Swim
Youth Swim Lessons
Our youth aquatics program is designed to teach personal water safety, stroke development, water sports and games, rescue and personal growth skills to children. Our program is divided by age and skill levels. Children learn at their own pace and advancing to the next level is dependent on the child’s completion of required skills. Please keep in mind that the session length does not guarantee that all children will advance to the next level. All of our YMCA instructors are trained and certified.
Start Swimming at the Y
Registration dates are posted in our online brochure, at your local Y branch, and through our online registration system. Try our Swim Flow Chart to help you determine your child’s swim level.
How Old is Your Child?
At the Y, we are dedicated to providing student-centered swim lessons designed to nurture the development of each individual participant through our unique and dynamic group lessons. To help you determine which lesson level will create the best learning environment for your child, click through the options below.
SKIP (Shrimp, Kipper, Inia, & Perch)
With the help of songs, games, and social activities parents work hand-in-hand with our team in the water as we introduce water skills based on each child's unique development level.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your child swim independently on their front and back without a flotation (i.e. bubble, noodle, etc)?
Pike
Ideal for children to adjust to the water and learn basic swimming movements as they progress toward swimming independently.
Parent & Pike
Children who are at least 30 months old and are not comfortable swimming without a parent can enroll in or Parent & Pike class.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your child willingly submerge underwater?
Pike
Ideal for children to adjust to the water and learn basic swimming movements as they progress toward swimming independently.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Does your child put his face in the water when he swims?
Eel
For children who can independently swim at least five feet without a flotation. Our team focuses on teaching progressive kick, arm, and breathing technique.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your child swim 15 feet
Eel
For children who can independently swim at least five feet without a flotation. Our team focuses on teaching progressive kick, arm, and breathing technique.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Ray/Starfish
For children who are able to swim 15 feet independently without a flotation and their face is in the water with rhythmic breathing. Our team will focus on the improvement of front crawl, back crawl, sidestroke, and advanced water safety skills.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Will your child go underwater and float independently on their front/back without flotation?
Polliwog
A beginner level for kids either uncomfortable or inexperienced in the water. Our team focuses on basic water skills including gliding with face in water, floating and kicking.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your child (without flotation) swim 15 yards without stopping and fully submerge?
Polliwog
A beginner level for kids either uncomfortable or inexperienced in the water. Our team focuses on basic water skills including gliding with face in water, floating and kicking.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your child swim 25 yards of front crawl and back crawl with good form?
Guppy
For swimmers able to complete at least 15 yards of front and back crawl independently. Our team will focus on progressive technique for the front and back crawl as well as the side stroke.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Can your swimmer demonstrate at least 25 yards of breaststroke?
Minnow
For swimmers able to complete 25 yards of front and back crawl. Our team focuses on building swim endurance, enhancing stroke technique, and introducing breaststroke movements.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
Fish/Flying Fish/Shark
For swimmers able to complete 25 yards of breaststroke, 50 yards of freestyle, and 50 yards of backstroke. Our team will focus on building endurance, teaching advanced swim technique, and introducing butterfly.
If this level is the best fit for your child, you can register online or at your Y.
This tool is designed to assist parents in evaluating their child’s swimming skills. The YMCA will provide a quick swim evaluation during the first day of each swim session to ensure correct level placement for the child’s best learning environment. Please answer the questions below regarding your child’s swimming ability to place him or her in the correct class.
Adult Swim Lessons
Ages: 12 and up
Our adult swim lessons are for individuals 13 years of age and up. Class size is limited to ten and the structure of the class will be based on the level of swimmers in the class. The YMCA Adult Lesson plan offers an introduction to the water for those seeking to learn how to swim. The goal of these lessons is to make the adults competent, confident, and successful swimmers.
Days & Times:
Wednesday, 7:00 – 7:45 pm
Cost:
Facility Members: $55
Community Members: $110
Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons
Ages: 3 and up
One-on-one swim lessons with a trained swim instructor. Each 30-minute session is scheduled between the instructor and the participant.
Registration:
You may register by filling out a Private Lesson Request Form or contact Mark LaFortune at mlafortune@cccymca.org for more information.
Sprinters Swim Team
Ages: 5 – 18 years
The Sprinters Swim team is open to all boys and girls interested in individual and team competition. Everyone participates and acquires a sense of achievement. The Valley YMCA competes in the Yankee Cluster Swimming League. Individuals will be placed into practice groups according to their ability with the potential to advance into the next group as their performance improves. During meets, individuals compete by age groups against rival teams. To comply with the Yankee Cluster League requirements, all swimmers must be full privilege members of the YMCA. Depending on individual achievement, the season will end in March 2011.
Yellow Group: Beginner swimmers and or younger swimmers.
Green Group: Improving swimmers who can swim all four of the strokes. Also includes younger swimmers (10 and under) with competitive experience.
Blue Group: Experience in competition and can swim all four strokes. Most swimmers in this group should be at least 10 years of age.
Red Group: Experienced in competition and can swim all four strokes well. Most swimmers in this group should be at least 11 years of age.
Gold Group: Most experienced and skilled members of the team. Most swimmers in this group should be at least 12 years of age.
Cost:
$375 for the Fall season
For further information about the swim team, please contact Mark LaFortune at 203-736-1435 or via e-mail at mlafortune@cccymca.org.
Water Fitness Classes
Ages: 18 and up
We offer several fitness classes that take advantage of the unique properties of water. The workouts will include a warm up, aerobics, toning, stretching and cool down. Come join the fun! Classes offered during the day and evenings.
Lifeguard Certifications
Classes are taught by American Red Cross Instructors. First Time certifications and re-certifications are available for Lifeguarding and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Lifeguarding candidates must be 15 years and older, be able to swim 550 yards non-stop, and must be able to tread water for 3 minutes. Contact Mark LaFortune at mlafortune@cccymca.org for more information.