Swimming Lessons

Our aquatic programs are about more than just techniques and skills; they are about building friendships, developing self-esteem and creating positive experiences that will last a lifetime.

Click here for a conversion chart between YMCA Swim, Red Cross Swim, and Lifesaving Society Swim (used at our StarTech.com and Stoney Creek branches)

Take a look at the levels and programs we offer below, and contact your local branch to learn about specific location offerings. See you in the pool!

Find the Right Swim Level

Use this questionaire to find the right level for your swimmer.

splashers bubblers

You're ready for Parent & Tot swim lessons!


Splashers*  Parents participate with  children 0-18  mths old  with  instruction directed toward the  parent. The main  movement skill  taught is  to make the child and adult comfortable in the water with the child able to splash both arms and legs.    

Bubblers* Parents participate with children 18 mths-3 yrs with instruction directed toward the  parent. the  main movement skill taught is the child able to hold the wall kick feet and blow bubbles. *occasionally taught within the same class  
 

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You're ready for Adult swim lessons!

Beginner lessons geared towards the non-swimmer or those who fear the water. Stroke improvement tips and techniques are offered to the intermediate swimmer who would like to improve their swimming skills. 

 

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bobbers

You're ready for Bobbers swim lessons!

This beginner level focuses on  safety, entering and  exiting the pool, progression for submersion and short swims, assisted floats and propulsion.  
 

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floaters

You're ready for Floater swim lessons!

At this level, children learn deep water awareness, pool rules, how to wear a  personal floatation device (PFD), assisted jumps into the water, unassisted submersion, blowing bubbles, and retrieving objects.  
 

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gliders

You're ready for Glider swim lessons!

This intermediate level introduces deep  water activities and front and back swims to a distance of 5m.  
 

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diver

You're ready for Diver swim lessons!

In this intermediate level, children continue to develop deep water skills,  work on arm action and increase front and back swim distances to 10m.  
 

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surfer jumper

You're ready for Surfer & Jumper swim lessons!

Surfer* - This advanced level explores diving, surface support, creative pool  entries and extends swim distances to 15m - 25m.  

Jumper* - In this advanced level, children further refine front and back crawl to distances of 25-50m, deep water activities and skills are explored.  

*occasionally taught within the same class 
 

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otter

You're ready for Otter swim lessons!

An introductory level for beginner swimmers ages 6-12 years old, Otter will teach your child the basics of pool safety, going underwater, and gliding on their front and back. 

The first of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Otter teaches your child how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. During these classes, your child will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session. 

Otters is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who encourages your child to actively participate in their own learning. 

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seal

You're ready for Seal swim lessons!

Seal is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Otter or who have equivalent skills. In this level, they will further develop the skills of gliding, kicking, and submerging. 

The second of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Seal teaches your child how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. While in these classes, children will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session. 

Seal is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will encourage the children to build their confidence in the water. 
 

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dolphin

You're ready for Dolphin swim lessons!

Dolphin is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Seal or who demonstrate an equivalent skillset. Your child will be introduced to swimming on their front, back, and underwater. 

The third of four levels in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Dolphin teaches kids how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. While in these classes, your child will also select from an optional list of skills to learn during the session. 

Dolphin is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will be cheering your child on as they complete their first full swim strokes! 
 

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swimmer

You're ready for Swimmer swim lessons!


Swimmer is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Dolphin or have equivalent skills. In this class, kids will learn front and back crawl, and how to tread water. 

The last level in our national YMCA Learn to Swim program, Swimmer teaches children how to stay safe in the water and to develop their swimming skills. Children at this level will have achieved a solid foundation of swimming skills and be able to front swim for a distance of 25 metres. 

Swimmer is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will inspire your child to reach their potential in the water. 
 

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star 1

You're ready for Star 1 swim lessons!

Star 1 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed the Swimmer level in our Learn to Swim program. In this class, kids will learn to use the whip kick on their back and the egg-beater motion for treading water. We will help your child continue to develop front and back crawl technique and endurance. 

As the first level of our YMCA Star Program, in Star 1 we also introduce your child to other aspects of swimming. Kids select which new skills they would like to learn from a list that includes competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness, and water polo. 

Star 1 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will guide your child through each lesson. 
 

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star 2

You're ready for Star 2 swim lessons!

Star 2 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 1 or who show an equivalent skill level. At this level, we focus on the backstroke and continue to help kids refine their stroke technique and increase their endurance. 

The second level of our YMCA Star Program, in Star 2 we continue to encourage your child to build on the optional skills they selected in Star 1. Your child may choose to try something new, or continue to focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Optional skills include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness, and water polo. 

Star 2 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will share their passion for swimming. 
 

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star 3

You're ready for Star 3 swim lessons!

The third level of our YMCA Star Program, Star 3 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 2 or who show an equivalent skill level. At this level, your child will focus on the breaststroke and egg-beater motion for treading water, while continuing to build endurance in the pool. We will also introduce young swimmers to introductory lifesaving concepts. 

Building on the optional skills learned in Star 2, participants will select from a new set of skills they would like to learn. They may choose to try something new or focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Skills include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness, and water polo. 

Star 3 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will nurture the love of swimming in your child. 
 

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star 4

You're ready for Star 4 swim lessons!

Star 4 is for children 6-12 years old who have completed Star 3 or who show an equivalent skill level. At this level, we will help your child focus on the sidestroke and we will continue to introduce lifesaving skills. 

Your child will also carry on with exploring other interests in the pool by selecting more optional skills to learn. They may choose to try something new or focus on one area — the choice is theirs! Options include competitive swimming, lifesaving, synchronized swimming, aquatic fitness, or water polo. 

Star 4 is taught in small groups by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor who will work with your child to learn each new skill. 
 

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star 5

You're ready for Star 5 swim lessons!


Star 5 is for children 10 years and older who have completed Star 4 or who show an equivalent skill level. We will introduce the butterfly stroke along with lifesaving and first aid elements from the Rookie and Ranger levels of the Canadian Swim Patrol program. 

Swimmers will also have the opportunity to continue to develop advanced aquatics skills by selecting from a range of options: advanced strokes, water polo, synchronized swimming, or aquatic fitness. 

Led by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor, swimmers will work together in groups to reach their goals. After completion of Star 5, your child will be eligible to be certified as a Rookie in the Canadian Swim Patrol program. 
 

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star 6

You're ready for Star 6 swim lessons!

Star 6 is for children 10 years and older who have completed Star 5 or show an equivalent skill level. Swimmers will continue to develop lifesaving and first aid skills at the Ranger and Star level of the Canadian Swim Patrol program. They will also begin to learn how to teach others to swim. 

Star 6 encourages your child to take responsibility for their own learning outcomes by selecting optional skills to learn, including advanced strokes, water polo, synchronized swimming, or aquatic fitness. 

Led by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor, swimmers can work together in groups to reach their goals. After completion of Star 6, your child will be eligible to be certified as a Ranger in the Canadian Swim Patrol program. 
 

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star 7

You're ready for Star 7 swim lessons and the Junior Lifeguard Club!


Star 7 is for children 10 years and older who have completed Star 6 or show an equivalent skill level, and have a strong interest in pursuing more advanced aquatics certifications. Star 7 bridges to the YMCA Assistant Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Society's Bronze programs. 

In addition to first aid and lifesaving skills, swimmers will also continue to build their abilities by selecting from a list of optional skills to learn, including advanced strokes, water polo, synchronized swimming, or aquatic fitness. 

Star 7 is led by a certified YMCA Swim Instructor and runs for an hour as a club. Swimmers work together to reach their goals and practice lifesaving skills with each other. At the end of Star 7, your child will be eligible to be certified as a Star in the Canadian Swim Patrol program. 

Junior Lifeguard Club  
A fun, fast-paced opportunity for swimmers to stay active in the water while learning rescue skills from experienced lifeguard role models. Participants will be tested for and receive their bronze star and bronze medallion - at no extra cost. 
 

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bronze medallion

You're ready for a Bronze Medallion course!


At age 13 swimmers can register for their Bronze Medallion; step 1 to becoming a lifeguard and/or swim instructor. 

This program teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, defense methods, and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 400m timed swim. 
 

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YMCA Swim Lessons

Splashers (3 - 18 months) 
This program is for parents/caregivers and their child to become comfortable in the water together. Learn basic swim and safety skills in a fun and safe environment. Instruction will cover skills such as comfort in the water, splashing with arms and legs, pool area orientation, songs and free time for questions and play.

Bubblers (18 months - 3 years) 
Children and their parents/caregivers learn how to hold the wall and kick their feet, do an assisted front/back float, and practice safe swimming. Songs, games, and free time are also included.

YMCA Preschool Swim Program (3 - 5 years)

Bobber: This beginner level focuses on safety, entering and exiting the pool, progression for submersion and short swims, assisted floats and propulsion.

Floater: Children learn deep water awareness, pool rules, how to wear a personal floatation device, assisted jumps into the water, unassisted bobs, blowing bubbles, and retrieving objects.

Glider: This intermediate level introduces deep water activities and front and back swims to a distance of 5m.

Diver: Children continue to develop deep water skills, work on arm action and increase front and back swim distances to 10m.

Surfer: This advanced level explores diving, surface support, creative pool entries and extends swim distances to 15m to 25 m.

Jumper: Children further refine front and back crawl to distances of 25 to 50m, deep water activities and skills are explored.

YMCA Learn to Swim Program (6 - 13 years) 

Otter: This beginner level focuses on safety, entering and exiting the pool, progression for submersion and short distance swim of 5m, assisted floats and propulsion.

Seal: Introduces deep water jumping, breath control and surface support. Participants continue to develop floats, glides and distance swim of 10m.

Dolphin: Children spend more time in deep water. Endurance is increased to distances of 15m for front and back swim. Front crawl is introduced.

Swimmer: Participants progress to treading water for 60 seconds, front crawl for 25m distance, and are introduced to resuscitation.

YMCA Star Program (6 - 13 years) 

Star 1: Continuing from the Swimmer level, the participant will work on developing their front crawl to the intermediate standard and back crawl to initial standard. Endurance will be developed as the participant works toward completing a 75m swim.

Star 2: Participants continue to develop front and back crawl as well as elementary backstroke. Front and back crawl starts and headfirst sculling are learned. Breaststroke is introduced.

Star 3: Participants continue to develop front and back crawl, learn crawl starts, elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and both head and foot first sculling. Participants build endurance, perfect strokes and are required to complete a 300m endurance swim.

Star 4: Participants learn about drowning prevention, develop higher-level rescue skills and build further endurance.

Star 5: While working on increasing endurance, participants are introduced to sidestroke. The breaststroke start and turn, and front crawl turn are introduced. Surface dives and synchro skills are at the heart of this level. Endurance distance is now 500m.

Star 6: Advanced synchro skills and some water polo skills are learned. Some unique swim strokes are introduced like waltz crawl, inverted breaststroke and double-over-arm backstroke. Participants continue to develop their endurance with a 600m swim.

Star 7: This level is intended to review and improve stroke techniques, improve endurance to 700m and prepare the participant for a leadership or lifeguard role.

Adult Lessons

Adult 1 - You'll work towards a 10-15 m swim on your front and back. You'll do jump entries from the side and recover an object from the bottom in chest-deep water. Improve your fitness and your flutter kick with 4 x 9-12 m interval training. This class is for beginners with little to no swimming experience

Adult 2 - Kick it up a notch working on two interval training workouts of 4 x 25 m kicking and front or back crawl. You'll be able to perform dive entries and demonstrate breaststroke arms and breathing over 10-15 m. You'll be supporting yourself at the surface for 1-2 minutes and showing off your handstands in shallow water.

Adult 3 - No sweat (or at least none anyone can see). You'll learn eggbeater, stride entries and compact jumps. You'll be doing a 300 m workout and sprinting 25-50 m. You'll master your front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Whew!

Stroke Improvement – Looking to improve efficiency, speed & strength in the water? This class is for you! Improve your current stroke(s) for your own personal goals whether that is fitness, competition or just for fun!

A young boy with goggles smiles and holds onto the side wall of a YMCA pool.

Swim-able: Inclusive Swim Program 
This unique and carefully designed inclusive swim program is geared towards children and youth with behavioural or learning barriers. This small-group aquatic program will accommodate different learning styles while providing a fun and safe learning environment in the water. All participants will have the opportunity to play group games, learn about water safety and complete YMCA Swim levels at their own pace. Ages: 6 - 13 years. Group Size: Approximately 4 participants per class.

Registration Information:

  • Any swimmer with a serious medical condition should inform staff upon registration.
  • Each child member may only be registered for one lesson at a time.
  • Photos can only be taken if permission is obtained from the parent/guardian of each child in the picture. Photographic equipment of any kind is not permitted in any of our change rooms.
  • In the event of a fouling, the health unit requires pool closure.
  • Lessons cannot be made up after the fact. After missing 3 consecutive lessons without parent notification, the swimmer will be withdrawn from the program

 

 

A YMCA lifeguard teaches a boy how to hold a flutter board in a Y facility pool.