercise for feet, legs, core and glutes, along with water walking routines. Range of motion exercise for every joint from head to toe to help with arthritis
· Each class includes a health education component from the program formally known as PACE- People with Arthritis Can Exercise
· Relaxation and breathing activities. Instructors may include weight bearing, posture/body mechan­ics, body awareness, and socialization activities

To improve:

· Functional ability
· Self-confidence
· Self-care
· Mobility
· Muscle strength
· Coordination

To reduce:

· Fatigue
· Pain
· Stiffness

Note: Participants do not need to know how to swim to participate in the class


Stratford Y Swim Team

AGES: 5 – 18 years (participation depends on ability level)

The Stratford YMCA offers a stimulating, enjoyable program that stresses stroke technique, endurance, sportsmanship, goal-setting, and leadership. We strive to do all this in an environment that embraces the YMCA’s philosophy of building spirit, mind, and body for all. We believe these qualities serve our swimmers well in the pool, but also in the classroom and in life.

Practices take place weeknights at the Stratford Y, 3045 Main Street, Stratford. For more information email bsyswimming@cccymca.org. For meet details: TeamUnify/BSY Swim Team


Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

AGES: 3 and up

One-on-one swim or two-on-one lessons with a trained swim instructor. Each 30-minute session is scheduled between the instructor and the participant.

REGISTRATION: Members may register by filling out our Registration Form at the member service desk. 2025-CCC-YMCA-Private-Semi-Private-Swim-Lesson-Registration


Lap Swimming Etiquette

LAP SWIMMING ETIQUETTE

  • Swimmers are encouraged to contribute to an atmosphere of cooperation and courtesy.
  • Always enter from the shallow end.
  • A maximum of five swimmers are permitted in each lane during lap swimming.
  • Please swim with others of similar speed. Lifeguards will move swimmers to the appropriate lane when necessary.
  • Always let swimmers in your lane know when you are entering the water.
  • Always circle swim counter-clockwise when three or more swimmers are in a lane.
  • Fins and/or kickboards are not permitted during circle swim.
  • Allow faster swimmers to pass. Passing always occurs on the left of the swimmer or at the end walls.
  • Do not stand at the ends of the pool for an extended period of time.
  • Teens age fourteen and older may participate in lap swimming.

6/29/2016


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