Aquatics Programs

YMCAs have been teaching people to swim for more than a century. In YMCA aquatics programs, children learn to be safe around water and they feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new. Kids can develop lifelong skills that can help them stay healthy. Contact the Y for more info: 507-287-2260.

 

Swimming Lesson Class Descriptions

Preschool Classes (3-5 years): Child must be 3 by the start of the class. Maximum enrollment is 5. The preschool program provides children with their first pool experience without parental assistance, in a safe, fun and positive learning environment.


Pike: This class is a great way to introduce new little swimmers to the pool and help them to develop safe water habits in a fun and encouraging environment. Pre-requisite: NONE Skills Spotlight: Basic paddlestroke, kicking skills, blowing bubbles with their face in the water, floating, pool safety, and proper use of personal flotation devices (PFD), and instructional flotation devices (IFD)


Eel: The Eel class is for little swimmers who are well adjusted to the water and are eager to learn more. Eel swimmers continue to build on Pike skills such as kicking and the basic paddlestroke. Pre-requisite: Completed PIKE skills. Skills Spotlight: Kicking, floating on front and back, and progressive paddlestroke


Ray: At this level, Ray swimmers are ready to begin developing endurance as well as improving stroke skills. Rays are also introduced to treading water, rhythmic breathing and rescue skills and learn about personal water safety. Pre-requisite: Completed EEL skills Skills Spotlight: Stroke development, treading water, building endurance, rhythmic breathing, introduction to rescue skills

Starfish: Starfish is a special advanced class designed for swimmers who pass RAY level but are still in preschool. Children in Starfish level review previous skills, personal safety, rescue skills, and work on refining their strokes. The also learn underwater swimming skills. Pre-requisite: Completed RAY skills. Skills Spotlight: Stroke refinement and underwater swimming


School Age (6 years and up) Child must be 6 before the start of the class. Maximum enrollment is 6.
Whether your school age child is a new swimmer or has been swimming circles around you, the school age program offers a class that is just right for your child's skill level.

Polliwog: Polliwog is the beginner level for school age children to help them become acquainted with the pool and adjust to the water. Polliwog swimmers learn front and back floating skills, the paddlestroke, personal safety, and the use of floating devices. Pre-requisite: NONE. Skills spotlight: Water adjustment, personal safety, floating, and the paddlestroke


Guppy: Guppy swimmers continue to build confidence in their ability by practicing paddlestroke skills, floating, and rotary breathing without the aid of floating devices. Pre-requisite: Completed POLLIWOG. Skills spotlight: Lead-up strokes to the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke, survival, flloating, and treading water.


Minnow: At the minnow level, children continue to refine their lead-up stroke skills and begin to sequence these movements with more consistency. Pre-requisite: Completed GUPPY Skills Spotlight: Endurance development, sequencing lead-up stroke movements, basic rescue & safety skills


Fish: Children begin to see the results of their previous work and perform the frontcrawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke. The butterfly stroke is also introduced. Pre-requisite: Completed Minnow. Skills Spotlight: Perform the front crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, and breaststroke. Introduction to butterfly.


Flying Fish/Shark: This is advance level where students focus on stroke enhancements and endurance. Swimmers will also learn turns, rescue skills and personal safety. Pre-requisite: Completed FISH. Skills Spotlight: Stroke perfection, open/flip turns.

 

 

Swim Lesson Schedule

 

Parent/Child Aquatic Programs

  • Waterbabies (ages 6-18 months)
  • Water Tots (Age 19-36 months)
  • Parent/Child (ages 3-5 years)
    The Parent/Child program is a great way to introduce aquatic safety skills through games and songs. It’s water enjoyment for both parent and child. These classes are designed to encourage parent/child learning and water adjustment in a safe and positive setting. Parents accompany their children at all times while an experienced instructor guides parents in teaching their children fundamental safety and aquatic skills. Parent/Child classes are an excellent opportunity for children to begin transitioning to the pre-school swim program.
  • Please see our Brochure.(PDF)
  • Register Online!

Stroke Technique for Triathlons Clinics

If you are planning on competing in a triathlon, this stroke clinic is for you. Experienced swimmers and coaches will be on hand to critique your stroke and offer you tips on how to improve and maximize your potential. Contact the Y for more info: 507-287-2260.

 

Private & Semi Private Lessons

American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction Class

Contact the Y for more info: 507-287-2260.

Adult Lessons

Rochester Area Family Y
709 First Ave. SW
Rochester, MN 55902-3396

507-287-2260