Woodruff Family YMCA Aquatic Center Information
- Summer 2010 Aquatic Center General Schedule
- Aquatic Center Lap Swimming Etiquette
- Pool Closing/ Cancelation Information
- Inclement Weather Information
- Water Safety Instructor Course Flyer
Swimming Lessons
The goal of the Woodruff Family YMCA Swimming Lesson Program is to develop competency, confidence, and endurance in swimming. Children are introduced to the water through a graduated series of lessons developed and standardized by the YMCA of the USA. The program is divided into age groups, and children move through the levels at their own pace as their abilities and skills grow. Advanced lessons and other Aquatic programs are available for those boys and girls with particular enthusiasm for swimming.
Select your classes
Consult the course descriptions and select the appropriate level, day and time. Please keep in mind that parents attend and participate with their children through shrimp/kipper and inia/perch and it is to the discretion of the instructor in the pre-pike level. If you are unsure about placement for your child please contact the aquatics department.
Skippers Preschool Swim Program
The first steps toward acclimating youngsters to an aquatic environment at an early age, this introduction to the water emphasizes confidence and security as skills begin to develop.
Primary Level
Parent / Guardian swims with child
This level is an introduction to the water where children enjoy splashing, floating, kicking and group activities with parents and other children their age. The goal is to acclimate the youngsters to an aquatic environment at an early age so they are comfortable, happy and ready to learn basic swimming skills at the next level where they will swim without a parent.
Please note: All children who are not potty-trained MUST wear a swimming diaper AND a bathing suit OR plastic pants.
Ages: 6 months – 3 yrs
Classifications By Age
Shrimp/Kipper: 6 – 18 months
Inia/Perch: 18 – 36 months
Student to instructor ratio is 9:1
Pre-Pike:
This level introduces children to the basic structure of swim class to be more independent. Students will focus on learning rules, listening to directions, and taking turns. This level is designed to prepare children for taking a class without a parent or guardian.
Student to instructor ratio is 3:1
Ages: 24-36 months
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Preschool Aquatics (Secondary Level)
Child swims independently
Ages: 3-5 yrs
Student to instructor Ratio: 6:1
Classifications by Ability
Pike (Beginner): This class is designed for beginners who have never taken swim lessons. This level is designed to acclimate swimmers to the pool as well as teach basic skills such as blowing bubbles, floating on the back, learning kicks and arm scoops, and swimming short distances.
Eel (advanced Beginner): This level is designed for children with growing comfort in the water. Participants focus on front and back floats with less assistance and swimming independently (no holding on to the instructor). Children will begin to learn basic stroke structure and must be able to put their face in the water.
Ray (Intermediate): This class is for swimmers who are able to float on their front and back independently. Basic skills are reviewed and new skills are introduced. Participants must be able to swim length of shallow pool without assistance.
Starfish (Advanced): Children further develop the skills taught at the Ray level and begin to improve endurance and are introduced to rotary breathing. Participants must be able to swim one length of the pool unassisted.
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Coming Soon!
Cowardly Lions
Is your child fearful of the water or reluctant to take swim lessons? Cowardly Lion is a program developed especially for those preschoolers who need special attention and TLC to get comfortable in the water. Our aquatic instructors will work with each child in a warm, compassionate and understanding way to help overcome anxiety.
Ages: 3-5
Youth Aquatics (Progressive Swim Lessons)
Ages: 6-12 yrs
Student to instructor Ratio: 8:1
Polliwog (Beginner): This class is for children who are beginner swimmers and need the assistance of floatation devices to swim independently. Children will work toward developing basic skills and will remain in this level until they are comfortable swimming independently.
Guppy (Semi-Beginner): Most participants in this level have had previous swim lesson experience and should be able to jump into the water and perform front and back paddle strokes ½ the length of the pool without assistance. Children should be comfortable in the deep end. Previous skills will continue to be developed and new skills are introduced. Children must be able to put their face in the water.
Minnow (Advanced): With a focus on refining front and back crawl strokes students begin to build endurance. Also introduced are elementary back stroke, breaststroke, and dolphin kicks. Participants must be able to swim one length of the pool and tread water for 1 minute.
Fish/Flying Fish (Intermediate): This class is designed to refine the strokes learned in the previous levels as well as introduce side stroke, butterfly, individual medley, survival strokes and other aquatic skills. Children must be able to swim 2 lengths of freestyle, backstroke, and a modified breaststroke.
Shark (Advanced Intermediate): This level will help develop proficiency in and strengthen breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly, and stroke variation, such as trudgeon crawl. Flip turns and the individual medley is also practiced. Children must be able to swim 4 lengths of the pool in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke.
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Teen/ Adult Aquatics
Ages: 13+ yrs.
Student to instructor ratio is 8:1
Teen/ Adult Beginner: This class is for teens and adults who have not had swimming lessons before or who are not comfortable in the water. Basic swimming skills and personal water safety skills are taught.
Teen/ Adult Intermediate: This class is for teens and adults who have not had swimming lessons before or who are comfortable in the water and who need to work on stroke development.
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Adapted Aquatics – Special Needs Swimming Lessons
Student to instructor ratio is 1:1
This program is open to all individuals with cognitive and/ or physical disabilities and is designed to provide a positive recreational and educational experience for participants. Existing YMCA Swim Lesson Programs will be adapted to meet the individual needs. This Program is for all levels of swimmers. An adult may accompany in the water if needed.
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Coming Soon!
Saturday Swim Crew
Ages: 5-14 yrs.
Limited availability
This is a recreational swim time which is available to anyone who is challenged by a mental, physical, or emotional handicap.
Private Swimming Lessons
Ages: 2+ yrs.
Request Basis Only
Private, Semi-Private and Tri-Private swimming lessons are available for children and adults who may benefit from individual attention.
click here for more information about Private Swimming Lessons
Specialty Programs
