Programs & Schedules: Learn to Swim

Youth Swim Lessons | Parent-Child Swim Lessons | Preschool Swim Lessons | Skipper |
Private & Semi-Private Lessons

“My daughter Stella was afraid to put her face in the water. By summer’s end, she was swimming like a fish.”
~Carrie Haffner

Youth Swim Lessons

The Montecito Family YMCA offers swim lessons & swim team for children 6 months to 15 years of age. Other YMCA swim programs include private swim lessons, water aerobics, recreational swimming, preschool swim lessons, pre-swim team, and much more. See the Youth Activity Guide for class times, session dates, and costs.

Each skill level builds upon the preceding level, with five levels covering all the strokes, diving fundamentals, and swim safety skills. All swim classes listed below are 40 minutes in length.

Polliwog (ages 5 to 12)
This is the beginning level for school-age children. It gets children acquainted with the pool, the use of flotation devices, and front and back floating. By the end of this level, they should know the front paddle stroke, back paddle, put their face in the water, and swim 15-20 feet without assistance.

Guppy (ages 5 to 12)
The children continue to practice and build upon basic skills, now performing more skills without the aid of a flotation device. They learn freestyle and backstroke and are introduced to breaststroke and elementary backstroke. More popular water games are taught, as well as some diving skills.

Minnow (ages 5 to 12)
This is the initial intermediate level. The children further refine the lead-up strokes they have learned as their skills become more like those normally used in swimming. They learn still more about diving skills, personal safety, life jackets, boating and rescue skills.

Fish (ages 5 to 12)
At this point, students work to perfect freestyle, elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke and swim turns. They are introduced to the butterfly. They continue learning additional games like water polo, work on diving skills, and are introduced to fins and masks.

Flying Fish (Pre-Swim Team - ages 6 to 11)
Pre-team is for students not quite ready for a regular swim team. This team is designed for ages 6 to 11 years. At this level, students will continue to improve stroke technique and will be introduced to all the competitive swim strokes and concepts. Pre-swim team members are encouraged to swim at local YMCA swim meets. Swim participants must be able to swim 2 lengths (50 yards) of the pool without stopping. Throughout all levels, students are taught aquatic safety and rescue skills.

Otters Swim Team (ages 6 to 15)
The Montecito Family YMCA Otters Swim Team is designed for swimmers ages 6 to 15 years. Swim Team participants continue to improve their strokes, starts and turns and are introduced to all competitive swim strokes and concepts. Swim meets are scheduled on a regular basis. All swim team members are encouraged to swim at local YMCA meets. Most meets are at no additional cost. All new swim team participants must try-out first before registering. Try-outs take place on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm. Swim participants must be able to swim 4 lengths of the pool without stopping.

Parent-Child Swim Lessons

This is an introduction to the aquatic environment for parents and their infants. Parents are encouraged to develop appropriate expectations for their children’s performance in the water. They learn basic aquatic safety and have a positive experience with their children that can help them grow closer. The infants learn basic water skills and have fun playing with toys and flotation devices.

The Parent-Child Swim program is divided into 4 levels of development. These levels include: Shrimp, Kipper, Inia and Perch. The child can start as early as 6 months and then graduate to Skippers (Pre-school swimming) at the age of 3 years. This 30 minute class is taught by a caring, certified YMCA swim lesson instructor. Come enjoy yourself, socialize and have a great time. Classes offered from April through October.

Preschool Swim Lessons (3 to 5 years)

This is a child’s first experience in the pool without parental assistance. Children are taught skills that are the building blocks of swimming. They learn about pool safety and the use of personal flotation devices. YMCA swim lesson instructors teach the 30-minute class. Class participants are divided into skill levels, and class size is such that the instructor can provide children with individual attention.

Skipper

Designed for new swimmers, this class teaches children pool safety, helps them adjust to the water, and develops independent movement in the water. Children learn to float, perform paddle stroke and flutter kick.

Private & Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Private Lessons are for adults or children. Private lessons allow the individual to excel at a quicker rate to improve their swim ability and knowledge. See the Private Lesson Brochure or Aquatics Director for more information. All Private Swim Lessons are 30 minutes in length. Private Lesson fees are not refundable.

Cost
YMCA Members: 1 Lesson $25 • 6 pack $125
YMCA Community Member: 1 Lesson $32 • 6 pack $160

The purpose of the YMCA Youth and Adult Aquatic Program is to help participants acquire a good foundation of basic aquatic skills. We hope this leads to develop a lifelong appreciation for aquatic activities, which include not only swimming, but also lifesaving, lifeguarding and aquatic sports.