Swim Lessons

The goal of the Aquatic Department at the Bedell Family YMCA is to provide quality instruction to fit the needs and ability levels of each and every participant. We focus on the progression of stroke technique while educating youth and adults on the importance of safety in and around water. Swimming is a lifelong activity. Proper training and education just might save your life one day!
 
(6-36 months)
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.
 
 
 
Preschool Classes (3-5 years): Child must be 3 by the start of the class. Maximum enrollment is 6. 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 paddle stroke, kicking skills, blowing bubbles with their face in the water, floating, pool safety, 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 paddle stroke.

Pre-requisite: Completed PIKE skills. Skills Spotlight: Kicking, floating on front and back, and progressive paddle stroke.

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, rescue skills, and learn about personal water safety.

Pre-requisite: Completed EEL skills. Skills Spotlight: Stroke development, treading water, building endurance, rhythmic breathing, and 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. They 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 8. 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 paddle stroke, personal safety, and the use of floating devices.

Pre-requisite: NONE. Skills Spotlight: Water adjustment, personal safety, floating, and the paddle stroke.

Guppy: Guppy swimmers continue to build confidence in their ability by practicing paddle stroke 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, floating, 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 and safety skills.

Fish: Children begin to see the results of their previous work and perform the front crawl, 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, breaststroke, and 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 and open/flip turns.