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Aquatics/Swim Lessons

About Swim Lessons

The Hamilton Area YMCA follows the YMCA nationwide swim program teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities. Our swim lessons accommodate varying abilities to help foster a sense of achievement as swimmers’ progress between stages. Our program teaches SAFETY in and around the water, along with proper stroke technique. 

Which lesson is right for you or your child?

View the Swim Lesson Selector Guide

The Hamilton Area YMCA offers a variety of choices for classes. If you are looking for individual lessons, please see our Private/Semi-private offerings. 

For Group Lessons, each new student will complete a skill evaluation to better place them. 

There are three general categories of Y Swim Lessons

  • Swim Starters develops water enrichment and aquatic readiness in children ages 6 months to 3 years. This category focuses on developing swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. Parents also learn how to supervise children in the water, how to prevent accidents and how to plan for emergencies.

  • Swim Basics develops personal water safety and basic swimming skills in students of all ages. Swimmers develop a high level of comfort in the water by practicing safe water habits, engaging in underwater exploration, and learning how to swim to safety and exit if they fall into a body of water.

  • Swim Strokes introduces and refines stroke technique in older students (school age, teens and adults). Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

Swimming is also a life-saving skill that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. The Y has been teaching people how to swim for more than 110 years! We use skill-based instruction that maximizes physical activity, emphasizes safety, and elevates character development to engage families in our community. We have certified, caring staff trained to handle swimmers of all abilities and all ages. Y swim lessons stress positive values and give kids the opportunity to practice them, growing kids’ self-esteem and self-worth, while they have a great time.

Watch Cassidy’s story to see how Y lessons help teach her a life-saving skill. 

Quick Clicks

Current Swimmers will be evaluated during their session for the appropriate stage placement. Participants will receive a session progression report. Swimmers must be meet all requirements to move onto the next stage. 

New/Returning Swimmers (ages 3+) registering for a higher level class other than Acclimation will be required to take a swim evaluation prior to registering for a stage. These evaluations will enhance your swimmer's experience by ensuring they are in the correct skill level.  

Please click here to reserve a swim evaluation or contact aquatics@hamiltonymca.org to complete a swim assessment.

Parents/participants please visit the Member Service Desk to ensure that your contact information is correct. In the case of emergencies/notifications, we communicate via emails and text alerts.

All refunds/credits must be made within the same session.

Make ups are NOT provided for missed classes. This includes absences for personal travel, or conflicting activity schedules. 

  • If a class is cancelled due to weather, maintenance, or emergency related closure, we will process a credit VOUCHER to the participant’s membership account. 

Snow/Weather Closure

  • The pool will close for thunder or lighting for a minimum of 30 minutes since the last occurrence. 
  • Communication will be sent via text alert or email for any updates, please do not confront staff about timing of notifications as we need to clear the pool area prior to notifying. 
  • Snow Closures are subject to the facility closure and will be communicated via email and text alert. 

Emergency Closure

  • If an emergency occurs on the pool deck, please exit quickly from the pool area following directions by Aquatic Staff. 
  • Safety is the #1 priority for all guests and this will allow staff to provide care as needed. 
  • An emergency timeline can vary depending on the needs of the occurrence. 
  • A credit VOUCHER will be provided in case of a closure. 

Membership Information

 

  • Request for credits and refunds must be processed at the Member Service Desk by the end of the session in order for credit to be given. 
  • Membership and Joiner’s fees/dues are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

 

  • If you upgrade your membership during a session, the difference in program fees is non-refundable.
  • Membership refund requests accompanied by a physician note will be considered by the Member Initiatives Director Kailin at kvena@hamiltonymca.org.  

All program requests are processed at the discretion of the program directors

We can refund/credit as follows:

 

  • Refunds will be given for classes cancelled due to insufficient enrollment only.
  • Credit will be issued only when the YMCA has an unforeseen closure or when an instructor is absent (and no coverage is provided).
  • Credit will be issued for illness when it results in the loss of four or more consecutive class days and must be supported by a doctor’s note.
  • Credit can be requested for illness, with prior notification to Aquatics Director.
  • Credits issued must be used within six months of issue date.
  • Credit will not be issued for missed classes for personal absence.

 

Ages 6 months - 2.5 years

Develops water enrichment and aquatic readiness in children ages 6 months - 2.5 years. The category focuses on developing swim readiness skills through fun and confidence-building experiences. Parents also learn how to supervise children in the water, how to prevent accidents, and how to plan for emergencies. Parent participation is required.

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

Ages 2.5 years - Adult

Beginner Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance. Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently. Ages 2.5 years - Adult

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

Beginner Stage 2: Water Movement

Increases comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance. Encourages forward movement in water and basic self-rescue skills performed independently. Ages 2.5 years - Adult

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

Includes Parent Participation in the water.

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

Intermediate Stage 3: Water Stamina

Develops intermediate self-rescue skills performed at longer distances than in previous stages. Ages 4 years - Adult

Intermediate Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Introduces basic stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and reinforces water safety through treading water and elementary backstroke. Ages 6 years - Adult

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

Advanced Stage 5: Stroke Development

Introduces breaststroke and butterfly and reinforces water safety through treading water and sidestroke. Ages 6 years - Adult

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

Advanced Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics

Refines stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and encourages swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. Ages 6 years - Adult

JKR Branch

JKR Branch

Advanced/Precompetitive Swim

High School Stroke Conditioning is designed to replicate the intensity of a high school swim team practice. Our experienced instructors have over 25 years of coaching experience with competitive swimming. Swimmers must be able to show competency in all four strokes, flip turns, and a minimum distance of 200 yards (8 laps). Instructors will design a weekly set to provide variety focusing on technique and endurance.

*Unsure of your swim level? We strongly recommend coming in for a swim evaluation. Please see the swim evaluation times listed above. New swimmers with some level of experience or those that are unsure what level to register for must visit the JKR Branch to register or be evaluated for the correct swim level prior to registering online.  Those registering for our beginner level classes (Discovery, Exploration, Acclimation) may register online.

This course is for swimmers who can swim all four strokes and competitive swimmers who are not able to commit to a team.

*Unsure of your swim level? We strongly recommend coming in for a swim evaluation. Please see the swim evaluation times listed above. New swimmers with some level of experience or those that are unsure what level to register for must visit the JKR Branch to register or be evaluated for the correct swim level prior to registering online.  Those registering for our beginner level classes (Discovery, Exploration, Acclimation) may register online.

This class is designed to enhance an individual’s development in swimming for fitness goals, triathlons, and other aquatic programs. Instructors will focus on endurance, speed, and technique to grow skills. A swim evaluation is required.

Diverse Abilities Swim

The Diverse Abilities Swim program focuses on reaching children and adults with disabilities in a continued effort to promote equal opportunities for all. 

Through the Diverse Abilities swim program, parents and caregivers of children with disabilities will be given the opportunity to provide their children with the means to learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills in a safe environment. For more information, please contact Nicole Bizuga, nbizuga@hamiltonymca.org.

Please complete this intake form so we that we are aware of your child or adult's individual needs.

Non-swimmers and beginners who have basic skills in the water will learn technique and build confidence through various activities. Instructors work on individual needs in a group setting.

Private swim lessons are available for individuals with diverse abilities looking to improve skills and build an understanding of safety. After completing the intake form, instructors will be matched and create a plan to introduce skills to students.

Private/Semi-private

Class time: 30 minutes

These swim lessons are available for individuals who need help reaching a specific goal.

JKR Branch

Class time: 30 minutes

Must have 2 to register. Semi-private classes allow a maximum of two participants; instructors will work to meet the individual needs of each swimmer.

JKR Branch

Request for credits must be processed at the Member Service Desk by the end of the session in order for credit to be given. All program requests are processed at the discretion of the program directors. Every effort will be made to allow makeup classes due to emergency situations. We can credit as follows:

  • Credit will be issued only when the YMCA is unable to provide a makeup class due to repairs or when an instructor is absent.
  • Credit will be issued for illness when it results in the loss of four or more consecutive class days and must be supported by a doctor’s note.
  • Credits issued must be used within six months of issue date.
  • Credit will not be issued for missed classes.